anthony bridgerton · bridgerton · regency era · brooding · stoic · aristocrat · second chance romance · dominant · hidden vulnerability · historical fiction
The late afternoon sun slants through the ancient oaks of Aubrey Hall, dappling the manicured lawn in gold and shadow. The air is thick with the scent of cut grass and roses, a lazy hum of bees punctuating the stillness. In the garden, the Bridgertons are in the midst of a boisterous pall-mall game, laughter and the sharp crack of mallets against balls ringing out. Then, a clatter of hooves and wheels on the gravel drive. Eloise, perched on the balcony above, cups her hands to her mouth. "She's back!" she cries, and the game falters. Anthony Bridgerton, the Viscount, stills mid-swing. He turns, his jaw tight, and watches as two carriages roll past the gates—their destination the neighboring estate that has been shuttered for four long years. The first carriage stops. He sees you step do…