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СЕРИАЛ NETFLIX

Дражайший читатель.

Говорят, соперничество

дает нам шанс подготовиться

к сложнейшим испытаниям.

Что ж, если то,

что я услышала этим утром, правда,

то сложнейшее испытание,

связанное с бриллиантом этого сезона

уже определено.

Каждый, кто желает повидаться

с мисс Эдвиной Шармой ,

сначала должен найти подход

к ершистой старой деве.

А именно, к ее сестре.

Лорд Ламли во главе списка?

Разве он не денди?

- Я бы назвала его галантным.

- Тебе это по вкусу?

Если Кейт за него, я тоже.

Мисс Шарма?

Мисс Эдвина Шарма.

Не старшая сестра.

Мисс Эдвина мне подходит.

В списке нет лорда Бриджертона.

Он именно то, что нужно Эдвине.

Упущение, дитя мое?

Лорд Бриджертон - мастер

производить ложное первое впечатление.

Что вы слышали?

Он четко дал понять,

что женитьба - это лишь его долг,

он не верит в любовь.

Лишь из любви к семье

я готов выбирать невесту головой, а не…

Не сердцем.

Это вас удивило?

Большинство браков в высшем обществе -

не более, чем деловые соглашения.

И это работает веками.

А вот брак по любви - большая редкость.

Она ответила

взаимностью?

Пока нет. Но лишь потому,

что вмешалась…

Сестра.

- Норовистая, да?

- Еще какая.

Ты знаешь, что ты ищешь.

Помни об этом.

Лорд Ламли заставит тебя

забыть о виконте.

Я уверена.

Но она мне не помеха.

У каждой розы есть шипы.

Из всех соперничеств

меня занимают лишь брачные игры.

Желаю удачи игрокам этого сезона.

Постарайтесь не споткнуться на старте.

…работы Блейка ребяческими

и незначительными.

Мисс Шарма, мне стоять

под дверью весь день?

Ламли и так провел с ней

слишком много времени.

Моя сестра увлечена беседой с ним.

Вы же не хотите, чтобы я прервала вас,

когда придет ваш черед?

Предлагаю прислушаться к словам леди

и набраться терпения.

Благодарю, лорд…

Бриджертон.

Вы припозднились, милорд.

И оказались в конце

внушительной очереди.

Я бы хотел сопровождать

мисс Эдвину на скачки.

У нее уже есть сопровождающий.

- Тогда завтра.

- Тоже есть.

Послезавтра?

Дайте подумать…

Есть окно после нового года.

Если она уже не отправится

в свадебное путешествие.

Я вас насмешила?

О да.

Это вы смешны, явившись сюда,

после всего, что я тогда услышала…

Подслушали.

…и всего, что я прочитала о вас

и вашей сомнительной

и распутной репутации.

Не лезьте вперед, Бриджертон!

Займите очередь!

- Да, верно.

- Именно.

Это фельетон леди Уислдаун?

- Да.

- Ты же бросила ее читать.

Не отвращай ее, Пенелопа.

Если она снова читает леди Уислдаун,

может, это знак,

что она заинтересовалась

кавалерами этого сезона.

Не приходит в голову

меткий ответ. Но это не так.

Хоть это не философский трактат

о правах женщин,

как я рассчитывала, но всё же…

Брось, она не могла

полностью сменить стиль за один выпуск.

Может и так. Но всё еще впереди.

Может, ей это не нужно.

Может, и так хорошо.

И если она снова пробудила

в тебе интерес,

значит, она на верном пути.

Да, но она способна на большее.

Я смогла бы ее убедить.

Если бы получилось ее найти.

Дорогая, тебе следует

найти свое счастье.

Пенелопа, поддержи меня.

Элоиза может найти его

с кем-то другим, верно?

Уверена. И не с леди Уислдаун,

а с кем-то вроде… Колин.

- С моим братом?

- Я не о том! Колин!

Вижу, здесь всё по-прежнему.

- Брат!

- Колин!

Перестаньте ссориться.

Лучше обнимите меня!

Я не ожидала,

что ты вернешься так скоро.

Я очень по всем вам соскучился.

Брат!

Тебе нужно срочно показаться врачу.

Эта странная поросль

на подбородке не к добру.

И ты сильно загорел. Так необычно.

- Он прекрасно выглядит.

- Я переросла Грегори.

Вовсе нет.

- А где наш отважный виконт?

- Он…

Он ходил свататься.

Колин! Ты вернулся. Прекрасно.

Семья, приготовьтесь

пойти сегодня на скачки.

Как большая дружная семья.

Я сказала ему, что так нельзя.

Но он настоял на своем.

Это кузена Джека?

Кузена? Он велел так себя называть?

Он тебя раздражает?

Конечно же нет.

Новый лорд Фэзерингтон был к нам

очень добр и щедр.

Если за это мы должны принять

его сомнительные

с точки зрения стиля решения,

а также довольно спорные манеры,

так тому и быть.

Он собирается превратить малую столовую

в личный салон для азартных игр.

Какая красота!

Оживляет обстановку, да?

Блестящая коллекция, милорд.

Но в ваших покоях она была бы уместнее.

Вы из всех стреляли?

У каждого из этих ружей удивительная

и достойная внимания история.

Однажды я поведаю вам

о своих приключениях.

А теперь, дамы, пора готовиться

к королевским скачкам.

СКАЧКИ В АСКОТЕ

Церемония будет скромной.

Мистер Финч не хочет,

чтобы что-то отвлекало его от невесты,

можете поверить?

Я точно нет. А ты, Пенелопа?

Ты видела Бриджертонов?

Прекрасно, что мы оба любим литературу.

Что скажете о Байроне?

Я его читала.

Но в поэзии я еще новичок.

Тебе повезло найти

опытного наставника в лице лорда Ламли.

Многие не в восторге от поэзии.

Если читать про себя.

Я считаю, ее нужно

читать вслух. Как музыку.

У меня всегда с собой

томик любимых стихов.

Леди Данбери, буду благодарен,

если вы нас представите.

Моя визитка затерялась

в утренней кутерьме вашего дома.

Конечно. Мистер Томас Дорсет,

позвольте представить вам

мисс Шарму и мисс Эдвину Шарму.

Очень приятно.

Боюсь, на сегодня у моей сестры

уже есть кавалер, мистер Дорсет.

Очень хорошо.

Ведь я надеялся поговорить с вами.

Как вы находите сезон, мисс Шарма?

Как сезон. Мистер Дорсет, я правда…

Лондону далеко до Бомбея.

Вы ведь оттуда прибыли?

- Да.

- Я там бывал.

Дивный город.

- Уверен, вы тоскуете по нему.

- Каждую минуту.

Особенно в момент чаепития.

Пора занять места.

Я вас провожу.

Бриджертоны!

Мистер Мондрич.

Уход на покой пошел вам на пользу.

О каком покое речь?

Планируете вернуться на ринг?

Планирую открыть клуб для джентльменов.

Если повезет, составлю конкуренцию

лучшим заведениям Сент-Джеймса.

Мы все с рождения члены клуба Уайта.

Завтра открытие. Вы все приглашены…

Простите. Я вас покину.

Продолжайте, мистер Мондрич.

Я не прочь поразвлечься.

Посмотри на брата.

Поначалу сезон тоже его раздражал,

но мисс Эдвина пробудила в нём

интерес к ухаживаниям.

Я лишь хочу сказать, Элоиза,

что нужно найти партнера,

который придется нам по вкусу.

Танцевать с отрядом жаб,

вдруг среди них окажется принц?

Хоть бы и так.

Знаешь, твой отец…

Ты слушаешь? Что у тебя в руках?

Ничего, мама, просто

пособие по уходу за собачьей шерстью.

Леди может иметь хобби, верно?

- Спасибо.

- Спасибо.

Мистер Дорсет, похоже,

вы часто путешествуете по миру?

С целью исследований.

Я увлекаюсь медициной.

Помощь ближнему - благородное занятие.

В этом вы с мистером Дорсетом похожи.

Эдвина, ты поинтересовалась

интересами лорда Ламли?

Лорд Бриджертон.

Мисс Шарма. Мисс Эдвина. Ламли.

Рада вас видеть, милорд.

Лорд Бриджертон,

позвольте представиться.

Мистер Томас Дорсет.

Мисс Эдвина, я хотел зайти утром…

Моя сестра в курсе всего…

…но я обещал позавтракать с семьей.

Мы очень близки.

И регулярно вместе завтракаем.

Мы и здесь все вместе.

О мужчине можно многое сказать,

взглянув на его семью.

Да, в высшем обществе

много прекрасных, дружных семей.

Но не все столь гостеприимны,

как Бриджертоны.

Мама давно ждет приглашения

на чаепитие в Бриджертон-хаус.

Мы исполним ее желание, Ламли.

Кстати, я заметил, у дам нет напитков.

Спасибо, не нужно.

В такой жаркий день

любой джентльмен предложил бы…

Мисс Эдвина, позвольте

принести вам лимонад.

Было бы очень кстати. Спасибо, милорд.

Простите.

Прекрасный день для скачек.

- Пен.

- Колин!

Мы так и не поговорили.

Я успела сказать: «Колин».

Но это не считается.

Я хотела узнать о твоих путешествиях.

Я думал, они тебе уже наскучили.

Ты писала мне больше,

чем все остальные.

Наверное, это так.

Но всегда хочешь сказать больше,

чем вмещает бумага.

Пен.

Как ты?

У меня всё хорошо. А ты?

Не отвечай. Я и так знаю.

Восхождение на Олимп,

соколиная охота в Турции.

Восхитительно.

И, возможно, одиноко?

Да я вовсе не был один.

- Понимаю. Ты встретил…

- Пен, наконец-то я тебя нашла!

Как всегда.

Только приехал, и сразу мне мешаешь.

Я тоже по тебе скучал, Эл.

Я вышла на след.

Новый печатник Уислдаун.

- Невозможно.

- Не для меня.

Я ощущаю себя всесильной.

Чувствуешь, какой он?

Бумага?

Именно. Та же партия,

что и у памфлета Уислдаун.

Бумага бывает разная?

Текстура, вес, шероховатость,

прозрачность, когда держишь на свет.

- Я чокнулась?

- Я этого не…

Но подумала.

Ты увлечена. Но это,

скорее всего, совпадение.

Это самый обычный памфлет.

«Подробная инструкция

по уходу за собачьей шерстью».

Наверное. Похоже, ты права.

Мне пора. Буду притворяться,

что рада свадьбе сестры.

Поздравь ее от меня.

ТИПОГРАФИЯ «ЧЕНСЕРИ-ЛЭЙН»

Правда?

Похоже, лорд Ламли заплутал

по дороге от киоска с лимонадом.

Я найду его.

Виконт предложил сходить за напитками.

Это его долг.

Скачки начинаются.

- На кого вы поставили?

- Эдвина.

Нектар. Породистый, хорошо подготовлен.

За ним преимущество.

- Нектар. Неужели?

- Да.

Интуиция подсказала.

Интуиция?

Простите?

Вы выбрали ту же лошадь,

что и все остальные.

- «Интуиция».

- Это продуманная ставка.

Вы учли темперамент лошади,

а также состояние дорожки,

чтобы оценить ее истинный потенциал?

- Жарко, не правда ли?

- Нектар - фаворит.

- Пересядем в тень?

- Он был хорош в Донкастере.

Но там покрытие тверже.

И было прохладно.

Размер был его преимуществом.

Здесь покрытие мягкое, и стоит жара.

Ему будет трудно лидировать.

К финишу он замедлится,

отдав победу Хай-Флаеру,

более резвой, легкой

и спокойной лошади.

- Вы всё усложняете.

- А вы упрощаете.

Ваша гостья привлекла

внимание виконта, леди Данбери.

Похоже, что так.

Как покровительница мисс Эдвины,

я буду придерживаться

нейтралитета,

пока она не сделает выбор.

- Конечно.

- Но дам вам дружеский совет.

На пути вашего сына есть препятствие.

Похоже, старшая сестра против

его кандидатуры.

Мисс Эдвина мечтает о браке по любви,

что не входит в планы виконта.

Понимаю.

Возможно, ее можно переубедить.

Возможно, что и виконта тоже.

- Простите за задержку.

- Ничего.

Лорд Бриджертон нас развлек.

Не сомневаюсь.

Места достаточно, милорд.

Давай! Нектар!

- Хай-Флаер, вперед!

- Да!

- Давай, Хай-Флаер!

- Давай!

- Проблем не будет?

- Это всего лишь азарт.

- Надеюсь.

- Отличные скачки!

- Давай!

- Да!

- Да!

- Ну же!

Пруденс! Ты же не разносчик газет!

Пусть радуется. Мы сегодня выиграли.

Потрясающе! Я впервые обошла виконта!

Ощущения вроде те же,

но всё же приятнее.

Кейт, Нектар похож на лошадь,

что мне нравилась, верно?

- Помнишь?

- Прошу вас.

Я отведу вас к нему.

Прекрасная идея.

Позвольте спросить.

Чем вам не угодил лорд Бриджертон?

Если виконт ухаживает за моей сестрой,

мой долг - испытать его.

Он не намерен сдаваться.

Он еще в Оксфорде был таким.

Мисс Шарма, я…

Вы с виконтом вместе учились?

- Вы знакомы?

- Я сказал лишнего.

Продолжайте, скрывать уже нечего.

Он думал, наше знакомство

сыграет против меня.

Уверяю вас, мой интерес к вам искренен…

Ваша задача - отвлечь меня,

чтобы лорд Бриджертон мог

подобраться к моей сестре.

Кейт, это ужасно.

Нектара продадут на живодерню.

Мы уходим.

Вижу, победа не принесла вам радости.

Больше не приближайтесь

ко мне или моей сестре.

Что случилось?

Здесь ведется двойная игра.

Лорд Бриджертон решил меня провести.

Идем.

Я не со зла.

Просто хотел побыть с вами.

Тпру!

Мисс Бриджертон, возможно,

это неудачная идея.

Ты так не думал, когда брал деньги.

Я всё верну.

Молодой леди здесь небезопасно.

Держи вторую половину.

Будь начеку, назад пути нет.

ТИПОГРАФИЯ

Вам чего?

- Выкладывайте всё, что знаете.

- О чём?

Леди Уислдаун здесь печатается.

- Правда?

- Зачем мы здесь, по-твоему?

- Вы ошиблись адресом.

- Вы так и не ответили.

А вы ничего не спросили.

Что в коробках?

Вас не заинтересует.

Ищите банальные слухи в другом месте.

Дело не в…

Я не за слухами пришла.

Нет?

Собираете досье

на самого завидного холостяка сезона?

Какие банальные предположения.

У женщины может быть лишь два интереса.

Брак или распускание слухов

о соперницах.

Вам и в голову не придет,

что я ищу автора, чтобы обсудить с ней

более интеллектуальные вопросы.

Права женщины.

Изучение ее способностей.

Ведь они не чета вашим.

Шок на вашем лице вызван тем фактом,

что я начитана

и у меня хорошо подвешен язык?

Или это приступ болезни,

о которой мне следует знать?

Это не…

Интересуют права женщин?

Вот подходящее чтение.

Новые мысли, необычные идеи.

Или для вас это слишком?

Если вдруг увижу леди Как-ее-там,

я передам ей привет

от горячей поклонницы.

Объявляю вас мужем и женой.

Чудесно.

Только подумать,

теперь мы все одна семья,

леди Фэзерингтон.

Да, так приятно это осознавать.

Нужно сообщить

новому лорду Фэзерингтону.

Где он сейчас?

Должен быть где-то здесь. Я найду его.

Приданное уплачено, проверил?

Ну конечно проверил!

Я бы пришел на церемонию,

но вы настаивали на узком кругу…

Какой смысл

в пышных торжествах, милорд,

когда есть столько

более важных статей расхода?

Как скажете.

Особенно, когда еще

две девицы на выданье,

а, значит, нужно еще два приданных.

Боже, ну и задачка.

Открывать шахты в Америке было проще,

чем разобраться в делах

покойного кузена.

Уверена, человеку с таким состоянием

будет легко уладить финансовые дела.

Но планы придется корректировать.

А именно?

Будет благоразумно

посвятить меня в ваши планы, милорд.

Возможно, мы сможем действовать заодно.

Вы недавно приехали.

Вам не помешает советчик,

чтобы ввести вас в курс дела.

- Вы правы, миледи.

- Прекрасно…

В ближайшее же время

займусь поисками достойной кандидатуры.

Ваша новая родня спрашивает вас.

Пожалуй, дела подождут.

Порадуемся за Филиппу.

Я люблю свадьбы. А вы, миссис Варли?

Конечно, милорд.

У него такая милая улыбка.

С этой милой улыбкой он приведет сюда

какую-нибудь вульгарную особу

и выставит меня из моего дома.

Посмотрим, что вы тогда скажете.

По правде говоря,

у него не было выбора.

Ты отказала ему от дома.

- Оправдываешь его?

- Нет.

Думаю…

Папа говорил,

что храбрец всегда добьется своего.

Ты сама мне рассказывала.

Еще он говорил,

что истинный джентльмен всегда честен.

Чего не скажешь о виконте.

Ваше Величество.

Леди Данбери.

Мисс Шарма. И мой бриллиант.

Идемте. Нужно всё осмотреть.

Их называют «зебра».

Это полосатые лошади из Африки.

На будущей неделе привезут еще семь.

Надо будет придумать им имена.

После 15 детей у меня закончились идеи.

Потрясающий зверинец, Ваше Величество.

Несомненно.

Мисс Эдвина?

Ваше Величество?

Надеюсь, вам приятно внимание,

оказываемое вам,

как бриллианту этого сезона.

О да, мэм. Для меня это огромная честь.

Вы понимаете, что это нелегкая ноша.

Находиться под пристальным

наблюдением общества.

Какой бы ни была правда, люди…

Вернее, сплетники.

Они будут постоянно

возводить напраслину.

Зачастую очень трудно

смириться со слухами.

Спросите свою мать. Спросите меня.

Моя сестра жаждет

учиться у вас, Ваше Величество.

Ваш брак, необыкновенная любовь,

соединившая вас с королем.

Эдвина мечтает о том же.

И она это получит.

Если будет знать, кому доверять.

Леди Данбери наставляет нас

в этом сезоне.

И я сама присматриваю за сестрой.

Блестящий ближний круг.

Но знайте, что многие захотят

проникнуть в него, преследуя свои цели.

Когда их имена

и хитрые замыслы станут известны,

прошу вас, дайте мне знать.

И я решу, достойны они или нет.

Мисс Шарма, почему бы вам с сестрой

не осмотреть эти блестящие угодья?

Да, если перейдете мост,

увидите там казуаров.

Но держитесь от них подальше.

Они довольно раздражительны.

Что-то подсказывает мне, мэм,

что и здесь не обошлось

без хитрых замыслов.

Всё так очевидно?

Вы хотите разоблачить

леди Уислдаун с помощью бриллианта.

Она будет искать встречи с ней.

Когда это случится,

Ваше Величество будет начеку.

Вот почему вы выбрали мисс Эдвину?

- Ее не было здесь в прошлом сезоне.

- Поэтому ей можно доверять.

Да.

Леди Данбери, не делайте вид,

что вы возмущены.

Вам это нравится ничуть не меньше.

Это будет необычный сезон.

Ваше право лишить себя удовольствия,

леди Данбери.

Но не лишайте его меня.

Позвольте показать вам,

где я держу слона.

Напыщенная, упрямая,

самоуверенная девица.

Та еще штучка!

Особенно, если учесть,

что эти качества относятся и к тебе.

Сегодня тебе нет равных.

Меньше слов, брат. За дело.

- Удачи.

- Готов?

Почему я побеждаю раз за разом?

Когда проигрываешь,

считаешь, тебя провели.

Потому что я знаю свой долг.

Свои цели, и как их добиться.

А именно - сделать мисс Эдвину

виконтессой, моей женой.

Мы подходим друг другу.

Она милая юная леди.

Хочет детей.

Из нее выйдет отличная жена.

Выходит,

он уже отверг всех прочих претенденток.

Ты всё слишком усложняешь.

Жизнь будет проще,

если выберешь кого-то

с более покладистой сестрой.

Почему сдаться должен я?

Кого бы я ни выбрал себе в жены,

рядом всегда окажется своевольный отец

или докучливая тетушка.

Я не допущу, чтобы какая-то сестра,

да еще моложе меня,

не дала мне получить желаемое.

Хотел сказать «желаемую»?

Это дружеский поединок

или нам пора надеть доспехи?

Вот, чего ты не понимаешь, брат.

Бенедикт оказывает мне честь,

не сдерживая себя.

И я отвечу ему

тем же.

Какая честь!

Джентльмены, благодарю за разминку.

Пришло время одержать еще одну победу.

Пожелайте мне удачи.

Они называются «зебры».

Тебе понравилось?

Жаль, я не смогла присутствовать.

Уверена, мы еще получим

приглашение во дворец.

Ее Величество благоволит Эдвине,

верно, леди Данбери?

У меня идея.

Прием этим вечером.

У мисс Эдвины будет шанс

лучше узнать своих кавалеров.

Я всё устрою.

Прекрасная идея.

Замечу, что нужно продумать

список гостей. Простите.

Хороший мальчик.

Я неясно выразилась?

- Это подарок.

- Заберите своего троянского коня.

Уверяю вас, лошадь самая настоящая.

Не советую забираться внутрь.

- У вас одни игры на уме.

- Я не играю.

Мистер Дорсет был

лицемерным розыгрышем.

Лицемерным? Это слишком громко сказано.

- Не доверяете моим суждениям?

- Как и вы - моим.

В жизни не встречала столь заносчивого…

Вы меня не знаете!

Я знаю, что вы лощеный. И осторожный.

Раздаете обещания,

не проронив ни слова.

Мне достаточно этих знаний.

Благодарю, сэр.

Всё дело в том, что вы подслушали?

Вы делаете из меня злодея.

А ведь все женщины Лондона

мечтают о подобном браке. Вы не знали?

Вы четко дали понять,

чего вы хотите и не хотите.

Вам не приходило в голову,

что речь о том, чего хочет ваша сестра?

Лорд Бриджертон.

Мисс Эдвина.

У меня для вас маленький сувенир

на память о вчерашних скачках.

Это мне?

- Я думал, вы любите животных.

- О да.

Но предпочитаю тех,

кого можно взять на руки.

Прошу прощения.

Вы упомянули,

что Нектар напомнил вам любимую лошадь…

Та лошадь - персонаж романа.

Любовного романа.

Моя сестра - большая поклонница жанра.

Благодарю вас, милорд.

Это очень щедрый жест.

Идем, Эдвина, нас ждут в гостиной.

Мистер Бриджертон!

Какая честь!

Благодарю за приглашение,

мистер Мондрич.

Прекрасный клуб!

Я пришел слишком рано?

Со временем посетителей

прибавится. Само собой.

Говорят, вы художник.

Любитель, скажем так.

Тогда

познакомьтесь с мистером Крукшенком.

Талантливый иллюстратор. Со связями

среди художников и меценатов.

Я всегда рад знакомству

с одаренными людьми.

В этом и заключается

особенность моего заведения.

Знаю, вам и вашим братьям

комфортно в клубе Уайта.

Но здесь рады любому честному человеку,

вне зависимости от его титула,

положения и рода занятий.

Всегда рады.

Приятно видеть,

что, благодаря честному труду,

вы смогли открыть

столь прекрасное заведение.

Выпьем за это!

Уход за собаками?

Да, может, у тебя есть знакомый,

увлекающийся подобными вещами?

- Мама, ты в порядке?

- Нет, это очевидно.

Я не знал, что сегодня бал.

Скорее, прием.

Ты не получал приглашение

от леди Данбери?

Она устраивает прием.

А мисс Шарма утверждает,

что это я веду игру.

- Ее право.

- Что?

Она печется о благе сестры.

Желает ей брака по любви.

А ты столь презрительно

отвергаешь подобные вещи.

Прочие кавалеры мисс Эдвины

будут сегодня осторожнее со словами.

Среди них есть любители поэзии.

Тебе бы пригодился этот урок, Энтони.

Надеюсь, ты наконец-то его извлечешь.

Идем.

По крайней мере, на этот раз

дураками себя выставляют мужчины.

- Ваша идея?

- К сожалению, не моя.

Леди Данбери предложила

поэтический вечер.

Дух соревновательности,

присущий мужчинам,

трансформировал ее идею в этот фарс.

Неудивительно.

Да! Блестяще!

Вы сестра виконта, верно?

Одна из. Но не судите меня

по одному родству.

Напротив, этот факт побуждает меня

быть к нему снисходительнее.

Но не будем

слишком к нему добры, верно?

Что это?

Да.

Предлагаю сделать паузу.

Да.

Красивое платье.

Спасибо.

Мне нравится ваше.

- У вас хорошее чувство юмора.

- Нет, я не…

Я серьезно.

Оно очень красивое.

Видно, мне наскучило буйство красок.

Понимаю.

Знаете, думаю, главное - не цвет.

А то, как его носить.

У вас это получается, мисс…

Пенелопа. Фэзерингтон.

Простите.

Итак, что ты нам покажешь?

Песню? Джигу?

Или тщательно скрываемый

талант к жонглированию?

Боюсь, я лишь зритель.

Такой интерес к молодой леди,

которую мы совсем не знаем.

Тебе не по вкусу тайны?

Мне? Нет.

Я первым делом открываю

последнюю главу.

Раз уж мы заговорили о тайнах.

Расскажи мне о юной леди,

которую ты встретил заграницей.

О чём ты?

На скачках ты упомянул,

что не был один, вот я и…

Забудь.

Смотри. Всё-таки здесь нашелся циркач.

Ты права.

В дороге я не был совсем один.

Я вел беседу с одним человеком.

С которым знаком уже очень давно.

Но после всего,

что случилось с мисс Томпсон,

я понял,

что не знаю его по-настоящему.

Я о себе.

О себе?

Всё благодаря тебе.

Твои письма вдохновляли меня.

Я подумал, если ты видишь меня таким,

значит, и я смогу.

Я просто

слишком увлекся мисс Томпсон.

Но я пришел в себя,

покончил с женщинами и любовью, и…

Я хотел разобраться в себе,

прежде чем вернуться в этот мир.

Ты покончил с женщинами?

Пока.

Я женщина.

Ты Пен.

Ты не в счет.

Ты мой друг.

Конечно.

Твой друг.

Рада это слышать.

Спасибо.

Да, я и сама в восторге.

Новый лорд Фэзерингтон,

несомненно, обладает вкусом, не так ли?

Леди Каупер.

Мисс Каупер.

Какое изысканное ожерелье.

Подарок нового лорда Фэзерингтона?

Он вам не сказал?

Он был у нас сегодня днем.

Должно быть, я запамятовала.

Столько дел со свадьбой Филиппы

и всем прочим.

Очень щедрый жест, не так ли?

Что бы он значил?

Ничего серьезного.

Новый лорд очень щедр.

За всеми его дарами не уследить.

Да.

Идем, дорогая.

Я видел ту картину Жерара.

- Чудо.

- Какое видение.

Говорите, он, Лейтон и Тёрнер

учились в одной академии?

Именно. Там сейчас как раз есть место.

Если вас интересует живопись,

вам следует об этом задуматься.

Брат, ты мне нужен.

- Я разговариваю.

- Идем, немедленно.

Прошу прощения.

Научи меня декламировать это.

Байрон?

Я тебя так сильно сегодня огрел?

Есть прелесть в нехоженых лесах

Восторг на безлюдном берегу…

Как сделать это правильно?

Это невозможно.

Ты сделал неверный выбор.

Эта поэма - бред.

Я думал, тебе нравятся подобные вещи.

Поэзия - да. Байрон - боже помилуй.

Разве он не всем по вкусу?

В Кембридже многие ставили

мои стихи выше его.

Твои еще более лживы?

Лживы?

Напротив, брат.

Поэзия - это искусство

выразить правду словами.

Вот как. Ты серьезно?

Боже милосердный. Доброй ночи.

Каково это - восхищаться женщиной?

Чувствовать вдохновение, глядя на нее.

Любоваться ее красотой.

В итоге ты сдашься, снимешь оборону.

И с радостью примешь

любые страдания, любую ношу ради нее.

Отдашь ей должное

своими деяниями и словами.

Вот о чём настоящая поэзия.

А ты неплох, Бенедикт.

Запиши это.

И щеки рдеют и горят

Уста манят улыбкой нежной

Черты так ясно говорят

О жизни светлой, безмятежной

О мыслях, зреющих в тиши

О непорочности души

Джентльмены, благодарю всех вас

за блестящую демонстрацию

своих талантов.

Мы надолго запомним этот вечер.

Простите, леди Данбери!

Лорд Бриджертон,

не ожидала вас увидеть.

Меня забыли включить в список гостей.

Но вы же не откажете мне

в удовольствии повидать вас?

Ваш лакей смилостивился надо мной.

Простите, виконт, вы снова опоздали.

Вечер подошел к концу.

Уверен, мисс Эдвина не против.

Я подготовил нечто особенное.

Хотите услышать?

А вы?

Да. Конечно!

- Просим.

- Да!

Конечно.

«Каково это -

восхищаться женщиной?

Чувствовать вдохновение, глядя на нее.

Любоваться ее красотой.

В итоге ты сдашься, снимешь оборону.

И с радостью примешь

любые страдания, любую ношу ради нее.

Отдашь ей должное…

Должное…»

Простите, я не могу.

Это не мои слова.

Они принадлежат другому человеку.

По правде, я…

Я не любитель поэзии.

Льстивые слова красивы и сладки,

но они пусты,

если не подкреплены делом.

Мисс Эдвина, я могу

притвориться тем, кем не являюсь.

Сказать, что хочу того же, что и вы.

Но это будет ложь.

Может, я не могу…

…предложить вам страсть,

которую вы заслуживаете.

Но когда речь зайдет

о долге и поступках…

…я всегда буду рядом.

Надеюсь,

это скажет вам больше,

чем все красивые слова.

Ты слышала? Он не может

дать тебе любви, что ты заслуживаешь.

Это не делает его

плохим человеком. Он честен.

Как истинный джентльмен.

Вспомни слова отца.

Так?

Прекрасный лимонад.

Вам стоит вернуться к гостям.

Я сейчас выйду.

Вижу, виконт вывел вас из себя.

Он бывает несносным.

Он неисправим.

Он ей не пара.

Так или иначе

я заставлю ее увидеть это.

Дать вам совет, мисс Шарма?

Будучи не в духе,

стоит сосредоточиться

на удовлетворении собственных нужд.

Попытки оказать влияние на других,

исправить ход событий,

зачастую оказываются трудным

и раздражающим занятием,

пробуждающим в нас худшие черты,

и в итоге не приносящим

никакого результата.

Я поставила себя в глупое положение.

Это я и без вас знаю.

И не стану ни от кого это выслушивать.

Меня не волнует

мнение местного общества.

После свадьбы Эдвины

я отправлюсь на родину,

радуясь тому,

что никогда сюда не вернусь.

Вы пока не знаете, и это понятно.

Но мне крайне досадно слышать,

ведь это не может быть правдой,

что вы хотите быть одна

в возрасте 26 лет?

Не беспокойтесь. Я стану гувернанткой.

Главное - чтобы о сестре позаботились.

Главное?

Вы так уж несчастны, миледи?

Прошу прощения?

Вы же сами одиноки.

Я наблюдаю за вами.

Я всё вижу. Вы всем довольны.

Дело в том, что я прожила жизнь.

Я вдова.

Я любила. Я теряла.

Я заслужила право

делать что хочу, когда хочу,

и как я этого захочу.

Дитя,

вы не я.

И если вы продолжите так себя вести,

вы никогда мной не будете.

Две вещи процветают

в темных и мрачных закоулках

нашего города.

Преступность и секреты.

Вам решать, дражайший читатель,

что представляет большую опасность.

Остается гадать, какие секреты хранит

бриллиант этого сезона.

И кому она их доверит.

Может, виконту Бриджертону?

По крайней мере,

мнение по этому вопросу

старшей из сестер Шарма

ни для кого не секрет.

ФЕЛЬЕТОН ЛЕДИ УИСЛДАУН

Если тебя так раздражает

манера письма леди Уислдаун,

зачем ты ее читаешь?

- Она выдала себя.

- Что? Эл…

Я не хотела говорить.

Я стыдилась, думала, что ошиблась, но…

- Вчера я была в типографии.

- Вот как?

С кем-то говорила?

Неважно, Пен. Смотри.

Здесь не только бумага одинаковая.

Буква «К».

Они все одинаково неровные.

Это не может быть совпадением.

Нужно последить.

Если повторится в следующем выпуске,

значит, она печатается именно там.

Букву «К» для печатного станка.

- С вас 10 пенсов.

- Даю пять.

Это только для постоянных покупателей.

Поверьте мне, вы не хотите,

чтобы я вернулась.

Дайте скидку за то,

чтобы я держалась подальше.

Мисс Пенелопа?

Автора этих строк можно называть

величайшей сплетницей из всех.

Кто еще сумел бы

вывести всех вас на чистую воду?

Ваше Величество.

Вы уверены,

что наш бриллиант общался

с этими девицами?

Да, Ваше Величество.

Если теория верна,

среди них есть леди Уислдаун.

Даже самые оберегаемые секреты

в итоге должны всплыть наружу.

МИСС ПЕНЕЛОПА ФЭЗЕРИНГТОН

Перевод субтитров: Ксения Гребеникова

ЛОРД ЛАМЛИ

ГРАФ ХАРТФОРД

КОРОЛЕВСКИЕ СКАЧКИ В АСКОТЕ

ТИПОГРАФИЯ «ЧАНСЕРИ-ЛЕЙН»

ТИПОГРАФИЯ «ЧАНСЕРИ-ЛЕЙН»

ТИПОГРАФИЯ «ЧАНСЕРИ-ЛЕЙН»

ПРИЗЫВ К ЗАЩИТЕ ПРАВ ЖЕНЩИН

«СВЕТСКИЕ ХРОНИКИ ОТ ЛЕДИ УИСЛДАУН»

МИСС ПЕНЕЛОПА ФЕЗЕРИНГТОН

ПО МОТИВАМ РОМАНОВ ДЖУЛИИ КУИНН

[Lady Whistledown] Dearest reader.

It has been said that competition

is an opportunity for us

to rise and stand ready

before our greatest of challenges.

Well, if what this author hears

this morning is true,

then a great challenge

concerning this season's diamond

has been set forth, indeed.

Any suitor wishing to gain

an audience with Miss Edwina Sharma

must first tame

the rather prickly spinster of a beast

otherwise known as her sister.

Lord Lumley. At the top.

Is he not something of a dandy?

-I would use the term gallant.

-Is that what you look for, Edwina?

If Kate believes in him, so do I.

-Miss Sharma?

-Miss Edwina Sharma.

Not the sister.

Miss Edwina will suffice.

I see you've left off Lord Bridgerton.

Oh, now, he is what Edwina is looking for.

An oversight on your part, my dear?

Lord Bridgerton is quite adept

at conveying false first impressions.

What did you hear?

He stated rather clearly that

he seeks a wife only to fulfill his duty

and does not believe in love at all.

It is only out

of the greatest love of my family

that I aim to choose a bride

with my head and not my…

heart.

And you find this unusual?

Most marriages of the ton are, in fact,

mere matters of business, my dear.

Matters that have been working

for centuries.

It is the true love match

that is quite rare.

Does Miss Edwina return your affection?

[sighs] Not yet.

She would have done if it were not for--

The sister.

-She's rather thorny, I take it?

-Indeed.

You know what it is

you are looking for, Bon.

You must not forget it.

Lord Lumley will turn the viscount

into a distant memory.

-I am certain.

-Though she need not trouble me.

Every rose does have its thorn, after all.

[Lady Whistledown]

Of course, the only competition

that compels my attention

is the game of courtship.

So best of luck to this year's players.

Do try not to stumble

on the starting line.

Many dismiss Blake's work

as childlike, insubstantial…

[sighs]

Miss Sharma, am I to be kept

at this threshold all day?

Lumley's already had

an inordinate amount of time with her.

That is because my sister

is so enraptured with him at the moment.

You wouldn't want me

to interrupt your discourse

when it is your turn, would you?

[Anthony] I say we heed the young lady

and wait with the grace

our hostess affords us.

Thank you, Lord…

Bridgerton.

[sighs] I'm afraid

you are much too late, my lord.

You now find yourself at the back

of a very considerably long queue.

I wish to escort Miss Edwina

to the races this afternoon.

My sister already has

an escort this afternoon.

-Tomorrow then.

-She's engaged tomorrow too.

And the day after?

Now that I think of it, she may be free…

-Ah.

-…after December.

Unless, of course,

she is on her honeymoon by then.

[laughs]

Did I say something funny?

I believe you did.

What is funny, my lord, is you here now,

after what I overheard the other night--

That was not for your ears.

But also, in addition to everything

I have now read of you,

your dubious and libertine reputation

goes before you.

No intrusions, Bridgerton!

End of the queue.

-[man 1] Yes, that's right.

-[man 2] That's right.

Is that a copy of Lady Whistledown?

-It is.

-I thought we were done with her.

Do not discourage her, Penelope.

If she has taken an interest

in Lady Whistledown again,

perhaps she's interested

in what she has to say

about the season's

available gentlemen too.

I cannot think of any cleverer way

to say this, but no.

Her latest is not exactly

the philosophical treatise

on the rights of the fairer sex

I was hoping for, but--

I do not think Lady Whistledown

has changed her style

of writing since her last issue.

Perhaps not. But perhaps she still can.

Perhaps she does not want to.

Perhaps she is quite content.

And if she's even sparked

your renewed interest, El,

then perhaps whatever

she is doing is working.

Yes, but she could do so much more.

I know I could convince her of it.

If I were to find her this time.

What you must find, my dear, is happiness.

Penelope, assist me here.

Eloise could find that

with someone else, could she not?

I believe she could.

And not Lady Whistledown,

but someone more like-- Colin.

-My brother?

-No, not Coli-- Colin!

Glad to see things have not changed.

-Brother!

-Colin!

Could you set aside

the latest family squabble and embrace me?

[all chuckling happily]

[gasps] I did not expect you

to return so soon, dearest.

Well, I missed you all. What can I say?

-[Hyacinth] Brother!

-[Gregory] Brother!

[Colin gasps]

I believe we must get you

to the doctor post-haste.

This strange, fuzzy growth on your chin

is some kind of disease.

And you seem to have taken

to the sun too. How peculiar.

-I think he looks distinguished.

-I'm now two inches taller than Gregory.

You are not.

And where, may I ask,

is our intrepid viscount?

He is…

back from courting already.

Colin! You are returned. Even better.

Family, I should like you all

to ready yourselves for the races today.

We will be attending, united as one.

I told him it would never do,

ma'am, but he insisted.

Is that Cousin Jack's?

Cousin? Is that what

he asked you to call him?

Are you bothered by him, Mama?

Of course not.

The new Lord Featherington has come

to shower us with many riches indeed.

If we must endure a few…

dubious style choices in return,

along with some rather

questionable matters of breeding, then

so be it.

I also hear he wishes

to convert the morning room

into his own personal gaming hell.

Ah. Now, that looks splendid.

Livens up the place, yes?

It is a happy addition, my lord.

Though, perhaps happier

in your own bedchamber.

Have you shot them all, Cousin Jack?

Every weapon here has a splendid history

and is worthy of interest, Penelope.

I shall have to fill you in

on all of my adventures one day.

Now, ladies, run along and get dressed.

We head to the Royal Races today.

It will be an intimate ceremony.

But Mr. Finch said he wished

for nothing to distract from his bride,

if you can believe it.

I certainly cannot. Can you, Penelope?

Have you seen the Bridgertons?

It is a marvel you love literature

as much as I do.

Do you enjoy Byron?

[Edwina] I have read some, my lord.

Though I believe myself a novice

when it comes to poetry.

How fortunate to have found

such a well-versed teacher

in Lord Lumley, then.

Many find poetry a flat medium.

Words read silently from a page.

But I believe it is meant

to be read aloud like music.

Here, I carry a small pocket copy

of my favorites with me wherever I go.

Lady Danbury. I would be so honored

if you could facilitate

a proper introduction.

I fear my calling card got lost

in the shuffle at your home this morning.

Of course.

Mr. Thomas Dorset, allow me to introduce

Miss Sharma and Miss Edwina Sharma.

A pleasure.

I am afraid my sister already has

an escort for today, Mr. Dorset.

That is very well.

Though I was hoping to speak with you.

How are you finding

the season, Miss Sharma?

It is a season. [chuckles]

Mr. Dorset, I really should--

London is a far cry from Bombay.

It is where you traveled from, yes?

-Yes.

-I have visited.

It is a wondrous place.

-You must miss it dearly.

-Oh, every minute of every day.

But most especially at teatime.

[chuckles lightly]

We should find our seats.

Allow me to join you.

[Kate clears throat]

[Will] Bridgertons!

Mr. Mondrich.

It appears retirement suits you well.

If only he were retired.

Are you planning

another foray into the ring?

Into business, in fact.

I am opening a gentlemen's club.

Set to rival even the select haunts

on St. James's, if we are fortunate.

You do know we have all been

members of White's since birth.

Our grand opening is tomorrow night.

You're all invited--

Apologies. If you will excuse me.

Tell me, Mr. Mondrich.

I wouldn't mind some stimulation.

Just look at your brother.

The social season

frustrated him at first too,

but now it seems this Miss Edwina

has quickened his interest

and pleasure in courtship.

I only mean to say, Eloise,

that we must be willing to look

to find the partner that will excite us.

So dance with a bevy of frogs,

and one of them

might turn out to be a prince?

If that's what you must do.

Your father, you know…

Are you listening to me?

What do you have in your hand?

Nothing, Mama. It is only a pamphlet on

new methods

for the tidying of dogs, apparently.

Well, a lady is allowed

her hobbies, is she not?

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

[Violet chuckles]

[Violet sighs]

Mr. Dorset, you travel widely, then?

And continuously, it seems.

Well, for my studies.

I find medicine particularly fascinating.

The helping of others

is a noble interest, indeed.

Mr. Dorset is much like you

in that regard, Sister.

Edwina, have you spoken

to Lord Lumley of his interests at all?

Lord Bridgerton.

Miss Sharma. Miss Edwina. Lumley.

[Edwina] How delightful

to see you, my lord.

Lord Bridgerton,

allow me to introduce myself.

Mr. Thomas Dorset.

Miss Edwina, I was hoping

to call on you this morning…

My sister is well aware of everything--

…but promised my family

to join them for breakfast.

We are exceptionally close.

Break our fasts together regularly.

Oh.

There they all are now.

[laughter]

One can tell a great deal about a man

from his family, I rather think.

Yes, there are many excellent,

affectionate families of the ton.

Are there not?

Though none quite as inviting

as the Bridgertons.

My mother's been wanting to enjoy

another tea at Bridgerton House

for some time.

Well, we must gratify your wish, Lumley.

Speaking of refreshments,

I could not help but notice

the ladies are without.

We are content, thank you.

[Anthony] It is an unseasonably hot day,

and any gentleman would make sure--

Miss Edwina, allow me

to fetch a lemonade for you.

Oh, that would be most agreeable.

Thank you, my lord.

Excuse me.

[grunts]

[groans]

[sighs]

It's a splendid day for a race.

-[bells chiming]

-[chattering]

-Pen.

-Oh, Colin! [chuckles]

We did not get a chance

to speak this morning.

We did. I said, "Colin!"

But, then again, it was nothing of note.

I had wanted to hear more

about your travels.

I thought you would've been bored

of my travels by now.

You read and replied to more

of my letters than anyone else.

I suppose I did, though,

there is always much more to say

than one can put onto the page.

Pen.

How have you been?

Well. I have been well. And you?

Do not answer that.

I know how you have been.

Exploring the slopes

of Mount Olympus, falconry with the Turks.

It was quite exhilarating.

Also lonely, perhaps?

[Colin] Mmm.

Well, I was never on my own, of course.

-I see. You met someone--

-Pen! I finally found you.

You always do.

You've been back hours,

yet you are already in my way.

How I have missed you too, El.

I believe I have made a discovery.

Whistledown's new printer.

-Impossible.

-To mere mortals, perhaps.

I am beginning to sense my true power now.

Do you notice the way this pamphlet feels?

Like paper?

Precisely. The paper stock is

the same texture as that of Whistledown.

Does not all paper feel the same?

Texture, weight, grain,

the way the light seeps through

when you hold it to the sky. Look.

[clears throat]

-Yes, I must seem mad.

-I did not say--

You were thinking it.

You seem passionate.

But, El, it is likely a coincidence.

That pamphlet is surely

just what it appears to be.

Copious instructions for tending

to a dog's undergrowth, evidently.

Most likely. I suppose you are right.

Ugh. I must go and pretend to share in

the joy of my sister's impending nuptials.

-Give the soon-to-be my regards.

-[chuckles]

[speaking indistinctly]

Oh, really?

Lord Lumley seems to have got lost

on his journey back

from the lemonade stand.

I am happy to search for him.

It was the viscount

who insisted on refreshments.

Perhaps he might go?

With the race set to begin? [chuckles]

-Which one is your pick, my lord?

-Edwina.

Nectar. Well-bred, highly trained,

and well-favored.

-[Kate] Nectar. Really?

-Yes.

I have a feeling about him.

A feeling.

Pardon me?

You simply chose the horse

everyone else has chosen.

-Quite a "feeling."

-I made a strategic bet.

So you've considered

your horse's temperament,

as well as the conditions of the track,

in order to properly

assess its true potential?

-It is suddenly rather warm, is it not?

-Nectar is a prize steed.

We should find a little more shade.

Nectar ran well at Doncaster,

but that was a firmer course.

The weather was much cooler.

Thus his size was an advantage.

Today the track is soft, and it is hot,

meaning he will struggle to make headway,

overheat, and slow down

during the final leg,

giving High Flyer, a much swifter,

lighter, cooler horse, the victory.

-You think too much about it.

-And you, too little.

It seems your guest

has caught the attention

of the viscount, Lady Danbury.

-It would seem so.

-[chuckles]

You do understand that,

as Miss Edwina's sponsor,

I should like to remain neutral

until she has made her choice.

-Of course.

-But as your friend, I will tell you.

There may be

an obstacle in your son's path.

The elder sister

seems set against the match.

It seems Miss Edwina desires a love match,

something the viscount clearly does not.

I see.

Perhaps her mind can be changed.

Perhaps so can the viscount's.

[Lady Danbury] Mmm.

My apologies for the delay.

Not to worry. Lord Bridgerton

has been keeping us entertained.

I am quite certain he has.

There is plenty of room, my lord.

[both chuckle]

[bell tolling]

-[crowd chattering]

-[exciting music playing]

Yes! That's it, Nectar!

-Come now, High Flyer!

-Yes!

Steady! Steady!

[crowd exclaiming]

[laughing]

-Come now, High Flyer! [whistles]

-Come on!

[whistles loudly]

-Should we separate them?

-It's all in good spirit.

-I think.

-Yes, I am having such fun.

-…on! Come on!

-Yes! [laughing]

-Oh! Yes! Yes! [laughing]

-Come on!

[shouting triumphantly]

Prudence! Stop hollering like a newsboy.

Let her cheer. We've all won today.

[clears throat]

[giggling quietly]

I must say,

I have never bested a viscount before.

Beating you feels

the same as any other win

but somehow smells sweeter.

Kate, does Nectar not remind you

of the beloved horse I used to adore?

-Do you remember the one?

-Oh, well, take my arm.

I'll take you down to see him.

Excellent idea.

Miss Sharma, I must ask.

Why do you jab at Lord Bridgerton so?

If the viscount is serious

about courting my sister,

is it not my duty to try his mettle?

The viscount does not like to lose.

He has never stomached it,

even back at Oxford.

Oh. [chuckles]

Miss Sharma, I--

You and the viscount

know each other from Oxford?

-I thought you met today.

-I have said too much.

You are going to say

much more this very moment.

He thought you'd judge me

if you knew we were acquaintances.

But I must assure you that

my interest in you today was genuine--

Genuine in the sense

you were sent here to distract me,

all so Lord Bridgerton

could get closer to my sister.

Kate, it is dreadful.

They say Nectar

is to be sent to the knacker's yard.

-We are leaving.

-[scoffs]

I've heard of a sore loser,

Miss Sharma, but never a sore winner.

Do not speak to me

or my sister ever again.

What has happened?

It seems a second game was afoot today,

and Lord Bridgerton

made certain I play the fool.

Let us go.

I meant no harm.

I only wished to spend time with you.

[distant unclear shouting]

[horses neighing]

[driver] Whoa there. Whoa there.

Miss Bridgerton, perhaps

this is not such a wise decision.

Seemed wise when you took

my money to escort me here.

I will return it.

This part of town is not safe

for a young lady such as yourself.

Take the other half.

Keep a watchful eye. No turning back now.

[scoffs]

[softly] No.

[doorknob rattling]

[groans]

[clattering]

What's this?

-Tell me what you know of her.

-Of who?

We know this is where

Lady Whistledown prints.

-We do?

-Why did you think we were here?

-I think you might be lost.

-I think you're evading my question.

You never asked me a question.

[clears throat]

What are those papers?

Nothing for the likes of you.

Perhaps you might get

your trivial gossip from somewhere else.

That is not what--

I am not here in search of gossip.

No?

Private information about

the season's most eligible bachelor, then?

Mmm?

Your assumptions

are not the least bit surprising.

After all, a woman is allowed

to have but two interests.

Marriage, or spewing slander

about her peers, apparently.

It'd never occur to you that I am,

in fact, hoping to find the writer

so that we may discuss

much more intellective matters.

The rights of woman.

The exploration of her mind,

a mind which, I can already discern,

is far, far superior to yours.

Is the shock you seem

to be displaying at present

due to the fact that

I appear well-read and articulate?

Or do you suffer from some medical ailment

about which I should be informed?

-This is not--

-If women's rights are what you're after,

then perhaps that is

what you need to be reading.

New thoughts. Unsettling ideas.

Not too unsettling for you, I hope?

Though, if I should ever see

Lady what's-her-name,

I'll be sure to let her know that

her leading admirer says hello.

[door closes]

[minister] I now

pronounce you husband and wife.

[light clapping]

[Mrs. Finch] Oh, how wonderful.

And to think,

we are all one family now,

Lady Featherington.

[chuckling] Yes.

What a delightful thought.

[Mr. Finch] We must tell

the new Lord Featherington.

Where is the new Lord Featherington?

He is here somewhere,

to be sure. Let me find him.

You ensured the dowry was paid?

Of course I ensured the dowry was paid!

-Mmm.

-Ah.

[knock at door]

I would've been in attendance, my lady,

but seeing how you wished

to keep the guest list small…

What use are elaborate weddings anyway,

my lord, when there are

so many more important matters

to spend one's money on?

If you say so.

Especially with two more young ladies

to wed and two more dowries to pay for.

My word, this is a perplexing puzzle.

Apparently I needed less skill

to dig my American mines

than I do to understand

my late cousin's bookkeeping.

Well, surely, to a man of your wealth,

settling the estate's affair

shan't be of much concern?

It'll certainly make a difference

to my immediate plans.

Which would be?

It may serve you well

to involve me in your plans, my lord.

Perhaps we may act in concert in some way.

You are new to town, after all.

You could use someone

to keep you apprised of certain matters.

-Well, in that, you are correct, my lady.

-Excellent--

Which is, indeed,

why I plan on finding that someone

sooner rather than later.

[chuckles lightly]

Your new relations are asking for you.

Perhaps all this can wait.

Let us go and enjoy Philippa's day.

I do relish weddings.

Don't you, Mrs. Varley?

[hesitantly] Oh.

Certainly, my lord.

[footsteps departing]

He does have a pleasing smile. [chuckles]

That smile will be the last thing we see

after he installs some beef-witted chit

into our drawing room

and ousts me out of my very own home.

Let's see how pleasing you find it then.

[Edwina] To be fair,

he did not exactly have many choices.

You forbade him to call on me.

-You think he was clever?

-No.

I think--

You told me Appa always said

it takes a courageous man

to go after what he truly wants.

Appa also said the mark

of a true gentleman is honesty.

Something the viscount notably lacks.

[doors open]

Your Majesty.

Lady Danbury.

Miss Sharma. And my diamond.

This way. There is much to see.

They are called "zebra."

Striped horses from Africa, in fact.

Seven more arrive next week.

Though I can't think

what to name them all.

After 15 children,

I seem to have run out of ideas.

It is the most spectacular menagerie,

Your Majesty.

Indeed, it is.

Miss Edwina?

Yes, Your Majesty?

I do hope

you have been enjoying the attention

you have surely been receiving

as the season's diamond.

Very much so, ma'am.

It has been an exceptional honor.

It is not an easy mantle

to take on, you realize.

To have so many eyes

upon you at all times.

Regardless of the truth,

people… nay, gossips,

they will contrive shameless falsehoods.

Rumor can oftentimes

be a great hardship to endure.

Just ask your mother. Just ask me.

My sister aspires to learn

from your illustrious example,

Your Majesty.

Your marriage,

the wondrous love you share with the king.

Edwina desires the very same.

And she shall receive it,

should she know who to trust.

[Kate] Lady Danbury has been

a steadfast guide for us this season.

And my sister has me watching her as well.

An inner circle, if there ever was one.

Though you must know

there will be many people

trying to break it apart

for their own ends.

When those persons

inevitably reveal themselves

and their rather sly intentions,

I simply ask

that you tell me who they are

so that I may decide

if they are worthy, of course.

Miss Sharma, perhaps you would like

to take your sister to see

the rest of these splendid grounds.

Yes. The cassowaries

are just across the bridge.

But do not veer too close.

They are quite irritable.

Something tells me, ma'am,

that there are quite a few

sly intentions at work here.

Was I so obvious?

You seek to unmask Lady Whistledown

with the help of your diamond.

The writer will assuredly

seek access to her. And when she does,

Her Majesty will be waiting.

Is that why you chose

Miss Edwina in the first place?

Someone who was not present last season--

Meant she was

someone I knew I could trust.

-Yes.

-[Lady Danbury] Mmm.

Lady Danbury. Don't appear scandalized.

You relish this frivolity

nearly as much as I do.

This season is different.

You may wish to spoil

your own fun, Lady Danbury,

but you shall not ruin mine.

Let me show you where I house my elephant.

[Lady Danbury] Mmm.

-[grunting]

-[blades swishing]

She is pompous and arrogant and quite sure

she knows best in every situation.

She sounds like a terrible nuisance.

Especially since you are the one

who knows best in every situation.

-[grunts]

-[blades swishing]

[grunts]

And the victor of every match today.

Less talking, more fencing. Brother.

[Benedict sighs]

[Colin] Good luck.

Ready?

Do you know why I win every time?

Because every time you lose,

you claim we cheated.

Because I know my duties.

What my purposes are

and how to obtain them.

Which I will do when I make

Miss Edwina my viscountess.

[Anthony grunts]

Miss Edwina and I are well-suited.

She is a lovely young lady.

She wishes for children.

She'll make a perfectly agreeable wife.

What he means to say

is that he has already dismissed

every other young lady in town.

You take too much upon yourself, Brother.

Perhaps your life might be easier

if you pursued someone

with a less disagreeable sister.

Why should I be the one to admit defeat?

Regardless of which young lady

I have chosen to pursue,

there would've always been

some obstinate father

or meddlesome aunt into the picture.

I shall certainly not let some sister,

especially one younger than me,

keep me from getting what it is I want.

Whom you want, you mean?

Is this still a friendly match,

or do we need to find some armor?

That is what

you do not understand, Brother.

Benedict honors me

by holding nothing back.

As I now

honor him.

-[Anthony] Yah! Yah!

-[Colin laughs]

What honor.

Thank you, gentlemen,

for the bracing exertion.

Now it is time for me

to secure my final victory for the day.

Wish me luck.

They were called zebras, I believe.

So it was a pleasant visit, then?

I'm quite sorry I was unable to attend.

I am certain it is not the last time

we will be invited to the palace.

Her Majesty seemed quite taken

by Edwina, was she not, Lady Danbury?

I was thinking.

-A soiree this evening.

-[horse neighs]

So that Miss Edwina may get to know

her many suitors rather better.

I shall see to everything.

Sounds delightful.

So long as we are judicious

with our guest list. Pardon me.

[door opens]

Good boy.

[Kate] How much clearer must I be?

-I brought a gift for Miss Edwina.

-Take your Trojan Horse elsewhere.

I assure you, this is a very real horse.

I'd not recommend trying to climb inside.

-Truly, this is all a game to you.

-I'm not here to play games.

Then what was Mr. Dorset,

if not some deceitful prank?

The business with Mr. Dorset

was not so great a deceit as you imply.

And now you question my judgment.

Only because you questioned mine.

I have never met a man

as brazenly presumptuous--

You do not even know me.

I know you are polished.

I know you are careful.

I know you make promises

without so much as uttering a word.

There is not much more I need to know.

-[Anthony mutters]

-Thank you, sir.

Is this about what you heard

on the terrace again?

You act as if I'm some kind of villain

when every other woman in London aspires

for the kind of marriage I'm offering.

You must know that.

You have been exceptionally clear

about what it is

you do and do not wish for,

but has it ever occurred to you

this might, in fact, be about

what your sister wishes for instead?

Lord Bridgerton.

Miss Edwina.

I have brought you a small token

to remember our fine time

at the races yesterday.

[Edwina] Oh.

The horse is for me?

-I thought you loved animals.

-[Edwina] I do.

But usually the kind

that can curl up on my lap.

[chuckles softly]

[chuckles softly]

My apologies.

You said something about

Nectar reminding you

of a beloved horse back at--

[Kate] That horse is

a character from a novel.

A novel of love, in fact.

Something for which

my sister is an enthusiast.

[Edwina] I adore it, my lord.

The horse is a generous gesture, indeed.

Come, Edwina. We must return inside.

Mr. Bridgerton!

You honor me with your presence.

The honor's all mine, Mr. Mondrich.

The place looks extraordinary.

Though, am I a little early?

The crowd will increase

with time, naturally.

I heard a rumor

that you yourself are an artist.

Oh.

I… dabble.

[chuckles]

Then,

you must meet Mr. Cruikshank.

He's a talented illustrator

with many connections

amongst artists and patrons.

I'm always excited

to meet talented people.

This is precisely what makes

my establishment different, Bridgerton.

I know you and your brothers are

comfortable at places like White's,

but every honest man,

regardless of his title, rank,

or occupation, is welcome

to be here.

I must say, Mr. Mondrich,

I'm quite overjoyed to see

what a fine establishment you've built

by the sweat of your own honest labor.

Hear, hear.

[sighs softly]

The tidying of dogs?

Yes. Perhaps you have a friend

who finds the subject interesting.

-Mother, are you quite well?

-No. No, she is not.

I was unaware

there was a ball this evening.

It is a soiree, rather.

Did you not receive your invitation

from the Danbury footman?

The soiree is at the Danbury House.

[sighs] And Miss Sharma likes

to accuse me of playing games.

-Can you blame her?

-[Anthony] What?

She is looking out for her sister.

She hopes to find her a love match.

And with you, apparently so forthright

in your disdain for such a thing…

[inhales deeply]

Perhaps Miss Edwina's other suitors plan

on choosing words more wisely tonight.

Some are reading poetry, I hear.

[scoffs lightly]

There is a lesson here

for you somewhere, Anthony.

I only hope that this time

you will finally learn it.

-Come along.

-[clears throat]

[door opens]

[flute playing unevenly]

[metallic swishing]

-[cymbals crashing]

-[all gasping]

-[whooshing]

-[gasping]

[soft laughter]

[light clapping]

[laughing]

-[chuckles]

-[man grunting]

At least it is the men who are

making fools of themselves this time.

-Was this your idea?

-I wish I could take credit, but no.

Lady Danbury encouraged a poetry reading.

The men, thanks to their spirit

and competition,

concocted the rest

of this farce on their own.

Of course they did.

[light clapping]

[Lady Danbury laughs] Oh, yes. Marvelous.

You are the viscount's sister, yes?

One of them.

But do not hold it against me.

[audience] Ooh.

[laughter]

The fact the viscount is your relation

almost makes me think better of him.

We should certainly not give him

too much credit, now, should we? [laughs]

What?

Yes. Yes.

How about a pause?

[murmuring]

[Lady Danbury] Yes.

[light classical music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[Penelope] A beautiful dress.

[Edwina] Oh. Thank you.

[chuckles softly]

I quite like yours as well.

-You have a sense of humor.

-No, I did not mean--

I am being truthful.

It is quite beautiful, indeed.

Well, I seem to have

grown weary of the color.

[both chuckle]

I can understand.

Though, I suppose, in truth,

it is not a matter of the color,

but rather how one wears it.

You wear it well, Miss…

Penelope. Featherington.

Pardon me.

So, what will it be for you tonight?

A song? A jig?

Some hidden hoop-rolling talent

you have yet to share with the world?

I'm afraid I'm just a spectator.

So much interest shown in a young lady

whom none of us really know.

Hmm. Not a devotee of mystery, Pen?

Me? No.

I am always turning

to the final chapter first.

Speaking of mysteries,

you must tell me

the name of the young lady

you met while out of the country.

Now, what can you mean?

You mentioned, at the races,

you were never lonely. I only assumed…

Never mind. [clears throat]

Look. There truly is someone

hoop-rolling tonight. [chuckles]

You are right.

I was not exactly lonely on my travels.

I did begin a real conversation

with someone.

Someone I had known for a very long time.

And yet, after everything

that happened with Miss Thompson,

I realized

I never truly knew this person at all.

Myself.

Yourself?

I have you to thank.

Your letters were so encouraging.

I thought,

if Penelope can see me this way,

then surely I can too.

I was just

so distracted by Miss Thompson.

So I cleared my head,

swore off women and love, and…

Well, I only wanted

to fully understand myself

before stepping back into this world.

You've sworn off women, then?

Well, for the time being.

I am a woman.

You are Pen.

You do not count.

You are my friend.

Of course.

Your friend.

How good to hear that.

[melancholy music playing]

[breathing shakily]

[Cressida laughs softly] Thank you.

Yes. I find it quite alluring too.

[laughter]

[Lady Cowper] The new Lord Featherington

is certainly a man of taste, is he not?

Lady Cowper.

Miss Cowper.

What an exquisite necklace.

Courtesy of

the new Lord Featherington, I hear.

Oh. Did the lord not tell you?

He called on us just this afternoon.

-I must have missed that.

-Hmm.

I was so busy with Philippa's nuptials

and everything else. [chuckles]

It's quite a generous gesture, is it not?

I do wonder what it means.

It cannot mean much.

The new lord is

so very generous with his gifts.

It's hard to keep up with them.

-Hmm. Yes. Oh.

-[chuckles]

[chuckles] This way, my dear.

I saw that Gérard painting.

-It was a marvel.

-A vision, in fact.

So you are telling me

that he, Leighton, and Turner

all studied in the same academy?

Indeed. And they have

a vacancy, from what I hear.

If you are serious about painting,

I hear it is the place to be.

Brother. I need you.

-I'm in the midst of a conversation.

-Outside, straight away.

Excuse me.

I need you to teach me

how to read that out loud.

Byron?

Did I strike you much harder

than I realized earlier?

"There is a pleasure

in the pathless woods."

Oh…

"There is a rapture on the lon--"

How does one make that sound good?

I'm afraid that is not possible.

That poem is the opposite of good.

That's nonsense.

I thought this sort of thing

was supposed to be your pleasure.

Poetry, yes. Byron, heavens, no.

Is not everyone supposed to love Byron?

Many in our year at Cambridge

thought my poetry far superior to his.

Does that mean yours

is more or less deceitful?

-Deceitful?

-Mmm.

Poetry is the opposite, Brother.

It is the art of revealing

precious truth with words.

[chuckles]

[chuckles] Quite right, Brother.

You-- You're being serious?

Mm-hmm.

Good God. Good night.

What is it, truly, to admire a woman?

To look at her and feel inspiration.

To delight in her beauty.

So much so that all your defenses crumble,

that you would willingly take on

any pain, any burden for her.

To honor her being…

[sighs] …with your deeds and words.

That is what the true poet describes.

You should apply yourself

more often, Benedict.

Write that down.

"And on that cheek, and o-er that brow,"

"So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,"

"The smiles that win,

the tints that glow,"

"But tell of days in goodness spent,"

"A mind at peace with all below,"

"A heart whose love is innocent!"

[women softly exclaiming]

Gentlemen, thank you all

for the most splendid display

of your talents this evening.

A memorable occasion, to be sure.

[Anthony] Pardon me. Lady Danbury?

Uh, Lord Bridgerton, I did not expect you.

No, I seem to have

fallen off the guest list.

Ah.

Though you'd never deny

a young man you've known

for 29 years the pleasure of your company?

And neither would

your footman at the front door.

Apologies, viscount.

You appear to be late again.

We were bringing the evening

to a conclusion--

Surely Miss Edwina has time for one more.

I spent all evening crafting something.

An original.

Would you like to hear it?

Would everyone like to hear it?

-Yes. Most definitely.

-Viscount.

-Go on, then.

-Of course, Lord Bridgerton.

[Lady Danbury scoffs]

"What is it…"

[clears throat]

"…truly to admire a woman?"

"To look at her and feel inspiration."

"To delight in her beauty."

"So much that all your defenses crumble,

that you would willingly

take on any pain, any burden for her."

"To honor…"

"To hon…"

[somber music plays]

My apologies. I cannot do this.

I cannot claim these words as my own.

They are someone else's entirely.

Truth be told, I'm not-- [sighs]

[exhales] I'm not a man of poetry.

Words of flattery are beautiful and sweet,

but they are also hollow

unless accompanied by action.

Miss Edwina, I could stand here

and pretend to be someone I am not.

I could pretend to want the very same

things as you, but I'd be lying.

I may not be able to…

offer the display of passion

that you truly deserve.

But I assure you

that when it comes to action and duty…

I shall never be found lacking.

And I hope that

is what will speak louder

than any pretty words ever can.

-[soft murmuring]

-[scattered clapping]

Did you hear that, Bon?

He cannot give you the love you deserve.

Does that make him

a bad man or an honest one?

It is the mark of a true gentleman,

just as Appa used to say.

Yes?

Delicious.

-[grunts]

-[people gasping]

[Lady Danbury]

You should return to the party.

I shall be there in a moment.

Well, the viscount

certainly seems to have nettled you.

He can be exasperating.

He is incorrigible.

He is not for my sister.

I shall make sure

she sees of it too, one way or another.

Some advice, Miss Sharma?

When one is frustrated,

it is often much wiser to focus

upon satisfying one's own needs.

Attempting to influence others

as to the correct course of action, well,

it is often a trying

and irritating endeavor

that only brings out the worst in us

before we discover

it has been fruitless all along.

I am aware I've made a fool

of myself tonight, Lady Danbury.

I do not need to hear it from you.

In fact, I do not need

to hear it from anyone.

I do not care

what a single person here thinks of me.

Once Edwina is married,

I shall return home alone,

only too glad

to never set foot in this city again.

You may not yet know,

and that is all well and good.

But I, for one,

find it not only terribly disheartening

but also an offense against truth,

to hear you say you wish to be alone

at a mere six and twenty?

Perhaps you should not.

I will be a governess.

I will be content knowing

my sister is taken care of.

Content?

Are you so miserable, my lady?

I beg your pardon?

Are you not alone yourself?

I watch you. I see you.

You are more than content.

Because I have lived a life.

I am a widow.

I have loved. I have lost.

I have earned the right

to do whatever I please,

whenever I please,

and however I please to do it.

Child,

you are not me.

And if you continue down this road,

you most certainly never will be.

[Lady Whistledown]

There are two things that lurk

within the dark

and shadowy places of our fair city.

Vermin and secrets.

I shall leave it to you, dear reader,

as to which do the most harm.

[sighs]

[Lady Whistledown] One has to wonder

what secrets the season's diamond

is holding near and dear to her heart.

And who shall she choose

to share them with?

The Viscount Bridgerton, perhaps?

At least the elder Sharma's opinion

on such a matter

is certainly no secret at all.

If you are truly that vexed by the manner

in which Lady Whistledown writes still,

perhaps you might stop reading?

-She's finally revealed herself.

-What? El--

I was not going to tell you this because--

Well, I was embarrassed,

and I thought I was wrong, but,

I paid this printer's shop

a visit yesterday.

You did?

Did you speak with anyone?

It does not matter. Pen, look.

Not only are these paper stocks identical,

but the letter K's, they are slightly

misshapen in the exact same way.

Surely it is not likely

to be another coincidence.

Well, we must keep an eye out.

If the same mistake

is in Whistledown's next issue,

then we will know

the print shop is indeed hers.

[compelling music plays]

[indistinct chatter]

[in Irish accent]

A new letter "K" for a Stanhope press.

-That will be ten pence.

-I'll give you five.

Five's a special rate

for repeat customers.

Trust me, friend, I'd exasperate you

coming back any more than once.

Now give me the discount to keep me away,

and we'll both be happier.

Miss Penelope?

[Lady Whistledown]

To be fair, one might call this author

the biggest secret-sharer of all.

For who else could possibly

keep all of you honest?

Here you are, Your Majesty.

And you are certain

these are the young ladies our diamond

has been conversing with of late?

Yes, Your Majesty.

If our theory is correct,

then Lady Whistledown

will indeed be in this very collection.

[Lady Whistledown]

When even the most well-kept of secrets

must eventually come to light.

It has been said that competition

is an opportunity for us

to rise and stand ready

before our greatest of challenges.

Well, if what this author hears

this morning is true,

then a great challenge

concerning this season's diamond

has been set forth, indeed.

Any suitor wishing to gain

an audience with Miss Edwina Sharma

must first tame

the rather prickly spinster of a beast

otherwise known as her sister.

Lord Lumley. At the top.

Is he not something of a dandy?

-I would use the term gallant.

-Is that what you look for, Edwina?

If Kate believes in him, so do I.

-Miss Sharma?

-Miss Edwina Sharma.

Not the sister.

Miss Edwina will suffice.

I see you've left off Lord Bridgerton.

Oh, now, he is what Edwina is looking for.

An oversight on your part, my dear?

Lord Bridgerton is quite adept

at conveying false first impressions.

What did you hear?

He stated rather clearly that

he seeks a wife only to fulfill his duty

and does not believe in love at all.

It is only out

of the greatest love of my family

that I aim to choose a bride

with my head and not my…

heart.

And you find this unusual?

Most marriages of the ton are, in fact,

mere matters of business, my dear.

Matters that have been working

for centuries.

It is the true love match

that is quite rare.

Does Miss Edwina return your affection?

Not yet.

She would have done if it were not for--

The sister.

-She's rather thorny, I take it?

-Indeed.

You know what it is

you are looking for, Bon.

You must not forget it.

Lord Lumley will turn the viscount

into a distant memory.

-I am certain.

-Though she need not trouble me.

Every rose does have its thorn, after all.

Of course, the only competition

that compels my attention

is the game of courtship.

So best of luck to this year's players.

Do try not to stumble

on the starting line.

Many dismiss Blake's work

as childlike, insubstantial…

Miss Sharma, am I to be kept

at this threshold all day?

Lumley's already had

an inordinate amount of time with her.

That is because my sister

is so enraptured with him at the moment.

You wouldn't want me

to interrupt your discourse

when it is your turn, would you?

I say we heed the young lady

and wait with the grace

our hostess affords us.

Thank you, Lord…

Bridgerton.

I'm afraid

you are much too late, my lord.

You now find yourself at the back

of a very considerably long queue.

I wish to escort Miss Edwina

to the races this afternoon.

My sister already has

an escort this afternoon.

-Tomorrow then.

-She's engaged tomorrow too.

And the day after?

Now that I think of it, she may be free…

-Ah.

-…after December.

Unless, of course,

she is on her honeymoon by then.

Did I say something funny?

I believe you did.

What is funny, my lord, is you here now,

after what I overheard the other night--

That was not for your ears.

But also, in addition to everything

I have now read of you,

your dubious and libertine reputation

goes before you.

No intrusions, Bridgerton!

End of the queue.

-Yes, that's right.

-That's right.

Is that a copy of Lady Whistledown?

-It is.

-I thought we were done with her.

Do not discourage her, Penelope.

If she has taken an interest

in Lady Whistledown again,

perhaps she's interested

in what she has to say

about the season's

available gentlemen too.

I cannot think of any cleverer way

to say this, but no.

Her latest is not exactly

the philosophical treatise

on the rights of the fairer sex

I was hoping for, but--

I do not think Lady Whistledown

has changed her style

of writing since her last issue.

Perhaps not. But perhaps she still can.

Perhaps she does not want to.

Perhaps she is quite content.

And if she's even sparked

your renewed interest, El,

then perhaps whatever

she is doing is working.

Yes, but she could do so much more.

I know I could convince her of it.

If I were to find her this time.

What you must find, my dear, is happiness.

Penelope, assist me here.

Eloise could find that

with someone else, could she not?

I believe she could.

And not Lady Whistledown,

but someone more like-- Colin.

-My brother?

-No, not Coli-- Colin!

Glad to see things have not changed.

-Brother!

-Colin!

Could you set aside

the latest family squabble and embrace me?

I did not expect you

to return so soon, dearest.

Well, I missed you all. What can I say?

-Brother!

-Brother!

I believe we must get you

to the doctor post-haste.

This strange, fuzzy growth on your chin

is some kind of disease.

And you seem to have taken

to the sun too. How peculiar.

-I think he looks distinguished.

-I'm now two inches taller than Gregory.

You are not.

And where, may I ask,

is our intrepid viscount?

He is…

back from courting already.

Colin! You are returned. Even better.

Family, I should like you all

to ready yourselves for the races today.

We will be attending, united as one.

I told him it would never do,

ma'am, but he insisted.

Is that Cousin Jack's?

Cousin? Is that what

he asked you to call him?

Are you bothered by him, Mama?

Of course not.

The new Lord Featherington has come

to shower us with many riches indeed.

If we must endure a few…

dubious style choices in return,

along with some rather

questionable matters of breeding, then

so be it.

I also hear he wishes

to convert the morning room

into his own personal gaming hell.

Ah. Now, that looks splendid.

Livens up the place, yes?

It is a happy addition, my lord.

Though, perhaps happier

in your own bedchamber.

Have you shot them all, Cousin Jack?

Every weapon here has a splendid history

and is worthy of interest, Penelope.

I shall have to fill you in

on all of my adventures one day.

Now, ladies, run along and get dressed.

We head to the Royal Races today.

It will be an intimate ceremony.

But Mr. Finch said he wished

for nothing to distract from his bride,

if you can believe it.

I certainly cannot. Can you, Penelope?

Have you seen the Bridgertons?

It is a marvel you love literature

as much as I do.

Do you enjoy Byron?

I have read some, my lord.

Though I believe myself a novice

when it comes to poetry.

How fortunate to have found

such a well-versed teacher

in Lord Lumley, then.

Many find poetry a flat medium.

Words read silently from a page.

But I believe it is meant

to be read aloud like music.

Here, I carry a small pocket copy

of my favorites with me wherever I go.

Lady Danbury. I would be so honored

if you could facilitate

a proper introduction.

I fear my calling card got lost

in the shuffle at your home this morning.

Of course.

Mr. Thomas Dorset, allow me to introduce

Miss Sharma and Miss Edwina Sharma.

A pleasure.

I am afraid my sister already has

an escort for today, Mr. Dorset.

That is very well.

Though I was hoping to speak with you.

How are you finding

the season, Miss Sharma?

It is a season.

Mr. Dorset, I really should--

London is a far cry from Bombay.

It is where you traveled from, yes?

-Yes.

-I have visited.

It is a wondrous place.

-You must miss it dearly.

-Oh, every minute of every day.

But most especially at teatime.

We should find our seats.

Allow me to join you.

Bridgertons!

Mr. Mondrich.

It appears retirement suits you well.

If only he were retired.

Are you planning

another foray into the ring?

Into business, in fact.

I am opening a gentlemen's club.

Set to rival even the select haunts

on St. James's, if we are fortunate.

You do know we have all been

members of White's since birth.

Our grand opening is tomorrow night.

You're all invited--

Apologies. If you will excuse me.

Tell me, Mr. Mondrich.

I wouldn't mind some stimulation.

Just look at your brother.

The social season

frustrated him at first too,

but now it seems this Miss Edwina

has quickened his interest

and pleasure in courtship.

I only mean to say, Eloise,

that we must be willing to look

to find the partner that will excite us.

So dance with a bevy of frogs,

and one of them

might turn out to be a prince?

If that's what you must do.

Your father, you know…

Are you listening to me?

What do you have in your hand?

Nothing, Mama. It is only a pamphlet on

new methods

for the tidying of dogs, apparently.

Well, a lady is allowed

her hobbies, is she not?

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Mr. Dorset, you travel widely, then?

And continuously, it seems.

Well, for my studies.

I find medicine particularly fascinating.

The helping of others

is a noble interest, indeed.

Mr. Dorset is much like you

in that regard, Sister.

Edwina, have you spoken

to Lord Lumley of his interests at all?

Lord Bridgerton.

Miss Sharma. Miss Edwina. Lumley.

How delightful

to see you, my lord.

Lord Bridgerton,

allow me to introduce myself.

Mr. Thomas Dorset.

Miss Edwina, I was hoping

to call on you this morning…

My sister is well aware of everything--

…but promised my family

to join them for breakfast.

We are exceptionally close.

Break our fasts together regularly.

Oh.

There they all are now.

One can tell a great deal about a man

from his family, I rather think.

Yes, there are many excellent,

affectionate families of the ton.

Are there not?

Though none quite as inviting

as the Bridgertons.

My mother's been wanting to enjoy

another tea at Bridgerton House

for some time.

Well, we must gratify your wish, Lumley.

Speaking of refreshments,

I could not help but notice

the ladies are without.

We are content, thank you.

It is an unseasonably hot day,

and any gentleman would make sure--

Miss Edwina, allow me

to fetch a lemonade for you.

Oh, that would be most agreeable.

Thank you, my lord.

Excuse me.

It's a splendid day for a race.

-Pen.

-Oh, Colin!

We did not get a chance

to speak this morning.

We did. I said, "Colin!"

But, then again, it was nothing of note.

I had wanted to hear more

about your travels.

I thought you would've been bored

of my travels by now.

You read and replied to more

of my letters than anyone else.

I suppose I did, though,

there is always much more to say

than one can put onto the page.

Pen.

How have you been?

Well. I have been well. And you?

Do not answer that.

I know how you have been.

Exploring the slopes

of Mount Olympus, falconry with the Turks.

It was quite exhilarating.

Also lonely, perhaps?

Mmm.

Well, I was never on my own, of course.

-I see. You met someone--

-Pen! I finally found you.

You always do.

You've been back hours,

yet you are already in my way.

How I have missed you too, El.

I believe I have made a discovery.

Whistledown's new printer.

-Impossible.

-To mere mortals, perhaps.

I am beginning to sense my true power now.

Do you notice the way this pamphlet feels?

Like paper?

Precisely. The paper stock is

the same texture as that of Whistledown.

Does not all paper feel the same?

Texture, weight, grain,

the way the light seeps through

when you hold it to the sky. Look.

-Yes, I must seem mad.

-I did not say--

You were thinking it.

You seem passionate.

But, El, it is likely a coincidence.

That pamphlet is surely

just what it appears to be.

Copious instructions for tending

to a dog's undergrowth, evidently.

Most likely. I suppose you are right.

Ugh. I must go and pretend to share in

the joy of my sister's impending nuptials.

-Give the soon-to-be my regards.

Oh, really?

Lord Lumley seems to have got lost

on his journey back

from the lemonade stand.

I am happy to search for him.

It was the viscount

who insisted on refreshments.

Perhaps he might go?

With the race set to begin?

-Which one is your pick, my lord?

-Edwina.

Nectar. Well-bred, highly trained,

and well-favored.

-Nectar. Really?

-Yes.

I have a feeling about him.

A feeling.

Pardon me?

You simply chose the horse

everyone else has chosen.

-Quite a "feeling."

-I made a strategic bet.

So you've considered

your horse's temperament,

as well as the conditions of the track,

in order to properly

assess its true potential?

-It is suddenly rather warm, is it not?

-Nectar is a prize steed.

We should find a little more shade.

Nectar ran well at Doncaster,

but that was a firmer course.

The weather was much cooler.

Thus his size was an advantage.

Today the track is soft, and it is hot,

meaning he will struggle to make headway,

overheat, and slow down

during the final leg,

giving High Flyer, a much swifter,

lighter, cooler horse, the victory.

-You think too much about it.

-And you, too little.

It seems your guest

has caught the attention

of the viscount, Lady Danbury.

-It would seem so.

You do understand that,

as Miss Edwina's sponsor,

I should like to remain neutral

until she has made her choice.

-Of course.

-But as your friend, I will tell you.

There may be

an obstacle in your son's path.

The elder sister

seems set against the match.

It seems Miss Edwina desires a love match,

something the viscount clearly does not.

I see.

Perhaps her mind can be changed.

Perhaps so can the viscount's.

Mmm.

My apologies for the delay.

Not to worry. Lord Bridgerton

has been keeping us entertained.

I am quite certain he has.

There is plenty of room, my lord.

Yes! That's it, Nectar!

-Come now, High Flyer!

-Yes!

Steady! Steady!

-Come now, High Flyer!

-Come on!

-Should we separate them?

-It's all in good spirit.

-I think.

-Yes, I am having such fun.

-…on! Come on!

-Yes!

-Oh! Yes! Yes!

-Come on!

Prudence! Stop hollering like a newsboy.

Let her cheer. We've all won today.

I must say,

I have never bested a viscount before.

Beating you feels

the same as any other win

but somehow smells sweeter.

Kate, does Nectar not remind you

of the beloved horse I used to adore?

-Do you remember the one?

-Oh, well, take my arm.

I'll take you down to see him.

Excellent idea.

Miss Sharma, I must ask.

Why do you jab at Lord Bridgerton so?

If the viscount is serious

about courting my sister,

is it not my duty to try his mettle?

The viscount does not like to lose.

He has never stomached it,

even back at Oxford.

Oh.

Miss Sharma, I--

You and the viscount

know each other from Oxford?

-I thought you met today.

-I have said too much.

You are going to say

much more this very moment.

He thought you'd judge me

if you knew we were acquaintances.

But I must assure you that

my interest in you today was genuine--

Genuine in the sense

you were sent here to distract me,

all so Lord Bridgerton

could get closer to my sister.

Kate, it is dreadful.

They say Nectar

is to be sent to the knacker's yard.

-We are leaving.

I've heard of a sore loser,

Miss Sharma, but never a sore winner.

Do not speak to me

or my sister ever again.

What has happened?

It seems a second game was afoot today,

and Lord Bridgerton

made certain I play the fool.

Let us go.

I meant no harm.

I only wished to spend time with you.

Whoa there. Whoa there.

Miss Bridgerton, perhaps

this is not such a wise decision.

Seemed wise when you took

my money to escort me here.

I will return it.

This part of town is not safe

for a young lady such as yourself.

Take the other half.

Keep a watchful eye. No turning back now.

No.

What's this?

-Tell me what you know of her.

-Of who?

We know this is where

Lady Whistledown prints.

-We do?

-Why did you think we were here?

-I think you might be lost.

-I think you're evading my question.

You never asked me a question.

What are those papers?

Nothing for the likes of you.

Perhaps you might get

your trivial gossip from somewhere else.

That is not what--

I am not here in search of gossip.

No?

Private information about

the season's most eligible bachelor, then?

Mmm?

Your assumptions

are not the least bit surprising.

After all, a woman is allowed

to have but two interests.

Marriage, or spewing slander

about her peers, apparently.

It'd never occur to you that I am,

in fact, hoping to find the writer

so that we may discuss

much more intellective matters.

The rights of woman.

The exploration of her mind,

a mind which, I can already discern,

is far, far superior to yours.

Is the shock you seem

to be displaying at present

due to the fact that

I appear well-read and articulate?

Or do you suffer from some medical ailment

about which I should be informed?

-This is not--

-If women's rights are what you're after,

then perhaps that is

what you need to be reading.

New thoughts. Unsettling ideas.

Not too unsettling for you, I hope?

Though, if I should ever see

Lady what's-her-name,

I'll be sure to let her know that

her leading admirer says hello.

I now

pronounce you husband and wife.

Oh, how wonderful.

And to think,

we are all one family now,

Lady Featherington.

Yes.

What a delightful thought.

We must tell

the new Lord Featherington.

Where is the new Lord Featherington?

He is here somewhere,

to be sure. Let me find him.

You ensured the dowry was paid?

Of course I ensured the dowry was paid!

-Mmm.

-Ah.

I would've been in attendance, my lady,

but seeing how you wished

to keep the guest list small…

What use are elaborate weddings anyway,

my lord, when there are

so many more important matters

to spend one's money on?

If you say so.

Especially with two more young ladies

to wed and two more dowries to pay for.

My word, this is a perplexing puzzle.

Apparently I needed less skill

to dig my American mines

than I do to understand

my late cousin's bookkeeping.

Well, surely, to a man of your wealth,

settling the estate's affair

shan't be of much concern?

It'll certainly make a difference

to my immediate plans.

Which would be?

It may serve you well

to involve me in your plans, my lord.

Perhaps we may act in concert in some way.

You are new to town, after all.

You could use someone

to keep you apprised of certain matters.

-Well, in that, you are correct, my lady.

-Excellent--

Which is, indeed,

why I plan on finding that someone

sooner rather than later.

Your new relations are asking for you.

Perhaps all this can wait.

Let us go and enjoy Philippa's day.

I do relish weddings.

Don't you, Mrs. Varley?

Oh.

Certainly, my lord.

He does have a pleasing smile.

That smile will be the last thing we see

after he installs some beef-witted chit

into our drawing room

and ousts me out of my very own home.

Let's see how pleasing you find it then.

To be fair,

he did not exactly have many choices.

You forbade him to call on me.

-You think he was clever?

-No.

I think--

You told me Appa always said

it takes a courageous man

to go after what he truly wants.

Appa also said the mark

of a true gentleman is honesty.

Something the viscount notably lacks.

Your Majesty.

Lady Danbury.

Miss Sharma. And my diamond.

This way. There is much to see.

They are called "zebra."

Striped horses from Africa, in fact.

Seven more arrive next week.

Though I can't think

what to name them all.

After 15 children,

I seem to have run out of ideas.

It is the most spectacular menagerie,

Your Majesty.

Indeed, it is.

Miss Edwina?

Yes, Your Majesty?

I do hope

you have been enjoying the attention

you have surely been receiving

as the season's diamond.

Very much so, ma'am.

It has been an exceptional honor.

It is not an easy mantle

to take on, you realize.

To have so many eyes

upon you at all times.

Regardless of the truth,

people… nay, gossips,

they will contrive shameless falsehoods.

Rumor can oftentimes

be a great hardship to endure.

Just ask your mother. Just ask me.

My sister aspires to learn

from your illustrious example,

Your Majesty.

Your marriage,

the wondrous love you share with the king.

Edwina desires the very same.

And she shall receive it,

should she know who to trust.

Lady Danbury has been

a steadfast guide for us this season.

And my sister has me watching her as well.

An inner circle, if there ever was one.

Though you must know

there will be many people

trying to break it apart

for their own ends.

When those persons

inevitably reveal themselves

and their rather sly intentions,

I simply ask

that you tell me who they are

so that I may decide

if they are worthy, of course.

Miss Sharma, perhaps you would like

to take your sister to see

the rest of these splendid grounds.

Yes. The cassowaries

are just across the bridge.

But do not veer too close.

They are quite irritable.

Something tells me, ma'am,

that there are quite a few

sly intentions at work here.

Was I so obvious?

You seek to unmask Lady Whistledown

with the help of your diamond.

The writer will assuredly

seek access to her. And when she does,

Her Majesty will be waiting.

Is that why you chose

Miss Edwina in the first place?

Someone who was not present last season--

Meant she was

someone I knew I could trust.

-Yes.

-Mmm.

Lady Danbury. Don't appear scandalized.

You relish this frivolity

nearly as much as I do.

This season is different.

You may wish to spoil

your own fun, Lady Danbury,

but you shall not ruin mine.

Let me show you where I house my elephant.

Mmm.

She is pompous and arrogant and quite sure

she knows best in every situation.

She sounds like a terrible nuisance.

Especially since you are the one

who knows best in every situation.

And the victor of every match today.

Less talking, more fencing. Brother.

Good luck.

Ready?

Do you know why I win every time?

Because every time you lose,

you claim we cheated.

Because I know my duties.

What my purposes are

and how to obtain them.

Which I will do when I make

Miss Edwina my viscountess.

Miss Edwina and I are well-suited.

She is a lovely young lady.

She wishes for children.

She'll make a perfectly agreeable wife.

What he means to say

is that he has already dismissed

every other young lady in town.

You take too much upon yourself, Brother.

Perhaps your life might be easier

if you pursued someone

with a less disagreeable sister.

Why should I be the one to admit defeat?

Regardless of which young lady

I have chosen to pursue,

there would've always been

some obstinate father

or meddlesome aunt into the picture.

I shall certainly not let some sister,

especially one younger than me,

keep me from getting what it is I want.

Whom you want, you mean?

Is this still a friendly match,

or do we need to find some armor?

That is what

you do not understand, Brother.

Benedict honors me

by holding nothing back.

As I now

honor him.

-Yah! Yah!

What honor.

Thank you, gentlemen,

for the bracing exertion.

Now it is time for me

to secure my final victory for the day.

Wish me luck.

They were called zebras, I believe.

So it was a pleasant visit, then?

I'm quite sorry I was unable to attend.

I am certain it is not the last time

we will be invited to the palace.

Her Majesty seemed quite taken

by Edwina, was she not, Lady Danbury?

I was thinking.

-A soiree this evening.

So that Miss Edwina may get to know

her many suitors rather better.

I shall see to everything.

Sounds delightful.

So long as we are judicious

with our guest list. Pardon me.

Good boy.

How much clearer must I be?

-I brought a gift for Miss Edwina.

-Take your Trojan Horse elsewhere.

I assure you, this is a very real horse.

I'd not recommend trying to climb inside.

-Truly, this is all a game to you.

-I'm not here to play games.

Then what was Mr. Dorset,

if not some deceitful prank?

The business with Mr. Dorset

was not so great a deceit as you imply.

And now you question my judgment.

Only because you questioned mine.

I have never met a man

as brazenly presumptuous--

You do not even know me.

I know you are polished.

I know you are careful.

I know you make promises

without so much as uttering a word.

There is not much more I need to know.

-Thank you, sir.

Is this about what you heard

on the terrace again?

You act as if I'm some kind of villain

when every other woman in London aspires

for the kind of marriage I'm offering.

You must know that.

You have been exceptionally clear

about what it is

you do and do not wish for,

but has it ever occurred to you

this might, in fact, be about

what your sister wishes for instead?

Lord Bridgerton.

Miss Edwina.

I have brought you a small token

to remember our fine time

at the races yesterday.

Oh.

The horse is for me?

-I thought you loved animals.

-I do.

But usually the kind

that can curl up on my lap.

My apologies.

You said something about

Nectar reminding you

of a beloved horse back at--

That horse is

a character from a novel.

A novel of love, in fact.

Something for which

my sister is an enthusiast.

I adore it, my lord.

The horse is a generous gesture, indeed.

Come, Edwina. We must return inside.

Mr. Bridgerton!

You honor me with your presence.

The honor's all mine, Mr. Mondrich.

The place looks extraordinary.

Though, am I a little early?

The crowd will increase

with time, naturally.

I heard a rumor

that you yourself are an artist.

Oh.

I… dabble.

Then,

you must meet Mr. Cruikshank.

He's a talented illustrator

with many connections

amongst artists and patrons.

I'm always excited

to meet talented people.

This is precisely what makes

my establishment different, Bridgerton.

I know you and your brothers are

comfortable at places like White's,

but every honest man,

regardless of his title, rank,

or occupation, is welcome

to be here.

I must say, Mr. Mondrich,

I'm quite overjoyed to see

what a fine establishment you've built

by the sweat of your own honest labor.

Hear, hear.

The tidying of dogs?

Yes. Perhaps you have a friend

who finds the subject interesting.

-Mother, are you quite well?

-No. No, she is not.

I was unaware

there was a ball this evening.

It is a soiree, rather.

Did you not receive your invitation

from the Danbury footman?

The soiree is at the Danbury House.

And Miss Sharma likes

to accuse me of playing games.

-Can you blame her?

-What?

She is looking out for her sister.

She hopes to find her a love match.

And with you, apparently so forthright

in your disdain for such a thing…

Perhaps Miss Edwina's other suitors plan

on choosing words more wisely tonight.

Some are reading poetry, I hear.

There is a lesson here

for you somewhere, Anthony.

I only hope that this time

you will finally learn it.

-Come along.

At least it is the men who are

making fools of themselves this time.

-Was this your idea?

-I wish I could take credit, but no.

Lady Danbury encouraged a poetry reading.

The men, thanks to their spirit

and competition,

concocted the rest

of this farce on their own.

Of course they did.

Oh, yes. Marvelous.

You are the viscount's sister, yes?

One of them.

But do not hold it against me.

Ooh.

The fact the viscount is your relation

almost makes me think better of him.

We should certainly not give him

too much credit, now, should we?

What?

Yes. Yes.

How about a pause?

Yes.

A beautiful dress.

Oh. Thank you.

I quite like yours as well.

-You have a sense of humor.

-No, I did not mean--

I am being truthful.

It is quite beautiful, indeed.

Well, I seem to have

grown weary of the color.

I can understand.

Though, I suppose, in truth,

it is not a matter of the color,

but rather how one wears it.

You wear it well, Miss…

Penelope. Featherington.

Pardon me.

So, what will it be for you tonight?

A song? A jig?

Some hidden hoop-rolling talent

you have yet to share with the world?

I'm afraid I'm just a spectator.

So much interest shown in a young lady

whom none of us really know.

Hmm. Not a devotee of mystery, Pen?

Me? No.

I am always turning

to the final chapter first.

Speaking of mysteries,

you must tell me

the name of the young lady

you met while out of the country.

Now, what can you mean?

You mentioned, at the races,

you were never lonely. I only assumed…

Never mind.

Look. There truly is someone

hoop-rolling tonight.

You are right.

I was not exactly lonely on my travels.

I did begin a real conversation

with someone.

Someone I had known for a very long time.

And yet, after everything

that happened with Miss Thompson,

I realized

I never truly knew this person at all.

Myself.

Yourself?

I have you to thank.

Your letters were so encouraging.

I thought,

if Penelope can see me this way,

then surely I can too.

I was just

so distracted by Miss Thompson.

So I cleared my head,

swore off women and love, and…

Well, I only wanted

to fully understand myself

before stepping back into this world.

You've sworn off women, then?

Well, for the time being.

I am a woman.

You are Pen.

You do not count.

You are my friend.

Of course.

Your friend.

How good to hear that.

Thank you.

Yes. I find it quite alluring too.

The new Lord Featherington

is certainly a man of taste, is he not?

Lady Cowper.

Miss Cowper.

What an exquisite necklace.

Courtesy of

the new Lord Featherington, I hear.

Oh. Did the lord not tell you?

He called on us just this afternoon.

-I must have missed that.

-Hmm.

I was so busy with Philippa's nuptials

and everything else.

It's quite a generous gesture, is it not?

I do wonder what it means.

It cannot mean much.

The new lord is

so very generous with his gifts.

It's hard to keep up with them.

-Hmm. Yes. Oh.

This way, my dear.

I saw that Gérard painting.

-It was a marvel.

-A vision, in fact.

So you are telling me

that he, Leighton, and Turner

all studied in the same academy?

Indeed. And they have

a vacancy, from what I hear.

If you are serious about painting,

I hear it is the place to be.

Brother. I need you.

-I'm in the midst of a conversation.

-Outside, straight away.

Excuse me.

I need you to teach me

how to read that out loud.

Byron?

Did I strike you much harder

than I realized earlier?

"There is a pleasure

in the pathless woods."

Oh…

"There is a rapture on the lon--"

How does one make that sound good?

I'm afraid that is not possible.

That poem is the opposite of good.

That's nonsense.

I thought this sort of thing

was supposed to be your pleasure.

Poetry, yes. Byron, heavens, no.

Is not everyone supposed to love Byron?

Many in our year at Cambridge

thought my poetry far superior to his.

Does that mean yours

is more or less deceitful?

-Deceitful?

-Mmm.

Poetry is the opposite, Brother.

It is the art of revealing

precious truth with words.

Quite right, Brother.

You-- You're being serious?

Mm-hmm.

Good God. Good night.

What is it, truly, to admire a woman?

To look at her and feel inspiration.

To delight in her beauty.

So much so that all your defenses crumble,

that you would willingly take on

any pain, any burden for her.

To honor her being…

…with your deeds and words.

That is what the true poet describes.

You should apply yourself

more often, Benedict.

Write that down.

"And on that cheek, and o-er that brow,"

"So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,"

"The smiles that win,

the tints that glow,"

"But tell of days in goodness spent,"

"A mind at peace with all below,"

"A heart whose love is innocent!"

Gentlemen, thank you all

for the most splendid display

of your talents this evening.

A memorable occasion, to be sure.

Pardon me. Lady Danbury?

Uh, Lord Bridgerton, I did not expect you.

No, I seem to have

fallen off the guest list.

Ah.

Though you'd never deny

a young man you've known

for 29 years the pleasure of your company?

And neither would

your footman at the front door.

Apologies, viscount.

You appear to be late again.

We were bringing the evening

to a conclusion--

Surely Miss Edwina has time for one more.

I spent all evening crafting something.

An original.

Would you like to hear it?

Would everyone like to hear it?

-Yes. Most definitely.

-Viscount.

-Go on, then.

-Of course, Lord Bridgerton.

"What is it…"

"…truly to admire a woman?"

"To look at her and feel inspiration."

"To delight in her beauty."

"So much that all your defenses crumble,

that you would willingly

take on any pain, any burden for her."

"To honor…"

"To hon…"

My apologies. I cannot do this.

I cannot claim these words as my own.

They are someone else's entirely.

Truth be told, I'm not--

I'm not a man of poetry.

Words of flattery are beautiful and sweet,

but they are also hollow

unless accompanied by action.

Miss Edwina, I could stand here

and pretend to be someone I am not.

I could pretend to want the very same

things as you, but I'd be lying.

I may not be able to…

offer the display of passion

that you truly deserve.

But I assure you

that when it comes to action and duty…

I shall never be found lacking.

And I hope that

is what will speak louder

than any pretty words ever can.

Did you hear that, Bon?

He cannot give you the love you deserve.

Does that make him

a bad man or an honest one?

It is the mark of a true gentleman,

just as Appa used to say.

Yes?

Delicious.

You should return to the party.

I shall be there in a moment.

Well, the viscount

certainly seems to have nettled you.

He can be exasperating.

He is incorrigible.

He is not for my sister.

I shall make sure

she sees of it too, one way or another.

Some advice, Miss Sharma?

When one is frustrated,

it is often much wiser to focus

upon satisfying one's own needs.

Attempting to influence others

as to the correct course of action, well,

it is often a trying

and irritating endeavor

that only brings out the worst in us

before we discover

it has been fruitless all along.

I am aware I've made a fool

of myself tonight, Lady Danbury.

I do not need to hear it from you.

In fact, I do not need

to hear it from anyone.

I do not care

what a single person here thinks of me.

Once Edwina is married,

I shall return home alone,

only too glad

to never set foot in this city again.

You may not yet know,

and that is all well and good.

But I, for one,

find it not only terribly disheartening

but also an offense against truth,

to hear you say you wish to be alone

at a mere six and twenty?

Perhaps you should not.

I will be a governess.

I will be content knowing

my sister is taken care of.

Content?

Are you so miserable, my lady?

I beg your pardon?

Are you not alone yourself?

I watch you. I see you.

You are more than content.

Because I have lived a life.

I am a widow.

I have loved. I have lost.

I have earned the right

to do whatever I please,

whenever I please,

and however I please to do it.

Child,

you are not me.

And if you continue down this road,

you most certainly never will be.

There are two things that lurk

within the dark

and shadowy places of our fair city.

Vermin and secrets.

I shall leave it to you, dear reader,

as to which do the most harm.

One has to wonder

what secrets the season's diamond

is holding near and dear to her heart.

And who shall she choose

to share them with?

The Viscount Bridgerton, perhaps?

At least the elder Sharma's opinion

on such a matter

is certainly no secret at all.

If you are truly that vexed by the manner

in which Lady Whistledown writes still,

perhaps you might stop reading?

-She's finally revealed herself.

-What? El--

I was not going to tell you this because--

Well, I was embarrassed,

and I thought I was wrong, but,

I paid this printer's shop

a visit yesterday.

You did?

Did you speak with anyone?

It does not matter. Pen, look.

Not only are these paper stocks identical,

but the letter K's, they are slightly

misshapen in the exact same way.

Surely it is not likely

to be another coincidence.

Well, we must keep an eye out.

If the same mistake

is in Whistledown's next issue,

then we will know

the print shop is indeed hers.

A new letter "K" for a Stanhope press.

-That will be ten pence.

-I'll give you five.

Five's a special rate

for repeat customers.

Trust me, friend, I'd exasperate you

coming back any more than once.

Now give me the discount to keep me away,

and we'll both be happier.

Miss Penelope?

To be fair, one might call this author

the biggest secret-sharer of all.

For who else could possibly

keep all of you honest?

Here you are, Your Majesty.

And you are certain

these are the young ladies our diamond

has been conversing with of late?

Yes, Your Majesty.

If our theory is correct,

then Lady Whistledown

will indeed be in this very collection.

When even the most well-kept of secrets

must eventually come to light.