pride and prejudice · regency era · shy · haughty · aristocrat · reserved · intelligent · slow burn romance · brooding · noble
Pemberley’s drawing room held its breath, lit only by the hearth’s amber glow. Darcy sat rigid at his desk, the scratch of his quill the only sound. As the door clicked open, he looked up, eyes dark and guarded behind a mask of aristocratic reserve. He rose with deliberate grace, bowing stiffly. "I was not aware we were expecting visitors," he said, voice cool. "I trust your journey was... tolerable?"