Chapter Text
England
1811
The wind blew softly, shaking the leaves on the trees, causing a few drops of dew to fall onto the grass. The sun was starting to rise and the fog was still present.
It felt like a morning like any other. A day like any other. Where there would be more family responsibilities to attend to, duties to perform, properties to manage, bills to pay, documents to review, and then, another night to come, where he would seek to suffocate, with alcohol and women, whatever feelings the day had brought with it, so he could endure the days to come. The man thought, sighing.
He was riding, head down, almost at random, going so slowly that even the geese were moving faster than his horse. But, he continued to ride keeping the slow pace, until he heard another horse approaching, he lifted his head to see who was approaching. That was when he saw her.
He felt his eyes light up, sparkling, at the sight of her, as the feeling of deep a recognition spread throughout his entire being. And that's when he knew.
She.
The bane of his existence. At least of the existence that he had led up until that moment.
Whom had turned that morning, that day, into extraordinary ones.
The one who would change his life forever.
The one he'd been dreading to meet ever since, that fateful day, his Sentinel senses have came online.
His mate, his Guide.
She was astride on her horse, riding quickly, covered by a hooded cloak, her dress were lifted, due to the way she rode. The only parts of her that were uncovered were her legs, a part of her thighs and a few strands of her hair that had escaped through the hood, as the end of her braid. Her locks were black and curly and the skin of her legs and thighs were of a rich brown.
The man was so entranced by her sight, and at the same time, shocked to find her so casually, like this, in this place, at the park, at dawn, that when he saw her urging her horse to skip the tall bushes, he realized that he was still, just watching her, and, that he wouldn't be able to reach her in time to stop her from jumping it.
A deep fear took over him and he felt awakening in him the desire to protect her above everything and everyone, sensing his Sentinel senses waking.
For the first time in years, Anthony Bridgerton found himself embracing them instead of fighting them. For the first time in years, he welcomed them. He surged forward, urging his horse, Serena, to run, but, his Guide had already leaped.
He gave an impressed smile and started heading towards her, without even thinking about the consequences that this meeting would bring them… He wanted, needed to know her, feel her, smell her, taste her. Mate her. Love her.
He stopped. What was he thinking? What was he doing? Hadn't he sworn he would never marry for love? That he would never form a bond with whoever was his mate?
Was one small glimpse of her, enough to put an end to all his oaths? No. He affirmed to himself, turning around.
So what, if he hadn't even seen her face, hadn't even felt her scent? It was better this way, safer… it's true that once she sees him, her eyes will light up, sparkling in recognition too, but, who said that they will ever meet again? He thought, trying to reassure himself, feeling the anguish in his heart increase the more he went into the opposite direction from her.
It was just his Sentinel senses, still so on edge, wanting to mate her. The feral love that he felt welling up in his heart, with such a great force, threatening to overflow the domains of his heart and dominate his entire being, his very soul, as if she is all that exists from now on, could only be because of his Sentinel nature wanting to form the bond. He couldn't, after seeing her for just some mere moments, already love her.
No. This were just his biological instincts and he would tame them, as well as his heart… He wouldn't mate her, much less love her.