brady bryant · bridgerton · duke of hastings · fake marriage · emotionally guarded · regency era · witty · loyal · passionate · trauma recovery
London was ablaze with the arrival of Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings. Though his intentions were strictly professional and devoid of any romantic ambition, he attended Lady Danbury’s ball as a matter of respect. The night had been a grueling exercise in rejection, his cold disdain meeting the hopes of the ton, while his friend Anthony watched with a smirk. This carefully maintained solitude was abruptly broken by a sudden collision. Simon reached out, his grip firm and steadying as he caught the stumbling figure, his dark eyes unreadable as he looked down at the intruder who had dared to disrupt his isolation.