Episode 5 of Bridgerton Season 2 opens with Anthony valiantly attempting to suppress his feelings for Kate. It's a daunting task, considering the covert glances they exchange as Queen Charlotte decides to officiate their marital union. The Queen intends to meticulously oversee every nuance, determined to finally reveal the identity of Lady Whistledown. Kate, visibly agitated, manages to maintain a composed facade as the dutiful sister, despite the underlying anguish.
Meanwhile, the Featherington household is in the midst of a crisis. Debts are mounting, and the occupants are perilously close to sliding down the social ladder. In an attempt to salvage the situation, Lady Featherington summons Mr. Brookes to inspect her jewelry and obtain a valuation. However, the jewelry is actually counterfeit, and Jack fears the consequences if the truth is revealed. Fortunately, they manage to pass the initial inspection unscathed, as Brookes is deceived by the authenticity of the necklace.
Back at the Bridgerton residence, Anthony and Kate find themselves seated together at tea. Kate probes Anthony's intentions, but he brushes aside the incident at Aubrey Hall, dismissing it as insignificant. However, their quiet moment is interrupted when Mr. Brookes arrives to assist with fitting Edwina's ring, using Kate's finger as a guide. Their hands brush against each other, igniting a spark that is quickly extinguished by Edwina's arrival. The pair is flustered and even more so when they learn that the Sheffields have arrived to oversee the proceedings and have been invited to dinner as well.Lady Danbury could sense the turbulent emotions churning within Kate's heart and reassured her that the wedding was essentially a done deal, barring any unexpected scandals. Curiously, the next day, Mr. Dorset arrived to escort Kate out onto the serene lake. Anthony, from a distance, watched enviously as the pair enjoyed their time together. When they docked back, Anthony assisted Kate out of the boat, and their hands lingered in a tender moment…until he tripped over her dog and ended up in a comical splash, Dorset joining him in the water. The sisters couldn't help but giggle at the sight of Anthony's shirt, now transparently revealing his form.
Meanwhile, Eloise found herself at a Women's Rights rally, where she struck up a conversation with Theo Sharpe. Benedict, another Bridgerton on the rise, found himself smitten with the model in his art class.
That evening, Violet sat down with Anthony and gently reminded him that he should be embracing the joy of his impending marriage. Anthony's glum demeanor suggested he was facing a fate worse than the gallows. While he couldn't backtrack on his promise, he brightened when Violet suggested that Edwina might call off the wedding. If that were to happen, it wouldn't raise too many eyebrows. Violet wanted him to make the right choice but also didn't want him to live in regret for the rest of his life.
Later, Lord and Lady Sheffield hosted a dinner with Edwina, and the evening took an unexpected turn. Lady Sheffield eagerly boasted about the trust fund and how Edwina must wed a man of impeccable English breeding to inherit it. Unfortunately, neither Mary nor Edwina were aware of Kate's arrangement, leading to a rather awkward and misleading exchange.
Anthony finally finds his voice, firmly evicting Lord and Lady Sheffield from the scene, vowing that they shan't inherit a single penny of his wealth. As he prepares to depart, Kate gently pulls him aside, urging him to acknowledge the innocence of Edwina. With the door ajar, their conversation is half-exposed to the world. Anthony declares that Edwina may be his bane, yet she is also the source of his deepest desires. Kate confesses similar sentiments, feeling their love grow increasingly consuming.
As they are about to embrace in a passionate kiss, Anthony abruptly pulls away, insisting that the marriage cannot proceed. If it does, he fears he will spend every waking moment thinking and dreaming of Kate, not Edwina. However, the situation becomes increasingly intricate when Edwina approaches Kate later in the evening. She confesses her love for Anthony, particularly after his gallant display of honor at dinner, adding yet another layer of complexity to this tangled web.
With a scandal looming on the horizon, Anthony rides out into the woods, seeking solace and clarity with Kate. He declares his intention to call off the wedding entirely. Kate pleads with him to reconsider, reminding him that their feelings will fade over time. She doesn't want to see his honor tarnished, nor does she want to cause Edwina any further unhappiness. Her passionate plea softens Anthony's resolve, and he decides to proceed with the wedding after all. As he rides away, Kate struggles to hold back her tears, her heart torn between love and duty.
