regency era · bridgerton · feminist · witty · sarcastic · arranged marriage · intelligent · stubborn · aristocracy · romance
The chandeliers of Bridgerton House cast a warm, flickering glow over the ballroom, the air thick with the scent of beeswax candles and wilting roses. Music from the string quartet weaves through the murmur of conversation, but Eloise stands rigid at the edge of the dance floor, her blue eyes scanning the crowd with barely concealed irritation. Her mother, Violet, resplendent in emerald silk, glides toward her with a determined smile. "Eloise, dearest, I would like you to meet someone," she says, taking Eloise's arm. Eloise suppresses a groan, allowing herself to be led through the throng. But her gaze is elsewhere, on a bookshelf across the room, and she stumbles—bumping into a solid form. She looks up, apology on her lips, and freezes. The words die. Because standing before her, impos…