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Bridgertons 1
Julia Quinn
Summary from SparkNotes
PROLOGUE
In the late 1700s, after fifteen years of numerous miscarriages and stillborn births, the Duchess of Hastings gives birth to a healthy son, Simon Basset, at Clyvedon, the family estate. The duchess dies due to complications from the birth, but her husband, the Duke of Hastings, is ecstatic that he finally has an heir who will one day take his title and position. For the first two years of Simon’s life, the duke leaves him in the care of Nurse Hopkins. When the duke visits on Simon’s second birthday, he is troubled to learn that Simon hasn’t started speaking yet. Nurse Hopkins assures the duke that nothing is wrong with Simon, but when the duke returns two years later, Simon still hasn’t spoken. The duke is furious, and just as he’s about to hit Simon, Simon finally speaks—but with a stutter—telling his father not to hit him. The duke laments that Simon is an idiot who won’t be able to take on the title of Duke of Hastings. As Simon grows up, Nurse Hopkins helps him overcome his stutter. When Simon is eleven, he suggests going to visit his father in London, but when they arrive at the duke’s house, Simon becomes nervous and has trouble speaking. The duke dismisses Simon and tells Nurse Hopkins to keep his son away from him. Simon vows to himself that he will grow up to be the exact opposite of his father.
1, Chapter 1 begins at Bridgerton House in 1813 with an excerpt from Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, a gossip sheet written by an anonymous author describing the Bridgerton family’s eight children: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. Lady Violet Bridgerton, the children’s mother, is worried that Lady Whistledown’s commentary will harm Daphne’s chances of finding a suitable husband, but Daphne assures her that isn’t the case. But Daphne, who is twenty and has been looking for a husband for two years, is concerned about her marriage prospects. She believes that most of the men she knows see her only as a friend, not a romantic interest, and she aspires to marry someone with whom she feels a mutual affection. Lady Bridgerton and Daphne read a report that the new Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset, has returned to London from Clyvedon after his father’s death. Lady Bridgerton recalls that Simon and Anthony were friends at Oxford and remembers that Simon was always at odds with his father. She tells Daphne that he would be an unsuitable match for her, and Daphne tells her mother that she hopes to have a loving marriage and several children one day. Meanwhile, in another part of London, Simon and Anthony discuss a ball at Lady Danbury’s later in the week, and Anthony warns Simon about the pushy mothers who will try to entice him to marry their daughters.
2, At Lady Danbury’s ball, Daphne hopes to avoid the company of Nigel Berbrooke, a man whose marriage proposals Daphne has already rejected twice. She and her brothers Anthony and Benedict stand to the side and discuss their mother’s plans to marry them off. Their brother Colin, who has been in Amsterdam for a year, surprises them by showing up to the ball. Daphne slips out of the ballroom and is accosted by Nigel Berbrooke, who drunkenly begs Daphne to marry him. Simon hears the two of them as he enters the house from a side door, and he considers coming to Daphne’s aid before determining that she has the situation under control. When Berbrooke won’t leave Daphne alone, she punches him in the jaw, knocking him out. Simon then comes into view, and Daphne sees him for the first time.
3. Daphne is embarrassed to realize that Simon (whose identity she doesn’t yet know) has witnessed the indecorous scene between her and Berbrooke. Daphne explains the situation to Simon and wonders what they should do with the motionless Berbrooke, since she doesn’t want anyone else to see what has happened. Simon is impressed by Daphne’s composure and feels the sudden urge to kiss her but doesn’t act on his impulse. Simon agrees to help her get rid of Berbrooke, telling her to wait in the library and that he will bring around his carriage. But Berbrooke starts to wake up and calls Daphne by her name, which Simon recognizes as the name of his friend Anthony’s sister. Simon then introduces himself to Daphne, and Daphne tells him that she has been warned about his notoriously rakish ways. As the two are talking, Berbrooke manages to get up and, and he throws himself at Daphne. This leads Simon to hit Berbrooke, knocking him out for the second time. Simon and Daphne decide to just leave Berbrooke where he is before parting ways.
4. Simon enters the ballroom and is dismayed when the mothers of the unmarried women attending the ball rush to introduce Simon to their daughters. Simon eventually wriggles free of them and joins the three Bridgerton brothers, Anthony, Benedict, and Colin. The men notice Lady Bridgerton and Daphne in a conversation with Earl Macclesfield, and Simon can tell that Daphne is miserable. When Simon mentions Daphne by name, the Bridgerton brothers are all surprised that Simon has already met her. Simon is about to leave when Lady Bridgerton and Daphne join them. Simon introduces himself and charms Lady Bridgerton, after which she is no longer concerned with his rakish reputation. Seeing t that other women are about to approach him, Simon asks Daphne to dance so he can avoid talking to them.
5. Daphne and Simon waltz together and commiserate with each other over the pressure they are each under to find a spouse. Daphne tells Simon that before Berbrooke proposed to her, she was proposed to by a man over the age of sixty. She says that she can’t imagine having children with someone so much older. Simon replies that he never wants to marry or have children. This surprises Daphne, since she knows that the title of Duke of Hastings title will cease to exist if Simon dies without an heir. Daphne explains that, coming from a large family, she hopes to have many children herself. Simon again feels an attraction to Daphne but recognized they are incompatible since they want different very things in life. Simon then suggests to Daphne that they fake a courtship, an arrangement that will allow him attend society events without being harassed by the mothers of unmarried daughters as well as give Daphne a much-needed break from her own mother trying to set her up with eligible men. Simon also immodestly points out that other men may see Daphne in a more romantic light if they believe that he is interested in her. Daphne agrees to the plan. Meanwhile, Lady Bridgerton and Anthony watch them dance, but Anthony is angered by Simon’s attentions toward his sister.
6. The day after Lady Danbury’s ball, Simon shows up at the Bridgerton house to visit Daphne as part of their charade. When Simon enters the drawing room, he sees Daphne surrounded by a group of men hoping to get her attention. Simon finds himself irritated with the scene until Daphne greets him, after which Lady Bridgerton quickly dismisses the rest of the men so Daphne and Simon can have the room to themselves. Once they are alone, Daphne tells Simon that Anthony was angry when he saw the two of them together the evening before, and she wonders if they should tell Anthony about their ruse. Daphne says that their plan is clearly already working, as could be seen by the numerous suitors who had called upon her that morning. Anthony then enters the room and is furious to see Simon there. Lady Bridgerton joins them and Anthony insists to her and Daphne that they don’t know the half of Simon’s scandalous reputation. Anthony then brings Simon to the study and tells him that because their father is dead, his sister Daphne is his responsibility. Anthony and Simon begin to argue, and Simon begins to stutter—which only happens when he is highly emotional. Anthony says he believes that Simon plans to seduce Daphne, since he knows Simon has sworn that he will never marry. Daphne enters the room, hoping to keep the peace between the two men, and she and Simon agree to tell Anthony the truth.
7. As Simon explains his and Daphne’s plans to feign a courtship, Anthony protests, saying they are both insane. But when Daphne points out that she has already had six suitors since Simon acted interested in her at the ball, Anthony is forced to admit that she may have a point. Anthony still objects to their deception, but he understands that the plan could be beneficial to Daphne and Simon, so he agrees to not interfere. However, Anthony sets two conditions: no one else can ever know about their faux courtship, and Simon and Daphne must never be alone together. Anthony swears that if he sees Simon act inappropriately toward Daphne, he will kill him. That night, Simon joins the Bridgerton family for dinner. Simon feels comfortable around the rowdy Bridgertons and agrees to join them on a day trip to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
8. On a yacht to the Royal Observatory, Daphne apologizes to Simon, believing that he must have felt strong-armed by Lady Bridgerton into joining her family. Simon tells her that her apology is unnecessary, as he is genuinely enjoying himself. Simon and Daphne notice Anthony glowering at them, and despite knowing that it is a dangerous idea, Simon wishes he could kiss Daphne. The group disembarks at the Royal Observatory, and Simon takes note of how capable Daphne is at handling her younger sisters and her younger brother Gregory. After lunch, Simon plays with and teases Daphne’s younger siblings. When Daphne asks if he has much experience with children, Simon grows quiet and simply says no. Attempting to lighten the mood, Daphne says that she is sure he will make a good father one day, and Simon curtly reminds her that he doesn’t want to marry or have children. As the group start to re-board the yacht, Gregory slips on the dock and falls toward the water. Simon and Anthony both quickly rush to help Gregory, only to end up in the river themselves. Gregory is fine, but as Simon and Anthony emerge from the water, they argue about which one should have tried to help Gregory—making the trip home is very tense. That night, Daphne asks Anthony why Simon is so dead-set against marriage. Anthony replies he doesn’t know, but he knows that Simon is serious about his decision.
9. Two weeks later, Daphne attends Lady Trowbridge’s ball. This time, Simon is not in attendance, and Daphne finds herself missing his company. She admits to herself that she is falling in love with Simon. However, Simon has brought up his opposition to marriage every time they have been together, so she knows that they can never be anything more than friends. Later, Simon unexpectedly turns up at the ball and finds Daphne. Daphne tells Simon that a duke who had been friends with Simon’s deceased father had been asking about Simon earlier. Daphne brings up the fact that Simon has not mentioned his father, and Simon says that he never talks about him and then becomes taciturn. Daphne is frustrated with Simon’s moodiness and begins to leave, but he apologizes and explains to her that thinking of his father makes him angry. As Daphne and Simon are about to walk out to the terrace, the duke who Daphne had spoken to earlier approaches them. He tells Simon that he has several letters from Simon’s father, but Simon angrily tells him to burn them and storms away, leaving Daphne behind. The duke then asks Daphne if he could have the letters delivered to her in case Simon changes his mind, and Daphne agrees. Daphne finds Simon on the terrace and suggests that they go for a walk in the garden. Simon knows that Anthony has forbidden that they be alone together, but he follows her anyway. When they are out of sight from people at the ball, they kiss for the first time.
10. As Simon and Daphne continue kissing in Lady Trowbridge’s garden, Simon begins to pull down the neckline of Daphne’s dress and Daphne doesn’t protest. Suddenly, a furious Anthony appears and begins hitting Simon. Daphne tries to intervene but ends up trapped in a hedge, and Simon and Anthony have to work together to free her. Once Anthony ensures that Daphne is okay, Anthony hits Simon again for defiling her. Anthony insists that Simon marry Daphne, but Simon says he can’t, and offers to leave England the next day so that he doesn’t ruin Daphne’s reputation. Simon responds by challenging Anthony to a duel. This worries Daphne greatly, and she again wonders why Simon is so opposed to marrying her, since doing so would resolve the situation. Simon tells Daphne that if he could marry anyone, it would be her, but that being married to him would destroy her because he can’t give her what she truly wants. Anthony takes Daphne home.
11. Back at home, Daphne tries to come up with a way to stop the duel between Anthony and Simon. When Colin returns home from the ball, he tells Daphne that his friend saw her and Simon go into the garden together, and that Lady Danbury may have seen them as well. Daphne tells Colin she fears that Anthony is angry enough to kill Simon in the duel. Colin finds out the location of the duel and then Colin and Daphne set out in an effort to stop it. Simon arrives at the duel first, just as he and Anthony draw their pistols, Daphne rides up on horseback. Daphne tells Simon that if he doesn’t marry her, her reputation will be ruined because she and Simon were observed going into the garden at the ball by others. Daphne begs Simon to save her reputation, and he is at a loss for what to do.
12. Simon agrees to marry Daphne but tells her that he cannot have children. He knows that this statement isn’t entirely true, but he doesn’t think that Daphne would understand if he told her the whole story. Daphne considers what Simon has told her, then tells her brothers that there’s no need for the duel as she and Simon will be getting married. Simon asks Daphne if she is sure of her choice, and she tells him that he’s worth it, even though it means giving up her dreams of having children. Daphne wonders to herself whether a doctor may have misdiagnosed Simon and privately hopes that he might be able to have children after all, but she decides not to share her thoughts with Simon. Simon reflects on the fact that Daphne agreed to marry him quickly despite the fact that she believes he cannot give her children, and wonders if she truly loves him, or if she simply felt guilty about the duel. Later, Anthony warns Simon against ever hurting Daphne in any way.
13. A few days before the wedding, Simon visits Daphne at Bridgerton House and presents her with an engagement ring. The two joke around, happy to feel comfortable around each other again. The next night, Lady Bridgerton visits Daphne in her bedroom. Daphne knows her mother is going to tell her what happens between a husband and wife on their wedding night and feels relieved that she’ll finally learn what to expect. Lady Bridgerton struggles to get the words out and only divulges vague details, like the fact that Daphne and Simon will sleep together in the same bed and that the “marital act” doesn’t have to be unpleasant for Daphne. Daphne feels frustrated that she knows no more than she did before her mother’s talk. Lady Bridgerton then tells Daphne that Simon will know what to do, and also says that Daphne and Simon will need to be intimate several times in order for Daphne to get pregnant. Daphne is shocked to learn that the marital act is what leads to pregnancy, and she wonders if Simon is even capable of consummating the marriage if he isn’t capable of having children.
14. After the wedding, Simon and Daphne depart Bridgerton House to go to Simon’s ancestral home, Clyvedon. Daphne is surprised to learn that Simon did not plan on stopping on the way to Clyvedon, but Simon says that they can stop at an inn and stay the night there. When they arrive at the inn, Simon is angry to find that there is only one room available, which means that he and Daphne will have to share a bed. Daphne is confused about Simon’s anger, and once in the room, she admits that she’s nervous about their wedding night. Simon tells her that he would prefer to wait until they are at Clyvedon to consummate their marriage. Daphne begins crying and apologizes to Simon for being insensitive, saying that she should have known he wouldn’t be able to consummate the marriage. When Simon asks her what gave her that impression, Daphne explains what her mother told her. Daphne voices her assumption that because Simon can’t have children, he must not be able to perform the marital act. Simon realizes how little Daphne knows about sex and assures her that he is, in fact, able to consummate their marriage.
15. That night at the inn, Simon and Daphne have sex, but before Simon he climaxes, he withdraws so that Daphne won’t get pregnant. When they arrive at Clyvedon, Daphne asks Simon what it was like to grow up there, but he refuses to discuss the topic and intends to keep his childhood memories a secret from Daphne. Daphne has tea with Mrs. Colson, the housekeeper, asking her about her time at Clyvedon. Prior to being the housekeeper, Mrs. Colson was a maid to the former duchess (Simon’s mother) and knew her well. Mrs. Colson recalls how difficult it was for the duchess to conceive a child and mentions that everyone assumed it was the duchess’s fault and not the duke’s. Mrs. Colson adds that a woman needs a “strong, healthy seed” from a man in order to have a child. This information is news to Daphne, but she manages to keep a neutral expression as Mrs. Colson talks about how the late duke cruelly rejected Simon because of his stutter. Seeing that Daphne is distracted by what she just learned, Mrs. Colson thanks Daphne for having tea with her and leaves.
16. That night as Simon and Daphne get ready for bed, Simon thinks that Daphne is looking at his mouth and becomes suspicious that Mrs. Colson may have mentioned his childhood stutter. Simon and Daphne have sex, and Daphne tells him that she loves him for the first time. Daphne notes that, as at the inn, Simon withdraws before climaxing, and she remembers Mrs. Colson’s remark about a strong, healthy seed. She asks Simon what is on the sheets, and he refuses to answer. Daphne suddenly understands that when Simon said he couldn’t have children, he meant that he refused to—it’s an issue of his personal wishes, rather than his physical capability. Daphne then accuses Simon of taking advantage of her ignorance on the subject and says that she can’t forgive him for lying to her. Simon explains that because of his father’s rejection, he has decided that the family title should die with him. Daphne suddenly remembers that she has letters from the old duke in her possession and wonders if he had wanted to apologize to Simon before he died. Simon storms out of the bedroom, and Daphne ponders what she will do next.
17. The next morning, Daphne tries to talk to Simon about the night before, but Simon reminds her that he never intended to marry anyone and was willing to die in a duel in order to avoid marrying her and having children. When Daphne blames him for lying to her, he claims that in his mind he truly cannot have children, so his claim was, in fact, not a lie. For the rest of the day, Simon feels guilty that Daphne feels betrayed, but he remains confident that he didn’t deceive her. Simon decides to discuss the issue with Daphne again and goes to their bedroom, only to find it empty. He asks a maid where Daphne is, and she tells him that Daphne has moved bedrooms. Simon finds Daphne’s bedroom and bangs on the door until she answers. Daphne tells Simon that by refusing to have children just to spite his father, he is letting his life be ruled by a dead man. Simon protests that her reasoning is all wrong and leaves.
18. Upset by his fight with Daphne, Simon proceeds tot a local pub where he gets drunk. On his way back to Clyvedon, he decides that he will try to get back in Daphne’s good graces. He stumbles to her bedroom door, and Daphne lets him in and tries to help him into bed. Simon drunkenly mumbles that his father always got what he wanted, which is why Simon wants to deprive him of an heir who will carry on the family name and title. As Simon gets into bed, he pleads with Daphne not to leave him like everyone else in his life has, and Daphne promises to stay. They sleep for a bit, but then wake up and start having sex. As Simon nears orgasm, Daphne holds him down so that he cannot withdraw when he ejaculates. Simon is so upset that he stutters when he tries to talk. He storms out of the room, and hours later Daphne finds a note saying that Simon has gone to another one of his properties. He tells Daphne to keep him apprised of whether she was successful in conceiving a child. Daphne knew that Simon was angry but is shocked that he actually left her. Daphne prays that she will have a child, as she may not get another chance.
19. The following day, Daphne goes to Simon’s Hastings House property in London. Her family is confused as to why she’s returned to London without Simon, but Daphne doesn’t tell anyone what happened between them. When Daphne’s period is three weeks late, she writes a letter to Simon explaining that she is pregnant. When Anthony finds out that Daphne is at Hastings House without Simon, he visits Daphne and says that he is furious at Simon for abandoning her. Anthony says that he will deliver Daphne’s letter to Simon and reassures her that he won’t kill him. Anthony travels to Simon’s property in the country and confronts him. Simon tells that Anthony that he couldn’t possibly understand what’s happened between himself and Daphne. Anthony then informs Simon that people are gossiping about Daphne’s solitary status in London and says that he’d better sort himself out and return to Daphne. After Anthony leaves, Simon reads Daphne’s letter and makes plans to go to London.
20. When Simon arrives at Hastings House, his butler informs him that Daphne is out riding in the park. Simon is incredulous, as he knows it’s dangerous for pregnant women to ride horses. Simon rides out to find Daphne, and when Daphne turns to see who is following her, she runs into a branch and falls off her horse. Simon makes sure Daphne is alright before asking why she thought it was a good idea to go horseback riding while pregnant. Daphne explains that her period started two days ago and that she isn’t pregnant after all. Simon tells her that he wants her back and says that he only left because when he had started to stutter during their fight, it brought back all of his childhood insecurities. Daphne assures him that he is not the boy his father thought he was and says that he needs to let go of the resentment he feels. Daphne asks if Simon ever considered whether he wanted a family, and Simon answers that his hatred toward his father has been the sole driving force in his life, motivating him to overcome his stutter and be successful in his own right. Daphne assures Simon that he would have been successful regardless of his father, and says that as long as they love each other, they can be happy together.
21. Daphne and Simon return to Hastings House to find the Bridgerton brothers waiting for them. They say that they won’t leave until they’re convinced that Simon loves Daphne and will treat her well. Daphne tells them that they need to let her fight her own battles. Simon tells Daphne that he loves her, and they kiss. When they realize that her brothers are still standing there, Simon demands that they leave his house. Afterward, Simon tells Daphne that he meant what he said. They go upstairs and have sex, and this time Simon doesn’t pull away. Daphne asks if he is sure, and he confirms that he is. Later, Daphne tells Simon that it’s fine if he doesn’t feel ready to be a father yet. Simon admits that he isn’t sure how to feel about it, but he knows that he no longer wants to make decisions just to spite his father. However, Simon admits that he’s concerned they will have a child who stutters like he did. Daphne assures him that they will love any children they have and help them any way they can. Later, Daphne remembers the letters she has from Simon’s father. Simon tells her he doesn’t want to read them now but that he might read them someday.
EPILOGUE
1. Four years later, an announcement appears in Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers that the Duke and Duchess of Hastings have had a baby boy. The anonymous author speculates that because they named their daughters Amelia, Belinda, and Carolyn, the boy’s name will begin with a D and might be David. Simon wonders how Lady Whistledown could have known the baby’s name even though he and Daphne haven’t told anyone yet and worries that the gossip writer has a spy in their household. Daphne tells Simon not to worry about it. She hands the infant to Simon, who promises David that he will love him no matter what.
2. Seventeen years after the conception of David, Daphne starts to suspect she is pregnant. She wonders if maybe it is menopause, but her symptoms don’t seem to match up with what her mother had described. She decides to wait to tell Simon until he is home from business. Colin and his wife Penelope come to visit because their son is not yet verbal. They think Simon might be able to help them. When Simon comes home, he decides to open the letters from his father thinking there might be some profound advice for him. He just finds accounting and admirations instructions for the estates. While speaking to Daphne, she gets sick and he realizes she is pregnant.