Episode 1 of Bridgerton Season 4 begins with Mrs. Wilson, the head caretaker of the Bridgerton family, ensuring everything is ready for the day. Eloise, Francesca, and her husband, Lord John Stirling Kilmartin, return home from Scotland after visiting the Kilmartin estate. Mrs. Wilson and a couple of staff members gossip about Penelope's son, Gregory, at Eton, and a pregnant Kate and Anthony in India. They believe Eloise is destined to be a spinster while Hyacinth might debut soon.
Violet finally notices Benedict's absence and John, the groomsman, frantically tries to stop her from rushing to the bachelor lodgings where her son is sleeping with two women. Once Benedict is up, he is made to handle family matters in Anthony's absence. Violet scolds him about his rakish behavior and how it could ruin his sisters' reputations. She tries to get him to settle down, but he claims the ladies of the ton are boring. However, he gives in when she begs him to act like a gentleman at the season's first ball, which is being hosted by her.
Next, the relationship between Queen Charlotte and Pen has changed. The Queen makes it clear that Pen will stay in her good graces as long as she continues to be Lady Whistledown, bringing in great gossip.
The first Whistledown issue talks about Violet's masquerade ball. The Bridgerton staff tries to help Pen with the gossip, but she is now aware of how it could ruin reputations and plays it safe. In the kitchen, the staff fret and argue over the masquerade preparations. But they are also fascinated by the theme, which will have the guests revealing their identities at midnight. It cuts to the rich getting into their costumes.
A young girl in silver, Sophie, looks nervous as she shows up at the ball. The footman is familiar with her, encouraging her and warning her to leave by midnight. She fumbles with the etiquette when John tries to hand her a dance card. Nearby, we see three new arrivals – Lady Araminta Penwood who has been widowed twice. With her are her two daughters, Posy and Rosamund. Posy is naive and friendly, while Rosamund is snooty and calculating. Sophie tries to avoid them and ruins a dessert, which annoys Mrs. Wilson.Violet's heart skips a beat as Benedict, once again, arrives late, with whispers of a male friend on his lips. The banter between Danbury and her brother, Marcus, serves as a playful distraction, lifting Violet's spirits. Queen Charlotte, who had previously shown little interest, arrives to gather firsthand gossip about the party from Pen. Tired of debutantes, she decides to focus on eligible bachelors. Pen shares her intel about the men, but none seem worthy of Charlotte's attention.
As if on cue, a drunken Benedict swaggers in, and the women swoon. Despite Violet's wishes for him to socialize, the women are only interested in discussing marriage prospects. Araminta is interested, but in having Rosamund marry him for his name. Pen and Eloise are amused but agree not to blast him in the Whistledown issue as they don't think he'll ever marry. Pen also notices Eloise talking to the debutantes, who claim they're tired of being antagonistic. Eloise has decided to join society as a spinster.
From a corner, Francesca and John observe the party and discuss Scotland. Francesca has been avoiding her cousin, Michaela, and John thinks it's because she wants privacy. He suggests a new home in England, and Francesca is delighted.
Everyone is trying to grab Benedict's attention, but he's enamored by Sophie, who is in awe of the ball. He finds it refreshing and jumps in when she's trying to fend off a suitor. He pretends to owe her a dance and she plays along before revealing that she can't dance. He thinks it's cute and offers to teach her on the terrace. Unfortunately, Charlotte notices the way everyone's eyes are on Benedict and decides to make him her champion.
The scene is filled with tension and anticipation as each character navigates their own desires and expectations within the party's glittering lights and chatter. The story unfolds with a sense of intrigue and drama, keeping the reader engaged and eager to see how it all plays out.
As Eloise's gaze falls upon Hyacinth, who was not part of the planned guest list for the ball, she swiftly sends her sister back to her room. Hyacinth's response is a blend of annoyance and disappointment towards her sister's sudden intervention. In the bustling hallway, Marcus encounters Violet and is about to bestow a gallant kiss on her hand when they are unexpectedly interrupted. This sudden act causes Violet to feel flustered and she hurries away, leaving Marcus standing with a hint of disappointment.
Will and Alice Mondrich, with their hearts set on engaging Charlotte, find themselves completely ignored as she favors Benedict's company. Her attendance at the ball, it seems, is solely for Danbury's sake. Lady Danbury, sensing the opportunity, reveals her intention to pass the hosting duties to Violet, eager to return home. However, Charlotte, unyielding in her determination, refuses to let her leave.
In the terrace, Benedict's words echo with a sense of disdain for the frivolous nature of other women. Sophie, hearing this, becomes irked and gives him a lecture on the efforts women make to navigate society. She inadvertently reveals that she has no interest in marriage and feels out of place amidst the social hierarchy. Benedict, trying to lighten the mood with a joke, is caught off guard by her honesty as she realizes he's not talking about himself. He confesses that he dislikes the pursuit of marriage as the ladies are not interested in him as a person, making him feel like an outsider. The mood shifts as he teaches Sophie how to dance, their bodies moving in harmony. When she accidentally steps on his foot, she tries to clean his shoe, but he stops her, and they continue their dance.
As they share a moment where he takes off her glove and tries to kiss her, the midnight bell rings, forcing her to leave. He doesn't want her to go and they share a quick kiss before she rushes off. In her haste, she bumps into Araminta who doesn't recognize her under her mask. We learn that Sophie actually works as a maid for Araminta. When the women return, Posy is the only one who shows kindness towards Sophie. Rosamund boasts that she can easily steal Benedict from the silvery masked woman, which angers Sophie. Araminta dismisses her for the night.
Back at the ball, as Pen removes her mask, everyone flocks around her, eager for her to write well about them. She also attempts to change Charlotte's mind about marriage, joking that Benedict will be the last to marry. Charlotte takes up the bet without hesitation.
Violet looks troubled when Eloise proclaims herself a spinster. She makes it clear that she will find a suitor and Eloise is left feeling upset. Later, Violet finds Benedict in a reflective mood and he confesses that he finally respects the efforts women put in. She wonders if something has changed but he doesn't reveal his feelings for Sophie.
That night, Lady Whistledown mentions her wager with the Queen and how it's important to dream but one must also wake up in reality. We see Sophie smile sadly before hiding her single glove under the bed.
