Lady Whistledown's scandal sheets continue to churn out gossip as Bridgerton's third episode unfolds, kicking off with Daphne spurning potential matches in favor of her true love, Simon. She remains mum on the subject aloud, but a dream of them dancing together hints at her true feelings. Meanwhile, a Prussian Prince named Friedrich arrives in London, but Penelope's thoughts are fixated on the post, which unfortunately fails to deliver for Marina. However, Marina faces an even graver issue when Lady Featherington decides to rush her into marriage to conceal her pregnancy.
That evening, as the Prince arrives, Simon and Daphne whisper about the obvious and meticulously orchestrated meetings between him and various young ladies. The Queen herself introduces Friedrich to Daphne, who giggles when he comments on her dress. After their fleeting encounter, Daphne teasingly blames Simon for her flustered state, especially after his earlier jest, as their chemistry continues to spark.
Nonetheless, there's no time to dwell on this as Prince Friedrich steals the spotlight the next day. With Marina back in the social limelight and everyone converging at the art gallery, she remains unenthused about any potential suitors. Eventually, the Prince finds Daphne, but she rejects his advances, which only seems to intensify his desire for her.
Daphne's heart, however, belongs to Simon, who happens to be in a separate room. Together, they marvel at their cleverness as they flirt shamelessly, eventually holding hands. But their moment is fleeting as a cry from outside interrupts them, drawing them out to investigate. It turns out to be a ruse, a feigned swoon by one of the girls, designed to catch the eye of Prince Friedrich.
After their gallery excursion, Daphne and Simon parted ways, each returning to their respective homes. Queen Charlotte, however, pulled the Prince aside and whispered urgent words, urging him to captivate Daphne's heart. Eloise, meanwhile, realized that her conversations with Daphne about her potential union with the Prince carried significant weight.
Lady Featherington took Marina on an unexpected trip to a dilapidated neighborhood, hoping to scare her into accepting a marriage proposal. But the tactic failed to produce the desired effect. Instead, Lady Featherington resorted to a different approach, revealing her pregnancy and the silence from Spain in response. Marina tried to reassure her, attributing it to the war and the vast distance, but the seeds of doubt had already taken root.
Elsewhere, Daphne and Simon embarked on a journey together, as Daphne pondered the essence of love and the ingredients of a fulfilling marriage. Simon offered a simple yet profound advice: "You'll know when you know." He even shared a few tips on self-pleasure, much to Daphne's surprise.
Lady Danbury, a keen observer of social dynamics, noticed the increasing amount of time Daphne and Simon were spending together. She approached Simon with concern, expressing her worry that his lack of action in pursuing Daphne could potentially drive her away, especially considering Prince Friedrich as a more suitable match.
In the early hours of the day, Simon, with a heavy heart, terminated his betrothal with Daphne, assuring her that she would find greater happiness with her Prince. However, the decision clearly left a deep wound in him, prompting him to make an impulsive choice to depart England without delay.
Later in the evening, Eloise and Benedict indulged in their customary smoke break outdoors. Their conversation drifted to the mysterious Lady Whistledown, and Benedict pondered aloud if his sister could be the elusive author. Eloise scoffed at the suggestion, yet it piqued her curiosity, leading her to resolve to unmask the writer.
As the sun rose the next morning, Penelope scurried upstairs with a letter from Spain addressed to Marina. The contents were devastating, confirming a breakup and revealing that the child Marina now carried was not his. Little did she know that the letter was a clever forgery, masterminded by Lady Featherington herself.
In a bold display of defiance, Daphne chose to attend the evening's festivities dressed exactly as she pleased. Meanwhile, Anthony was presented with an array of fourteen potential matches by Lady Featherington. Among them, Siena stood out as the one he truly desired, but her earlier rejection had shaken his resolve.
Daphne arrived at the ball, radiating charm and elegance, instantly capturing the Prince's attention. He eagerly requested the first dance, while Simon, watching from afar, struggled to conceal his evident displeasure.
