Bridgerton
Season 3 – Episode 4
Episode title: Old Friends
Original release date: May 16, 2024
Plot: Debling’s visit to Penelope is a success despite the interference of the Featherington family, who are now happier to have her around due to her advantageous match. Colin Bridgerton continues to deny his feelings for Penelope, while Benedict continues his sensual encounters with the widowed Lady Arnold. Lady Danbury is upset with her brother, and the Queen is pleased with the good press from Lady Whistledown. A mysterious guest, Lord Kilmartin, an Earl, the gentleman whom Francesca shared a comfortable silence with, comes to call, which delights Francesca Bridgerton but confuses her family, expecting another suitor. Penelope later enjoys a visit to a large library with Debling, who appreciates her intellectual interests. Despite their compatibility, Penelope keeps glancing at Colin. Debling is interested in proposing but senses Penelope’s distraction. Meanwhile, Colin realizes his affection for Penelope after feeling uninterested in other women’s company. Francesca has an awkward encounter with Lord Kilmartin, who later gives her a thoughtful gift. At a ball, Penelope dances with Debling but is interrupted by Colin, who warns her against marrying Debling without giving solid reasons. Debling, noticing Penelope’s feelings for Colin, decides not to propose. This leads to a confrontation between Penelope and her mother, Portia. Colin confesses his feelings to Penelope, leading to a passionate moment and his declaration of their engagement to his family.
* * *
Move more slowly! I must not rush as I am with child.
Pfft. You do not know that for certain.
Uh, I threw up all night.
Is pregnancy sickness not associated with the morning?
What is it? My housekeeper said that Varley said it was urgent.
I was sleeping.
Shh.
Look. Your sister has a caller.
I have brought you a plant
so that you might continue to enjoy nature from your windowsill.
Thank you.
What is it?
Um…
Why her?
She must have blackmailed him.
Or trapped him in a closet.
Think she used a potion like the one Varley gave us?
We know what she did. She used Colin Bridgerton’s help.
Many people would do much worse to be connected to the Bridgertons.
I shall have to pick up Mr. Bridgerton’s mantle of assistance.
Lord Debling.
My other daughters just happened to drop by,
and they wish to say good day.
Good day.
Good day.
We are so pleased to have you.
So often, my Penelope is sat at that window, reading.
And now, here she is, in the room. And we have you to thank for that.
Is that so? Is there a reason you like that window so much?
Is the settee particularly comfortable?
Not particularly. I suppose I mostly just enjoy the view.
But I have grown rather tired of it.
And I am very glad to be here with you.
Oh, I thought I might find you in here.
I am found.
We are expecting the Marquess Samadani to call on Francesca this morning.
Can I count on your presence?
I think it may be best if I absent myself from this round.
Well, if I am there, I will surely eat all of the biscuits
and leave none for the marquess.
Dear… at last night’s ball,
when you were asking about friendship and whether it can blossom into love,
is there something you wished to discuss with me?
That is kind of you, Mother,
but it was purely a speculative question.
I simply want the best for Francesca.
I shall come down later.
Very well.
{\an8}Dearest Gentle Reader. A question.
{\an8}What is the primary force that guides us along our paths?
You are my solicitor.
Although, whether you remain so depends on what you say next.
I shall return with things in order.
Are you here to overcharge me as well?
I am not.
I have come to call on you.
{\an8}Mr. Bridgerton.
{\an8}I do not wish to be called on.
Is it our minds…
or our hearts?
The poor cousin says, “Well, I ought not dispute it,
for I have heard you claim so these past ten years.”
Splendid.
But before you consume all the mirth in the room,
you must tell us, to what do we owe the pleasure of your return to London?
You must forgive me for performing for the room.
Mmm.
I am accustomed to the staff
at my country estate being my only company.
It is that very lack of society that has brought me back.
Not to mention a lack of ladies.
Well, then, all shall work out perfectly.
I am occupied a good while.
And thus, you are free to meet with
as many ladies… as you might like.
When heart and head are in conflict,
every choice may feel like agony.
One person in whom thought and feeling are united
is Her Majesty Queen Charlotte.
After their meeting at the Hawkins ball, it seems the queen’s sparkler,
Miss Francesca Bridgerton,
may indeed be poised to become the new Marquess Samadani.
She lavishes you with praise, Your Majesty.
You can read from all the way back there?
With much practice, anything is possible.
Then I am pleased we are so well-practiced in hosting the most exquisite gatherings.
We shall arrange one promptly.
A celebration of our good standing.
And a chance, perhaps, to secure our match for Miss Francesca?
Step another pace backwards.
You read me too well.
Of course, whatever maketh our collective hearts swell
may yet make them break.
The season is still early and oft has a mind of its own.
That is the cake?
I believe it is called mille-feuille.
Oh.
Our cook has spoken with Lord Samadani’s kitchen.
This should be exactly to his standard.
I hope we have not put our cook to too much trouble for nothing.
Lord Samadani may not choose to call upon me.
Shh…
There is a caller here.
Yes! Bring him in.
Lord Samadani, welcome.
Our cook has prepared some mille-feuille in anticipation of your arrival.
Hyacinth, this is not Lord Samadani.
Oh.
Please forgive us for the error.
Oh, the error is mine, I am certain.
I am here to call upon one of your daughters, if I may.
Um…
My daughter Francesca?
Miss Francesca.
John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin.
It is a pleasure to meet you.
The pleasure is mine.
Lord Kilmartin and I met briefly at the Hawkins ball
but have not had the opportunity for a formal introduction.
I see.
May I join you a moment?
I should like that.
She does not speak to him.
I am in awe.
I thought one had to use wit or banter to dissuade a suitor.
But simple silence is radically more effective.
Perhaps they are enjoying themselves.
But how will they know each other if they do not speak?
And he comes to call
without having had a formal introduction first?
Uh, there is another caller here, my lady.
Lord Samadani, for Miss Francesca.
Lady Bridgerton, good day.
Good day, Lord Samadani. I shall fetch you a pastry.
Mr. Bridgerton. Miss Bridgerton.
And you must be Miss Hyacinth, I presume?
How dashing!
Miss Francesca. It is a pleasure to see you.
Good day, Lord Samadani.
I do not believe we are known to each other, Lord…
Kilmartin. But I was just leaving.
I do not wish to interfere.
Good day.
Oh!
Mmm!
And he is the third lord to suggest you must give up the club?
It seems that every member of the ton has had something to say on the matter,
all out of… alleged concern.
Their concern is insincere at best.
But once it is done, they will surely find something else on which to fixate.
You believe I should do as they would wish?
Give up all that we have built?
Was it not you who proclaimed that we should embrace all that we have now?
Why burden yourself with a business that will only cause further confusion?
I am not the one who is confused.
I am keeping my club.
I have been building my collection since 1790
and thought it only fitting to share it after all these years.
Mama, we are in a library.
For once, you must allow me to look at a book.
I cannot have you growing distracted.
You must think only of Lord Debling today.
This book is on voyages to the North, where Lord Debling intends to travel.
Well, let him tell you about it. Men love to explain the world to us.
If we have already explained it to ourselves through reading,
then they will feel superfluous and unmanned.
Good afternoon, ladies.
Miss Featherington, are you reading about the fabled Northwest Passage?
I was. I find it so…
Terribly confusing.
We cannot make head nor tail of it.
Would you be so kind as to explain?
I find books so captivating.
I have a collection of over 1,000 myself.
Nothing a book loves more than to be collected.
Yes, quite.
I do not know that anyone in this library
has in fact read a book through to the end.
Perhaps mine will be in the collection soon.
The tragedy of a spinster whose father is now promising
to marry her to one of his aged friends.
Sounds like German literature.
I aided you with that balloon,
and yet all the fan-fluttering seems to be markedly in your direction.
Perhaps you might grace us tomorrow night with your presence
if you are not busy fending off admirers?
We are in pursuit of some revelry.
I think I shall accompany you.
I could use a little revelry myself.
Are you looking for someone, Miss Featherington?
No. Only…
taking in all the books.
What is it you prefer to read?
I do not mind a stirring tale or a book of fact.
But in truth, I find myself drawn back
time and time again to stories of… love.
And what is it about those stories that interests you?
They are histories of connection,
of hope for a better life.
Does that make me sound terribly vapid?
Miss Featherington, I am happy to learn you have a passion.
One that brings you such joy as my research brings me.
We are alike in that way.
Are there any novels
in which the man goes traveling for a very long time,
and his wife is happy to stay behind, tending the estate?
I suppose that would not be a book with much sentiment, would it?
Not necessarily.
But if the wife did have her own interests in life, then
perhaps they could both be very happy.
A practical match… but a happy one?
I like the sound of that.
And how, dare I ask, might this fictional gentleman
ask for the young lady’s hand?
Especially if she had no male relative.
If… If you were writing the book, that is.
Well, I suppose he would have to ask her mother.
I see.
And if her mother gave her blessing,
do you think she would say yes?
I think you would have to read the book.
Are you quite well? You appear…
I am afraid my enthusiasm is elsewhere this evening.
So you would prefer to watch?
You have already paid.
Fine.
Good day.
If the marquess asks you to dance a second time at the queen’s ball,
it is a clear declaration of interest.
We shall see if he even asks me for a first dance this time.
Oh, something tells me he will.
But if that interest is not shared, and…
There is Lord Kilmartin.
Uh… do you know his family?
Oh, not well.
They’re a rather reserved bunch, known to keep to themselves.
Are you interested in him?
Good day, Lord Kilmartin.
Miss Francesca. Lady Bridgerton.
You left quite abruptly the other morning.
Well… you had another caller.
I hoped I might see you at the opening of Lord Fuller’s collection yesterday.
No. I do not often attend society events
unless I am required to by the rules of good manners.
I see.
And so, are you stopping to speak with us
just to… be polite?
I… believe you stopped me.
Enjoyable music, yes?
If I am being honest, no.
The pace is too fickle.
Just as you think you are starting to comprehend the melody, the song is over.
A song like this would be sweeter if it were played in 3/4 so one could, in fact,
feel… the music.
That is helpful.
Uh… If you’ll excuse me.
To answer your question, no, I am not interested in him.
Oh. Uh…
A visitor for Miss Cowper, my lady.
Eloise.
Cressida. Lady Cowper.
What a welcoming home you have.
It is like… a museum in here.
It is calling hour, Miss Bridgerton.
And I should like to call on Miss Cowper a moment
if that is allowed.
Is everything all right?
I came to see that you are well. You did not seem yourself yesterday.
Oh.
I do not believe I have ever had a friend call to the house before.
Truly?
I cannot blame anyone.
It is more like a… mausoleum in here.
Isn’t it?
Are you all right?
I did make it clear it was calling hour.
Certainly, you were not clear enough.
Miss Bridgerton, if I may speak to my daughter.
Alone.
Of course.
You are not to be seen with that Bridgerton girl any longer.
Do we have an understanding?
Are you certain you cannot come with us to dinner tonight?
Two-thirds of the lords have closed their accounts.
I cannot afford to bring an outside bartender in until I solve this problem.
Perhaps a new… decorator or a cook.
I am sure the answers will come to you.
On my Grand Tour, I encountered this Greek girl in the Balkans.
My bear leader looked the other way while we became acquainted
for six months straight, all over the peninsula.
She sounds like the young woman
who made my time in the French Quarter worth the length of the voyage.
Much to offer upstairs, and I do not mean her mind.
What about you, Bridgerton?
You were gone for quite a while.
I am sure the girls of summer made your trip quite fulfilling?
I did tell you my story of the contessa, did I not?
Yes, but you did not give details.
Well, a gentleman must keep some things to himself.
Oh, come now. I do not see a gentleman amongst us.
And I concur with you there.
Oh, forgive me.
But it is tiring, is it not?
The necessity imposed on us to remain cavalier
about the one thing in life that holds genuine meaning.
Do you not find it lonely?
Miss Featherington.
Mama?
Lord Debling has requested my permission to propose.
Did you give it?
Of course I did.
You have done very well.
You know, I’ve heard that Lord Debling has one of the largest homes in Mayfair,
24 staff, a fleet of curricles.
And he tells me he travels often,
which means it will be up to you to manage his estate.
Can you imagine the kind of influence that will give you?
The kind of influence it will give… all of us?
Mama, I have not said yes yet.
But of course you will.
His traveling does have its advantages.
I do enjoy my privacy, but…
But what?
Penelope… you have spent your pin money
changing your clothes, your hair, and it has had the desired effect.
Lord Debling is a bird in the hand, and a very fine bird at that.
Do not become greedy in your success.
What more could you want?
Oh, do not tell me you’re holding out for love.
Ugh!
This is the very reason why I discouraged you from reading.
Love is make-believe. It is only in your storybooks.
Do you know what is romantic?
Security.
Be smart, Penelope.
And if you will not be, then I will be for you.
Are you ready for me, miss?
Yes.
Your gloves, ma’am.
Thank you. Mrs. Wilson.
Colin, everyone is in the carriage. Are you not dressed?
No. I wanted to tell you I should like to stay home tonight.
Oh, you do not look well.
Was it you I heard lumbering in the hallway late last night?
I am… well.
You know…
you have always been one of my most sensitive children.
Always aware of what others need. Always trying to be helpful
or offering a joke to lighten the mood.
You so rarely put yourself first.
I am proud of your sensitivity.
But living to please others?
I imagine it can be wearying at times.
Painful, perhaps.
So, I do not blame you for putting on armor lately.
But you must be careful
that the armor does not rust and set
so that you might never be able to take it off.
My head is bottle-weary.
Forgive me for lashing out.
I should simply like to rest this evening.
Mm.
It is only a shame…
that you might miss the fruits of your labors.
I hear Penelope may be getting a proposal tonight.
Lady Featherington will not stop telling anyone who will listen.
Tonight?
That is rather quick.
Likely because of your help.
Hm.
I do hope you feel better.
Perhaps this little love play
will inspire my lovers tonight.
Miss Featherington. Lady Featherington.
Good evening.
Have you come to steal away my daughter for a dance, Lord Debling?
I do believe she has at least one spot left on her dance card.
Many, in fact.
In that case, may I have the honor of taking one of your spots?
Lady Bridgerton.
Lord Anderson.
Oh, thank you, but I have no appetite.
Are you enjoying your evening?
Oh, very much.
I have not spent much time in Mayfair since the early days of my marriage.
In the countryside, one can walk
and look at trees and lounge about one’s house.
Enlighten me. However does one pass the time here in the city?
I am afraid most of us spend our time meddling in the lives of our young.
At least, that is my and your sister’s favorite pastime.
My sister likes to meddle?
Well, that word does not do her justice.
She molds society to her will, and she is rather good at it.
Hm.
You do not know that about her?
We are…
becoming reacquainted.
And who is the target of her molding at the moment?
Ah. My daughter, Francesca.
Ah…
Though, I am not certain she has yet found that spark.
Well, for what it is worth…
Mm.
…sometimes a fire is slow to burn.
Mm.
My own marriage was not a love match,
and admittedly not very passionate in the beginning.
But I became very fond of her.
We were happy until the day she died.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Maybe there is hope, then.
Mm-hmm.
I, myself, had a love match,
so that is all I know.
You have my deepest sympathies.
But I am envious.
You had the chance to experience a love match.
That is something I, myself,
have not given up on finding in my second act.
It looks as if your sparkler is shining brightly for you.
Indeed, she is.
Hm.
Even Lady Whistledown could not disagree with the brilliance of my match.
Mm.
Perhaps this has opened the door
to a friendlier alliance between the gossiper and the Crown.
I daresay it very much has.
Mm.
I am grateful to you for keeping me company.
I did not want to miss another ball,
but I also was not looking forward to coming here alone.
Your husband should be here with you.
Mr. Mondrich seems to be having a difficult time
relinquishing our old life, no matter how hard I tug at him.
He’s quite attached to his bar.
The queen will not smile favorably
on a man of rank working in a club.
You must show Mr. Mondrich
that this new life is worth his sacrifice.
Past lives
are dangerous places to revisit.
Did you enjoy the ballet, Mr. Bridgerton?
Very much. So much so I wonder if I have missed my calling.
As a dancer.
Oh.
Ah. Lady Arnold. You must join us.
Lord Fuller. Lady Fuller. A pleasure seeing you both.
Have you met Mr. Bridgerton?
Indeed.
Briefly.
Quite so. It is a pleasure, though.
We were just sharing our thoughts on the ballet.
I must say, I do not know that the male dancer
needed to be in such a state of undress.
He certainly could have put on a shirt.
Could not agree more.
Nothing worse than a state of undress.
Eloise, there you are. I’ve been searching for you all evening.
Should you not be careful talking to me?
I am “that Bridgerton girl,” after all.
You heard that.
I apologize for my father.
And I apologize that he is a bloody fool.
Eloise!
If you need to keep your distance from me a while…
I understand.
No. My father will have to endure it.
Besides… he is a fool.
You are unlike many people, Eloise.
How is it you have the courage to be so different?
It is not courage.
I simply cannot understand why others do not see things the way I do.
And how do you see things exactly?
Well…
since you have asked…
Damn!
Let me.
Sister, where are you off to?
I am retiring early.
The ballet has been danced, the queen is satisfied by her sparkler,
and I should like to take a little time for myself.
If you’ve finished your meddling elsewhere,
perhaps I can offer myself as your new target.
I hear you are something of a molder of society.
And I keep meeting the most intriguing woman.
I do not know what you have heard,
but I ask that you leave me out of your raking about town.
I am not interested.
I understand how my activities may appear rather rakish,
but I assure you, they are pure of heart.
And is your heart located in your breeches?
Miss Francesca.
Lord Kilmartin.
I am afraid I am rather parched from dancing with Lord Samadani.
So much so that I do not feel much like talking.
Ah, is that not, in fact, our preferred form of communication?
You must forgive me for rushing off abruptly last time we met.
It is only that I wanted to get you this.
I am not a man of many words.
And the words I do have, I am afraid they are not very good.
But I do believe in the power of a gesture.
Miss Francesca, I’ve brought you some lemonade.
Forgive me, Lord Samadani.
Mama, I am keen to return home early,
if that is all right?
Well, I…
Let us find your brother and your sister first.
Of course.
Lord Samadani.
Lord Kilmartin.
What is happening?
I believe Lord Samadani was fetching Miss Francesca lemonade,
and now she is…
Not drinking the lemonade.
Precisely, Your Majesty.
She is not drinking the lemonade.
Perhaps it is for the best.
Uh, children do take up so much time
and drain one’s beauty.
Though, of course, we both have much to spare.
Are you suggesting we give up?
Ow! You are giving me a pain in my chest.
Oh, no.
Uh… For… Forgive me.
In fact, I have been tender all week.
Are you mocking me?
My chest has been sore nonstop.
And that is not dropsy of the pancreas.
Mama said it’s a clear pregnancy sign.
Mm…
Is it?
Good evening, Bridgerton.
Hear, hear.
Bridgerton. Fashionably late?
In truth, it is not worth it. Come out with us.
Though, this time, we are drinking at White’s
instead of that dreadful Mondrich bar.
Excuse me.
Is everything all right, Miss Featherington?
Everything is wonderful.
I am glad to hear it.
May I ask you a question, my lord?
Anything.
Considering how often you travel,
it makes sense to me that you seek a practical match. But…
do you imagine that, with time…
love may one day grow?
I do not know.
To be honest, my work has such a large portion of my heart,
it may be difficult to make more space.
But I am very glad
that you are someone who seems to have such a full life.
You look especially beautiful tonight, Miss Featherington.
And can you imagine the spare time there’d be
if we did not always have to think about marriage?
The time we would have to read or exchange ideas
or do anything that isn’t entirely for the purpose of ensnaring a husband.
That is interesting.
Isn’t it?
No. I meant, your brother is walking right up to Penelope and Lord Debling.
Do you mind if I interrupt?
Colin.
It should only take a moment.
It appears you two have something to resolve.
I shall leave you to it.
We shall return to this conversation another time, yes?
Uh…
Lord Debling.
You are much too handsome for social ruin.
I’d be more than happy to finish your dance with you if you need a partner.
Colin, you’ll ruin things between me and Debling.
Perhaps that is for the best.
What do you mean?
Pen… you cannot marry him. You hardly know him.
I know him well enough.
I hear he is leaving.
For three years.
I know that already, Colin.
It takes a year alone to get where he is going.
They do seem upset, do they not?
Eros and Psyche battling it out.
What you are trying to say, Miss Cowper? Are they not old friends?
The oldest of friends, really.
Ever since the Featheringtons moved in across the street.
Across the street from the Bridgerton house?
Directly.
I see.
I have made my peace with what Lord Debling has to offer.
I am going to accept his proposal.
Thank you for the dance, Miss Cowper.
I said I’d help you find a husband, but I cannot watch you make a mistake.
The only mistake was me ever asking for your help in the first place.
Lord Debling!
I’m sorry we were interrupted.
I know the ball is ending, but… shall we return to our conversation?
Why is it you sit at your drawing-room window so often?
I…
All week, I’ve watched you search for someone.
I thought you might have had a falling out with Mr. Bridgerton.
But now I suspect you may have been searching for him for a different reason.
For the same reason you prefer your drawing-room window
and the view it affords out towards the house across the square.
I do not know of what you speak.
I am speaking of Mr. Bridgerton…
and the feelings between the two of you.
I can assure you,
Colin Bridgerton would never ever have feelings for me.
It is laughable to think as much. We are friends, nothing more.
Would you like it to be more?
I do not…
That is not even…
That is not a possibility.
I did not ask if it was a possibility. I asked if you’d like it to be.
Miss Featherington, with the amount of time I will be gone,
it is essential I make a match
with someone whose affections are not already engaged elsewhere.
Whatever it is you are searching for,
I do hope you find it.
Good evening.
Where is he going?
What have you done?
That is your question?
Not am I well?
Do I only matter to you if I have a lord’s engagement ring on my finger?
Mama, I am pregnant.
I think.
Hello? Are you not excited?
It is said that the heart
is forever making the head its fool.
Francesca.
Lord Kilmartin,
he had the music we heard earlier this week rearranged…
exactly as I imagined it.
And when one chooses the heart over the head,
often, all reason goes out of the window.
But the body has a way, indeed,
of knowing most what it needs.
And this author is not one to deny
the age-old wisdom of a beating heart.
Wait!
Penelope.
I do not wish to speak with you.
Please!
Let me in.
We will stop at Bridgerton House first.
Yes, miss.
What do you want?
Did Lord Debling propose?
What business is that of yours?
I need to know. Did he propose?
It is odd.
When I asked for your help in finding a husband,
I did not realize that also meant you might try to deny me one as well.
It is my business because I care about you.
You cannot marry that man.
He will leave you, and he is too particular.
And he is… He is just not right for you, Pen.
He did not propose.
In fact, he rejected me because of you.
The scene you caused led him to believe you have feelings for me.
An idea so preposterous, I do not know what to do besides laugh.
Now, will you please let us ride home in silence and leave me alone.
I cannot.
Please!
I cannot.
Because…
What if I did have feelings for you?
What?
I have spent so long trying to feel less,
trying to be the kind of man society expects me to be.
And for a moment, I thought I had succeeded.
But these past few weeks have been full of confounding feelings.
Feelings like a total inability to stop thinking about you.
About that kiss.
Feelings like dreaming of you when I’m asleep.
And in fact preferring sleep because that is where I might find you.
A feeling that is like torture.
But one which I cannot,
will not, do not want to give up.
Please.
Do not say things you do not mean.
But I do mean it.
It is everything I have wanted to say to you… for weeks.
But… Colin, we are friends.
Yes, but we…
Forgive me. Um…
I do not know what I was thinking.
But I’d very much like to be more than friends.
So much more.
[“Give Me Everything”
Oh!
Colin! We are at your house.
What?
Oh God.
Could the carriage driver not keep on driving?
Do you think anyone saw us?
I was not paying much attention to anything.
What are you doing?
Colin?
Are you coming with me?
What?
Your… Your family will see me.
For God’s sake, Penelope Featherington. Are you going to marry me or not?
