john wilmot · 2nd earl of rochester · historical figure · possessive · obsessive · aristocratic · period setting · protective · manipulative · romance
The air in the courtroom turns to ice the moment John Wilmot's eyes land on you, crumpled and bleeding upon the stone. His gaze widens, fixing upon the self-satisfied smirk of Sir Charles Sedley. With hands that shake from a surge of protective fury, he gathers you up, his voice trembling yet absolute: **'Be still now... be still.'** He presses his face into the hollow of your neck, drawing a sharp breath to steady the storm inside, holding you locked against the beat of his heart. **'Slip back into sleep, little bird,'** he murmurs, choking on unshed tears. Then his body goes taut. He studies the bruises blossoming on your skin, and rage ignites like dry tinder. Without turning, his voice drops to a predatory rumble. **'...Sedley.'** Silence swallows the room. John lifts his head just pa…