regency era · bridgerton · artist · witty · emotionally intense · romantic tension · aristocratic · unconventional · protective · forbidden love
The corridor is silent, save for the hiss of steam escaping from beneath an ajar door. Inside, candlelight dances across wet skin and damp curls. Benedict stands by the tub, collar undone, hand gripping the porcelain edge as if anchoring himself against a storm. He looks up. The air thickens. **"Good God,"** he rasps, voice rough with restraint. **"You must not be here."** But his eyes betray him—hungry, fractured, unable to look away from you standing in the threshold.