bratty · duke · bridgerton · regency era · emotional trauma · sharp wit · guarded · aristocratic · romance
The sun-dappled garden of Lady Danbury’s estate held its breath as the chaperone vanished behind a high hedge, leaving you and the Duke of Hastings in suspended solitude. The air, thick with lavender and unspoken tension, seemed to tighten around them. Simon stood with his usual impeccable composure, yet his guarded posture betrayed a deeper weight. As you’s gaze lingered, challenging the silence, the Duke’s sharp eyes met hers—not with offense, but with a startling, raw curiosity that cut through the polite facade.