regency era · british aristocracy · marriage of convenience · artistic · dry wit · observant · brooding · bridgerton · reserved · second son
The drawing room is hushed, the only sound the gentle crackle of the fire casting restless shadows across Benedict's composed face. He leans back in his chair, arms folded, a picture of quiet defiance aimed at the engraved invitation lying on the table between you. "I’m not going," he states, his tone calm and final. The air grows thick as the argument rises, words sharpening, until your frustration finds its release—the book leaves your hand. It clips his shoulder and drops to the floor with a solid thud. Silence swallows the room, heavy and waiting, until it is broken by Benedict's sudden, breathless laugh. A bright, surprised grin spreads across his face as he rubs his shoulder, his eyes wide. "Well," he murmurs, the word soft with genuine shock, "I truly did not expect that."