Daphne's beauty captivated everyone wherever she went, especially after catching the Prince's eye. As episode 4 of Bridgerton unfolded, Lady Bridgerton indulged in a sneaky nibble from the buffet table, anticipating the imminent arrival of the Queen.
Soon, Queen Charlotte arrived, accompanied by Prince Friedrich. He had a special gift for Daphne - a dazzling necklace that he gracefully draped around her neck. However, to her surprise, she saw Simon standing in his place, and she struggled to conceal her emotions.
With Daphne poised to ascend to the throne as a princess, even the infamous Lady Whistledown was impressed with this union, as evident from her gossip columns. She even hinted that Simon wouldn't give up without a fight.
Simon stood at the brink of leaving England, but his friend Will persuaded him to stay and stand by his side for the upcoming battle. Coincidentally, Prince Friedrich was also present and brought Daphne along to witness the spectacle. Yet, Daphne's attention was constantly drawn to Simon's presence on the other side of the ring, as their gazes continuously locked.
Meanwhile, Marina's fate was sealed as she was paired with Lord Rutledge and obliged to attend the ball that evening with him. Lady Featherington reminded her that this was her best chance given his desire for an heir and his lack of inquiries. As Marina passed by and headed upstairs, Penelope called out to her in vain, her voice lost in the bustle of the ballroom.That evening at the dance, Philipa Featherington was paired with a charming young man named Finch, a potential suitor who caught her eye. Benedict, still reeling from his recent indiscretions at the art gallery, unexpectedly caught the attention of the painter Henry. The artist handed him his business card, inviting Benedict to bring some of his works to his studio for a closer look.
Across the room, Anthony sat with Simon, drowning their sorrows in drinks as they celebrated Anthony's fulfillment of his bargain with his sister. Suddenly, Prince Friedrich appeared and pulled Anthony aside, formally asking for Daphne's hand in marriage.
Later in the day, when Daphne learned of the prince's proposal, she was torn between acceptance and rejection. Lady Bridgerton quizzed her daughter about the Duke of Hastings, and Daphne firmly denied any real feelings for him, though her tone betrayed her true emotions. Her mother saw through her lies and embraced her daughter, a tender hug that spoke volumes about her understanding of Daphne's conflicted feelings.
Lady Danbury confronted Simon about his impending departure, delivering a passionate speech on racial equality. But no amount of persuasion could sway his decision to leave on the next ship. However, fate intervened when he spotted the familiar painting from the gallery among his belongings. It seemed to hold him back, casting doubts in his mind.
Meanwhile, Eloise embarked on a hunt for the mysterious Lady Whistledown, rummaging through her maid's belongings in search of clues. The maid's incredulous laughter greeted Eloise's accusation, adding to the intrigue surrounding the infamous writer.
That evening, another ball took center stage. Philipa and Finch gracefully danced together, their potential engagement hanging in the balance. But Lord Featherington's intervention dashed their hopes, breaking off their budding romance. Daphne, meanwhile, kept a watchful eye on the prince before deciding to take a chance and dance with him. The evening unfolded with a mix of romance, intrigue, and unexpected turns that left everyone breathless.
Benedict unexpectedly arrives at Henry's abode, where he finds himself engrossed in painting and exhibiting his exceptional drawing talents. Being the younger son, Henry persuades Benedict to indulge in some light-hearted fun and let his guard down.
Meanwhile, Penelope and Colin chance upon each other at the Ball, and as the latter succeeds in stealing Marina away from her Lord for a dance, Penelope watches enviously from afar, sensing the budding triangle that seems destined to unfold.
The Prince stands poised to propose marriage to Daphne, yet she flees before the question can be uttered, gasping for air outdoors and hurriedly removing her necklace. It is then that Simon returns, bidding her farewell. As she turns to walk away, Simon follows her into the garden, where he impulsively kisses her. He apologizes for his audacity, but the moment leads to Anthony's intervention, who knocks Simon to the ground. Anthony demands that Simon marry his sister, accusing him of sullying her innocence, but Simon steadfastly refuses.
Rather than explain his reasons (tied to his past honor and a promise to his estranged father), Simon is coerced into accepting a duel with Anthony at daybreak. Tensions mount as both Anthony and Simon prepare for their fateful encounter. Moments before Anthony departs, he spots Siena and impulsively suggests they flee together, seeking a life away from the confines of high society. Siena appears swayed by his words and opens the door, inviting him in for a passionate encounter.
That evening, Lady Featherington discovers to her horror that her husband is deeply indebted, and she breaks into tears, confessing her helplessness. As the dawn approaches, the duel unfolds, but unfortunately, Cressida seems to have spied the two men out in the garden. Daphne rushes to Simon's side and finally confesses that he is unable to give her children. He pleads with her to allow Anthony to finish what he has started, but Daphne makes a bold decision, deciding that they should wed regardless.
