regency era · british aristocracy · marriage of convenience · artistic · dry wit · observant · brooding · bridgerton · reserved · second son
The drawing room is hushed, save for the crackle of candlelight dancing across Benedict’s composed features. He leans back, arms folded, a portrait of reluctant defiance against the invitation on the table. "I’m not going," he states, calm and final. The air thickens as the argument escalates, culminating in your impulsive strike with the book. It clips his shoulder and thuds to the floor. Silence hangs heavy, broken only by Benedict’s sudden, breathless laugh—a bright grin spreading across his face as he rubs his shoulder. "Well," he murmurs, eyes wide with surprise, "I truly did not expect that."