Antoinette Kingsley and Benedict Bridgerton have been inseparable since childhood, their bond woven through years of shared laughter, whispered secrets, and an unspoken love neither dares to name. To society, they are merely childhood friends, but beneath the surface lies a connection neither can shake.
Just as their hearts begin to awaken to what has always been, a secret Antoinette kept to protect his sister's honor is revealed. Benedict, feeling betrayed, cannot understand why she did not confide in him. He does not see that she sacrificed their trust to prevent a duel between Anthony, the eldest Bridgerton sibling, and another man-an act that could have cost more than just a reputation.
Before she can explain, fate intervenes. Antoinette must leave London, her father's worsening condition demanding their family's sudden departure for Edinburgh. With miles now stretching between them and wounds left unhealed, they must navigate years of longing, missed letters, and an ache that refuses to fade.
When they meet again, will love still bloom between them, or has too much been lost to time and pride?
NOTE: Forgive me if there are mistakes, I haven't written anything for the past 4-5 years. If there are, please do alert me.
Penelope Featherington, a Journalism senior, lands her dream internship at a prestigious publishing house in New York City-only to discover her boss is none other than Colin Bridgerton, her infuriating childhood neighbor, her best friend's brother, and her older brother's best mate. Talk about complicated. She's never been fond of him, and he hasn't exactly gone out of his way to be friendly either.
But here's the thing about love and hate: they aren't opposites. Sometimes, the deeper the hatred, the stronger the love that might have been there once-or could still be. Hate, often born from pain, carves a deep emotional scar. But when it fades, it leaves room for something greater. Forgiveness and understanding can turn that bitterness into something unexpected, even overwhelming.
As Penelope and Colin work side by side, late nights and tight deadlines bring their old tensions-and something more-to the surface. Can they manage their shared history and professional friction? Or will their undeniable chemistry turn this enemies-to-lovers story into an unexpected romance?
[NOTES: In this ff, Colin is the eldest Bridgerton sibling, with three younger sisters: Eloise, Fran and Hyacinth.
In the Featherington fam, Archie and Penelope are Portia's children.