Bridgerton
Season 4 – Episode 8
Episode title: Dance in the Country
Original release date: February 26, 2026
Plot: With Sophie in peril and the entire family’s reputation at stake, the Bridgerton’s must rely on the ton’s most powerful currency: scandal.
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Bridgerton – S04E08 – Dance in the Country | Transcript
Note for Students & Writers: This transcript is archived here for educational purposes, critical analysis, and screenwriting study. All rights belong to the original creators.
[metal rattling and clinking]
[lock opening]
[door creaking]
Please, there’s been a misunderstanding.
The woman who had me arrested did not pay me a wage for seven years.
She is not to be trusted.
I am not the magistrate, sweetheart.
Can you send word to someone for me, please?
Alfie Barrow. He works under the new Lady Penwood at Penwood House.
Your working friend, or anyone who might speak on your behalf, besides the fact that they are unlikely to be believed, if the lady who sent me after you has anything to do with it, she will make sure anyone who does speak for you faces personal ruin.
So, I can send for anyone you want, but you had better make sure you’re well worth the trouble to them.
No, you are right.
Take the blanket.
If you are convicted, it’s life behind bars… at best.
[somber music playing]
[music fades]
[regal fanfare playing]
[Lady Whistledown] Dearest members of the ton, Her Majesty the Queen honors you with her generous invitation to attend the event of the season.
[pleasant music playing]
It shall be, as all balls thrown by your Queen are, the grandest night of the year.
Full of spectacle, glamour, delights, that sort of thing.
Your presence is requested. Your style is required.
Your absence, without reason, will be noted.
[Michaela] The season offers some hope, at least.
With us in mourning, at least we will not be expected at the Queen’s ball.
Apologies, I was simply trying to… Of course. I am relieved.
Avoiding events was one of my and John’s most favorite shared activities.
[both chuckle lightly]
[Lady Whistledown] Oh, yes. Do note that this is an event in honor of Lady Agatha Danbury.
She has chosen to depart from London to go…
Elsewhere.
[chuckles]
Mmm.
Does it not seem a slight to Lady Danbury?
This part of the text is so small, I can hardly read it.
Now that the Queen does not have Whistledown to antagonize, perhaps she has shifted her animosity.
Do you know anything, Rae?
About Lady Danbury and the Queen?
I cannot say that I do.
No.
Of course you do not.
Oh! [huffs]
Rae is a good housekeeper. Just because you miss Varley does not…
Miss Varley?
Where would you get such a strange idea?
I do not think of her.
I have considered leaving every morning, until this one.
The dowager was rather pleasant upon waking.
That is because she had that former maid of hers apprehended last night, and at this very moment, I believe Lord Stotter may be behind these doors about to propose to Miss Li.
[Rosamund screams] [gasping]
Yes!
Yes, yes, yes!
My wife to be, then.
I shall see you soon, and with luck, every day after that.
You have surely made the match of the season!
Look at my ring! Congratu…
You must begin planning what you will wear to the Queen’s ball.
Surely the perfect place to announce your betrothal.
Where are you going, Mama?
To the jail, naturally.
Do you not know? I heard you were quite helpful in guiding Mama to Sophie.
Rosamund!
Did you have Sophie arrested?
A thief should not evade justice.
Sophie is not a thief, Mama. She was never anything but good to us.
I do not wish to hear from you on this matter any further.
I shall return soon.
You have done very well, Rosamund.
Are you not going to congratulate me?
Congratulations, sister.
She is where? It is my fault.
I thought her a thief and helped the Dowager Lady Penwood find her.
But Miss Posy made it clear I was gravely mistaken.
This Sophie worked in this house when it was under the dowager’s oversight, yes.
But does she have any family?
Less words, please.
I know who we should speak to.
[intriguing music playing]
Oh, is that an automated roasting spit?
[John] These two have a most urgent matter to discuss with you.
Perhaps you could let Hyacinth show you her ribbon collection.
She’s made quite a few additions lately. It is not so impressive.
I am thinking I might delay going to Eton for some time to spend time with you, Fran.
No, please do not do that.
I am so grateful to all of you for your support and attention, but, um…
I believe that your sister would like us all to act normally, if only for a time.
Yes. Thank you.
Perhaps we could… talk about someone else instead.
How are you, Mother? Oh! [chuckles]
How is your friend, Lord Anderson? Lord Anderson? Well, he… he… well…
Mother, I need to speak to you about Sophie.
[Violet] Oh.
Uh…
Forgive me for interrupting.
Francesca, um…
[hesitates] Um… Impressive or not, I should like to see that ribbon collection.
Come along. You as well, Gregory.
Did you ask her?
Ask her what? Ask who?
No, she had gone before I could find her. Do you know where she’s going?
Excuse me, my lady. Who are we speaking of?
Sophie. She has gone to the Americas. I tried to catch her ship, but there were two leaving.
And I could not find her in the crowd. You chased Sophie to the docks?
What is going on exactly? Your brother is in love with your maid.
Only she has left us in the middle of the night without saying goodbye.
Ma’am.
What?! Please do not write about this.
I am no longer Lady Whistledown. I cannot lose her to the Americas.
I need to know how one might charter a boat.
If she just left this morning there may be time.
[overlapping chatter]
[shouting] Will you all be quiet a moment?
[softly] Please.
Hazel has something to tell you.
I am so sorry to interrupt, but I have good news and bad news.
The good news being, Mr. Bridgerton will not be needing a boat.
[coachman] Whoa. Whoa.
[banging]
[guard] Someone is here to see you.
[Araminta] Hello, Sophie.
How rude.
You should be grateful a lady has even come to such an undesirable place.
Especially as I have come to help you.
[Sophie scoffs] Help me? Yes. I want to be generous.
You could avoid a trial, your public humiliation, any possible damage to the Bridgerton household for harboring you.
How?
A confession, of course.
It would make all this far easier if you admit you impersonated someone you are not, that you stole from me.
I did not. You did.
You have stolen everything from me.
And I will not give you what is left by confessing to make your life easier.
You have always made poor choices.
At least now you shall get what you deserve.
Guard! I am finished here.
This will not go well for you.
[melancholy music playing]
Without any witness to speak on your behalf, and based on the sworn testimony of the Dowager Lady Penwood…
Sir, please…
Miss Baek, I must remind you that you are not to speak.
At this time, I have no choice but to sentence you…
Sir! I must ask you to release this woman at once.
What is the meaning of this? Who, sir, are you?
Benedict Bridgerton, son to the late Viscount Edmund Bridgerton and brother to the Viscount Anthony Bridgerton.
And brother to the Duke of Hastings.
Mr. Bridgerton is a second son.
The girl is accused of stealing from a countess.
You besmirch my honor over a pair of shoe clips?
They must’ve been tremendously valuable.
Sir, Miss Baek has been in my employ for months now, and we can attest, based on her character, that these charges are certain to be unfounded.
They are certainly not. Do you have any proof?
Please, I urge you all to maintain decorum and act in accordance with your rank and dignity.
Lady Penwood, if this family were willing to pay you the cost of your shoe clips, would you retract your accusations against Miss Baek?
Yes, we are happy to pay.
That will be insufficient, as she also stands accused of impersonating a lady, a lady in a silver dress at the very masquerade ball held by the Dowager Lady Bridgerton.
I will have justice!
Then we need time to mount a defense for Miss Baek.
What kind of defense can there possibly be except that she has clearly clouded
Mr. Bridgerton’s judgment by seducing him?
I did no such thing.
How dare you imply that my son is…
Order! I will have order!
Magistrate Burton, we will provide Miss Baek with a barrister.
Until then, I wonder if you would be so kind as to save me from distress.
She is a ladies’ maid in my employ, and I cannot manage without her services.
I must beg for your aid.
Might you release her into my custody until things are set to rights?
We would be so grateful that you indulge my poor mother.
I will release Miss Baek on bail, on condition that she remain in the Bridgerton household, and you will guarantee she does not leave such household.
But might I suggest, talk with one another.
Unless you are able to reach an agreement amongst yourselves, we will meet again in a week’s time to determine Miss Baek’s fate.
[somber music playing]
There is to be no agreement.
She is going to prison. Oh, we shall see about that.
What do you think the Queen will say when she finds out you harbor a criminal, one you allowed to step outside her station and seduce your son?
Do you think she will allow you to remain in society?
Shall we find out?
[tense music rises]
[music fades slowly]
I cannot thank both of you enough.
I am grateful, but you should not have gone to the trouble.
I will not hear of it. Why did you not send word to us?
Would the constable not let you?
No, I thought perhaps I had done enough to push you all away.
Escaping in the night as I did, I did not wish to burden you further.
Well, it is a good thing we were alerted.
You have a great many people who care for you, Sophie.
I hope you see that.
Our trials are not over though.
If the Dowager Lady Penwood does not win her case in court, she may try to win it in public.
And if the Queen finds out about your… attachment, well, it could create a scandal so large, even your leaving for the country would hardly dampen the effects it might have on your younger siblings’ prospects.
There is no easy solution to that.
I am glad you are here and safely with us, Sophie.
Welcome home.
Your room is all made up and ready, but do let us know if there is anything we have forgotten.
I do not understand. My room is upstairs in the servants’ quarters.
Not anymore.
Lady Bridgerton has informed us that you are to be our guest until all this with the trial blows over.
Or until you formalize your attachment with Mr. Bridgerton.
Why did you not say? They have no attachment, Hazel.
Though Lady Bridgerton has made it clear that her son is not to cross this hall to your room for any reason, or you to his.
Of course. I have eyes everywhere.
[stifling laughter]
Come along, Hazel.
[soft chuckle]
[gentle music plays]
[door opens]
How long have you known?
I found your necklace in my bedroom last night.
The Lady in Silver, she wore this very same pendant.
I never wished to lie to you. I only…
I could not stand to think of your disappointment upon learning that the woman you searched for all that time would turn out not to be an enchanting young lady, but…
Me.
The very last thing I feel knowing it was you is disappointment.
I’ve spent so much of my life feeling alone in a crowded room.
I fell for you at the masquerade because you saw me.
Just me.
[gentle music rises slowly]
What kind of a man would I be if I only ever saw you as the Lady in Silver?
And yet, all this time, you did not believe that I could handle the truth.
Perhaps because your love for me is not what I thought it was.
Benedict.
[John clears throat] [music fades]
Forgive me, Mrs. Wilson has sent me to keep watch and ensure that both of you keep to your separate rooms.
[sighs] I could use a lie-down.
[door shuts]
We should hope at the very least to keep Sophie out of prison.
I hesitate to ask something of you so close to your departure, but in a perfect world, well, the Queen’s blessing of their union might protect us all from a scandal.
It is quite the fantastical tale.
Maid… gentleman… in love.
And perhaps too fantastical for Her Majesty to accept.
Mm, the Queen has wagered a great deal on Benedict’s getting married this season.
[sighs] It is unlikely.
Mm. But I am happy to try.
Also, I believe her father to be of nobility.
Well, does that help our case at all?
Not if the mother was a maid.
Even if Sophie had not been relegated to the position of maid herself, the ton would never accept a gentleman marrying a girl of illegitimate origins.
And I am afraid the best they can hope for is to slip quietly away to the countryside together.
I can delay my trip.
Stay, make sure that if any scandal erupts that I am here to…
Agatha, no.
It is your time.
I appreciate you trying with the Queen, but no.
No, you must go.
Violet Bridgerton…
[gentle music plays]
I will miss you. [chuckles sadly]
I will miss you too.
Very much.
[music fades]
[sighs deeply]
[door opens]
May I help you, Miss Baek?
Sophie will do, John.
[John chuckles softly]
Did anyone call for me?
Mm, no.
No, I do not believe so.
[door shuts]
[John exhales]
You look handsome tonight, John.
[John chuckles lightly]
Are you being quite serious?
Of course I am.
Because I have not been certain if you are interested.
[Hazel] You do have something of a reputation.
[fading] That was all before I met you.
[light music rises and fades]
I thought perhaps…
I have been trying to figure out how to sneak into yours as well.
I was furious when you did not recognize me.
I know.
I am sorry. I… I was furious at first.
But then I realized it does not matter, Benedict.
You have shown me a tremendous amount of love, more than I have felt in a very long time.
And my inability to believe in it…
The only other person in my life I was sure loved me was my father.
He was the sixth Earl of Penwood.
Richard Gun.
He promised he would always take care of me, and I trusted that.
I trusted his love.
But after his death, it became clear that I had been mistaken in both cases.
Is it because of him you became a maid?
He provided nothing for me in his will.
Araminta made that very clear.
Did you see this will for yourself?
No, I did not wish to be further crushed.
[soft music plays]
Sophie.
It is clear that woman despises you.
From the very day she met me.
What reason would you have to believe her about your father?
I…
I do not know.
I simply believed her.
Believed that my father would have forgotten me.
Believed that the love I felt in my head was made-up from the beginning.
Believed that I should not expect you to recognize me or love me or commit to me.
Sophie.
[kisses] Of course I love you.
Do you believe me now?
I did not help. I should never have asked you to be my mistress.
I am forever sorry.
Last night I came back here for a reason, to ask you the question I should have asked you all along.
Do not. Not now.
I have my family’s blessing, Sophie.
Not with a trial hanging over us, your family’s reputation at stake.
Let us wait.
I love you.
I love you, Benedict.
[music fades]
Will you join me?
[Sophie chuckles]
[sensual rhythmic string music playing]
I cannot risk it yet.
[both panting]
Then we will not.
Turn around.
[Sophie breathes heavily]
[Benedict exhales deeply]
[both exhale]
[moaning softly]
[panting]
Mmm.
[both panting]
[breathing calms]
[song fades]
[chuckles]
You do not have to do that anymore.
Miss Bridgerton, I hope you are not cross with me.
[chuckling] Oh, I am positively outraged.
The most interesting thing ever to happen in my home happened right under my nose, and I was blind to it the entire time. [laughs]
Good. [laughs]
Because I would like to ask you a favor.
I would like your help getting into Penwood House.
[light music playing]
I am delighted you have come to call.
A little surprised, but delighted.
I am all for putting the past in the past.
Yes, as am I. [chuckles]
[inhales]
Well, we do have a good many things to discuss that should occupy us for a good many minutes.
I am all ears.
I… had heard you repainted with pink, and I wanted to tell you how splendid it looked. It is so…
You.
[chuckles]
[mischievous music playing]
[softly] Alfie!
What are you doing here? My father’s will. I believe it…
I believe it is in the study. Araminta is trying to put me behind bars, and I must know what it says before she succeeds.
[Alfie quietly] H… hmm.
[music fades]
You should sit before you wear a line in that rug.
Apologies.
I know that Lady Danbury was not optimistic, but I am certain everything will work out.
We will find a way. We always do.
[sighs]
So… [chuckles]
Sophie was the Lady in Silver.
Well, I think the Earl of Penwood’s daughter deserved to attend a ball at some point.
Mmm?
[both laugh lightly]
If we survive this chapter, what if I cannot do it?
Moving, permanently to the countryside.
Being a husband. Do you doubt your feelings for Sophie?
No, I doubt myself.
Why, Benedict?
Have I not been disappointing you my entire life?
I am never disappointed in my children.
Oh well, maybe I have… been hard on you at times, but… there is a reason for that.
It is because in many ways I was most like you as a child.
What do you mean?
[Violet chuckles]
Children have an easier time imagining a ghost in a darkened hallway than they do imagining their mother as a youth.
In fairness, I… I have mostly forgotten that girl myself.
What was she like?
She was impulsive, passionate, wild, carefree, filled with a burning desire to experience all that life had to offer and… and constantly wishing to do the opposite of what her parents wanted.
Anthony is just like your father.
But you… you are my son, through and through.
What happened to her? Well, I… [laughs]
I fell in love.
A love that made all my wild rebellion grow quiet and still.
I did not need it anymore. I was just happy.
[soft music playing]
[exhales] That is what I feel for Sophie.
Then your love will make you capable of anything you put your mind to.
I hope you have not left that wild, carefree young girl behind.
She sounds delightful, in her own right.
She was.
[sighs]
[tense music plays]
It has to be in here.
[clattering]
Lily thought she saw you walking up. I had to see for myself.
Irma. Do you know where the key for this is?
We’re looking for her father’s will.
I have seen his lordship open that with a key from this drawer.
Which one is it?
Your guess is as good as mine.
[keys clinking]
And will you be using this shade of pink for your country estate as well?
Eloise, I find it most difficult to believe that you came here today to compliment my taste in colors.
[chuckling] Oh. Why?
I… Can a young lady not simply wish to discuss the color pink?
I know why you are truly here.
[tense music builds]
You have finally succumbed to the mania.
[laughs] [music turns light]
The marriage mania.
It is clear you are at last imagining what it would be like to have a husband one day.
And you wish to know what it is like.
Oh…
Yes.
I am quite overcome with the madness.
It was difficult last season not having a shared dream for the future between us.
I do understand your view of things.
How marriage steals independence and liberty.
Mary Wollstonecraft and all that.
You read Mary Wollstonecraft?
You would not stop talking about her last season.
And, uh… what else was I supposed to do in Wales?
[both laugh]
She has some good ideas, but the truth is, she does not sufficiently value love.
It has the power to change one’s life, Eloise.
Yes.
I am starting to see that.
[up-tempo music playing]
Well done.
[Sophie] This is the one.
[exhales deeply]
“Richard Gun, the sixth Earl of Penwood.”
He bequeaths an additional £4,000 to Araminta for every year she houses me.
Oh my goodness.
That’s why she kept you on. She was profiting off you.
Sophie.
What is it?
I can see that marriage has been of great benefit to you.
At the very least, it has had the power to give me the drawing room of my dreams.
[both laugh softly]
It is quite an improvement on Cowper House, is it not?
You never belonged in that house. Or with your parents.
[solemn music plays]
I should like to apologize.
All that business with you nearly having to marry a man three times your age last season…
I was far too self-interested, really, to appreciate how difficult that must have been and how much your success on the marriage mart mattered to you.
Thank you.
And all is well.
Everything has worked out exactly as it should.
It has, indeed.
After all that, the shoe clips turned out to be fake.
Hm!
Is this what passes for gossip these days?
I do not care about shoe clips.
Or maids.
No matter what I may think of the Dowager Lady Penwood, if the magistrate sees fit to charge the girl, so be it.
The dowager also means to impress upon Your Majesty that this maid seduced a gentleman.
Benedict Bridgerton.
The most eligible suitor of the season.
Seduced by a maid? [Lady Danbury] Mmm.
Well, is it true?
[scoffs] No, it is not true.
She did not have to seduce him, because he… loves her.
Against all reason and expectation, they have formed an attachment.
She saved his life in the countryside, and he fell for her as she nursed him back to health.
A man once thought never able to commit, moved by the simple grace and beauty of a girl of humble origins.
Your Majesty, you were right all along.
Benedict Bridgerton is ready for marriage after all.
It is unfortunate.
I was right all along, casting my wager.
[Lady Danbury] Mmm.
But I will lose still.
Your Majesty.
Well, Benedict Bridgerton cannot marry a maid, can he?
I had hoped we could make one last great match together, Lady Danbury.
It is a shame for us to go out on a loss.
Tell me, Brimsley, how is the ball coming along?
[Brimsley] Extremely well, Your Majesty.
[somber music fades]
Wait! Slow down!
Got you!
What do you know about what is going on with Benedict Bridgerton?
You’ve been spending a great deal of time together this season.
What do you know?
You know something. You have been withholding from me.
If you know I’ve been withholding something, then you have been withholding something as well.
All I know, there is a lower-class girl, someone he knows he should not be with.
It is a maid at Bridgerton House. I overheard them. They are in love.
And the Dowager Lady Penwood is trying to send her to prison.
This morning, I spent four hours helping the Queen decide on florals for her ball.
Yesterday, there was a debate over whether the Pomeranian should be shaved to resemble lions.
The day before that… Alice.
We can move to the country if you are unhappy with your position.
No. No, we cannot.
One does not simply walk away from the Queen.
And I do not wish to. But I wish to do something of meaning, Will.
Lady Danbury helped the Queen reshape our society.
I am… decorating.
I’m not even decorating. I am saying yes or no while the servants decorate.
You and I, we were given this life out of thin air.
And it has been wonderful.
And we are enjoying ourselves at last, but I should like to help others enjoy it as well.
If I involve myself in trying to help this maid, either it will finally earn me the Queen’s close confidence, or it will ruin this family.
I should like to do it either way.
You have my full support, then.
[stirring classical music plays]
She hasn’t been gone that long, Benedict.
Mrs. Mondrich. Good day.
Alice, unfortunately now is not an ideal time.
Yes, I know. Lady Danbury had little success with the Queen.
But I have an idea for another approach.
[music fades]
[knock at door]
My mother and I have been so worried for you.
Forgive me. The new Lady Penwood insisted on Miss Bridgerton staying for tea.
How did it go?
I saw my father’s will.
What is it?
My father…
He kept his promise.
Posy, Rosamund, myself.
He left us each an equal-portioned dowry.
He loved me.
[gentle music playing]
Of course he did.
How could anyone not?
You are not going to prison.
The Dowager Lady Penwood stole your dowry.
That makes her a liar and a thief.
If she has not already spent it all, I have a dowry.
It still does not make me legitimate or an appropriate match for a gentleman.
I do not care about the money. I do not care whether you are appropriate or not.
Mrs. Mondrich came to call.
She is one of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting.
She has a plan to help us.
What is it?
We will have to find you a dress because you are going to the Queen’s ball tomorrow.
[music peaks and fades]
It is a game for two.
Forgive me.
It is my family.
There is a scandal brewing.
A scandal?
Do tell.
[Francesca chuckles]
Benedict, my brother, is in love with a maid.
My family, we are all supporting them.
[sighs] But everyone else in the ton will surely be up in arms if they find out.
Which, I confess, does feel rather trivial compared to…
Now is when you choose to hold your tongue?
[chuckles, hesitates]
I am only surprised.
Your family is surprising.
I would not blame you for distancing yourself from us, from me.
No. I meant surprising in a good way.
Love does not always look how one expects, I imagine.
I am not one to judge the happiness of others.
[Francesca chuckles]
I am relieved to hear you say so.
[Michaela chuckles]
I had hoped, if you were not concerned by our continued association, that you might consider staying here in London until a new heir is found.
I am here. I know. [chuckles]
But I suppose I am feeling…
A suspense about when you might leave again, as you so rarely stay in one place for long.
You are the only other person who truly understands.
[soft music playing]
If you would like it, I shall stay.
It would mean a great deal to me.
I feel very close to you, Michaela.
As do I.
[music fades]
Look what one of the maids helped me rescue from the bin.
Hm. Slightly rumpled, but I think it gives it character, no?
You need not have bothered.
Ah. I take it you are still planning not to debut.
[Eloise groans]
I must say, I think that would be a mistake.
You cannot be serious.
After you incessantly mocked my lessons…
In my defense…
They were extremely mockable.
I thought you would be thrilled.
Now you will not grow old alone.
We can be spinsters together.
As wonderful as that sounds, I know it is not genuinely what you want.
It is all right to be frightened.
What happened to John, it is beyond awful.
It frightens me too, more than I care to admit.
Some things are out of our control.
But what is in our control is our ability to support one another and ensure that we do not allow fear to keep us from experiencing something that could be truly special.
Now you are a proponent of marriage? Proponent is far too strong a word.
But after spending a season by your side, I can see that, on occasion, marriage might have its advantages.
Companionship, family, a prime seat at a soiree.
And then, if not for mother and father’s marriage, we would not all have each other, which seems a rather large reward.
Most of the time, anyway. [chuckles]
I suppose your points have some merit.
Though if… I am to one day find the right husband, I think I should like to get to know myself better first.
An excellent plan.
[indistinct chattering]
[up-tempo string music playing]
[all laughing]
The season will not be the same without you, Lady Danbury.
Well, I have no doubt you will still find ways of enjoying yourselves.
[ladies laugh] You will be missed greatly.
[ladies agreeing] By the Queen, most of all.
Hm. Well.
Here’s to us.
[music ends]
Tonight is our night, Rosamund.
Let us greet Lord Stotter, and then we shall speak to the Queen and settle the matter of Sophie.
[softly] I can do this.
I can do this.
Are we certain we can do this? Would it not be better to wait until we see the magistrate?
It may be too late by then if the dowager gets to the Queen tonight.
Mrs. Mondrich will arrange everything.
You will just have to tuck in close as we sneak you in.
Hopefully, the last time.
Your party?
Violet Bridgerton.
The Dowager Lady Bridgerton.
Yes, plus three.
Something like that, yes. So many children. [laughs]
Bridgertons, come with me.
[light music plays]
Wait, what are we meant to do now, then?
Well, it is strange not to be at the very center of a scandal for once.
[Eloise chuckles] Mm. Let us enjoy it, then.
May I have this dance? [chuckles]
[Eloise chuckles]
Miss Posy.
Miss Bridgerton.
Oh. No.
I am… I do not know if you know, but I was not part of…
No, I… I assumed not.
I was simply greeting you. [chuckles]
Though perhaps I should not. Your mother may disapprove.
[inhales sharply]
But do not let her dictate what you do.
A friend of mine has a mother not too dissimilar to yours, and that friend has done very well for herself now.
Truly?
You have the interest of Lord Barnaby.
He does ask me to dance from time to time, but my mother’s efforts are concentrated on my sister this season.
Oh.
I should not let her dictate the matters of my heart like that.
Lord Barnaby is most eligible.
And your mother and sister are occupied.
Go.
Very well.
Miss Posy, will you at last accept my offer of a dance?
Lady Penwood, you are being summoned.
Am I being summoned by the Queen?
That was easier than I thought.
Come along, Posy.
Now.
Excuse me.
[music fades]
What is this?
I thought the Queen was to join us.
I believe you will be glad she is elsewhere for the moment.
Sophie? Mama, what is she doing here?
Seven years.
[doors shut]
Seven long years I spent serving you in my own home.
I asked you the day you kicked me out why you kept me so long, and I know now it was never out of any goodness, but only because my father promised you an extra stipend for every year you kept me on.
But you were never meant to keep me on as a maid.
How do you know that? [Sophie] I saw the will.
And I also saw that my father left me a dowry.
Mother. Quiet, Posy.
[Sophie] Three equal parts.
One for Rosamund, one for Posy, and one for myself.
Yet I venture to guess that what you have promised Lord Stotter is double what you have told Posy she is to receive.
Doubled by the embezzlement of my portion.
Oh, this is preposterous. How dare you accuse my mother of such a thing?
Eighteen thousand pounds.
What is yours?
Did you not believe my beauty and charm were enough on their own to make a match?
You believed I needed 36,000 pounds?
This is all beside the point. She stole from me.
I was the one who stole the shoe clips, Mama.
It is not about the shoe clips.
The money for your dowry, it was our money, it should have been our money.
But you stole it from us.
You stole him from us.
My girls needed a father.
They needed his love.
[tearfully] I needed his love.
But instead you were there.
Araminta, he loved you too.
I saw it.
And you have the love of your daughters.
Both of them. Do not take it for granted.
Trust me, it serves no one.
[sobbing] Richard was a good man.
But he lived in a dream world.
He thrust his greatest mistake upon me with no notice or warning and left me to face the consequences of harboring an illegitimate child.
I have done nothing but try to protect both of my girls.
But Mama… we have never been in jeopardy because of Sophie.
And I am tired of talking about her.
There is still the matter of you impersonating nobility.
Oh that, I think, we can settle ourselves, as you have committed a far greater crime.
Embezzlement of a dowry, dishonoring the late earl’s will and estate.
I will not go to prison.
If you ruin me, I will ruin her.
And vice versa.
It is simple.
We shall all agree to a more mutually beneficial recounting of events.
[light music playing]
It is a beautiful evening.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Mrs. Mondrich. Are you quite well?
Your Majesty, I have prepared something for you.
The maid Benedict Bridgerton is in love with, she is here.
What do you mean she is here?
I’ve arranged for her to be here so that you might see what is between her and Mr. Bridgerton.
Because I believe if you were to witness it in person, you will see the love they share…
No, Mrs. Mondrich.
Get her out of here. Oh, Your Majesty.
Perhaps… Your Majesty.
I will not.
[intriguing music builds]
Once upon a time, there were royals living in a palace who wished for you to go away.
But you stayed.
And you are the most fascinating woman to have sat on the throne in a very long time.
You are a patron of music, of the arts.
You have zebras in your gardens, and you love gossip.
You are a woman of many interests, but you are missing the largest portion of what is amusing in the world by ignoring those of the lower classes, because, with all respect to you, Lady Danbury, not every maid is humble or graceful or simple.
The woman Benedict Bridgerton is in love with, a woman capable of making that man settle down?
That woman is sure to be full of vim and vigor.
A spitfire so full of life that she has a countess setting foot in a prison because she is so obsessed with this woman.
Your Majesty, you are missing all the good gossip.
[vibrant music builds]
[Charlotte inhales]
Mmm.
[music peaks and fades]
That is too far. I will not do it.
[Benedict] You will.
And you’ll retreat to your country estate for the remainder of the season.
Well, Mr. Bridgerton.
[doors shut]
I am told you are in love.
[hesitates] Yes, Your Majesty.
May I present Miss Sophie Gun.
Gun?
As in the late Lord Penwood?
She is the daughter of his cousin.
Were you not just saying how much they resembled each other, Lady Penwood?
I was.
She spent most of her life in the country and has only just come to town.
I thought you said… I was mistaken, Your Majesty.
[Violet coughs]
[tense music plays]
[chuckles]
[laughing loudly]
[Charlotte laughs]
Do you speak?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Is what they say true?
That you are a relation of the late earl?
I can say with complete conviction, Your Majesty, that I am by birth and by education a daughter of Penwood House.
You would have made a wonderful diamond.
[light up-tempo music plays]
[Charlotte] Very well, then.
Was there something of interest about shoe clips?
Uh, no, Your Majesty. I do not believe so.
I think there was.
But carry on.
[Charlotte laughs]
[laughing loudly] [doors open and shut]
[music recedes and fades slowly]
We’re cousins, then.
We are sisters.
[laughs lightly]
I think young Violet would be quite impressed by you today.
I think she would.
[chuckles lightly]
[music ends]
That was quite a risk you took.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You’re lucky I went along with it.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Run along.
This game you’re playing, I will not be manipulated.
You will not be. Did you hear?
Apparently Lord Stotter is not content with Miss Li’s now-inadequate dowry.
No. Stop it. No. Please.
Well, he has always been known to be a fortune hunter.
Miss Li is not my favorite, but I imagine the family rather needed one of the girls to make a match this season.
Something tells me all will be well.
Miss Posy.
Oh… [laughs]
[Colin chuckles]
[gasps]
Varley! What are you doing here?
Oh, my lady, forgive me for coming so late.
I hope you’ve not come to beg for your position back, Varley.
Because if you have, I’m afraid I must tell you that we are more than satisfied with Rae.
[Varley] No, certainly not.
I am headed to the country for a new position.
And I have come for some of my things before I leave town.
I left behind a few… books in my rush to depart.
Did we not tease Penelope about her reading together?
I do not remember you picking up a single book.
Well, I also came for an apology. I never got one.
An apology? From me? About what?
Well, for taking me for granted.
For treating me like family and then working me like a dog and paying me worse than that.
I think that is highly unfair. You will not be getting an apology from me.
Very well.
[sighs] Perhaps…
[light music plays]
Perhaps I could… possibly be apologetic about one or two things.
Those, uh…
Dresses that I offered you, they were clearly out of season.
I should have found you something nicer.
Or paid you more.
That will do.
I forgive you.
Oh, Varley.
I have missed you.
Oh, I cannot begin to tell you.
That Penwood woman, she made working here seem like a holiday.
I was only going to the countryside because she came home tonight in a foul mood and dismissed me.
Dismissed you? Yeah!
What sort of a fool would do such a thing?
[exclaims] Well, we cannot have you going to the countryside.
Oh, but you have Rae.
Yes, but…
It is a very large house.
[both laugh]
[chattering indistinctly]
Yes, he has formed an attachment, Miss Sophie Gun, a relation of the late Lord Penwood.
[gentle music builds slowly]
Miss Gun, may I have your first dance?
You may, Mr. Bridgerton.
[sweeping, elegant string music plays]
Was that not absurd?
[scoffs] It was a truly mad plan.
She is certainly full of new energy, that Mrs. Mondrich.
[exclaims]
Though I do not know if her plan worked because she planned it well or because of the sheer lack of a plan.
Well, she was right about one thing.
You do enjoy being amused.
[both laughing]
Ridiculous.
It is the best thing to happen all season.
No. The best thing to happen all season is that you are sure to win your wager with Mrs. Bridgerton.
[Charlotte] Ahh.
Oh, yes.
The bet shall be settled.
[Lady Danbury giggles]
[Charlotte cackles]
[Lady Danbury laughs]
[both laughing]
[Charlotte sighs]
That was fun, Lady Danbury.
[Lady Danbury] Hmm.
[Charlotte exhales]
[tearfully] We have such fun together.
[sobbing] Yes, we do.
[softly] I will miss you.
[sighs deeply]
[sighs, sniffs] Oh, bother.
[sniffs]
I command these to stop. [chuckles]
[stifling laughter]
To stop? [giggling]
[both laughing breathlessly]
[gasping] Shh…
[both laughing hysterically]
[music fades]
How does it feel to be officially recognized as a Penwood?
Strange.
But good.
Would you mind if I cut it short, then?
Because I would very much like to make you a Bridgerton.
[chuckles softly]
[tender music playing]
[guests exclaiming quietly]
Oh.
Will you marry me?
Yes.
Yes, I will. [both laugh]
[gentle music plays]
[laughs softly]
[music fades]
I am overjoyed at how things have worked in your son’s favor.
Oh, as am I. [chuckles]
The two of them can marry properly and stay here in town now if they wish.
They are a legitimate pair as far as anyone is concerned.
That is very good. [laughs]
And now we may at last make our announcement joyfully and without concern.
Shall we tell your children tonight?
Is something the matter?
[Violet] Um…
I, um…
[chuckles lightly]
It has been a rather eventful evening. Are we not perhaps rushing things?
I do not see any reason we should delay.
Unless you see one that I am not aware of?
One I should be made aware of?
I have been hesitant because of my children, because of my late husband, because of Francesca.
But today I came to understand another source of my hesitation.
Which is?
I have been a wife and a mother for so long.
I have lost perspective entirely on who I was before that.
I’m only just starting to get reacquainted with that part of myself, my carefree, wild self, and…
I am afraid that if we are to wed, then I would lose that opportunity.
And yet I do not want to lose you either.
I do not understand, then.
Would it not…
Could we not continue as we are?
Seeing one another, but still having our independence?
Violet, I want so much for your happiness.
But I want for my own as well.
Our time together has been a gift.
I want to share a life with you.
And I would wait if I believed you may one day want the same.
But I am starting to doubt that you do. Please, Marcus, please. I…
I care for you deeply.
I know. I feel that you do.
[quick string music rises]
[Lady Whistledown] Dearest Gentle Reader, are you perhaps feeling a little shock?
Have you seen Miss Stirling tonight?
Has she gone to bed already?
Did Miss Stirling not inform you?
Of what? She has packed her belongings and left.
[Lady Whistledown] You thought I was gone for good…
[hooves clattering]
…but far too much transpires for this author to remain silent…
[exhales]
[string music picks up]
[music peaks and fades]
…and so we are reunited.
What are we doing?
I desire to dance with my betrothed.
[“A Grand Finish” by Kris Bowers playing]
Mm. You are rather skilled, even with no music.
It is all the more remarkable if you knew who my first dance tutor was.
I had so much to overcome.
[Lady Whistledown] It is assuredly a reunion rooted in care and love…
I thought you were done with Whistledown.
[inhales] I am. I am working on my novel.
Then who in the devil wrote this?
[Lady Whistledown] …though this time with a very different author.
[“A Grand Finish” continues]
[distant bell tolling]
It is midnight.
Must you flee?
I can stay as long as you like.
I was hoping you might stay forever.
[Lady Whistledown] But for now, my new identity shall remain a secret.
Dear reader, we are going to have so much fun.
[song fades out]
[closing theme music playing]
[bell tolling] [string music playing]
I have some advice for you.
More advice? Mm-hmm.
Even on my wedding day, you must be the wizened firstborn brother.
In fact, the wisest thing I could impart is never listen to me again.
Father would be so proud of you.
I know I am.
Whose wedding do you think we will be attending next?
Oh, I do love a wedding.
All the best people in the same place.
[chuckles] [exclaiming]
As an attendee. [laughing]
[all chuckling]
Do you think you’ll ever do it again? Me? [scoffs]
A wedding? No.
I have had my great love.
One time is enough.
[“For the Love of You” by Victor Lundberg plays]
Sophie.
Benedict.
[priest] Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God…
You may kiss your bride.
[music rises]
[music fades slowly]
[song ends]
[closing theme music playing]
