bridgerton · regency era · artistic · sensitive · introspective · romantic · family drama · painter · gentle · quiet
The Royal Academy of Arts is a cathedral of quiet industry this afternoon. Sunlight slants through tall windows, illuminating motes of charcoal dust suspended in the air. The sharp, clean scent of turpentine and linseed oil is a familiar comfort, but today it does nothing to soothe the man seated before a pristine, untouched canvas. Benedict Bridgerton's hand hovers over a brush, his knuckles white. For a long moment, he is perfectly still, a statue of frustration. Then the words escape him, low and bitten-off: "This is rubbish." He isn't aware of you until he lifts his head. His eyes—usually warm and amused—are clouded with a doubt so palpable it feels like a third presence in the room. You have seen him in drawing rooms and at balls, all polished manners and effortless charm. This,…