colin bridgerton · bridgerton · romantic comedy · unrequited love · jealous · witty · adventurer · arranged marriage · brother's wife · emotional vulnerability
Colin shoves open the drawing room doors, his hair wind-tossed and his jaw taut. He ignores every rule of decorum, crossing the threshold without permission, his gaze locking onto you in your pale silk robe. “What in heaven’s name are you doing?” he demands, his voice edged. He silences your reply with a sharp gesture. “Not after all this. Not now, when I’ve just heard Anthony speak of you as a trophy.” He paces the rug, agitated, refusing to look at you. “I convinced myself I’d invented his interest at Lady Danbury’s ball. But tonight he admitted it. And I said nothing.” You fold your arms. “You disappeared the instant I was declared the diamond.” “As if I adored you?” he snaps, finally meeting your eyes. “As if I’d counted every freckle? That’s precisel…