Немыслимая участь

СЕРИАЛ NETFLIX

Мисс Шарма.

Виконт Бриджертон.

Мы уже не чаяли вас увидеть.

Ваше Величество, ничто не удержит меня

вдали от моей невесты.

Расскажите мне

о планах на свадьбу.

Надеюсь, разрешение на венчание

не потребуется.

Нет, Ваше Величество.

Думаю, мы устроим

скромное семейное торжество.

Возможно, за городом, в Обри-холле.

За городом?

Нет, так не годится.

Торжество должно быть здесь, в городе.

Пожалуй, я сама устрою вашу свадьбу.

- Это так великодушно, мэм.

- Очень.

- Но вовсе не обязательно.

- Ерунда.

Ведь она мой бриллиант.

Будет правильно, если я устрою вам

подобающую свадьбу.

К тому же, признайте,

в этом блестящем браке

есть и моя заслуга.

Я прослежу за каждой деталью.

Покажу этой сплетнице,

как со мной тягаться.

Сестра, правда, это удивительно?

Словно ожившая сказка.

Ты этого заслуживаешь.

Брак по любви того заслуживает.

Прошу прощения, Ваше Величество.

Безумства соперничества.

Волнующий восторг,

охватывающий, когда рискуешь всем.

Я сейчас вовсе не о соблазнах

блестящих игровых заведений Лондона.

Речь об игре

с куда более высокими ставками.

Брак.

Ведь когда подобная ставка сделана,

ее не так-то просто аннулировать.

Уверена, этот факт

приносит одновременно сожаления

и огромное облегчение.

…будет 12 перемен блюд, а еще я спою.

Боже милосердный.

Можно подумать, они сразили

на поле брани самого Наполеона.

Всего-то нашли того,

с кем можно пойти к алтарю.

О да. Из-за всей шумихи

с помолвкой Пруденс

мама забыла о моём существовании.

Она рада, что кузен Джек обеспечил

будущее семьи.

Должна признать, я тоже.

Не трогай. Посмотреть разрешаю.

…пекарь всё еще ждет оплату.

Как и угольщик.

Новый лорд Фэзерингтон должен был

восстановить наше положение,

а в итоге я опять не могу

наскрести на необходимое.

Всё это дело ваших рук,

леди Фэзерингтон.

Не устрой вы эту злополучную помолвку,

мы бы все безбедно жили

на приданое мисс Каупер.

Давайте. Вините меня в том,

что я поверила

в ваши россказни о состоянии,

нажитом на рубинах.

Поделись вы своими планами,

мне бы не пришлось увольнять слуг,

которых я только вернула.

Всё это решится,

если вы отмените свадьбу

и позволите мне жениться

на мисс Каупер.

А бедняжка Пруденс?

Ее репутация и так под вопросом.

Нет, уже слишком поздно.

Вы должны жениться на ней.

Я что-нибудь придумаю.

Что ж, думайте быстрее.

Вы один из новичков?

Неужели так очевидно?

Берегите эту юношескую энергию.

Скоро вы выдохнитесь так же,

как и все мы.

В конце концов,

все модели похожи друг на друга,

согласны?

Всё равно не то.

Манжеты слишком коротки, видите?

Хорошо, сэр.

Времени достаточно,

чтобы всё подогнать.

Свадьба только через месяц.

У нас много дел.

- Мисс Эдвина переедет сюда?

- Да.

Она станет хозяйкой дома

и будет отвечать за всех вас.

- Боже, помоги ей.

- Кстати.

Нужно отполировать экипажи,

заплести гривы лошадям,

достать лучшее серебро.

Королева предоставит дворец,

но и здесь всё должно быть готово.

А что насчет нас, брат?

Тоже следует отполировать и заплести?

Мы все будем на виду.

Тебе не помешает отмыть руки

по такому поводу.

Я с занятий в Академии.

- А сестра мисс Эдвины?

- В смысле?

Она тоже переедет к нам?

Я за. Еще одна умная женщина в доме

будет очень кстати.

«Еще одна?» Ты себе льстишь.

Элоиза, мне нужна твоя помощь.

Нужно спланировать с леди Данбери обед

в честь Шарма,

с которыми мы породнимся.

А еще помолвка…

Прости, мама, но

у меня сегодня урок.

По составлению букетов.

Пенелопу туда мать отправила.

И ты настаиваешь на женских занятиях.

Давно интересуешься цветами?

Я женщина с широким кругозором.

МОДИСТКА

Я переживаю из-за отделки.

Это не слишком?

Конечно же нет.

Свадьбу устраивает королева.

Я покажу вам французский тюль.

О да.

Я уже говорила,

что нас обвенчает сам архиепископ?

Несколько раз.

Тебе тоже нужно платье.

- У меня много платьев.

- Нужно особенное.

Ведь эта свадьба

не только мой триумф, но и твой.

Что бы ты ни сказала

виконту в Обри-холле,

это убедило его сделать предложение.

Моей заслуги в этом нет.

Всё равно я благодарна тебе.

Я так рада жить в Лондоне.

Виконт сказал,

что зимой может выпасть снег.

Правда, здорово?

Насладишься этим без меня.

Помни, я уеду вскоре после свадьбы.

Ты будешь приезжать в гости.

А когда у нас появятся дети,

ты будешь их любимой тетушкой.

Ведь мы все одна семья.

Что такого особенного

в помолвке мисс Эдвины?

Она совсем затмила мое счастье.

Это нам даже на руку.

Оставь в покое шелк.

Для приданного сгодится хлопок.

Горничная принесла платье

для переделки, мадам Делакруа?

Я получила последний.

Напряженная неделя, верно?

И в самом деле.

Общество жаждет новостей

о предстоящей свадьбе.

Возможно, леди Уислдаун сообщит,

что мне доверили

сшить свадебное платье для бриллианта?

Мои труды не обеспечили вас

достаточной работой?

Напротив.

Но к чему ограничивать женские амбиции?

Уж кому, как не вам, это понимать.

Всегда можно добиться большего.

Спасибо, Клара. Это всё.

Лорд Бриджертон?

Мисс Шарма.

Лорд Бриджертон и его гость ожидают.

Я вижу. Спасибо.

Это ювелир.

Мы здесь, чтобы подогнать

кольцо мисс Эдвины.

Прошу прощения, но мои сестра и мать

еще не вернулись домой.

Конечно. Не будем вас задерживать.

Это торт?

Вы правы.

- Лимонный?

- Простите?

Обожаю лимонный.

Могу я предложить вам чаю, мистер?..

Брукс. Если вы настаиваете.

Будет невежливо отказаться.

Чай, три ложки сахара,

сэндвичи тоже не помешают. Спасибо.

Хорошая погода, не так ли?

Вы хотите поговорить о погоде?

Есть более уместная тема для разговора?

Продолжение этой помолвки

само по себе неуместно.

Напротив, для всех

это самый верный исход.

А как же произошедшее

между нами в Обри-холле?

Между нами ничего не произошло.

Я джентльмен.

Неужели?

Вынуждена напомнить вам, сэр,

что если бы кто-то другой,

не ваша сестра,

застал нас в библиотеке,

нам тоже пришлось бы вступить в брак.

Ничего не было.

Или наш брак - тот исход,

которого вы желаете?

Конечно же нет.

Так возрадуемся же оба,

что мы избежали

столь немыслимой участи.

Кстати, мисс Шарма…

У вас с сестрой один размер перчаток?

Я…

Да.

Я так и знал.

Я могу измерить руку

с расстояния в 20 шагов.

Мы подгоним кольцо по вашей руке.

- Простите…

- Не стоит.

Да бросьте!

Благодарю.

Прекрасное кольцо.

Это кольцо отец преподнес маме

перед свадьбой.

- Лорд Бриджертон.

- Они пришли подогнать кольцо.

Мистер Брукс настоял.

Минутку.

Похоже, оно застряло.

- Эдвина уже здесь.

- Да.

Кейт, ты…

Уже почти.

Еще…

Еще чуть-чуть…

Вот.

Держи.

Вот где вы все.

У меня новости.

Лорд и леди Шеффилд сообщили,

что они в Лондоне.

Дедушка с бабушкой?

Именно. Они увидели

объявление о помолвке

и решили познакомиться с вами.

И вашим будущим мужем.

- Я буду рад встретиться с ними.

- Они уже в городе?

Они прибыли вчера вечером.

Что-то не так?

Вовсе нет.

Я приглашу их

на завтрашний ужин в честь помолвки.

Уверена, это будет

радостное воссоединение

после стольких лет разлуки.

Да, леди Мэри?

Конечно.

Буду рад знакомству.

- Вы готовы прогуляться?

- Да, милорд.

У меня вдруг голова разболелась.

Леди Данбери, вы не могли бы

сопроводить мою дочь?

Конечно.

Свежий воздух пойдет на пользу

нам с мисс Шармой.

Я должна остаться с мамой.

Составьте мне компанию.

Как вы могли

пригласить на ужин Шеффилдов,

зная, как моя мать страдает из-за того,

что они ее отвергли?

Именно поэтому. Я не стану

отвечать грубостью на грубость.

К тому же, разве не вы сами

желали примирения?

Чтобы Эдвина вернулась в лоно семьи,

получила столь необходимое

вам состояние?

Да, но только после свадьбы.

Эдвина не знает

об условиях их благосклонности.

А если узнают Бриджертоны,

они могут подумать…

Что вы устроили брак

в своих тайных интересах,

и решат отменить свадьбу?

Не обрадуетесь ли вы в глубине души,

если виконт вдруг разорвет помолвку?

Зачем вы так?

Они обручены.

Виконт сделал

очаровательное предложение,

ваша сестра с радостью его приняла.

В глазах общества и, позволю заметить,

самой королевы Англии,

они практически женаты.

Лишь очень серьезный скандал

может помешать этой свадьбе состояться.

Подобный скандал встревожит

всё высшее общество

и станет несмываемым пятном

на репутации бедствующей семьи Шарма.

Сейчас только глупец

станет так рисковать.

Скажите,

мисс Шарма,

вы настолько глупы?

Нет.

Я была в вас уверена.

Леди Данбери.

Мистер Дорсет.

Рад видеть вас.

Мисс Шарма, не составите мне компанию

в прогулке по озеру?

Я немного устала.

Ваше предложение принято.

Всё еще злитесь

за тот случай на скачках.

Я хочу извиниться

и молить вас о прощении.

Хорошо, милорд. Я согласна.

Какая красивая пара.

Простите?

Мистер Дорсет и моя сестра.

В прошлый раз она произвела на него

сильное впечатление.

Возможно, он убедит ее

остаться в Англии.

Она его едва знает.

Как и я вас. Поначалу.

Но любовь не медлит, не так ли?

Мисс Эдвина, какие ваши любимые цвета?

Я хочу использовать их

в украшениях на вашей помолвке.

Вы так добры, леди Бриджертон.

Уверена, у вас отличный вкус.

- Верно, Энтони?

- Конечно.

Посмотрите на меня!

Твоя сестра, кажется, счастлива.

Можно и так выразиться.

Он интересный человек.

У него свое дело?

Да, рубиновые шахты в Америке.

Говорят, процветающие.

Мне стоит представиться.

В конце концов,

все остальные находят смысл в жизни.

Энтони женится.

Бенедикт занялся творчеством.

Ну а я

стою тут, кормлю уток.

Уверена, утки очень благодарны.

У тебя полно времени

и возможностей преуспеть.

Говоришь прямо как Элоиза.

Кстати, где она?

Я не видела ее сегодня.

Она упоминала составление букетов.

Кстати, вместе с тобой.

Верно. Мы встретимся позже.

- Это здесь.

- Не похоже, что здесь делают покупки.

Я выбираю уникальный подарок

на свадьбу брата.

Мисс? Мисс!

ЗАЛ ДЛЯ СОБРАНИЙ

С нами не должны

обращаться как с вещью.

Разговоры о правах должны

основываться на трактатах Локка.

Вы и ваши трактаты!

Отработай вы хоть день,

вы бы знали, что рабочим нет дела

до всех этих трудов.

А теперь, если позволите, я продолжу.

Я выскажу радикальную идею.

Негоже женщинам полагаться

в вопросе образования на те крохи,

что случайно перепадают

от их мужей и братьев.

Верно!

Разве не потрясающе?

Вы?

Я.

Я же сказал,

что не в курсе про Уислдаун.

Я здесь не за этим.

А ради обмена мнениями по вопросам,

выходящим за пределы

интересов светского общества.

Именно вы познакомили меня

с этими идеями.

Так вам понравились мои труды?

Слишком громко сказано.

Они неплохи, признаю.

Но вы на многое пошли.

Проделать путь из Мейфэра

ради «неплохих» трудов?

К счастью, есть

чудесное изобретение - экипаж.

Для перевозки леди

из одной точки в другую.

Прекрасная вещь.

Как вас зовут?

…а труды наших матерей…

- Элоиза Бриджертон.

- Очень приятно, мисс Элоиза.

Я Тео Шарп.

Я знаю.

Знаете?

В ваших доводах есть несколько ошибок,

на которые я должна указать.

У вас есть карандаш?

Неважно. Я одолжу свой.

…она согласилась выйти за вас?

Позвольте мне продолжить.

Вода прекрасно освежает.

Сейчас так трудно обрести покой

хоть на минуту.

Именно это мне нравится в Индии.

Многие думают, там шумно и суматошно.

Но я нахожу ее природу

необычайно умиротворенной.

Рядом с домом,

где я выросла, есть река.

В жару я сбегала туда окунуть ноги.

И даже подружилась с черепахами.

Идиллия.

Да.

Поэтому я считаю дни

до возвращения домой.

Я думал, вы останетесь в Англии,

ведь ваша сестра станет виконтессой.

Моя мать и Эдвина останутся здесь.

Я вернусь домой одна.

Настоящее приключение.

Чем займетесь на родине?

Я буду преподавать. Стану гувернанткой,

как говорят англичане.

Настоящая отрада.

Быть независимой,

вести собственное хозяйство.

Возможно, принимать у себя

старых друзей?

Я давно думал вернуться в Индию.

Там можно многому научиться

в вопросах медицины.

Если вы окажетесь в Индии,

я с радостью покажу вам места,

которые знаю.

Я должен работать в клубе, Элис.

А не прогуливаться.

Это работа.

Клубу нужны новые члены. Они все здесь.

Мистер Мондрич.

Молва о вас пересекла Атлантику.

Вы сделали МакКеллана

за два раунда, верно?

Это было давно.

Я и сам славился неплохими ударами.

Но с вами мне не сравниться, это точно.

Заходите в клуб Уилла, пообщаетесь.

Там приятная атмосфера

и всегда всем рады.

Возможно, это самое заманчивое

приглашение за последнее время.

Можно вас на пару слов?

Простите.

Вам напомнить, что проблемы нашей семьи

не решить, развлекаясь

в местах общественного досуга?

А уж тем более

продолжая посещать модистку.

Я видел последние счета.

Вы должны искать пути выхода,

а не погружать нас в долги.

Говорите тише!

Погибели нам желаете?

Вы отлично справляетесь без меня.

Сестра, вижу, ты улыбаешься.

В Лондоне столько развлечений.

В Индии тоже есть вода.

Моя сестра неустанно ищет предлоги,

чтобы я осталась.

Я поддержу ее в этом стремлении.

Узел ни к чёрту.

Ничего подобного.

Неважный из вас мореход, Дорсет.

Позвольте.

Простите.

Мисс Шарма.

Лорд Бриджертон.

Боже! Вы целы?

О да! Даже приятно немного освежиться.

Верно, Бриджертон?

Вода освежает.

Перестань. Нельзя глазеть.

Пенелопа, что ты здесь делаешь?

Наша прогулка. Как обычно.

Прости, я совсем забыла.

Ясно. Вчера ты пропустила

потрясающую сцену на озере.

Купание братца? Я слышала.

Где ты была?

Увы, я была вынуждена заниматься

утомительными свадебными делами.

Мама и сегодня меня загрузила.

Извини, но прогулки не выйдет.

- Увидимся завтра?

- Конечно.

Простите. Мисс?

Мисс Элоиза вчера потеряла сумочку.

Я могу сходить за ней.

Где именно она была?

Вам ее не найти, мисс.

Я предупреждала ее,

что улицы Блумсбери не место для леди.

- Что вы делаете?

- Лорд Фэзерингтон.

Мистер Брукс пришел

взглянуть на мои украшения.

Прелестная работа, верно?

О да.

Сейчас не лучшее время.

- Он должен зайти позже.

- Ерунда.

Он уже здесь, и ему не трудно, верно?

Речь только о чистке.

Но я хотела бы знать,

сколько можно за него выручить.

Если оно дорогое,

буду с ним осторожнее.

Для окончательной оценки

мне потребуются мои инструменты,

но я бы сказал,

что вы должны очень его беречь.

Редко увидишь столь чистые камни.

Какая прекрасная новость.

Спасибо за экспертное мнение,

мистер Брукс.

Я свяжусь с вами,

если мне понадобится что-то еще.

- Торт не предложите?

- В другой раз.

Забыли, что эти камни - фальшивка?

Качественная фальшивка.

Если они провели этого чревоугодника,

то помогут нам продержаться сезон.

Надеюсь, вы знаете, что творите.

Миссис Варли, мы не станем

распускать прислугу.

Надеюсь, у него их много, мэм.

Одна побрякушка положение не исправит.

Позволю заметить, это очень неплохо.

Я способна не только

позировать обнаженной.

Мистер…

Бриджертон. Я в этом не сомневаюсь.

Чего не скажешь об Академии.

Хотя в числе основателей две женщины,

нам до сих пор запрещен

доступ в аудитории.

По крайней мере, пока мы одеты.

Так вы работаете моделью,

чтобы, позируя, слушать лекции?

- Гениально.

- Попробуете?

Это сложнее, чем кажется.

Вот так?

Сколько мне так сидеть?

Кто его знает.

Мне нужно изучить мужские формы.

Обнаженные.

Что скажете?

Прекрасное место, не так ли?

Напоминает мне двор

во дворце, где мы раньше жили.

Умиротворяющее место.

Да, умиротворяющее.

Всегда можно сказаться больной

и принести извинения за то,

что пропустишь ужин.

Леди Данбери ясно дала понять,

что мы все должны присутствовать.

Когда вы виделись в последний раз?

В тот вечер, когда твой дорогой отец

попросил моей руки.

Лорд Шеффилд недвусмысленно дал понять,

что не одобряет этот союз.

Я должна была сделать выбор

между семьей

и сердцем.

Ты хоть раз пожалела о своем выборе?

С самой первой секунды

нас с твоим отцом тянуло друг к другу.

Это очень сильное чувство:

понимать, что знаешь

этого человека лучше,

чем кого-либо другого.

И всё же цена этой любви

оказалась слишком дорога.

Не волнуйся.

Даже присутствие моих родителей

не омрачит нашу радость.

Я всегда надеялась,

что вам с Эдвиной не придется

выбирать между достатком

и любовью. Так и случилось.

Эдвина выйдет замуж по велению сердца.

А ты всегда мечтала быть свободной.

Конечно, мама.

Мы все будем очень счастливы.

Возвращение лорда и леди Шеффилд -

настоящий сюрприз.

Будет приятно увидеть

воссоединение семьи, не так ли?

Я сейчас закончу, мама. Мы не опоздаем.

Дело не в этом.

Я всю неделю наблюдаю за тобой.

Я обещала себе поддержать твой выбор.

Но мне всё труднее хранить молчание.

Это было молчание?

Это твоя помолвка, Энтони.

Твой брак.

С той, что заменит меня,

став хозяйкой этого дома.

Думаешь, мисс Эдвина не справится?

Думаю, что это плохой пример

для братьев и сестер.

Ты женишься на той,

к кому не испытываешь

ни любви, ни привязанности.

Пойми, брак по любви,

который был у вас с отцом, -

это исключение, не правило.

Я желаю вам обоим испытать

радость такого исключительного брака.

Ты должен радоваться

предстоящей женитьбе.

А вместо этого похоже,

что ты отправляешься на эшафот.

Если ты не хочешь этого,

нужно сказать об этом до…

Мои желания не имеют значения.

Я не могу

опозорить мисс Эдвину своим отказом.

Ты прав.

Джентльмен не может взять слова назад.

А женщина может.

С юными леди часто так бывает.

Получив предложение, они теряют голову,

пока не осознают, что это не игра.

Если бы мисс Эдвина отменила помолвку,

никто не стал бы ее винить.

И ты ничем бы ее не оскорбил,

освободив от обязательств,

пока вы не обменялись клятвами.

Она не хочет разрывать помолвку.

Но знает ли она

о твоих истинных чувствах?

Они не имеют значения.

У меня есть обязательство -

я должен жениться.

Дорогой…

Если у тебя есть сомнения,

не отмахивайся от них.

Сейчас ты делаешь

самый главный выбор в своей жизни.

Мое сердце будет разбито,

если ты проведешь остаток жизни,

сожалея о нём.

Осмелюсь сказать,

как и сердце твоего отца.

Тебя что-то тревожит?

Нет, просто голова болит.

В последнее время столько волнений.

Это всё, что тебя беспокоит?

Я видела, как тебе неловко с виконтом.

Я надеялась, что всё это в прошлом,

ведь Энтони станет моим мужем.

Он просил называть его по имени?

Нет, пока нет.

Но звучит приятно, не так ли?

Шеффилдам понравится это платье?

Я вся на нервах.

Мне не терпится с ними познакомиться.

Перед этим

я должна кое-что тебе сказать.

О твоих дедушке и бабушке и об их роли

в нашем приезде…

Гости прибыли.

Не стоит, леди Данбери.

Знаю, я должна вести себя безупречно.

Вы считаете меня

бесчувственной старой ведьмой.

Возможно, вас удивит тот факт,

что я устроила этот ужин

ради вас.

Помолвка сестры положила конец

вашим надеждам относительно виконта.

Но доступ к состоянию Шеффилдов

станет отличной наградой, не так ли?

Независимая жизнь -

это не просто утешение.

Многие сочтут,

что именно вы в выигрыше.

Когда страсть стихает,

и нас настигают превратности судьбы,

женщина остается наедине

сама с собой.

Пойдемте.

Гости ждут.

Лорд и леди Шеффилд,

как же давно мы не виделись.

Позвольте представить мисс Шарму

и мисс Эдвину Шарму.

Мое дорогое дитя!

Она и правда так мила,

как о ней говорят.

Вы так добры.

Я очень рада познакомиться с вами.

Мы столько лет ждали встречи с тобой.

Я хочу знать о тебе всё.

Ты любишь танцевать? Музицировать?

Сходим вместе в оперу.

У нас отличная ложа.

Она слишком долго была в запустении.

Ваша правда. Вас давно не было видно

в городе, лорд и леди Шеффилд.

- Да.

- Да, это так.

Мама.

Отец.

Я очень люблю оперу.

Моя сестра Кейт познакомила меня с ней.

Перейдем в столовую?

Да. Идем со мной, дитя.

Вы обязательно должны

приехать в поместье Шеффилдов.

Оно не сравнится

с Обри-холл, это точно.

Но оно находится

в прекрасном уголке Хартфордшира.

Вы охотитесь? У нас птичные места.

И мы всегда вам рады.

Спасибо за приглашение, я люблю охоту.

Как и Кейт.

Они недавно чуть не подстрелили оленя.

Как необычно.

В Индии юных леди учат стрелять?

Избранных счастливиц.

Лорд и леди Шеффилд,

вы надолго в городе?

Мы останемся на свадьбу.

Подумать только. Сама королева

устраивает свадьбу моей внучки.

Ее Величество удивительно великодушна

после всего случившегося.

- Полно. Мы все одна семья.

- Да, конечно.

Хоть наша дочь так бессердечно отвергла

жениха, найденного для нее.

- Дорогая, прошу…

- Графа!

У него было 12 000 акров!

Любая другая юная леди

на коленях благодарила бы родителей

за подобную заботу.

Великолепный соус, леди Данбери.

Вот бы узнать рецепт.

Думаю, это крыжовник.

Леди Шеффилд,

насколько я помню, вы сладкоежка?

И всё ради кого? Простого клерка!

Да еще с ребенком от предыдущего брака.

- Бог знает с кем.

- У моей матери есть имя.

Леди Шеффилд, прошу…

Мы годами не могли появиться

в приличном обществе.

Но что ей до этого?

Она просто уплыла

от нас с этим человеком,

отняв у нас внучку.

Внучек.

У меня две дочери,

с которыми у вас были

все возможности наладить связь.

Но вы решили отказаться от нас.

Позволь-ка…

Не думайте, что я смирилась с тем,

что меня изгнали из собственной семьи.

Мое сердце было разбито.

Но со временем я поняла,

что эта жестокость

сослужила нам добрую службу.

Это неподходящая тема

для беседы за ужином.

Согласна, прошу, возьмите…

Изгнав меня, вы даровали мне свободу.

Я смогла воспитать дочерей

вдали от вашей постоянной критики

и малодушных требований предпочесть

богатство и титулы всему остальному!

Кто бы говорил.

Ты презираешь богачей,

а сама приползла назад

в погоне за нашим состоянием.

- Нам стоит…

- Мне от вас ничего не нужно.

Тебе - нет, твоей дочери - очень даже.

- Мама?

- Трастовый фонд, созданный для нее.

В условиях которого четко прописано,

что она получит наследство,

выйдя замуж за англичанина

с положением в обществе.

Ты же не думала,

что мы допустим еще одно пятно

на имени Шеффилдов?

Сестра, о чём они говорят?

- Что ты наделала?

- Энтони, ты знал?

Я всё объясню.

Вижу, она унаследовала

твою склонность к скрытности.

А может, она вся в отца.

Довольно.

В приличном обществе вам не место

не из-за дочери, а из-за плохих манер.

Прибыв сюда, вы не проявили

должного уважения к семье Шарма.

Я этого не потерплю.

- Позвольте…

- Я этого не потерплю.

Леди Мэри преуспела

в воспитании дочерей.

Это умные, добрые, порядочные женщины.

Это заслуга обоих родителей.

Очевидно, что вы не желаете рисковать

своим положением в обществе,

общаясь с ними.

И не надо. Не смею вас задерживать.

Вы шутите?

Пошлите за экипажем Шеффилдов.

Они подождут снаружи.

И не ждите приглашения на свадьбу.

Вы его не получите.

Это переходит все границы.

Если вы рассчитываете

унаследовать хоть один соверен,

вы жестоко ошибаетесь.

Лорд Бриджертон, леди Бриджертон.

- Примите мои…

- Нам пора.

Да.

Спасибо за вечер, леди Данбери.

Это было познавательно.

Милорд…

Доброй ночи.

- Ты лгала мне.

- Прошу тебя.

Лорд Бриджертон!

Лорд Бриджертон, прошу, выслушайте.

- Мы должны идти.

- Пожалуйста.

Мама, увидимся дома.

Эдвина ни в чём не виновата.

Она ничего не знала.

Приезд в Англию, поиски мужа.

Я желала ей добра.

- Нельзя на нее злиться.

- Я не злюсь.

Очевидно, что мы оба не знали

о ваших интригах.

- Интригах!

- Приданого не будет?

Шеффилды точно не помогут.

Вас волнует приданое?

Они отказали в нём

из-за вашего поведения.

Прискорбно, не спорю.

Нас с мисс Эдвиной ввели в заблуждение.

Будет лучше отменить

эту злосчастную помолвку,

пока не стало хуже.

Я не стану порочить ее репутацию.

Моя мать и леди Данбери придумают…

Не нужно ничего придумывать.

Я не понимаю.

Зачем вы это предлагаете?

Вы были полны решимости

жениться на ней,

несмотря на все мои возражения.

А теперь отказываетесь от нее.

Почему?

И ни слова о приданом, сэр.

Мы оба знаем, что оно вам не нужно.

Так в чём ее вина?

Ни в чём. Дело в вас.

Этот брак невозможен из-за вас.

- Но я уезжаю в Индию.

- Этого недостаточно!

Думаете, на земле найдется уголок,

куда вы могли бы скрыться,

избавив меня от этой муки?

Я джентльмен.

Отец вложил в меня понятие чести.

Но сейчас она висит на волоске,

и он истончается с каждой минутой,

проведенной рядом с вами.

Вы стали моим проклятием.

И объектом всех моих желаний.

Я мечтаю о вас и днем и ночью.

И что я…

Вы хоть представляете,

как можно соблазнить женщину?

Я могу столькому вас научить.

Я этого не хотела.

Не хотела одержимости этими чувствами.

Не хотела прятаться от сестры.

Терять ход мыслей,

когда вы заходите в комнату.

Тогда вы согласитесь.

Это невыносимо.

Неприемлемо.

Если я женюсь на вашей сестре,

это свяжет нас с вами навечно.

Я буду обречен каждый день

желать вас, мечтать о вас,

с ужасом ждать дня,

когда моя честь сдаст позиции.

Вы такого будущего желаете нам?

Своей сестре?

Я должен идти.

Так и будем сидеть как статуи?

Я хочу на бал, похвастаться женихом.

Варли?

Мы не получали приглашений,

которые вы пропустили по недосмотру?

Нет, мэм. Ничего не приносили.

Возможно, дело в обстоятельствах

помолвки Пруденс.

Так это моя вина?

Я этого не говорила.

Ведь не ты подстроила

ту встречу в оранжерее, верно?

Будем радоваться,

что у нас хоть прислуга есть, верно?

Ни одного приглашения

после возвращения от Бриджертонов.

Я сообщу почтовому служащему.

Я не шучу.

Предполагается,

что это уважаемая знатная семья.

Но в обществе

на меня вечно смотрят свысока.

По той или иной причине.

Нас привечали,

пока вы ходили в женихах.

Теперь вы помолвлены, и мы снова изгои.

Еще одна причина закончить

фарс с помолвкой.

Это не обсуждается.

Лорд Каупер.

Что ему от вас нужно?

Он хочет инвестировать в шахты.

Не только он.

Богатые скучающие бездельники.

- Соглашайтесь.

- Шахты пусты.

Там нет рубинов.

Откуда им знать?

Они не поедут в Америку.

Вы серьезно?

Будущее этой семьи под угрозой, милорд.

Я в жизни не была серьезнее.

Пусть инвестируют.

Возьмите каждый фунт, что предложат.

Наше состояние будет восстановлено.

У вас будет приличная свадьба.

И мне больше не придется

терпеть презрение общества.

Эдвина?

Как только виконт начал ухаживания,

я почувствовала,

что ты что-то скрываешь.

И я была права.

Вся эта история с деньгами Шеффилдов.

Ты настолько мне не доверяешь,

что не могла рассказать?

Мне очень жаль,

что я скрыла это от тебя и от мамы.

После смерти отца

я взяла на себя

управление нашими делами.

Я написала Шеффилдам. Узнав их условия,

я подумала, что это решит

все наши проблемы.

Я думала, что поступила правильно,

избавив тебя от этого груза.

Но ты должна знать,

что он давил на меня каждый день.

Кейт, я больше не маленькая девочка.

Я взрослая женщина,

готовая стать женой.

Да.

Да, я знаю.

Если лорд Бриджертон

не желает разрывать нашу помолвку,

то состояние Шеффилдов

не имеет значения, верно?

После свадьбы с виконтом

у всех нас будет достаточно средств.

Он столь же щедр, сколь и богат.

Я уверена,

что виконт обеспечит тебя и маму.

Он…

Возможно.

Но, Эдвина, ты не обязана

нести это бремя.

Разве выйти замуж

за любимого - это бремя?

Ты его любишь?

А как иначе, когда он так благородно

вступился за нас во время ужина?

Всё, чего я желаю - стать его женой.

Его виконтессой.

Но он должен простить нас.

Думаешь, он сможет?

Этого я не знаю.

Я ненадолго.

ТИПОГРАФИЯ «ЧЕНСЕРИ-ЛЭЙН»

Вы встали ни свет ни заря,

чтобы сообщить о моих новых ошибках?

Я могу ускользнуть

незамеченной лишь на заре.

И вы ошиблись.

Я пришла за разъяснениями.

Да неужели?

Не радуйтесь.

Это редкий случай.

Не думаю, что это повторится.

У меня вопросы по содержанию памфлета.

С непривычки эти идеи трудно осмыслить.

Проблема скорее

в вашем умении их излагать.

Или вы слишком мало знаете о жизни,

чтобы в них разобраться.

Долг.

Он сильнее законов или веры.

Я частенько думала о том,

что именно на долге

зиждется наше хрупкое общество.

Положение и титул обязывают нас

выполнять долг.

Хранить верность своей семье.

Для этого требуется

как полное послушание,

так и абсолютная готовность

идти на жертвы.

Но как быть,

когда долг вступает в конфликт

со стремлениями сердца?

В таком случае велика вероятность

громкого скандала.

Вопрос в том,

прислушаются ли стороны

к моему предупреждению.

Или уже слишком поздно

вспоминать о долге

и отказываться от своих желаний?

Мисс Шарма.

Вижу, вы не оставили

свои утренние прогулки.

Как и вы.

Я не мог уснуть.

Я тоже.

Вы решили, как поступите?

Я долго думал,

но другого выхода не вижу.

Сегодня я поговорю с мисс Эдвиной.

Всё кончено.

Только так мы можем

выбраться из этой ситуации.

После разрыва помолвки

мы больше не должны видеться.

Будто мы никогда не встречались.

Так нельзя. Не смейте.

- Мисс Шарма…

- Вы разобьете ей сердце.

Она прекрасный честный человек.

Добрее души вам не найти.

Она любила меня всем сердцем.

Я не вынесу, если лишу ее счастья

и будущего, которых она заслуживает.

Я не понимаю. С самого начала

вы были против этого союза.

Я ошибалась! Я не допущу,

чтобы вы обесчестили себя,

а Эдвина страдала.

Вы видели в ней идеальную пару.

Поверьте в это снова.

Прошу.

Пожалуйста, лорд Бриджертон.

Энтони.

Сдержите слово.

Женитесь на моей сестре.

Как можно скорее.

Чувства, преследующие нас, они пройдут.

С ними можно будет мириться.

Вскоре мы о них и не вспомним.

Страсть проходит. Всегда.

Хорошо.

Свадьба состоится как можно быстрее.

Перевод субтитров: Ксения Гребеникова

(Говорит на французском)

ПО МОТИВАМ РОМАНОВ ДЖУЛИИ КУИНН

[deep breathing]

[heartbeat quickening]

[panting]

[door opens]

Miss Sharma.

[Queen Charlotte] Viscount Bridgerton.

We thought perhaps

you'd not be joining us.

[Anthony] Your Majesty.

Nothing could keep me

from my beautiful bride.

[sighs deeply]

Now,

tell me of your wedding plan.

There is no talk

of a special license, I would hope.

-[laughter]

-Of course not, Your Majesty.

I believe a modest family affair

would be most fitting.

Perhaps back in the country,

at Aubrey Hall.

[Queen Charlotte] In the country?

[laughs]

No, that will not do.

You must have it here in town.

In fact, I shall host the nuptials myself.

-[Mary gasps] Oh.

-[Edwina laughs happily]

-That is most generous, Ma'am.

-Most generous.

-But not at all necessary.

-[Queen Charlotte] Nonsense.

She is my diamond, after all.

It is only right that I give you both

a wedding worthy of that title.

Besides, one could almost credit me myself

with bringing about

this most illustrious match.

I shall oversee every detail.

[quietly] Let that gossipmonger

try to get the better of me now.

Can you believe it, Didi?

It is like a fairytale come true.

[chuckles] You deserve nothing less, Bon.

Nothing less for a true love match.

[dishes clattering]

My apologies, Your Majesty.

[Lady Whistledown]

The frenzy of competition.

The thrilling delight

of hazarding your all.

I am referring not to the lure

of London's luxurious gaming halls

but to a gamble with far higher stakes.

Matrimony.

For once that particular wager is placed,

it cannot easily be undone.

A fact which, I am sure,

is met with both regret

and sheer relief.

…and I shall sing between each one.

For goodness' sake.

Anyone would think our siblings had beaten

Napoleon himself on the battlefield

instead of finding someone with whom

to dutifully march down an aisle.

Indeed. With all the hubbub

about Prudence's engagement,

my mama has rather forgotten I exist.

She is quite happy Cousin Jack

has ensured our family's future.

I must admit, so am I.

[Prudence laughs]

Mm. Don't touch. You can look at it.

[Penelope laughs]

And the baker is still awaiting payment.

As is, apparently, the coalman.

The new Lord Featherington was

supposed to restore our fortunes, and yet

here I am, unable to scratch together

sixpence yet again.

Our financial predicament is entirely

your doing, Lady Featherington.

If you hadn't forced me

into this ill-starred engagement,

we'd soon be living comfortably

on Miss Cowper's ample dowry.

Oh, go on.

Blame me for taking you at your word

when you spoke

of your great fortune in rubies.

Had you thought to confide your plans,

then I would not be considering dismissing

the servants that I have just rehired.

All of that would be solved

if you would simply call off the wedding

and allow me to set my cap

at Miss Cowper again.

And leave my poor Prudence jilted?

When her reputation's already

been called into question?

No, it is far too late for that, my lord.

No, you must continue in this engagement.

I will think of something.

Well, you'd better think fast.

You must be one of our new fellows.

Is it really so evident?

Conserve that youthful vigor.

Soon you shall be

just as jaded as the rest of us.

After all, one form is much like another,

do you not think?

[lilting classical music plays]

It is not yet right.

See how the cuffs are an inch too short?

Very well, sir.

[Violet] Hmm.

There is plenty of time

to adjust it to your liking.

The wedding is not for another month.

-There is still much to do.

-Will Miss Edwina live with us?

Indeed. After the wedding,

she'll be the lady of the house

and responsible for you all.

Lord, help her.

Which reminds me, our carriages

must be polished to a shine,

and the horses' manes braided.

We should bring out the finest silver.

The queen may be hosting

everything at the palace,

but we must be ready to entertain here.

And what of us, Brother? Should we also

be polished and braided for the big day?

[Anthony] We'll all be on display.

Perhaps you might even

scrub your hands for the occasion?

I've been occupied at the academy.

-What about Miss Edwina's sister?

-What about her?

Will she come to live with us, too?

Oh, I do hope so. It'll be a boon to have

another intelligent woman in the house.

Another? Mm. You're overcounting.

Eloise, I shall need your help today.

There is the dinner

to plan with Lady Danbury

to welcome the Sharmas into the family.

And then the engagement ball next week--

I am sorry, Mama, but, uh,

I am attending a lecture

this afternoon. Flower arranging.

[Eloise chuckles]

Penelope's mama is forcing her to go,

and you've wanted me

to find more ladylike pursuits.

[chuckles]

For how long have you cared

about flower arranging?

I am an open-minded woman.

I can care about many things.

I do wonder about the trim.

Is it too much?

Nothing is too much

now that the queen is hosting.

Let me show you the French tulle.

[quietly] Oh yes.

[exhales deeply]

[breathes deeply]

Did I tell you we will be married

by the archbishop himself?

Several times.

[sighs] We must find you a dress too.

-I have plenty of dresses.

-[Edwina] This one must be special.

After all, this wedding

is as much your triumph as mine.

Whatever you said

to the viscount at Aubrey Hall, Didi,

it clearly swayed him to declare himself.

I… [chuckles]

-I cannot claim credit.

-[Edwina] I shall bestow it, all the same.

It will be so exciting living in London.

The viscount said

there might even be snow this winter.

-Won't that be exciting?

-You must enjoy it without me, Bon.

Recall I am to set sail

soon after you wed.

But you will return to visit, of course.

[chuckles] And when the viscount

and I are blessed with children,

you shall be

their favorite aunt. [chuckles]

Think of us all together as a family.

[Kate exhales]

I do not know why

Miss Edwina's betrothal is so special.

She's quite overshadowed my happy news.

A fact we may well be glad of.

Put those silks down.

Cotton will do for your trousseau.

Has my maid yet delivered that dress

that needs altering, Madame Delacroix?

[speaking French]

[chuckles]

[in English] I received your latest.

It's been a busy week, has it not?

Indeed.

The ton are quite ravenous

for news of the upcoming nuptials.

Perhaps Lady Whistledown will report

that I have been entrusted

with our diamond's wedding ensemble.

Tell me, are my musings

not offering you sufficient business?

Indeed.

But why should there be limits

to a woman's ambitions?

I would think you,

of all people, would understand.

There is always more to be achieved.

Thank you, Clara. That will be all.

Lord Bridgerton?

Miss Sharma.

Lord Bridgerton and his guest are waiting.

I see that. Thank you.

This is the jeweler.

We are here to have Miss Edwina's

betrothal ring altered to fit.

[chuckles softly] My apologies,

but my sister and my mother

have not yet returned home.

Of course.

Then we shall trouble you no further.

Is that cake?

[Kate] It is indeed.

-Lemon?

-[Kate] Pardon?

I fancy a good lemon. [chuckles]

[Kate sighs deeply]

Might I offer you some refreshment, Mr.…

Brookes. Only if you insist.

I mean, it would be churlish to refuse.

Tea, three spoons of sugar, and perhaps

some sandwiches too, thank you.

[dish clattering]

[Anthony breathes deeply]

[exhales]

It is fine weather

we are having, is it not?

You wish to speak to me of the weather?

Is there another topic of conversation

that'd be more appropriate?

[exhales sharply]

There is nothing appropriate

about what you're doing

proceeding with this engagement.

On the contrary, I believe it is

the most proper outcome for all.

Oh. And what of everything

that passed between us at Aubrey Hall?

[Anthony sighs]

Nothing passed between us.

I am a gentleman.

Is that so?

Need I remind you, sir,

if anyone other than your sister

discovered us in the library that night,

then we, too, would be obliged to wed.

Nothing happened.

Would the two of us being obliged to marry

be the outcome you desire?

Of course not.

Then let us both be… glad

we have avoided such an unthinkable fate.

[Mr. Brookes] I say, Miss Sharma,

do you and your sister

happen to share gloves?

I--

Yes, on occasion.

I knew it.

I can take the measure

of a hand at 20 paces.

We may use your finger to size the ring.

-Oh, I beg your pardo--

-That shan't be necessary.

[chuckling] Nonsense!

Thank you. [chuckles]

[sighs]

[slow classical music plays]

It is a beautiful piece.

It is the ring my father gave

to my mother before they were wed.

[footsteps approaching]

-Lord Bridgerton?

-They came to, uh, alter the ring.

Uh, Mr. Brookes insisted.

[sighs sharply] Just a moment.

It appears to be stuck.

-Well, Edwina is here now.

-Yes.

-[Edwina] Kate, are you--

-Yes, almost.

[Kate grunts]

[Kate sighs]

[grunts] Just, uh…

Just another… [grunts]

[chuckles] There.

-All yours.

-[Lady Danbury] Ah.

Here you all are.

I have news.

Lord and Lady Sheffield sent word

they are in London.

Our grandparents?

Indeed. It seems they read

the engagement announcement

and wish to make your acquaintance.

And, uh, that of

your future husband, of course.

-I should be delighted to meet them.

-They are already in town?

They arrived… last night.

-[Anthony] Is something wrong?

-Not at all.

I shall invite them

to the engagement dinner tomorrow.

I'm sure it will be a most joyous reunion

after all these years.

Yes, Lady Mary?

Indeed.

-Hmm. I shall look forward to it.

-[Lady Danbury] Ah.

-Are you ready to promenade?

-I am, my lord.

I suddenly feel a headache coming on.

Lady Danbury, would you be so kind

as to chaperone my daughter?

Of course.

Miss Sharma and I

would be glad of the fresh air.

Oh, I should really stay with Mama.

You will escort me.

[sighs]

[indistinct chatter]

[children laughing]

Whoa!

[dog panting]

I wish you every happiness.

How could you invite

the Sheffields to dinner

when you know full well

the pain my mother has suffered

after their rejection of her?

Indeed. Which is why I shall not

answer their impoliteness with my own.

And besides, is this not

the reconciliation you wished for?

Edwina returned

to the bosom of the Sheffield family

to reclaim the fortune

you so desperately need?

Yes, but not until after the wedding.

Edwina is still in the dark

about the conditions of their favor.

And if the Bridgertons

were to learn of it, they might feel--

As if you contrived a match

for your own concealed ends

and might call off the wedding?

I have to wonder if you might not secretly

rejoice were the viscount

to break the engagement.

Why would you ever say such a thing?

They are betrothed.

The viscount made a charming proposal,

your sister gave her giddy acceptance,

and in the eyes of society,

and, might I add,

the Queen of England herself,

they are as good as wed.

Only a very great scandal

would prevent this marriage

from proceeding now.

The kind of scandal that would

send alarms through the entire ton

and be a stain from which

the penniless Sharma family

would never recover.

Only a fool

would jeopardize the marriage now.

So I ask you,

Miss Sharma,

are you that fool?

No.

I did not think so.

[Thomas] Lady Danbury.

Mr. Dorset.

-What a pleasure to see you here today.

-[chuckles]

Miss Sharma, perhaps you would be so kind

as to accompany me

on a turn around the lake?

I am rather tired.

She would be delighted.

You're still angry with me

over that business at the races.

I wish to apologize

and throw myself at your mercy.

Very well, my lord.

A turn would be most pleasant.

[chuckling and indistinct chatter]

[Edwina] What a handsome couple they make.

[Violet chuckles]

Pardon me?

Mr. Dorset and my sister.

I noticed that he was quite smitten

with her the last time they met.

Perhaps he will convince her

to stay in England, after all.

She barely knows the gentleman.

Nor did I you, at first.

But love moves swiftly, does it not?

Miss Edwina,

you must tell me your favorite colors,

so I may plan to incorporate them

in the ornamentation

for your engagement ball.

[Edwina, fading] You are too kind,

Lady Bridgerton.

[slowed] I am certain

your taste is superb.

[Kate laughing]

[laughter echoing]

[Violet] …to honor both

Bridgerton and Sharma families,

now that we are to be joined.

[chuckles]

-[fading in] Is that not so, Anthony?

-[normal] Absolutely.

[chuckles]

[Prudence calling out]

Look at me!

Your sister seems… happy.

That is one way of putting it.

The new Lord Featherington

seems an interesting fellow.

A man of commerce, is he not?

Yes. He has ruby mines in America.

They are flourishing, I hear.

Perhaps I should introduce myself.

After all, everyone else

is finding some purpose to their lives.

Anthony is to be married.

Benedict has his artistic pursuits.

And, well,

here I am… feeding the ducks.

-[quacking]

-I am sure the ducks are most grateful.

You have a good deal of time and

plentiful opportunities to make your mark.

As Eloise would no doubt remind me.

Where is your sister?

I have not seen her out today.

She mentioned something

about flower arranging

with you today, in fact.

Indeed. I am meeting her later.

-Mr. Bridgerton.

-[Penelope] Mm.

-[horse snorts]

-[Eloise grunts]

This is the place.

Doesn't look like

a place for shopping to me.

[Eloise] I am collecting a unique gift

for my brother's wedding.

[woman] Miss? Miss!

It is our right to be treated

not merely as chattels.

Surely talk of rights

must draw on Locke's Treatise.

You and your treatise!

If you've ever worked

an honest day's labor,

you know how little

such grand talk serves the working man.

Now, if I may be permitted to continue,

I should like to propose to this assembly

the radical idea

that it is not best for women to rely

for their education

on what falls to them by chance

from their husbands and brothers.

[crowd] Hear! Hear!

[crowd murmuring indistinctly]

Is it not thrilling?

You.

Me.

I told you, I don't know anything

about your Whistledown gossip.

It is not her I seek today,

but the exchange of ideas

with like-minded men and women

on subjects beyond

the trivial concerns of polite society.

Ideas that you yourself

invited me to consider.

So, you're an admirer of my work?

I would not go so far.

It is serviceable, I suppose.

And yet you have come far.

You're a long way from Mayfair

for writings that are merely serviceable.

Luckily for me, there is

a thrilling invention called a carriage

that may convey a lady

from one place to another.

It is a marvel, to be sure.

What's your name?

[speaker continues indistinctly]

-Eloise Bridgerton.

-Pleased to meet you, Miss Eloise.

I'm Theo Sharpe.

I know.

You know?

As I know, there are

several errors in your arguments

that I must bring to your attention.

Have you a pencil?

Never mind. You may borrow mine.

[speaker] …to marry you, did she not?

Allow me to continue.

It is most refreshing on the water.

These days, it is hard to find

even a moment of peace.

One of the things

I enjoyed most when I visited India.

Many think it a bustling, noisy place,

but I found the country

most tranquil in nature.

There's a river just outside

the home where I grew up.

On hot days,

I would sneak away to soak my feet.

The turtles and I

became quite good friends.

Sounds idyllic.

[Kate] It is.

Which is why I'm counting the days

until I may return home.

I had assumed you would remain in England

now that your sister is to be viscountess.

My mother and Edwina will remain here.

I shall journey back alone.

An adventure, indeed.

You have plans for your arrival?

I shall teach.

Become a governess, as you call it here.

It will be most fulfilling.

Enjoying an independent life,

running my own household.

And perhaps playing host to old friends?

I've long thought

to return to India myself

since there is much to be learned

from their medical practice.

[chuckles softly]

If your travels do lead you there,

then I would be most happy

to show you the places I know.

I should be working at the club, Alice.

Not taking a stroll.

This is work.

We need more gentlemen members,

and here they are.

Mr. Mondrich.

Word of your prowess crossed the Atlantic.

You got the better of McKellan

in just two rounds, is that not so?

That was a long time ago.

I've been known to plant

a few facers in the ring myself.

Ah, but not up to your abilities,

I'm sure. [chuckles]

You must pay a visit

to Will's club and talk more.

You'll find it enlivening

and has a warm welcome for all.

That may be the most

tempting invitation I've had in some time.

Uh, Lord Featherington, a word?

[Jack] Excuse me.

Need I remind you that

the answer to our family's predicament

will not be found disporting yourself

in places of public resort?

Nor will it be solved by running up

yet more bills at the modiste.

I just saw the latest accounts.

You are supposed to

be finding a way out of this mess,

not drowning us even deeper in debt.

[quietly] Keep your voice down.

Are you trying to ruin us all?

Not when you are already

making such fine work of it yourself.

[laughter and chatter]

I see you are smiling, Didi.

See the amusements London has to offer.

There's water, too, in India.

My sister spares no opportunity

to find reasons for me to stay.

I may well join her in her endeavors.

That knot will never hold.

It is perfectly adequate.

Then I must question

your nautical skills, Dorset.

Allow me.

-[sighs]

-[clattering]

[Anthony] Pardon me.

[dog barking]

Miss Sharma.

Lord Bridgerton.

-[dog barks, yelps]

-[both shouting]

[people gasping]

-[shouts]

-[laughing]

Oh my! Are you hurt?

[laughs] Not at all!

The water is a rather

welcoming refreshment,

is it not, Bridgerton?

Whoo! [laughs]

[sighs] Refreshing indeed.

Come now. It is not proper to stare.

[grunts softly]

Penelope, what are you doing here?

I thought we were to walk,

as we usually do.

My apologies. I had quite forgotten.

Uh, well… you missed quite

the scene at the lake yesterday.

My brother's impromptu swim?

I heard about it.

[laughs] Where were you?

Alas, I was forced to occupy my day

with tedious wedding errands,

which Mama has listed me for yet again.

I'm sorry,

but I cannot stroll with you today.

-I shall see you tomorrow, then.

-Of course.

Pardon me. Miss?

Miss Eloise seems to have misplaced

her reticule when she was out yesterday.

I'll be happy to retrieve it.

Where exactly did she visit?

You'll not find it again, miss.

I warned her, the streets

of Bloomsbury aren't fit for a lady.

-What are you doing?

-Ah, Lord Featherington.

Mr. Brookes here is just

taking a look at some jewelry for me.

It is a fine piece, is it not?

Indeed.

Uh, this is not a good time.

-He should return at another date.

-Nonsense. He's here now.

And it is no trouble, is it?

No.

I was only planning

to have the jewels cleaned,

but tell me, what might

a necklace such as that fetch?

If it is of great value,

I shall have to take more care.

Well, I would require my proper tools

for a definitive valuation,

but I'd say you should

take very great care, indeed.

It is rare to see stones this fine.

Now, is that not something?

Thank you for your expert services,

Mr. Brookes.

I shall be in communication with you

should I require anything further.

No cake, then?

-Another time.

-Mm-hmm.

Need I remind you, those are

as counterfeit as a two-pound note.

Quality counterfeits.

If they're good enough to fool

that nibbling owl of a man,

then we may well make it

through the season yet.

I do hope you know

what you're playing at. [scoffs]

Well, there is no need to dismiss

any staff, after all, Mrs. Varley.

Mm. Let us pray he's got

a whole trunk of them, ma'am.

One bauble does not a fortune make.

I declare, that's rather good.

I am skilled at more

than simply standing naked,

Mister…

Bridgerton. I do not doubt it.

Then perhaps inform the academy.

Although two

of the founding members are women,

we are still not yet allowed

to enter the classroom.

At least, not while we are clothed.

So you work as a model

as a way of learning from the lectures?

-Ingenious.

-Care to take a turn?

It is harder than it looks.

[Benedict inhales] Mm.

[inhales sharply] Like so?

[chuckles]

[Benedict sighs deeply]

How long must I stay like this?

That depends.

What I really need

is a study of the male form.

The naked form.

What say you?

[water babbling]

It is a lovely spot, is it not?

It reminds me of the courtyard

at the palace where we used to live.

So calming.

[exhales deeply]

-Calming, yes.

-[chuckles softly]

Nobody would blame you

if you were to take sick, Mama,

and send apologies

for missing the dinner tonight.

Lady Danbury has made it quite clear

that it is necessary

for all of us to attend.

When was the last time you saw them?

The night your dear father asked

for my hand in marriage, I believe.

Lord Sheffield made it clear,

in no uncertain terms,

that he did not support the match.

So I had a choice to make

between my family

and my heart.

And did you ever regret that choice?

[exhales]

From the very first moment,

your father and I were drawn together.

It is a very powerful thing

to meet someone

and feel that you know them.

In a way unlike any other.

[chuckles softly]

Still a rather high price

to pay for love, I would think.

Do not fret.

Even my parents' presence cannot mar

the happiness that is the occasion.

I had always hoped that you and Edwina

would be spared the choice

between affluence and love,

and now you shall.

Edwina is to wed her heart's desire.

And you have always wanted

nothing more than your freedom.

[chuckles softly]

Of course, Mama.

We shall all be perfectly happy.

-[knocking]

-[door opens]

Lord and Lady Sheffield's return

is certainly a surprise. [chuckles]

But it shall be pleasant to see

the family reconciled, will it not?

I will be finished in a moment, Mother.

We shall not be late.

It is not that.

[sighs] I have been watching you all week.

I-- I told myself

I would support your choice,

but I must admit,

I am finding it quite difficult

to continue to stay silent.

You have been anything but silent.

This is your betrothal, Anthony.

Your marriage.

To the woman that shall replace me

as head of this household, might I add.

You question Miss Edwina's

suitability for the role?

I question the example

you are setting your siblings,

marrying a woman for whom you clearly

hold no great tenderness or love.

Why will you not accept that

the love match between you and father

was the exception, not the rule?

Because I wish for you two to know

the joy of an exceptional marriage.

You should be excited to wed Miss Edwina,

but for all I have seen, you act as if

you are approaching the gallows instead.

If this is not what you want,

you must say something now,

Anthony, before--

What I want is beside the point.

I could never dishonor

Miss Edwina by begging off now.

You are right.

A gentleman cannot take back his word.

But a woman may.

It happens all the time with young ladies,

swept up in the dizziness

of receiving a proposal

before the reality

of marriage becomes clear.

If Miss Edwina were

to call off the engagement,

no one would find fault with her.

And you would not be dishonoring her

in the slightest,

releasing her from the obligation

before any vows were exchanged.

She does not wish to end the engagement.

But does she know

your true feelings on the matter?

My feelings are of no concern.

What matters is my responsibility,

which has always been to wed.

[softly] My darling…

If you have doubts,

do not simply set them aside.

This is the most important choice

you will ever make.

And it would break my heart

to see you spend

the rest of your life in regret.

I dare say it would break

your father's heart too.

You seem distracted, Didi.

[Kate sighs] Oh.

It's, uh, just a headache.

From, uh…

From all the excitement these days.

Is that all that ails you? I have seen

how ill at ease you are with the viscount.

I was hoping we had put all that behind us

now that Anthony is to be my husband.

He's asked you

to call him by his given name?

No, not yet.

But it sounds fine, does it not?

[sighs] Do you think

the Sheffields will like this dress?

[giggles] My stomach is in a knot,

I am so excited to meet them.

Before you do,

there is something I must tell you

about your grandparents,

and how they have, in fact,

influenced our trip--

Our guests have arrived.

[giggles nervously]

[Lady Danbury chuckles]

You may spare me

the instruction, Lady Danbury.

I know I am to be on my best behavior.

You think me an unfeeling harridan,

but perhaps it would surprise you to learn

that I am hosting this dinner

for your sake.

Your sister's betrothal may be the end

of certain hopes

you harbored regarding the viscount,

but access to the Sheffield fortune

would certainly be

a fine reward, would it not?

A life of independence

is no mere consolation.

Indeed, many would think it

the better prize.

After passion cools and fate intervenes,

who else is a woman left with

but herself?

Hmm.

Come along.

Our guests are waiting.

[Kate] Hmm.

[Lady Danbury] Hmm.

Ah, Lord and Lady Sheffield,

it has been too long.

May I present Miss Sharma

and Miss Edwina Sharma.

Oh, my dear, look at you.

Isn't she quite

as lovely as the report said?

[Edwina] You are too kind.

I'm most happy to make your acquaintance.

We have been waiting

so many years to meet you.

I wish to know everything about you.

Do you enjoy dancing? Music?

You must accompany us to the opera.

We have a fine box

which has been gathering dust.

Indeed, it has been too long

since we've seen you both in town,

Lord and Lady Sheffield.

-Yes.

-[Lady Sheffield] Yes, indeed, it has.

Mother.

-Father.

-Mm.

I do enjoy the opera.

My sister Kate is the one

who introduced me to it.

Ah. Shall we go through to dinner?

Oh, yes. Come with me, child.

[Edwina giggles]

-[laughter]

-[silverware clinking]

And, of course, you must be

our guests at the Sheffield manor.

It is nothing compared

to the estates at Aubrey Hall,

to be sure, but I think it

a most pretty part of Hertfordshire.

Do you shoot? We have a fine stock

of birds, and you are always welcome.

[Anthony] Thank you for the invitation.

I do enjoy shooting.

[Lord Sheffield] Well…

As does Kate.

The two of them almost bagged a stag

on our trip to the country.

[chuckling] How… unusual.

Do they teach

young ladies to shoot in India?

Only the fortunate ones.

[exhales]

Uh, Lord and Lady Sheffield,

how long do you plan to remain in town?

Oh, we shall stay for the wedding.

Imagine. The queen herself

overseeing my granddaughter's nuptials.

Her Majesty is kind to be so forgiving

after everything that has happened.

[Lord Sheffield] Now, now.

We are all family here.

Oh, yes, of course we are.

Even after our daughter

so callously rejected

the match we had found for her.

-[Lord Sheffield] My dear, we agreed--

-An earl, no less, with 12,000 acres.

Any other young lady

would've fallen to her knees in gratitude

that her parents were showing such care.

This sauce is delicious, Lady Danbury.

Have your cook give mine the recipe.

It is the gooseberry, I believe.

Lady Sheffield, you've got

quite the sweet tooth, I do recall?

And all for what? A mere clerk, was he?

And with a child

from a previous marriage to God-knows-who.

My mother has a name.

Lady Sheffield, I must ask--

We could not show

our faces in society for years.

Not that she should care.

She simply sailed away

from all of us with that man,

robbing us of our grandchild.

Grandchildren.

I have two daughters

with whom you have had

every opportunity to form a connection.

But the choice to shun us was yours alone.

I beg your pardon--

And do not think I took it lightly,

being cast out

by the only family I had ever known.

I was heartbroken, indeed.

But in time, I came to see

that, in your cruelty,

you did us all a great service.

I hardly think this

a proper dinner conversation.

I quite agree. Please, collect--

When you cast me out,

what you did was set me free.

Free to raise my daughters

far from your constant judgment

and craven demands

that they should chase wealth

and titles above all else!

[scoffs] You are a fine one to talk.

You speak of scorning riches,

and yet you have come crawling back

to snatch at our fortune.

-Lady Danbury is right--

-Believe me, I want nothing from you.

Oh, you may not,

but your daughter certainly does.

Mama?

The trust fund we have set up for her.

The condition of which clearly states

that she must marry a man

of good English breeding to inherit.

You did not think we would allow

another generation to pollute

the Sheffield name, did you?

Didi, what are they talking about?

-What have you done?

-Anthony, did you know about this?

I shall explain everything.

I see this one has inherited

your penchant for avoiding the truth.

Or that's something

she inherited from her father.

[Anthony] That is enough.

I can only think

you've been exiled from good society

because of your deficient manners

rather than any other sin.

Since the moment you arrived,

you have failed to show the proper respect

for the Sharma family,

and I will not stand for it.

-I declare--

-I will not… stand for it.

Lady Mary has done admirably

in raising her daughters.

They are intelligent, kind, loyal women.

And a credit to both their parents.

And since you clearly do not wish

to jeopardize your social standing

by associating with such company,

I suggest you do not.

You may leave at once!

You cannot be serious!

Please send for Lord

and Lady Sheffield's carriage.

They can wait outside.

And do not trouble yourselves

for an invitation for the wedding,

for you shall not receive one.

This is beyond the pale.

And if you think

you shall inherit a single sovereign now,

you are sorely mistaken.

Lord Bridgerton, Lady Bridgerton.

-I must apologize--

-We should take our leave.

[Violet] Yes.

Thank you for the evening, Lady Danbury.

It was quite enlightening.

[grunts] My lord--

Good evening.

-You lied to me.

-Please, Bon.

Lord Bridgerton!

Lord Bridgerton, I beg a word!

-We must be going.

-Please.

[breathing heavily]

Mother, I shall meet you at the house.

You must know. Edwina is innocent

in all of this. She had no idea.

Coming to England, finding her a match.

I only wished the best for her.

-You cannot be angry at her.

-I am not.

It is clear she was as much in the dark

as I was about your schemes.

-They were not schemes.

-I take it there'll be no dowry.

Now that the Sheffields

have withdrawn their support.

You care about a dowry?

It is because of what you just did

that the Sheffields withdrew it.

It is regrettable, to be sure.

But clearly, both Miss Edwina

and I have been misled,

and it is best to call off

this doomed engagement

before it is the cause of any more strife.

Of course, I'd never

besmirch her reputation.

My mother and Lady Danbury

will make a plan--

There shall be no plan.

I do not understand.

Why are you suggesting this?

All along, you have been set

on marrying my sister,

despite my every objection, might I add,

and now you intend to cast her aside.

Why?

And do not talk to me of dowries, sir,

for we both know you have no need of it.

So, tell me, what has she done?

She has done nothing. It is you.

You have made this match impossible.

-But I am leaving for India.

-And it is not far enough!

Do you think that there is

a corner of this Earth

that you could travel to far away enough

to free me from this torment?

I am a gentleman.

My father raised me to act with honor,

but that honor is hanging by a thread

that grows more precarious

with every moment

I spend in your presence.

You are the bane of my existence.

And the object of all my desires.

[quietly] Night and day, I dream of you.

And what I… [exhales]

Do you even know all the ways

a lady can be seduced?

The things I could teach you.

[both breathing heavily]

[quietly] I did not ask for this.

[sighs] To be plagued by these feelings.

Hiding from my sister.

Being driven to distraction

every time you enter the room.

Then you agree.

It is insupportable.

Impossible.

[heartbeats thumping]

[Kate exhales]

If I wed your sister, it will bind me

and you together for eternity,

and I will spend every day of my marriage

wanting you,

dreaming of you,

dreading the day when my last thread

of honor finally snaps.

Is that the future that you want for us?

For your sister?

[exhales]

[distant chatter]

I must go.

[exhales sharply]

[sighs] Must we sit around like statues?

I wish to be at a ball,

showing off my new fiancé.

Varley?

Are you certain we've not received

any invitations you may have

overlooked for the evening?

No, ma'am. There's been nothing.

Perhaps the circumstances of Prudence's

engagement has us on the outs yet again.

So this is my fault?

I did not say that.

It's not as if you arranged to meet

Cousin Jack in that orangery, did you?

We should merely be happy we still have

a cook and a lady's maid each, yes, Mama?

Not a single invitation

since arriving back from the country.

I shall alert the postal clerk.

This is no joke.

We are meant to be a distinguished family.

But for years, I have suffered

the indignities of the ton's disdain,

for one reason or another.

They liked us well enough

when they thought you a plum catch,

but now that you are spoken for,

ah, we are outcasts again.

All the more reason to end

this sham of an engagement.

It is not an option.

Lord Cowper.

What business did he have with you?

He wishes to invest in the mines.

Several of them do.

Bored gentlemen with too much time

and money on their hands.

-Take it.

-The mines are worthless.

There are no rubies to be found.

How are they to know the difference?

Board a ship to the Americas?

[chuckles, inhales]

You are serious.

The future of this family

hangs in the balance, my lord.

I've never been more serious in my life.

Get them to invest.

Take every pound that they offer.

Our fortunes will be restored.

Prudence shall have a fine wedding,

and I shall never have to suffer

the disdain of the ton again.

-[knocking]

-Edwina?

Ever since the viscount

has been courting me,

I have sensed

you were not being entirely truthful.

And now I know I was right.

This business with the Sheffields

and their fortune,

you did not trust me enough

to tell me what was really going on.

I am truly sorry, Bon, for keeping

both you and Mama in the dark.

After Appa died,

I took it upon myself

to manage our affairs.

I wrote to the Sheffields,

and after learning of their stipulations,

I saw an answer to all our troubles.

I thought I was doing the right thing

by keeping you free from this burden.

But you must know,

it has weighed on me every day.

I am not a little girl anymore, Kate.

I am a grown woman now,

ready to be a wife.

Yes.

Yes, I know.

[sighs softly]

If Lord Bridgerton does not wish

to end our engagement…

then the Sheffield fortune

would not matter, would it?

Once I am married to the viscount,

there will be ample funds

to provide for all of us.

He is as generous as he is wealthy.

I am sure the viscount

will provide for you and Mama too.

He…

He might.

But-- But, Edwina,

this should not be your burden.

What burden would it be

to marry the person I love?

You love him?

Watching how nobly he defended us

at dinner tonight, how could I not?

I want nothing more than to be his wife.

His viscountess.

But he will have to forgive us.

Do you think he will?

That I do not know.

I shall not be long.

Do not tell me

you've traveled at this ungodly hour

to offer more corrections of my writing?

It was the only time

I could leave without being seen.

And, on the contrary,

I've come to ask for your discernment.

Is that so?

Do not look so pleased.

It is a rare occurrence

that I doubt shall be repeated.

[sighs] I have questions

about the writings in this pamphlet.

Well, the ideas can tax a fragile mind.

Or perhaps your means of communicating

them leaves much to be desired.

Or perhaps you have not seen enough

of the world to make sense of them yet.

[Eloise chuckling] Ah.

[Lady Whistledown] Duty.

More than laws or faith,

I have often thought it the bond

that holds our fragile society together.

Duty to rank and title.

Fidelity to one's family name.

It demands both utter obedience

and total sacrifice.

But what happens

when such duty

is in conflict

with the heart's true desire?

Why, then, there is the potential

for a considerable scandal, indeed.

The only question is,

will the parties in question

heed my warning?

Or is it already too late

to turn back to duty

and away from desire?

[classical rendition of

"You Oughta Know" plays]

[breathing deeply]

[horse snorts]

Miss Sharma.

I see you continue here

with your morning rides.

As do you, it seems.

I couldn't sleep.

[quietly] Nor could I.

Have you decided what you will do?

Long have I wrestled with it,

but I see no other option.

I will talk with Miss Edwina today…

and see my way to ending things.

It is the only way to ensure

that the two of us can be rid

of this impossible situation.

Once the engagement is over,

our paths need never cross again.

It will be as if we had never met.

You cannot. You cannot do that.

-Miss Sharma--

-You cannot break my sister's heart.

She is all things good and true.

A kinder soul you will never find.

She has loved me

as well as any sister could,

and I could not live with myself

if I robbed her of her happiness

and the future she deserves.

I-- I do not understand.

You have been

against this union from the start.

I was wrong! I will not be

the cause of you losing your honor

any more than I can stand

to see Edwina in pain.

You once saw her as your perfect match.

You will find your way

to believing it again.

Please.

Please, Lord Bridgerton.

Anthony.

You must keep your word.

You must marry my sister.

You must marry her as soon as you can,

because this feeling

that plagues us so, it will pass.

It will become tenable,

it will become bearable,

and soon enough,

it will be as if we never felt it at all.

Mere passion. It must because it has to.

[classical rendition of

"You Oughta Know" continues]

[sighs]

Very well.

I shall see that the wedding

shall take place as soon as possible.

[sighs deeply]

[sniffles]

[exhales sharply]

[breathes deeply]

Miss Sharma.

Viscount Bridgerton.

We thought perhaps

you'd not be joining us.

Your Majesty.

Nothing could keep me

from my beautiful bride.

Now,

tell me of your wedding plan.

There is no talk

of a special license, I would hope.

-Of course not, Your Majesty.

I believe a modest family affair

would be most fitting.

Perhaps back in the country,

at Aubrey Hall.

In the country?

No, that will not do.

You must have it here in town.

In fact, I shall host the nuptials myself.

-Oh.

-That is most generous, Ma'am.

-Most generous.

-But not at all necessary.

-Nonsense.

She is my diamond, after all.

It is only right that I give you both

a wedding worthy of that title.

Besides, one could almost credit me myself

with bringing about

this most illustrious match.

I shall oversee every detail.

Let that gossipmonger

try to get the better of me now.

Can you believe it, Didi?

It is like a fairytale come true.

You deserve nothing less, Bon.

Nothing less for a true love match.

My apologies, Your Majesty.

The frenzy of competition.

The thrilling delight

of hazarding your all.

I am referring not to the lure

of London's luxurious gaming halls

but to a gamble with far higher stakes.

Matrimony.

For once that particular wager is placed,

it cannot easily be undone.

A fact which, I am sure,

is met with both regret

and sheer relief.

…and I shall sing between each one.

For goodness' sake.

Anyone would think our siblings had beaten

Napoleon himself on the battlefield

instead of finding someone with whom

to dutifully march down an aisle.

Indeed. With all the hubbub

about Prudence's engagement,

my mama has rather forgotten I exist.

She is quite happy Cousin Jack

has ensured our family's future.

I must admit, so am I.

Mm. Don't touch. You can look at it.

And the baker is still awaiting payment.

As is, apparently, the coalman.

The new Lord Featherington was

supposed to restore our fortunes, and yet

here I am, unable to scratch together

sixpence yet again.

Our financial predicament is entirely

your doing, Lady Featherington.

If you hadn't forced me

into this ill-starred engagement,

we'd soon be living comfortably

on Miss Cowper's ample dowry.

Oh, go on.

Blame me for taking you at your word

when you spoke

of your great fortune in rubies.

Had you thought to confide your plans,

then I would not be considering dismissing

the servants that I have just rehired.

All of that would be solved

if you would simply call off the wedding

and allow me to set my cap

at Miss Cowper again.

And leave my poor Prudence jilted?

When her reputation's already

been called into question?

No, it is far too late for that, my lord.

No, you must continue in this engagement.

I will think of something.

Well, you'd better think fast.

You must be one of our new fellows.

Is it really so evident?

Conserve that youthful vigor.

Soon you shall be

just as jaded as the rest of us.

After all, one form is much like another,

do you not think?

It is not yet right.

See how the cuffs are an inch too short?

Very well, sir.

Hmm.

There is plenty of time

to adjust it to your liking.

The wedding is not for another month.

-There is still much to do.

-Will Miss Edwina live with us?

Indeed. After the wedding,

she'll be the lady of the house

and responsible for you all.

Lord, help her.

Which reminds me, our carriages

must be polished to a shine,

and the horses' manes braided.

We should bring out the finest silver.

The queen may be hosting

everything at the palace,

but we must be ready to entertain here.

And what of us, Brother? Should we also

be polished and braided for the big day?

We'll all be on display.

Perhaps you might even

scrub your hands for the occasion?

I've been occupied at the academy.

-What about Miss Edwina's sister?

-What about her?

Will she come to live with us, too?

Oh, I do hope so. It'll be a boon to have

another intelligent woman in the house.

Another? Mm. You're overcounting.

Eloise, I shall need your help today.

There is the dinner

to plan with Lady Danbury

to welcome the Sharmas into the family.

And then the engagement ball next week--

I am sorry, Mama, but, uh,

I am attending a lecture

this afternoon. Flower arranging.

Penelope's mama is forcing her to go,

and you've wanted me

to find more ladylike pursuits.

For how long have you cared

about flower arranging?

I am an open-minded woman.

I can care about many things.

I do wonder about the trim.

Is it too much?

Nothing is too much

now that the queen is hosting.

Let me show you the French tulle.

Oh yes.

Did I tell you we will be married

by the archbishop himself?

Several times.

We must find you a dress too.

-I have plenty of dresses.

-This one must be special.

After all, this wedding

is as much your triumph as mine.

Whatever you said

to the viscount at Aubrey Hall, Didi,

it clearly swayed him to declare himself.

I…

-I cannot claim credit.

-I shall bestow it, all the same.

It will be so exciting living in London.

The viscount said

there might even be snow this winter.

-Won't that be exciting?

-You must enjoy it without me, Bon.

Recall I am to set sail

soon after you wed.

But you will return to visit, of course.

And when the viscount

and I are blessed with children,

you shall be

their favorite aunt.

Think of us all together as a family.

I do not know why

Miss Edwina's betrothal is so special.

She's quite overshadowed my happy news.

A fact we may well be glad of.

Put those silks down.

Cotton will do for your trousseau.

Has my maid yet delivered that dress

that needs altering, Madame Delacroix?

I received your latest.

It's been a busy week, has it not?

Indeed.

The ton are quite ravenous

for news of the upcoming nuptials.

Perhaps Lady Whistledown will report

that I have been entrusted

with our diamond's wedding ensemble.

Tell me, are my musings

not offering you sufficient business?

Indeed.

But why should there be limits

to a woman's ambitions?

I would think you,

of all people, would understand.

There is always more to be achieved.

Thank you, Clara. That will be all.

Lord Bridgerton?

Miss Sharma.

Lord Bridgerton and his guest are waiting.

I see that. Thank you.

This is the jeweler.

We are here to have Miss Edwina's

betrothal ring altered to fit.

My apologies,

but my sister and my mother

have not yet returned home.

Of course.

Then we shall trouble you no further.

Is that cake?

It is indeed.

-Lemon?

-Pardon?

I fancy a good lemon.

Might I offer you some refreshment, Mr.…

Brookes. Only if you insist.

I mean, it would be churlish to refuse.

Tea, three spoons of sugar, and perhaps

some sandwiches too, thank you.

It is fine weather

we are having, is it not?

You wish to speak to me of the weather?

Is there another topic of conversation

that'd be more appropriate?

There is nothing appropriate

about what you're doing

proceeding with this engagement.

On the contrary, I believe it is

the most proper outcome for all.

Oh. And what of everything

that passed between us at Aubrey Hall?

Nothing passed between us.

I am a gentleman.

Is that so?

Need I remind you, sir,

if anyone other than your sister

discovered us in the library that night,

then we, too, would be obliged to wed.

Nothing happened.

Would the two of us being obliged to marry

be the outcome you desire?

Of course not.

Then let us both be… glad

we have avoided such an unthinkable fate.

I say, Miss Sharma,

do you and your sister

happen to share gloves?

I--

Yes, on occasion.

I knew it.

I can take the measure

of a hand at 20 paces.

We may use your finger to size the ring.

-Oh, I beg your pardo--

-That shan't be necessary.

Nonsense!

Thank you.

It is a beautiful piece.

It is the ring my father gave

to my mother before they were wed.

-Lord Bridgerton?

-They came to, uh, alter the ring.

Uh, Mr. Brookes insisted.

Just a moment.

It appears to be stuck.

-Well, Edwina is here now.

-Yes.

-Kate, are you--

-Yes, almost.

Just, uh…

Just another…

There.

-All yours.

-Ah.

Here you all are.

I have news.

Lord and Lady Sheffield sent word

they are in London.

Our grandparents?

Indeed. It seems they read

the engagement announcement

and wish to make your acquaintance.

And, uh, that of

your future husband, of course.

-I should be delighted to meet them.

-They are already in town?

They arrived… last night.

-Is something wrong?

-Not at all.

I shall invite them

to the engagement dinner tomorrow.

I'm sure it will be a most joyous reunion

after all these years.

Yes, Lady Mary?

Indeed.

-Hmm. I shall look forward to it.

-Ah.

-Are you ready to promenade?

-I am, my lord.

I suddenly feel a headache coming on.

Lady Danbury, would you be so kind

as to chaperone my daughter?

Of course.

Miss Sharma and I

would be glad of the fresh air.

Oh, I should really stay with Mama.

You will escort me.

Whoa!

I wish you every happiness.

How could you invite

the Sheffields to dinner

when you know full well

the pain my mother has suffered

after their rejection of her?

Indeed. Which is why I shall not

answer their impoliteness with my own.

And besides, is this not

the reconciliation you wished for?

Edwina returned

to the bosom of the Sheffield family

to reclaim the fortune

you so desperately need?

Yes, but not until after the wedding.

Edwina is still in the dark

about the conditions of their favor.

And if the Bridgertons

were to learn of it, they might feel--

As if you contrived a match

for your own concealed ends

and might call off the wedding?

I have to wonder if you might not secretly

rejoice were the viscount

to break the engagement.

Why would you ever say such a thing?

They are betrothed.

The viscount made a charming proposal,

your sister gave her giddy acceptance,

and in the eyes of society,

and, might I add,

the Queen of England herself,

they are as good as wed.

Only a very great scandal

would prevent this marriage

from proceeding now.

The kind of scandal that would

send alarms through the entire ton

and be a stain from which

the penniless Sharma family

would never recover.

Only a fool

would jeopardize the marriage now.

So I ask you,

Miss Sharma,

are you that fool?

No.

I did not think so.

Lady Danbury.

Mr. Dorset.

-What a pleasure to see you here today.

Miss Sharma, perhaps you would be so kind

as to accompany me

on a turn around the lake?

I am rather tired.

She would be delighted.

You're still angry with me

over that business at the races.

I wish to apologize

and throw myself at your mercy.

Very well, my lord.

A turn would be most pleasant.

What a handsome couple they make.

Pardon me?

Mr. Dorset and my sister.

I noticed that he was quite smitten

with her the last time they met.

Perhaps he will convince her

to stay in England, after all.

She barely knows the gentleman.

Nor did I you, at first.

But love moves swiftly, does it not?

Miss Edwina,

you must tell me your favorite colors,

so I may plan to incorporate them

in the ornamentation

for your engagement ball.

You are too kind,

Lady Bridgerton.

I am certain

your taste is superb.

…to honor both

Bridgerton and Sharma families,

now that we are to be joined.

-Is that not so, Anthony?

-Absolutely.

Look at me!

Your sister seems… happy.

That is one way of putting it.

The new Lord Featherington

seems an interesting fellow.

A man of commerce, is he not?

Yes. He has ruby mines in America.

They are flourishing, I hear.

Perhaps I should introduce myself.

After all, everyone else

is finding some purpose to their lives.

Anthony is to be married.

Benedict has his artistic pursuits.

And, well,

here I am… feeding the ducks.

-I am sure the ducks are most grateful.

You have a good deal of time and

plentiful opportunities to make your mark.

As Eloise would no doubt remind me.

Where is your sister?

I have not seen her out today.

She mentioned something

about flower arranging

with you today, in fact.

Indeed. I am meeting her later.

-Mr. Bridgerton.

-Mm.

This is the place.

Doesn't look like

a place for shopping to me.

I am collecting a unique gift

for my brother's wedding.

Miss? Miss!

It is our right to be treated

not merely as chattels.

Surely talk of rights

must draw on Locke's Treatise.

You and your treatise!

If you've ever worked

an honest day's labor,

you know how little

such grand talk serves the working man.

Now, if I may be permitted to continue,

I should like to propose to this assembly

the radical idea

that it is not best for women to rely

for their education

on what falls to them by chance

from their husbands and brothers.

Hear! Hear!

Is it not thrilling?

You.

Me.

I told you, I don't know anything

about your Whistledown gossip.

It is not her I seek today,

but the exchange of ideas

with like-minded men and women

on subjects beyond

the trivial concerns of polite society.

Ideas that you yourself

invited me to consider.

So, you're an admirer of my work?

I would not go so far.

It is serviceable, I suppose.

And yet you have come far.

You're a long way from Mayfair

for writings that are merely serviceable.

Luckily for me, there is

a thrilling invention called a carriage

that may convey a lady

from one place to another.

It is a marvel, to be sure.

What's your name?

-Eloise Bridgerton.

-Pleased to meet you, Miss Eloise.

I'm Theo Sharpe.

I know.

You know?

As I know, there are

several errors in your arguments

that I must bring to your attention.

Have you a pencil?

Never mind. You may borrow mine.

…to marry you, did she not?

Allow me to continue.

It is most refreshing on the water.

These days, it is hard to find

even a moment of peace.

One of the things

I enjoyed most when I visited India.

Many think it a bustling, noisy place,

but I found the country

most tranquil in nature.

There's a river just outside

the home where I grew up.

On hot days,

I would sneak away to soak my feet.

The turtles and I

became quite good friends.

Sounds idyllic.

It is.

Which is why I'm counting the days

until I may return home.

I had assumed you would remain in England

now that your sister is to be viscountess.

My mother and Edwina will remain here.

I shall journey back alone.

An adventure, indeed.

You have plans for your arrival?

I shall teach.

Become a governess, as you call it here.

It will be most fulfilling.

Enjoying an independent life,

running my own household.

And perhaps playing host to old friends?

I've long thought

to return to India myself

since there is much to be learned

from their medical practice.

If your travels do lead you there,

then I would be most happy

to show you the places I know.

I should be working at the club, Alice.

Not taking a stroll.

This is work.

We need more gentlemen members,

and here they are.

Mr. Mondrich.

Word of your prowess crossed the Atlantic.

You got the better of McKellan

in just two rounds, is that not so?

That was a long time ago.

I've been known to plant

a few facers in the ring myself.

Ah, but not up to your abilities,

I'm sure.

You must pay a visit

to Will's club and talk more.

You'll find it enlivening

and has a warm welcome for all.

That may be the most

tempting invitation I've had in some time.

Uh, Lord Featherington, a word?

Excuse me.

Need I remind you that

the answer to our family's predicament

will not be found disporting yourself

in places of public resort?

Nor will it be solved by running up

yet more bills at the modiste.

I just saw the latest accounts.

You are supposed to

be finding a way out of this mess,

not drowning us even deeper in debt.

Keep your voice down.

Are you trying to ruin us all?

Not when you are already

making such fine work of it yourself.

I see you are smiling, Didi.

See the amusements London has to offer.

There's water, too, in India.

My sister spares no opportunity

to find reasons for me to stay.

I may well join her in her endeavors.

That knot will never hold.

It is perfectly adequate.

Then I must question

your nautical skills, Dorset.

Allow me.

Pardon me.

Miss Sharma.

Lord Bridgerton.

Oh my! Are you hurt?

Not at all!

The water is a rather

welcoming refreshment,

is it not, Bridgerton?

Whoo!

Refreshing indeed.

Come now. It is not proper to stare.

Penelope, what are you doing here?

I thought we were to walk,

as we usually do.

My apologies. I had quite forgotten.

Uh, well… you missed quite

the scene at the lake yesterday.

My brother's impromptu swim?

I heard about it.

Where were you?

Alas, I was forced to occupy my day

with tedious wedding errands,

which Mama has listed me for yet again.

I'm sorry,

but I cannot stroll with you today.

-I shall see you tomorrow, then.

-Of course.

Pardon me. Miss?

Miss Eloise seems to have misplaced

her reticule when she was out yesterday.

I'll be happy to retrieve it.

Where exactly did she visit?

You'll not find it again, miss.

I warned her, the streets

of Bloomsbury aren't fit for a lady.

-What are you doing?

-Ah, Lord Featherington.

Mr. Brookes here is just

taking a look at some jewelry for me.

It is a fine piece, is it not?

Indeed.

Uh, this is not a good time.

-He should return at another date.

-Nonsense. He's here now.

And it is no trouble, is it?

No.

I was only planning

to have the jewels cleaned,

but tell me, what might

a necklace such as that fetch?

If it is of great value,

I shall have to take more care.

Well, I would require my proper tools

for a definitive valuation,

but I'd say you should

take very great care, indeed.

It is rare to see stones this fine.

Now, is that not something?

Thank you for your expert services,

Mr. Brookes.

I shall be in communication with you

should I require anything further.

No cake, then?

-Another time.

-Mm-hmm.

Need I remind you, those are

as counterfeit as a two-pound note.

Quality counterfeits.

If they're good enough to fool

that nibbling owl of a man,

then we may well make it

through the season yet.

I do hope you know

what you're playing at.

Well, there is no need to dismiss

any staff, after all, Mrs. Varley.

Mm. Let us pray he's got

a whole trunk of them, ma'am.

One bauble does not a fortune make.

I declare, that's rather good.

I am skilled at more

than simply standing naked,

Mister…

Bridgerton. I do not doubt it.

Then perhaps inform the academy.

Although two

of the founding members are women,

we are still not yet allowed

to enter the classroom.

At least, not while we are clothed.

So you work as a model

as a way of learning from the lectures?

-Ingenious.

-Care to take a turn?

It is harder than it looks.

Mm.

Like so?

How long must I stay like this?

That depends.

What I really need

is a study of the male form.

The naked form.

What say you?

It is a lovely spot, is it not?

It reminds me of the courtyard

at the palace where we used to live.

So calming.

-Calming, yes.

Nobody would blame you

if you were to take sick, Mama,

and send apologies

for missing the dinner tonight.

Lady Danbury has made it quite clear

that it is necessary

for all of us to attend.

When was the last time you saw them?

The night your dear father asked

for my hand in marriage, I believe.

Lord Sheffield made it clear,

in no uncertain terms,

that he did not support the match.

So I had a choice to make

between my family

and my heart.

And did you ever regret that choice?

From the very first moment,

your father and I were drawn together.

It is a very powerful thing

to meet someone

and feel that you know them.

In a way unlike any other.

Still a rather high price

to pay for love, I would think.

Do not fret.

Even my parents' presence cannot mar

the happiness that is the occasion.

I had always hoped that you and Edwina

would be spared the choice

between affluence and love,

and now you shall.

Edwina is to wed her heart's desire.

And you have always wanted

nothing more than your freedom.

Of course, Mama.

We shall all be perfectly happy.

Lord and Lady Sheffield's return

is certainly a surprise.

But it shall be pleasant to see

the family reconciled, will it not?

I will be finished in a moment, Mother.

We shall not be late.

It is not that.

I have been watching you all week.

I-- I told myself

I would support your choice,

but I must admit,

I am finding it quite difficult

to continue to stay silent.

You have been anything but silent.

This is your betrothal, Anthony.

Your marriage.

To the woman that shall replace me

as head of this household, might I add.

You question Miss Edwina's

suitability for the role?

I question the example

you are setting your siblings,

marrying a woman for whom you clearly

hold no great tenderness or love.

Why will you not accept that

the love match between you and father

was the exception, not the rule?

Because I wish for you two to know

the joy of an exceptional marriage.

You should be excited to wed Miss Edwina,

but for all I have seen, you act as if

you are approaching the gallows instead.

If this is not what you want,

you must say something now,

Anthony, before--

What I want is beside the point.

I could never dishonor

Miss Edwina by begging off now.

You are right.

A gentleman cannot take back his word.

But a woman may.

It happens all the time with young ladies,

swept up in the dizziness

of receiving a proposal

before the reality

of marriage becomes clear.

If Miss Edwina were

to call off the engagement,

no one would find fault with her.

And you would not be dishonoring her

in the slightest,

releasing her from the obligation

before any vows were exchanged.

She does not wish to end the engagement.

But does she know

your true feelings on the matter?

My feelings are of no concern.

What matters is my responsibility,

which has always been to wed.

My darling…

If you have doubts,

do not simply set them aside.

This is the most important choice

you will ever make.

And it would break my heart

to see you spend

the rest of your life in regret.

I dare say it would break

your father's heart too.

You seem distracted, Didi.

Oh.

It's, uh, just a headache.

From, uh…

From all the excitement these days.

Is that all that ails you? I have seen

how ill at ease you are with the viscount.

I was hoping we had put all that behind us

now that Anthony is to be my husband.

He's asked you

to call him by his given name?

No, not yet.

But it sounds fine, does it not?

Do you think

the Sheffields will like this dress?

My stomach is in a knot,

I am so excited to meet them.

Before you do,

there is something I must tell you

about your grandparents,

and how they have, in fact,

influenced our trip--

Our guests have arrived.

You may spare me

the instruction, Lady Danbury.

I know I am to be on my best behavior.

You think me an unfeeling harridan,

but perhaps it would surprise you to learn

that I am hosting this dinner

for your sake.

Your sister's betrothal may be the end

of certain hopes

you harbored regarding the viscount,

but access to the Sheffield fortune

would certainly be

a fine reward, would it not?

A life of independence

is no mere consolation.

Indeed, many would think it

the better prize.

After passion cools and fate intervenes,

who else is a woman left with

but herself?

Hmm.

Come along.

Our guests are waiting.

Hmm.

Hmm.

Ah, Lord and Lady Sheffield,

it has been too long.

May I present Miss Sharma

and Miss Edwina Sharma.

Oh, my dear, look at you.

Isn't she quite

as lovely as the report said?

You are too kind.

I'm most happy to make your acquaintance.

We have been waiting

so many years to meet you.

I wish to know everything about you.

Do you enjoy dancing? Music?

You must accompany us to the opera.

We have a fine box

which has been gathering dust.

Indeed, it has been too long

since we've seen you both in town,

Lord and Lady Sheffield.

-Yes.

-Yes, indeed, it has.

Mother.

-Father.

-Mm.

I do enjoy the opera.

My sister Kate is the one

who introduced me to it.

Ah. Shall we go through to dinner?

Oh, yes. Come with me, child.

And, of course, you must be

our guests at the Sheffield manor.

It is nothing compared

to the estates at Aubrey Hall,

to be sure, but I think it

a most pretty part of Hertfordshire.

Do you shoot? We have a fine stock

of birds, and you are always welcome.

Thank you for the invitation.

I do enjoy shooting.

Well…

As does Kate.

The two of them almost bagged a stag

on our trip to the country.

How… unusual.

Do they teach

young ladies to shoot in India?

Only the fortunate ones.

Uh, Lord and Lady Sheffield,

how long do you plan to remain in town?

Oh, we shall stay for the wedding.

Imagine. The queen herself

overseeing my granddaughter's nuptials.

Her Majesty is kind to be so forgiving

after everything that has happened.

Now, now.

We are all family here.

Oh, yes, of course we are.

Even after our daughter

so callously rejected

the match we had found for her.

-My dear, we agreed--

-An earl, no less, with 12,000 acres.

Any other young lady

would've fallen to her knees in gratitude

that her parents were showing such care.

This sauce is delicious, Lady Danbury.

Have your cook give mine the recipe.

It is the gooseberry, I believe.

Lady Sheffield, you've got

quite the sweet tooth, I do recall?

And all for what? A mere clerk, was he?

And with a child

from a previous marriage to God-knows-who.

My mother has a name.

Lady Sheffield, I must ask--

We could not show

our faces in society for years.

Not that she should care.

She simply sailed away

from all of us with that man,

robbing us of our grandchild.

Grandchildren.

I have two daughters

with whom you have had

every opportunity to form a connection.

But the choice to shun us was yours alone.

I beg your pardon--

And do not think I took it lightly,

being cast out

by the only family I had ever known.

I was heartbroken, indeed.

But in time, I came to see

that, in your cruelty,

you did us all a great service.

I hardly think this

a proper dinner conversation.

I quite agree. Please, collect--

When you cast me out,

what you did was set me free.

Free to raise my daughters

far from your constant judgment

and craven demands

that they should chase wealth

and titles above all else!

You are a fine one to talk.

You speak of scorning riches,

and yet you have come crawling back

to snatch at our fortune.

-Lady Danbury is right--

-Believe me, I want nothing from you.

Oh, you may not,

but your daughter certainly does.

Mama?

The trust fund we have set up for her.

The condition of which clearly states

that she must marry a man

of good English breeding to inherit.

You did not think we would allow

another generation to pollute

the Sheffield name, did you?

Didi, what are they talking about?

-What have you done?

-Anthony, did you know about this?

I shall explain everything.

I see this one has inherited

your penchant for avoiding the truth.

Or that's something

she inherited from her father.

That is enough.

I can only think

you've been exiled from good society

because of your deficient manners

rather than any other sin.

Since the moment you arrived,

you have failed to show the proper respect

for the Sharma family,

and I will not stand for it.

-I declare--

-I will not… stand for it.

Lady Mary has done admirably

in raising her daughters.

They are intelligent, kind, loyal women.

And a credit to both their parents.

And since you clearly do not wish

to jeopardize your social standing

by associating with such company,

I suggest you do not.

You may leave at once!

You cannot be serious!

Please send for Lord

and Lady Sheffield's carriage.

They can wait outside.

And do not trouble yourselves

for an invitation for the wedding,

for you shall not receive one.

This is beyond the pale.

And if you think

you shall inherit a single sovereign now,

you are sorely mistaken.

Lord Bridgerton, Lady Bridgerton.

-I must apologize--

-We should take our leave.

Yes.

Thank you for the evening, Lady Danbury.

It was quite enlightening.

My lord--

Good evening.

-You lied to me.

-Please, Bon.

Lord Bridgerton!

Lord Bridgerton, I beg a word!

-We must be going.

-Please.

Mother, I shall meet you at the house.

You must know. Edwina is innocent

in all of this. She had no idea.

Coming to England, finding her a match.

I only wished the best for her.

-You cannot be angry at her.

-I am not.

It is clear she was as much in the dark

as I was about your schemes.

-They were not schemes.

-I take it there'll be no dowry.

Now that the Sheffields

have withdrawn their support.

You care about a dowry?

It is because of what you just did

that the Sheffields withdrew it.

It is regrettable, to be sure.

But clearly, both Miss Edwina

and I have been misled,

and it is best to call off

this doomed engagement

before it is the cause of any more strife.

Of course, I'd never

besmirch her reputation.

My mother and Lady Danbury

will make a plan--

There shall be no plan.

I do not understand.

Why are you suggesting this?

All along, you have been set

on marrying my sister,

despite my every objection, might I add,

and now you intend to cast her aside.

Why?

And do not talk to me of dowries, sir,

for we both know you have no need of it.

So, tell me, what has she done?

She has done nothing. It is you.

You have made this match impossible.

-But I am leaving for India.

-And it is not far enough!

Do you think that there is

a corner of this Earth

that you could travel to far away enough

to free me from this torment?

I am a gentleman.

My father raised me to act with honor,

but that honor is hanging by a thread

that grows more precarious

with every moment

I spend in your presence.

You are the bane of my existence.

And the object of all my desires.

Night and day, I dream of you.

And what I…

Do you even know all the ways

a lady can be seduced?

The things I could teach you.

I did not ask for this.

To be plagued by these feelings.

Hiding from my sister.

Being driven to distraction

every time you enter the room.

Then you agree.

It is insupportable.

Impossible.

If I wed your sister, it will bind me

and you together for eternity,

and I will spend every day of my marriage

wanting you,

dreaming of you,

dreading the day when my last thread

of honor finally snaps.

Is that the future that you want for us?

For your sister?

I must go.

Must we sit around like statues?

I wish to be at a ball,

showing off my new fiancé.

Varley?

Are you certain we've not received

any invitations you may have

overlooked for the evening?

No, ma'am. There's been nothing.

Perhaps the circumstances of Prudence's

engagement has us on the outs yet again.

So this is my fault?

I did not say that.

It's not as if you arranged to meet

Cousin Jack in that orangery, did you?

We should merely be happy we still have

a cook and a lady's maid each, yes, Mama?

Not a single invitation

since arriving back from the country.

I shall alert the postal clerk.

This is no joke.

We are meant to be a distinguished family.

But for years, I have suffered

the indignities of the ton's disdain,

for one reason or another.

They liked us well enough

when they thought you a plum catch,

but now that you are spoken for,

ah, we are outcasts again.

All the more reason to end

this sham of an engagement.

It is not an option.

Lord Cowper.

What business did he have with you?

He wishes to invest in the mines.

Several of them do.

Bored gentlemen with too much time

and money on their hands.

-Take it.

-The mines are worthless.

There are no rubies to be found.

How are they to know the difference?

Board a ship to the Americas?

You are serious.

The future of this family

hangs in the balance, my lord.

I've never been more serious in my life.

Get them to invest.

Take every pound that they offer.

Our fortunes will be restored.

Prudence shall have a fine wedding,

and I shall never have to suffer

the disdain of the ton again.

-Edwina?

Ever since the viscount

has been courting me,

I have sensed

you were not being entirely truthful.

And now I know I was right.

This business with the Sheffields

and their fortune,

you did not trust me enough

to tell me what was really going on.

I am truly sorry, Bon, for keeping

both you and Mama in the dark.

After Appa died,

I took it upon myself

to manage our affairs.

I wrote to the Sheffields,

and after learning of their stipulations,

I saw an answer to all our troubles.

I thought I was doing the right thing

by keeping you free from this burden.

But you must know,

it has weighed on me every day.

I am not a little girl anymore, Kate.

I am a grown woman now,

ready to be a wife.

Yes.

Yes, I know.

If Lord Bridgerton does not wish

to end our engagement…

then the Sheffield fortune

would not matter, would it?

Once I am married to the viscount,

there will be ample funds

to provide for all of us.

He is as generous as he is wealthy.

I am sure the viscount

will provide for you and Mama too.

He…

He might.

But-- But, Edwina,

this should not be your burden.

What burden would it be

to marry the person I love?

You love him?

Watching how nobly he defended us

at dinner tonight, how could I not?

I want nothing more than to be his wife.

His viscountess.

But he will have to forgive us.

Do you think he will?

That I do not know.

I shall not be long.

Do not tell me

you've traveled at this ungodly hour

to offer more corrections of my writing?

It was the only time

I could leave without being seen.

And, on the contrary,

I've come to ask for your discernment.

Is that so?

Do not look so pleased.

It is a rare occurrence

that I doubt shall be repeated.

I have questions

about the writings in this pamphlet.

Well, the ideas can tax a fragile mind.

Or perhaps your means of communicating

them leaves much to be desired.

Or perhaps you have not seen enough

of the world to make sense of them yet.

Ah.

Duty.

More than laws or faith,

I have often thought it the bond

that holds our fragile society together.

Duty to rank and title.

Fidelity to one's family name.

It demands both utter obedience

and total sacrifice.

But what happens

when such duty

is in conflict

with the heart's true desire?

Why, then, there is the potential

for a considerable scandal, indeed.

The only question is,

will the parties in question

heed my warning?

Or is it already too late

to turn back to duty

and away from desire?

Miss Sharma.

I see you continue here

with your morning rides.

As do you, it seems.

I couldn't sleep.

Nor could I.

Have you decided what you will do?

Long have I wrestled with it,

but I see no other option.

I will talk with Miss Edwina today…

and see my way to ending things.

It is the only way to ensure

that the two of us can be rid

of this impossible situation.

Once the engagement is over,

our paths need never cross again.

It will be as if we had never met.

You cannot. You cannot do that.

-Miss Sharma--

-You cannot break my sister's heart.

She is all things good and true.

A kinder soul you will never find.

She has loved me

as well as any sister could,

and I could not live with myself

if I robbed her of her happiness

and the future she deserves.

I-- I do not understand.

You have been

against this union from the start.

I was wrong! I will not be

the cause of you losing your honor

any more than I can stand

to see Edwina in pain.

You once saw her as your perfect match.

You will find your way

to believing it again.

Please.

Please, Lord Bridgerton.

Anthony.

You must keep your word.

You must marry my sister.

You must marry her as soon as you can,

because this feeling

that plagues us so, it will pass.

It will become tenable,

it will become bearable,

and soon enough,

it will be as if we never felt it at all.

Mere passion. It must because it has to.

Very well.

I shall see that the wedding

shall take place as soon as possible.