#will I ever get over the fact that in the show anthony and kate don't get married because of a bee? absolutely not

[youritalianbookpal]

She didn't move, too perplexed by his actions to give her legs the orders to step down. There was certainly no reason he had to accompany her inside. Propriety didn't really demand it, and- "For God's sake, Penelope," he said, grabbing her hand and yanking her down. "Are you going to marry me or not?" Julia Quinn, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

I want to think that Edmund finds incredibly funny, yet embarrassing, that one of his children proposed in jail, another after fondling a lady on a carriage, and his eldest son didn't even get to propose because of a bee sting

[gleefullypolin]

Bridgerton Season 3 Review

Ok I sat on it for 24 hours. Watched the episodes about 4 times through...I won't say how many times I've watched the carriage scene because it is an obscene amount of times! So we'll skip that. Either way I'm more focused on the fact I LOVED so much that I don't hate much. in fact why oh why is everyone so focused on parts they hate? I love what we were given in 4 episodes. I wish we could have 22 episodes, but alas we were not so I will cherish what I have. But I guess that's not what I'm here to talk about.

I'll start with the part that EVERYONE seems focused on...

Things I didn't like. (cause damn is anyone ever happy anymore?)

Too many subplots! damn...it was all over the place for a while. While I like the Mondrich's I tired of them quickly. It felt like there was too much of it. And I just didn't need to keep going back to it. Yes you're in society, no you don't want to be. Ok I get it.

Split season - I hate this format. I thought it would be good to have a break in between and I’m cursing it because it ruins the flow and I don’t ever want to do this again! Part 2 YOU MUST MAKE HASTE

But yes that's all I hated.....I said there wasn't a lot. Because I truly didn't hate this season!

Things I didn’t love or hate

Fran – I haven’t read her book so I was taken by her story with John. They were sweet. It took me a moment to get into what was going on. I loved her scene with Pen. I like that she was nervous and unsure where to go or what to do and that John was a serene moment for her. It seems sweet but again…a subplot that felt like it was taking up too much time in this season that needed its own season to ruminate on.

Ben – color me still confused on what they are doing with Ben’s story. I am still waiting for them to figure it out. I love Ben, I love his sweet nature and his giddiness but I am still not sure what they are trying to do with him and again, wasn’t sure what was going on.

Debling – Ok so why is he here. Well quite simply because I didn’t hate him. He wasn’t awful. He was very nice and lovely to Pen. I was very happy when she finally told him she didn’t like grass. That line alone was adorable. But the part I didn’t love was in the pieces where he was going away for 3 years, and he expected her to be there to take care of his home and yet have no other attachments, and no love. He quite clearly told her he had no space for love. He had many other things and was a busy man, so love was not really on his agenda. Yet he expected her to remove that from her life and have no attachments. I am happy he released her because he knew she had an attachment already and couldn’t be a woman with none, but I thought that was pretty harsh to expect a lonely woman. So to me Colin was right, he was too particular.

Things I thought worked well!

Sending Kate and Anthony on Honeymoon – I get it. Everyone wants to see them, but I felt they needed to go because the space was already crowded enough with everyone else’s stories, so to set up the season, something needed to go.

Surprisingly Cressida and Eloise – It gave some depth to Cressida I wasn’t expecting. I still hate her, do NOT get me wrong. It gave depth and I felt sorry for her but damn she’s still gross and not my cup of tea. She’s still out to get Pen at every turn and she’s quick to be evil regardless of knowing better. Evil parents be damned, I don’t care for her. I did looove how she turned the gossip piece on El when she wasn’t the one who spoiled the news about Pen/Colin and it was actually El who did it. I thought that was a great learning moment for El.

The Brothel scenes – I KNOW I KNOW! Shoot me, tar me, boil me. Whatever, fandom curse on me. I thought they worked and were needed. I felt they did a great job with Colin and showing that he went away to become this society man or what society expected of him. His façade that he pushed and portrayed demanded him to play this part and he played it well. And it ate at him. And the two scenes could not have been more different if they had tried. It was a turning point, the breaking point in his armor and they did a great job with it.

Cocky Colin/Colin with his Buddies Scene - I know many hated this Colin, but I love this facade he played with because it wasn't our Colin and we were supposed to see that, because we didn't get our Colin until he was with Pen more. That was the whole damn point. But I truly loved the scene with Colin and the assholes at the bar. Where he so clearly called them out and realized that the whole charade was simply that and what was the entire point, because he couldn't find it anymore. Kudos to Luke, it was a great scene and the period was added when he shunned them at the Queen's ball.

Violet/Colin Staircase Moment – Really great moment between mother and son. The whole time I kept saying, damn is anyone going to notice that Colin is spiraling. Mom is really focused on her daughter, but no one seems to notice that Colin is a mess. Colin points out to El that Pen has no father to guide her, well neither does Colin! Another point of showing that Pen really is his anchor and without that he is adrift. But this scene was beautifully done as she finally called out to him and sent him in the right direction.

Colin’s change after the kiss – This was really before Debling was in the picture. He was really there following her like a lost puppy from the start, but any suitor he was very interested in how she felt about them but his interest started to change after the kiss. The scene under the tree was very nervous energy, very off his Axis from what we had scene from his bravado in any other scene so far and this was from ONE KISS. He was Colin again.

Eloise – Oh how I was so back and forth with my tears between Pen and El and Colin. My God my heartstrings. I was angry then sad then torn. I don’t know how I’m going to feel in episode 5. Am I angry, excited, freaking terrified at what is coming next. Probably all of the above. But they really played with our emotions and I’m just not sure how I feel yet so more to come on this.

Things I adored!!

Chaos Colin – Bribing a maid for alone time at night, sneaking off with head nods at balls, meeting under the shade of a tree, sneaking off to the drawing room to set up a pretend ball, flirting with your bestie at the market while recounting your first meeting, chasing after her everywhere she goes, eye fucking her in front of the entire ballroom while trying to get your damn thoughts to catch up, fucking interrupting a goddamn dance to tell her not to marry someone, chasing a carriage down in the middle of the Queens ball to make sure she didn’t get married, ravaging her like the Queen she was in the carriage, and then damn proposing like a madman! I mean….I’ll take that every day!

Penelope Fucking Featherington You Queen– Our pining came from the Bridgerton side this year, not Penelope. For most of this season, she stood her ground, she had her purpose and she went for her plan and stuck to it. She has been in love with Colin Bridgerton since she graced our screen and he was staring her down like a madman and she stayed her course. You go girl!

The Featheringtons– Most of my fun came from their scenes. I could have peed myself when they asked what got inserted. But their scenes were hilarious, and I truly enjoyed the comedy they added. I am anxiously awaiting the Colin/Portia scene in Part 2 because Mama has got hers coming. I was up and down with her and ready to beat her by end of episode 4. I cannot wait to see where this goes.

The Carriage Scene – Did you really think it would not be on here? Because hot holy damn. Nicola winning the battle to touch his hair was so important because Pen did in the book, and it set off fireworks. Did you see the way he watched her like he was marveling at her reaction. Like it was air just to see what he was doing to her. I mean if you’ve read the book you know he likes that and it’s something he quite enjoys, well show Colin enjoys it too, that and biting her lip. But the laughing after…that’s where I live now. That was Pen and Colin and everything I wanted to see. It was perfection! And his face after, his resolve to marry her, Luke put that all out there in 5 seconds, you could see him walk through that decision in his head and then the line was delivered masterfully and here we are now needing to sit for a month to wait to see what fresh hell and heaven await.

And I AM READY FOR IT!

[bridgertons-world]

A/N: Okay guys this is my very first Bridgerton fanfic or imagine. I hope you like it. A lot of fluff yes and a lot of the scenes are from the show and that is because I personally related to those parts. Thank you😘

(Open to imagine or fanfic requests for all Bridgerton Brothers)

Pairing: Colin Bridgerton and Me.

_______________________________

She was done. It was over for her. She didn't want anything to do with him anymore. She said all she could and all she had in her heart, but nothing changed. It was scary to believe that it was because he felt absolutely nothing for her. A scary thought indeed. But, nonetheless, she had decided to leave all of that behind her. To put all of these thoughts aside and to end this once and for all. 

She knew that this was all one-sided. She knew that for him it wouldn't matter, let alone even acknowledge the fact that he hurt her or that she's letting go and not coming back. All that mattered was that she was doing this for herself. 

She wasn't sure of the epiphany. Yet, onwards she went.

______________________________

As Aaya made her way across the street to Eloise's home, Bridgerton Manor, she composed herself, for she knew that she would have to at least make small talk with Colin. She knocked on the door, and the butler opened it. As she made her way to the garden, she realized that there was a new friend. Someone she didn't know but looked rather familiar. Suddenly, she found Hyacinth and Eloise running towards her. 

"Aaya! You're finally here!" Eloise beemed with excitement. 

You smiled and laughed at their reaction: "Yes. I am here...in the flesh," you retorted, making a quick glance towards Colin. He stood by the Bridgerton boys, Kate, and the new friend she knew nothing about. She took the chance and looked at the two girls. "So...who is this young man standing by Kate and Anthony?" Aaya asked. 

Hyacinth smirked as she looked at him, then back at you. "Why are you asking my lady?" 

Aaya laughed. "Aren't you a bit too young to make jokes like these?" 

"He's Kate's cousin," Eloise laughed. "He's visiting from London. Wait, let's introduce you two!" She said this as she ran to get him. 

Aaya was left standing alone when she heard a clearing of the throat. She turned to see Colin, of course. 

"Hello Colin," Aaya said sternly. 

Colin smiled. "If my being here is in any way making you uncomfortable, I shall leave." 

Aaya rolled her eyes. "As if I'd ever tell you to leave a gathering at your home...how low do you think I am, Mr. Bridgerton?" She said it with a hiccup in her voice. 

Colin's reaction changed from playful to serious: "Aaya, I never meant it in that way; I was merely just joking around." He was cut off by Eloise. 

"Aaya! This is Abraham, Kate's cousin; Abraham, this is Aaya Montgomery," she introduced. 

Aaya smiled and courtesied. Abraham smiled as he bowed. "It's very nice to make your account, Ms. Montgomery. I've certainly heard so much about you from the girls, especially Kate. She's quite fond of you." 

You side-eyed Colin and decided to act as if nothing was wrong. You giggled lightly and said, "Well, I hope all good things were said about me. I am also very fond of Kate. She's really become like a sister to me." 

Time passed by as everyone was having tea and sandwiches when Kate clapped her hands and said, "Alright! Let's start our cricket game, everyone!" 

You laughed and looked up at Abraham. "Well, I guess I'll sit this one out." 

"What? Why?!" He asked, looking as bumbed as ever. 

She smiled and was interrupted by the dashing laughs and voices of Anthony and Benedict: "Oh, how we've tried to get little Ms. Montgomery here to play or to teach her at least, but in her words, I don't see the point in it; really, I'd rather read or paint," both of them finishing the remark. 

As Aaya was about to retort back, she was interrupted yet again by another dashing voice, which she knew very well: "Oh, you could ask me about that. I've been after her since we were mere children. Right yaya?" 

Abraham looked at you and laughed. "Is it so much the game, or what is it exactly?" 

Hearing the nickname Colin has given you since you were children just annoyed you so much. You decided that annoying him as well would be the right course of action. It was childish, yes, but it was the only way she could fire back at the moment. She giggled lightly at Abraham as she said, "You know what? I think I'd love to learn how to play after all. Will you teach me, Abe?"

Abraham smiled at the comfort Aaya had given him. "Yes, of course, my lady," he said as he bowed and extended an arm for her to take to lead her to the field. 

Benedict went up to Colin. "It seems like Aaya might get a suiter this season," he said as he beemed at Colin with happiness. 

Aaya and all the Montgomerys were like family to the Bridgertons. So for Benedict to be happy that Aaya might get a good match this season was indeed very warranted. 

Colin smiled reluctantly and just nodded. He looked at Aaya as Abraham towered over her, teaching her how to use the racket. He started to clench his jaws together. Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton smiled at each other as they knew that little Colin Bridgerton was a bit jealous. 

As the day went on, all Colin did was watch Abraham and Aaya get along swiftly. He didn't like it, though. Not one bit. He felt a little nudge on his shoulder and heard Kate giggle. "He is my cousin...but I can tell when someone is jealous," she teased. 

Colin furrowed his eye brows. "Kate I assure you, I am not jealous... and certainly not from somebody she has just met. No offense," he declared. 

Kate laughed. "No offense has been taken, but I do reprimand you for your lies," she smirked. "Colin, tell her how you feel. Why is it so hard? We all long to marry our best friends, for God's sake, man! Go and tell her...before you attend the wedding and not as the groom," she said, getting up to break a fight between Newtown and Anthony. 

The hours passed, and all Colin could do was think about the words Kate spoke to him. It was utterly horrifying to see how accurate she was. 

Before he understood or could comprehend what he was doing, he got up and marched up to Aaya and Abraham. He heard them laugh and giggle, and that killed him. 

"May I interrupt? This'll just take a moment." He demanded as he looked straight at Aaya.

Aaya was very confused. She looked at Colin, then at Abraham. Abraham bowed to both and replied, "Of course. It seems like you have matters to attend to," he said as he kissed Aaya's hand. 

Aaya smiled and courtesied. She looked up at Colin, still very confused. "Yes?" 

Colin gulped and looked at Aaya with apologetic eyes, yet he didn't know what to say except, "Aaya, can we talk inside?" 

"Inside? Where? Colin we..."

She was cut off by Colin pulling her into the house and into his room. His bedchambers. 

"Colin, no, I can't be here!" Aaya protested in hush tones, so nobody could be here. 

Colin looked very worried as he said, "If you're scared to be with me behind closed doors unchaperoned..." 

Aaya cut him off. "I'm never scared when you are with me, Colin... I'm just scared that your family will eventually find out that I'm here unchaperoned."

"I understand, but my mama is lost in conversation with your mama and Lady Danbury... Eloise, Benedict, Anthony, Kate, Hyacinth, and Gregory are all caught up with this Abraham, for God knows what reason...and..."

"He is a rather charming fellow. Is he not?" Aaya teased Colin, as she knew quite well what he looked like if he were to be jealous. 

"Not," Colin said, neglecting what she said in one finite word. 

"Oh, and why's that?" Aaya asked as she moved around the room, acting as if she were examining the things on his nightstand. 

"I don't know... but he is very full of it and trying too hard to impress in my opinion...but..but you were charming as always... captivating everyone and everybody with your laughs and insights, and... also you let him teach you cricket!" Colin's voice rose at that end phrase. 

Aaya stopped and turned around. She looked at Colin as she walked up to him and said, "I was trying to annoy you, if I'm being honest." She said that and looked up at him. She was mere inches away from him. 

Her big hazel brown eyes were the death of him. "And I was quite so...still am Aaya," he said as he took ahold of her hands. He lightly caressed her cheeks and brushed away a loose strand of hair. 

Aaya was very confused. She pulled her hands away, stepping back. She started pacing the floor like there was no tomorrow. 

"Yaya," he started. 

"No! You do not get to call me that!" She yelled out as she fell down on his bed as tears filled her eyes. "Not after I confessed everything to you—every little detail of my love to you—and....you did nothing!" She started to take deep breaths. Some would say she was hyperventilating from the panic. Nonetheless, she continued, "I'm not saying that you should force yourself to feel the same way... but at least have the common courtesy to understand that I'm torn from the deep ends of my heart, Colin!" 

Colin couldn't hear this any longer. He leaned down on his knees and situated himself in front of her with the right amount of closeness. He took a hold of her hands again. "Aaya, I have feelings for you."

Aaya stopped crying as she still took in deep breaths. "What?" was all that she could muster. 

"I'm in love with you, Aaya Montgomery," Colin declared. He moved closer. Now his posture was somewhat between her knees. 

"Colin, do not say words you do not mean," Aaya said as she tried to re-establish her seating arrangement. 

Colin held her still and looked at her. Into her brown hazel eyes, which looked as beautiful as ever. He leaned in and kissed her forehead ever so subtly. All Aaya could do now was close her eyes in disbelief. Whatever was happening, she wanted it. 

Colin smiled at the sigh that left Aaya's mouth, and then he left a small kiss on both her cheeks. His hands started to rise up to her waist as he pulled her closer. He started to message her hips, and Aaya's breath hutched. Colin finally linked his lips with hers ever so delicately as he guided them both to lie down on the bed as they did so. 

Aaya smiled into the kiss, as she couldn't believe that she was kissing Colin Bridgerton. The man she had loved ever since she was a little girl. But now he certainly wasn't treating her like a little girl. She giggled at the thought. 

Colin pulled away slightly and looked at her with a smirk. "And what's making you giggle at this very moment, Ms. Montgomery?" 

She caressed his jaw line and neck as she bit her lip. "Nothing...a thought of no decorum," she replied with another giggle. 

Colin laughed and gave Aaya a teasing kiss. He bit the lip. He saw her bite. "Biting your lip will be the death of me, yaya. But I do want to know that thought, my lady." He trailed off as he started to tickle Aaya. 

Aaya couldn't hold back her laughs and yelps. "Colin! Stop, no wait...Colin! Stop!" She couldn't take her breath as the both of them laughed in unity. 

Suddenly, they heard a knock on the door. Colin was stuck in a daze, and Aaya retreated ever so quickly. 

"Colin, are you in here? We can't seem to find Aaya. Is she with you?" Asked Eloise. 

Colin was about to chuckle when Aaya stuffled a giggle and hit his upper arm playfully. "Um, no, I haven't seen her... I just came here to tend to some work I had to do." 

A snuffled snort could be heard from behind the door. Did Eloise know what was happening? "Okay, brother, information I didn't have to know, by the way," she said and left, going back to the garden. 

Colin laughed lightly and looked at Aaya, who was still in his arms. "You know, I could stay like this forever." He said this as he kissed her lightly. 

Aaya smiled shyly and burried her face into his chest. "I too could stay like this forever... I'll always feel safe with you, Colin." 

Colin tightened the hug and then pulled back, chuckling, "Do you think Eloise knew what was happening?" He queried with a smirk. 

"Mr. Bridgerton, if you are trying to get me worried, well, I'll let you know that you are succeeding," Aaya said in a shaky tone as she started to get off the bed and collect herself. 

Colin laughed and rushed to the door of his chambers. "Yaya, wait," he chanted, placing his hands on both her shoulders. "Let's go down to the garden together." He said it in a suggestive tone.

Aaya was baffled by the idea. She gulped and breathed before replying, "Excuse me? You've already told Eloise you didn't know where I was." She trailed off, "And what will we go down together as? Friends? Friends that were together in bed chambers?" 

Colin was already leaning down on his knees as he looked up at her. Aaya was very confused. "What...what is this, Colin?"

"Will you marry Aaya Montgomery?" Colin uttered the words Aaya had longed to hear for so long. 

Aaya's pride got the best of her as she said, "Colin, are you sure? Is this what you want?" 

Colin smiled as he got up. He hugged Aaya as he said, "This is exactly what I long for, Ms. Montgomery." 

[newtonsheffield]

MOLLY I am craving more of confident Kanthony’s dynamic. Like he’s so reverent with her??? And Kate is slowly learning to accept it??? Also the man just desperately wants to please her and god if that’s not the hottest thing EVER. Anyway we can get a spicy Sunday of these two? If you have the time! Their capability of being dumb and slutty just seems off the charts.

Look, Confident Kate is beginning to learn that the world won't crumble if she actually takes a weekend off. And he father would actually want her to be enjoying her life rather than sinking everything into trying to live up to a legacy she doesn't need to.

And it feels good. Anthony's learning to shoulder responsibility a little more comfortably, and Kate's giving it up and they meet somewhere in the middle.

But Anthony's discovered a lot about himself through this. Like apparently he's a caregiver. He loves looking after Kate, and he gets a very intense sense of satisfaction out of the way Kate's fingernails scratch at his back and her cheeks flush and when she smiles at him, he actually feels worth something.

And Kate is a simple woman. She likes it when he boyfriend is very sweaty coming home from the gym.

Kate had never really thought about things that she was into past the fact that she was interested in men and honestly, given the fact that she'd become the CEO of a company worth billions of pounds when she was eighteen: most of her relationships (if you could even call them that) had been quick and transactional. Men were... intimidated by her. As though the idea of a woman who ran one of the biggest tech companies in the world made them feel emasculated which was a thought that had always made Kate roll her eyes. Especially in light of Anthony.

Anthony

Everything about him seemed to make her sigh. From the way his hair fell in his eyes to the way he sighed, nuzzling against her neck as he looked at her in a magazine spread of the world's most powerful women.

"Fuck, I love this. My girl's one of the most powerful women in the world."

Kate rolled her eyes, though her breath caught in her chest when Anthony rolled until his hips were cradled in hers. "It's an article in vanity fair, and... I'm behind Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand."

Anthony chuckled, "I don't care. Still sexy."

"Aren't you supposed to feel emasculated?"

Anthony had blinked at her, rolling his hips slowly against her so she could feel exactly how emasculated he didn't feel. "If I had a tiny dick, maybe."

Everything about him was... tender. always checking in, sending her fifteen messages a day when they weren't together every one of them signed with Love you! He was kind, and encouraging and every single one of his touches was filled with love.

And there was also the tiny matter that he was... hot. Anthony was very hot. His arms were like tight bands of muscle and his stomach rippled when he moved and it was all a little... much.

He spent hours in the gym, she knew that. It was hard worked for, his physique first because he'd been a model and now for her allegedly.

She'd admitted, with her cheeks burning in those first few weeks of dating when Anthony had asked why she was going into the office later that she'd possibly been going in a little earlier every day just to see him fresh from the gym and Anthony had grinned, pressing her a little more firmly to the mattress.

"Well then, I better work extra hard from now on. Gotta keep my girl satisfied, can't have her looking elsewhere."

It had become something of a show now, especially since they'd moved in together a few weeks ago.

Anthony would go to the gym, his bag slung over his shoulder more often than not leaving her in bed with a soft kiss and a Be back soon. And he'd return ninety minutes later after his workout and a brisk jog home. and everything in kate burned for him.

This morning, for example, he'd gotten out of bed, leaving her to soak in the warm sunshine of the morning in the way she'd learned to enjoy. She'd watched him dress, just like she always did, Rising from the bed completely unashamed of his nakedness, winking at her as he pulled his tight shorts on and his shirt that might as well have been painted against his muscles. He'd leaned over her on the bed, his lips finding hers, letting his tongue tangle lazily with hers before he pulled back.

"Keep it warm for me."

She'd dozed happily in their bed, the sheets still smelling of Anthony, lulling her off to sleep until the door had slammed open and shut.

Kate's eyelids opened slowly, her muscles warm and a little stiff as she sat up in bed, following his heavy footfalls through their flat until-

There he was.

He was still panting a little, from his jog home, sweat clung to him like a light sheen, setting his skin shining him the sunshine, and his shirt clung even more tightly to his body.

Anthony started at her, his eyes moving over her hungrily given she hadn't bothered to pull the sheet up around herself and it seemed to slowly set her on fire, as tension rippled through the room.

Kate's mouth felt dry as Anthony dropped his phone on the dresser, their eyes still caught together as he stood there, his fingers twitching.

"How was the gym?"

Anthony rolled his eyes, "Good."

"Are you too tired?"

"Just try and fucking stop me."

He closed the distance between them in two practised strides, one of his hands cupping her chin gently, tilting it up so their lips met in a bruising kiss, the other fell to her waist, angling her hips so they ground against the thigh he'd just nudged hers apart with. The heat of his body was intense, burning both of them as his sweat soaked into her skin and branded her for him.

Anthony was relentless, he always was in moments like this, as he encouraged her to grind against his thigh while his teeth nipped at her neck in a way that would surely leave a mark. Kate could feel heat building in the pit of her stomach, helpless to resist it as it built and built and choked noises fell from her lips and her fingers raked through the damp strands of his hair.

Oh Fuck!

She fell over the edge much quicker than either of them had been expecting, her hips shuddering out of rhythm and Anthony let out a smug noise, his chest puffing proudly against her.

Kate let out a low moan, tugging at his clothes, suddenly desperate to feel more of his bare skin against her, desperate to feel the familiar weight of his body pressing her against the soft bedsheets, desperate to feel the burn against her skin the friction would create.

Anthony let out a disappointed nose when she tugged his shorts off as well "I wanna go down on you."

Kate shook her head, barely able to breathe as she pressed his chest against hers, pulling him down until he was laying atop her. "Later, you can do that later."

Anthony narrowed his eyes, stopping the grind of his hips completely, ignoring the whine that rose in her throat. "Tell me when I can do it."

Kate let out a frustrated noise. "Later."

"Tell me I can give you head you in the shower, Kate." His voice was a soft command, and a shiver ran down her spine as his hand ghosted over her chest and the other spread her legs wider for him.

"You can..." She let out a desperate whine, her hips bucking against his "You can fuck me in the shower."

The grin that spread over Anthony's face was devilish, his eyes darkening, and every word was pressed against her skin with a swipe of his tongue. "Lovely."

The first snap of his hips stole whatever had been left in her lungs, and they burned as well as their bodies moved again and again and drawing closer, more desperate with every second.

Anthony's damp hair was falling over his flushed cheeks, tickling her forehead and the smell of his sweat, of them mingling together hung in the air around them while the world burned.

Anthony's teeth nipped at her skin in time with the punishing pace he set and with every movement Kate's fingernails dug into his shoulders further and further as she sought to anchor herself to him, and the tiny grunts Anthony made became more like a purr every time.

Come on Kate, Come on babe, that's it. Fuck it feels good doesn't it? Show me then. Scream.

She couldn't help it, she fell apart and the noise it ripped from her throat left it raw as Anthony let out a roar of his own, his hips stuttering erratically and everything went still.

But only for a moment.

Anthony, lifted his head, his eyes shining at her, his shoulders still heaving. "Right. Get in the shower. It's later."

Kate groaned, shaking her head, "You're going to have to carry me."

Anthony hopped off the bed quicker than she would have thought possible, groaning at the loss of contact briefly before he hauled her over his shoulder.

"I wasn't serious Anthony."

"I was, why the hell do you think I work out so much?"

[petalsmooth]

You know...I had no real opinion on who should be next featured. I can see a case for either Eloise or Benedict and while I may not like the current fanbase for Benedict (Or Kanthony) given how many of their fans have been acting....I love the FAMILY of Bridgerton and choose not to let these fans dictate who I enjoy onscreen because they are bitter or envious.

So.

This being said....

Would serve a certain fanbase well if had to wait until season 5 given how they have acted like children over season 3, and fail to see the benefits of being guaranteed FIVE seasons with your favorite. Not to mention I have watched shows where I had to wait 9-10 years for my couple to get together (if they ever did) and this instant gratification thing where you can't handle a delay of 1-3 years when one half isn't even casted yet is absurd. I have an issue with waiting 2 years for a show to come out, not with slow burns because those can often be more gratifying if done right.

I would be far more concerned with them getting the casting right for Sophie and that the story be done well (as opposed to Kate/Anthony which their fans still pretend they both at once love while whining bitterly at same time). Less time whining about being bumped down in the order a bit.

I say this because I saw this picture.

I dunno but given Phillip is supposed to be a botanist and if you look at the design of that dress? Coupled with the little they have said about Benedict which is essentially summed up as still hedonistic wanderer serving as a sounding board for his siblings? Maybe they are just trying to keep their intentions with him under wraps and Eloise DOES have a large role in season because of the conflict with Pen. It doesn't have to mean her as the next lead it's just...the dress. They kind of put prophetic designs on Colin's vests prior to his season.

I don't really expect Phillip to be huge in THIS season mind you. Infact I'm low key of suspicion they might have Eloise bi-sexual because the show mentioned a scandalous widow with different views as well as a new "friendship" for Eloise. Some people were panicked and thinking love interest for Colin but I don't think so. I think it's 50/50 she is either with Benedict or Eloise romantically and/or sexually. But I am starting to lean more and more toward it being Eloise's season next. The design of the dress, fact she doesn't look like she is dressing as a debutante anymore there, and in the books she does take off to Phillip's because feels adrift with Pen now married to Colin. They don't have to follow the books exactly, we know they often haven't. But ....I find it interesting that was chosen for a design midway through the season for Eloise.

[darlingofdots]

alright so disclaimer: the worldbuilding of the Temeraire books and the Bridgerton Netflix adaptation does not mesh at all re: racism and imperialism and all that, I am doing the best I can with what I've got

here's how it happens:

Kathani Sharma is sent to join the Corps as a girl when her half-sister is little. the Sharmas are not an aviator family as such but Kate is spirited and adventurous and times are tough

when the dragon plague kills the Anglewing she was stationed with, she's a second lieutenant with a solid service-record but no connections and a father who recently died. rather than try to stay in England as a female former aviator on half-pay, she boards a ship to go stay with her stepmother and younger sister

they return to England several years later so Edwina can find a husband. Kate is taken aback at how much has changed since she left

obviously Mary knows that Kate was an aviator but they've agreed not to say anything to protect Edwina's chances; they say she was staying with family friends. this contributes to Edwina's anger later because she can't believe her family would hide this from her

however I am specifically thinking about the hunting scene and how Kate was trained to shoot from dragonback and I think seeing her show that off a bit would be good for Anthony's health

the bee sting: Anthony obviously still freaks out and Kate is like hey, don't worry, I've had worse and the mark he was freaking out about is an old scar from when she got shot at Dover or something but obviously she can't tell him that

Lady Danbury introduces her to her particular friend, Her Grace Admiral Jane Roland, and Kate does her proper ladylike curtsey BEGGING Roland to clock her. She and wait, Will Laurence the navy man? She really should have kept up with the news--invite her to join them outside for a drink and she gets to hang out with the dragons and feel at ease in her own skin for the first time in almost a decade

Roland lets slip that they have more eggs than they know what to do with right now and that she made inquiries and if Lieutenant Sharma should so choose she might present herself at Her Grace's offices to discuss the future

Kate tells Anthony about the Corps at the failed wedding because she thinks it'll make him leave her. Obviously Anthony's arc here is warring with the need to preserve the family name and title and doing what he's "supposed to do" vs suddenly being confronted with the fact that the woman he wants (even if he doesn't want to acknowledge it yet) is One Of Those Aviators

instead of "I am leaving for India" it's now "I am leaving for Scotland" because there's an egg at Loch Laggan due to hatch within the next two years

there's no way the next Viscountess Bridgerton can also be captain of a dragon, right? right???

she can

Anthony will get over it

Happily Ever After

addendum:

Benedict gets his ass handed to him when he jokingly asks Kate to join the family fencing sesh

Eloise wrangles an introduction to Perscitia and joins her team, I think she'd love that

Kate is perfectly happy to leave most of the viscountessing to Violet who in turn befriends the Dowager Lady Allendale and the two of them start terrorising the ton with threateningly well-organised political evenings

thinking about the Temeraire/Bridgerton crossover AU again... Second Lieutenant Kathani Sharma my beloved...

[retvenkos]

Ok hold on apparently I'm not done ranting about bridgerton BECAUSE THE WAY THEY PORTRAY THE REGENCY ERA. Yes I could screech about the inaccurate clothing and hairstyles and makeup but to narrow it down to two points: the entire "rake" personality was LOOKED DOWN UPON. A man was valued for being chaste and not sleeping with prostitutes every night, that kind of personality would have been ostracized from society and everyone associated with him. ALSO I had to laugh because in the first episode when Lady Danbury is telling Edwina about suitors she mentions this one dude and FLIPPANTLY states that he made 10 thousand a year???? She said that as if it was nothing when Darcy made that much and he was basically a GOD who was revered and respected in social circles??? I could not look past it it was so-

hmmm...

i will say i'm incredibly lenient towards bridgerton when it comes to historical accuracy, because imo, it's more of a fantasy than it is a reality, and if it's pretty, i don't care if they are getting married to a cover of sign of the times (though material girl and you oughta know felt a little jarring to me? idk why. i think i knew less of the ~popular~ songs in season 1 so it didn't bother me like this season) and if they have glitter on their gowns to make them feel sparkly and pretty, or if the actresses have block eyebrows asdfghgfdfghgf. (i will say, though, i hate the fact that in season 1 there was a scene where they were putting on corsets. like,,,, ma'am, those dresses are not form fitting???? there's literally no reason as to why you should wear a corset for a skinny waist when those dresses Don't??? Hug??? The Waist?????)

AND OHMYGOD THE RAKE THING!!!!!! i have said it once and i will say it again: why. is anthony. the greatest catch. when he's a Rake???? in your other take i broke down the issues abound i had with anthony's status as a rake and i just,,,,,,,, can't get over it. i mean i know the season tried to downplay it by never actually showing anthony having sex - only ever leaving afterward - but it doesn't change the fact that he's a Rake? and this new invented personality and character of anthony's certainly makes him more palatable for a love interest, but it doesn't change anything???? if i were a mother i would steer my daughters away from him and into the arms of either of his brothers, asdfggfdssdfg. anthony is not the catch??? if anything colin or benedict should be the one everyone wants to go after and anthony falls in love with kate while she is setting up edwina with benedict or colin asdfghgfdssdhj

and omg, yeah, i know nothing of finances, but based off of that comment: justice for the marquis of ashdown who makes TEN THOUSAND A YEAR and no one seems to care,,,,,,, he gets rebuffed on like three (3) different occasions for comic relief,,,,,,,, justice will one day be served for the Mr. Darcy of bridgerton asdhgfdghjkllkjhg......

(and ohmygod, i just remembered that a marquis is HIGHER RANKING than a viscount,,,,, truly, justice for the marquis of ashdown. ANYONE would want that title!!!!)

[folklauerate]

Badly Done, an Emma/Kathony Drabble (pt. 1)

Kate let out on breath. Then another. Then, finally, another.

Her words replayed over and over in her mind; she knew she shouldn't have said it, but surely Mrs. Smythe-Smith had know she didn't mean it maliciously, right? Surely the lady had walked away, her daughter in tow, just to get some air? Surely--

"Kate."

He'd found her. How, she didn't know, but she'd long given up asking. It was a truth as old as time itself, a fact of the universe; wherever she went, Anthony would find her.

"Anthony," She said, turning around, brushing her hands on her skirts. Kate cleared her throat, trying to brighten up. "I'll be right back, I just needed--"

"Needed what, Kate?" He bit out, his anger barely restrained. "Needed to think of new ways to shame that poor woman? Needed to stand here and come up with yet another way to bat your eyelashes at Mr. Dorset and volley with his wits--wits he does not have, wits that decidedly do not match yours."

Kate found herself, for once, without the ability to form words. She'd rarely seen Anthony like this; without his composure, his calm, his eyes bright and furious.

Usually, she prided herself on being the only one who could read his moods, the only one able to sort through every twitch of his lips, the muscles of his jaws, and every flashing look in his eyes--his eyes--that gave away what he actually felt. Anthony kept most of his feelings hidden away, ever restrained, always the proper gentleman. But not to Kate, no. To Kate, he was as easy to read as an open book, and she prided herself on the fact that no one else seemed to be able to read him that way.

But if anyone else had walked by them in that clearing just then, they would have been able to read him just fine, his secret language of ticks and tells that only she could decode gone to hell. His face spelled out anger and, perhaps even worse, disappointment.

"Forgive me, I--" Kate swallowed. "I did not mean to cause any harm, I was merely--"

"Merely what, Kate?" He asked, thundering, begging. "What on earth were you hoping to achieve? Perhaps the most aggravating, embarrassing outing known to man? Were you hoping to put poor Mrs. Smythe-Smith in her place, degrade her beyond belief amongst those she should consider her friends? That woman has done nothing but love you, nothing but rave about you to all who might listen, but no; you had to sit there and join in on Mr. Dorset's incessant and uncomfortable remarks. You had to have a better, wittier quip than him at every turn, only caring to make him laugh--"

"If this is about Thomas, you may save yourself the trouble of lecturing me further!" Kate said, beginning to anger herself. An uncomfortable flush of embarrassment, of chagrin, was beginning to color her temper, but she shoved it away, instead reaching for the fire with which she and Anthony would bicker with. It was safer, and she clung to the familiarity like a lifeline.

This fight felt different.

"This is not about Mr. Dorset, or Thomas, as you insist on calling him!" Anthony scoffed, looking affronted. A bright pink blush colored his cheeks and the tips of his ears and Kate knew right then that he was lying.

"You have hated him and belittled him at every turn," Kate said, stepping closer to him, relishing the way that Anthony gathered in a deep breath, steeling himself in her presence. "You have been rude, you have been callous, you have been mean, when he has done nothing to you except have the audacity to--what, exactly? Dance with me when you yourself refused? Call upon me? Show me attentions?"

"You don't let anyone call upon you," Anthony said, lowly. "You don't wish to marry."

"Perhaps I changed my mind," Kate hissed back.

A lifetime of friendship, of love, of games of hide-and-seek, of running around the grounds of Aubrey Hall and Sharma Manor belied their closeness, but this was different. She was a breath away from him and it felt unlike anything else before, the wire of crackling electricity, a live current that always run between them, now close to its fuse. They were dancing on the edge of something that neither of them had dared to address before.

They both knew it.

Anthony's chest was falling with sharp breaths. His gaze dropped to her lips and Kate felt her tongue dart out and wet them, of its own volition.

"No," Anthony said, suddenly. He shook his head, turning away from her, recoiling away from her. "No. Whatever you are saying, what you are insinuating--Kate. Kate." He looked at her, his eyes beseeching, his tone barely restrained, his countenance dancing between furious and something akin to begging. "You must not distract me."

"I am doing nothing of the sort!"

"You must stop; you have diverted me at every turn, refusing to address your slight against Mrs. Smythe-Smith--"

"It is you that must stop, you--"

"Were she prosperous or a woman equal to you in situation, I would not be quarreling with you!" Anthony said, raising his voice a little. "But she is poor, even more so than when she was born. And should she live to be an old lady, she will sink further still. Her situation being in every way below you should secure your compassion! She has watched you grow from a time when her notice of you was an honor to this? Humbling her, laughing at her in front of people who would be guided by your treatment of her. It is deplorable. It is not done. It is not you, Kate."

They stared at one another. Kate was quite sure her mouth was open in shock. Anthony's eyes betrayed his feeling yet again and Kate hardly believed the shame, the betrayal, the heartbreak she saw in them.

"Badly done, Kate. Badly done."

[thekatebridgerton]

Literally all of them please!!

Anthony: he's too autocratic, controlling and domineering, he'd walk all over me

Benedict: He needs glasses and while I love him. The man is content to chill out and do nothing in life. Sophie probably runs their estate.

Colin: too mischievous. I know some women like men who are kids at heart but Colin is a lil shit just bc he wants to be. Also he has a temper and can be a tad obsessive

Daphne: We would be friends but she's a little bit too fakey for my tastes. Pretends to be happy way too much to be healthy

Eloise: Like Anthony she also would walk all over me. Except that Eloise would bother to apologize. Which would make me hate her just a little bit because it shows that she knows her behavior was wrong

Francesca: where do I start. The fixation with her dead husband? Her Catholic guilt? The fact that she needs a glasses prescription that's only a little less urgent than Benedict's?

Hyacinth: because she's a bad gossiper, she's been publicly reckless, irresponsible and she's probably one breaking and entering away from prison.

Gregory: he's too easy to bully and falls in and out of love way too soon for me to take him seriously as a date

Kate: she's got no patience for fools, I'm pretty foolish, she's scary, intimidating and she'd make me cry on our first date.

Sophie: she's... Perfect actually. I wouldn't date her because I think she needs therapy more than she needs a romantic partner and there would be no spark between us. she'd probably scold me a lot for being a lazy bum. So I would pay the bill and leave

Penelope: because Her family sucks. And she's got a vindictive personality. if our date went badly Lady Whistedown would make sure I could never show my face in polite society ever again. (You guys know I'd still marry her in a heartbeat #Team Pen)

Simon: because he is too hard to get to know and I don't have the patience to go digging a hole to china so I can reach his heart

Phillip: he's too much of a people pleaser and doesn't comunicate well, we would be the most awkward couple ever (you guys know that I'd also Marry HIM in a heartbeat)

Michael: not gonna lie, Michael is prime spring fling material. But I'd never date him because he's so depressed inside. There's too much catholic guilt and fakery under that smile. He'd drive me crazy with his inability to makeup his mind

Gareth: Wouldn't date him because I 1) think he's boring and 2) he's the type to support the dangerous behavior of his loved ones without having any backup plan. So in a sense, he's rather dumb too

Lucy: it's not that I wouldn't date her, she wouldn't date me because she has high standards and I respect that. Also Lucy is pretty judgemental when you get to know her

and that”s the tea

[bellascarousel]

All right, I have a bit of a rebuttal. You ask why we think Mary was so outraged about Kate's deal with the Sheffields and opine that it was BECAUSE she loves Kate like a daughter. Well, in my view, it was simply because Kate contacted her parents behind her back. Kate returning to India being a condition of that deal may be a very popular fanon, but I don't think it was EVER actually SAID that that was the case. It certainly was never mentioned the one and only time Mary heard about it.

On to Edwina and the "half-sister" remark. Yes, it was SAID in anger, but usually things said in anger were already thought about before. And there is a hint towards that in episode ONE. One of the first things Edwina says to Kate is worrying about the ton questioning how they are related. Which felt like part HER questioning their relationship, and part worry that being related to Kate might be taken against her. Now, admittedly, that interpretation is mostly hindsight if seeing that convo as foreshadowing and could be a bit off-base. But I really don't think it is. Especially not when in the next episode, she looked Kate in the eye and told her that nit only did Kate's feelings not matter - Anthony being willing to hurt Kate to get close to Edwina was a GOOD thing. I gave sisters, and if a guy I liked humiliated one of them I'm order to get to me, the only words I would have to say to him after that would be "go fuck yourself". Some of started to dislike Edwina at Ascot when she threw her sister away for a man she just met.

Also, you say that Edwina knew of her family's economic status and was told from the beginning that she needed to make a good match for the sake of the family. Except, you're confusing Show!Edwina with Book!Edwina. Show!Edwina was never told that the family's future hinged on her. That is literally the whole point of hers and Mary's anger over the Sheffield mess. The fact that they did not know. Kate fkat-out tells Lady Danbury that she didn't tell Edwina about the deal, because she didn't want Edwina feeling responsible for the family's financial future. As for how aware she might have been... I honestly got the impression that MARY had no bloody clue what their finances looked like, so how could EDWINA have known? Kate sheltered BOTH of them.

As for her always being willing to comfort Kate... When? The girl hardly said 2 words to her that weren't about Anthony, and trying to get Kate to help Edwina win him. She comforted Kate after the bee sting, and while getting her to go to the ball/at the ball. That's pretty much it. Other than that, she barely acknowledged Kate's existence except to make Kate help her with Anthony (a man she fully believed Kate hated. So, she had no problem at all forcing Kate into uncomfortable situations if it helped her get what she wanted).

Also, I'm going to use one of your own points, here. Kate was surprised to learn that Mary loves her like her own daughter. But, why is that? Couldn't that very surprise be taken as evidence that Mary has done a pretty bad job of showing her that, lately?

I won't argue with you about the Bridgertons. They were almost universally horrible to Anthony, and long before season 2 even came out, I went on a serious diatribe against Violet in a thread on Twitter. I think we all just hope that Kate FEELS loved, now. Because, as you yourself said, part of her deal is that she didn't really FEEL loved, before. Whether Mary and Edwina deserved that assessment or not.

Some in the Bridgerton fandom will paint Kate as being in an abusive family, paint Edwina and Mary (even Lady Danbury at times) as these villainous people who make her life miserable just to make Anthony and his family the "better choice". Like, ignoring how this trope of "villainous poc family causing the poc female character to run away into arms of a white family" is so terrible it also makes no sense when in reference to these characters themselves. Let's start with the Sharmas: we have Kate who is the daughter of a man who remarried and had a child of their own. Now, from that alone people just outright use this as a way to paint Mary in a bad light, making up the most outlandish things, when Mary admits very adamantly that she always viewed Kate as her daughter and has/will always love her. Why do you think she was so outraged by Kate being willing to accept the deal given by the Sheffields?

Now, on to Edwina. Some will hang that "half-sister" line over her head but won't give the same action to Anthony, or heck, even Kate (though she doesn't deserve hate like Anthony more so criticism for some parts). Now the line was wrong, for sure, but that doesn't mean Edwina wasn't in her right. Here we have a young girl who lost her father, is aware of her family's social and economic status, and is informed from the beginning that her finding a suitable match will either tip or support the balance of her family's lives. Edwina is literally entered into the show searching for a husband to help support her family, that's first, romance came second. So enter Anthony who, infront of her, is so charming and kind and even though him and her sister are fighting at times he still seeks her out. He's wealthy and promises to provide for her family, something that she wants. Only to find out that none of it was real, or at least, real towards her and that people she loved and trusted were going behind her back in the worst way possible (AT HER WEDDING!) and others were aware. Like that's messed up and anyone would be upset over it, forgive a woman (more so a young woman in Edwina's case) expressing their feelings. Some of you want her to be Kate's cheerleader 24/7, and it shows. And Edwina was always ready to comfort Kate, from her (Kate) being detached from the world (during her wedding) to her supporting her (Kate) and Anthony being together, so let's not go on and say the Bridgertons would be better.

Now, on to the main family themselves, what we see of the Bridgertons in s2 isn't even that positive when you really think about it. From the beginning, when Anthony is looking for a wife with the most horrible standards, Violet, who notes that her son isn't looking for marriage for the right reasons and instead of trying to talk to him about it, instantly goes and states she's disappointed by his outlook and fears he won't be happy, confused as to why he's this way. BECAUSE YOU PLACED THAT WEIGHT ON HIM. Like I understand losing her husband was terrible, it was, but to then put all that pressure and weight on to your eldest and then become surprised when it starts affecting him in ways you don't like, while taking hardly any time to actually talk about his feelings, is laughable (couldn't think of a better word). Like whenever Anthony is around with valid points, she looks exasperated at times. And the other Bridgertons aren't better from Daphne literally pitying him (even tho she knew about his feelings for Kate and could have eased the situation instead of letting it go on) to Bennedict laughing at him at every turn to the siblings joking about the situation he put them in (which they themselves could have prevented but didn't & aren't affected as severely by like the Sharmas), it makes no sense how people would view them as better than the Sharmas.

Now on to Kate and how this view affects her. One big reason being is the fact that it ignores her insecurities, only paints them in a different light. Kate didn't view herself as Mary's daughter because her father had been with someone before he met Mary, long after she was born. She didn't think Mary would love her as a daughter and is surprised when she finds out that she actually does. Kate accepts the Sheffields deal because it will help Edwina, because she (Kate) understands their social and economic status and is willing to leave the only family she has just for them to be secure and happy. That's the reason she has turmoil, not because her family hates her and is abusing her! Like where did that thought even come from? Kate has issues of not expressing her feelings, bottling them up and trying to handle things herself until it blows over, that's it. And when she does express them, do you know who actively seeks to reassure her? Her mother and sister. They don't make jokes or make the environment able to express these emotions nonexistent (like the Bridgertons with Anthony), they try to help her because they love her.

Honestly, the Sharmas deserve so much better because if it isn't the show doing them dirty than it's the fandom.

[missbrunettebarbie]

Hi how are you? So I just finished reading the viscount who loved yesterday and I seriously do NOT understand how could people prefer the romance in the book (which is basically copy & past of S1 ( I didn’t read the 1th book)) over the romance we got on the show. Anthony was unbearable in the book, he was like nicest frat toxic  masculinity  guy with rapy vibes and their so called romance lacked an actual romance. I do admit that the proposal & wedding was annoying but it still better than Anthony basically “forcing” himself on Kate while she just sits there too shocked to react or to actually have a day about it. Please tell me I’m not the only who felt this way

Tbf, I dislike both the book AND the show. But yes, the show handled Kate and Anthony's "romance" much better than the book.

The simple fact that they managed to make Anthony less of a pathetic frat boy -as you called him- who had the charm of a wet blanket and an intelligence lower than a tea spoon is already a miracle. I mean, don't get me wrong, I still find show!Anthony barely more charismatic than a wet blanket and he is in no way smart, but he still manages to be leagues ahead of his book counterpart. Like, book!Anthony's daddy issues and "Oh, I am gonna die young" belief were beyond ridiculous. The bee scene was unbearable to read, so I was pleasently surprised when the show turned it into something that was actually emotional.

As for Kate and Anthony's wedding night...I am going to confess, I rarely manage to pay attention to sex scenes in romance books. I try, I really do, but most of them are so, so boring. (Especially if I read it in English. I just find it everything very unsexy) But if I dislike the couple, which was the case with Kate and Anthony, I don't even try to pay attention to it, I mostly skim read till I find some plot again. And considering how Daphne and Simon's sex scenes went in the previous books, I did not trust Julia Quinn enough to subject myself to more sex scenes than absolutely necessary.

Buuut, from what I remember, Anthony was horrible to Kate the first time they slept together. I kinda zoned out from the momwnt he said "Am I the first man you ever saw naked? Good, I am gonna be the last one." Way to kill any sexyness that might have been left in that scene. I also remember Kate being the stereotypical nervous bride -that is clearly NOT aroused- and I cannot remember Anthony saying "Hey, it's ok, you are way too anxious for us to sleep together tonight." Which would have been the decent thing to do. I think I never read the actual sex scene because I felt too sorry for poor Kate. She lost her virginity in a frankly horrible way to an even more horrible guy.

Overall, the more I read from JQ, the more I realized she is NOT my cup of tea. She does have a couple romances which I liked, but overall, what this woman finds sexy is 😬😬😬 for me.

[fadingreveries]

Bridgerton S1E3: "Art of the Swoon" | Thoughts

❝ After Daphne catches the eye of a royal suitor, she turns to Simon for relationship advice. Lady Featherington tries to browbeat Marina into marriage. ❞

Find my reactions to other episodes of Bridgerton here and to episodes from other TV shows here! 🐝

Am I taking too much time out of my schedule to watch Bridgerton? Probably. Am I going to do it anyway? Yes, certainly. Time to move on to episode 3 where I share my thoughts as I watch through the series for the first time!

Not Daphne getting turned on by Simon licking a spoon 💀

An accurate representation of me doing the bare minimum and still being exhausted:

I love Daphne and Simon's smiles while joking around with each other, so precious

Daphne's little snort giggle and Simon grinning in response is so cute!

Daphne and Anthony trying to figure out how to light the stove but then settling on cold milk is honestly me not deciding to cook something and settling for a Nutella sandwich

Super cute that Anthony calls her "Daph" and is so protective over his sister

"Some people are not meant to be together, no matter how much we might wish otherwise" isn't that the truth or what?

I don't think I've mentioned this yet, but I love that Eloise has such a feministic view on life. It's really interesting to see her beliefs clash with those expected from a girl her age in that time period

Me to my brain trying to get it to stop wanting to watch Bridgerton and actually focus on studying for exams:

Aww, this scene between them was honestly adorable. Like look at them holding hands, how could you not ship them?

Okay, the fact that Simon didn't end up going to the opera to sleep with Siena must have something to do with the fact that he's slowly feeling closer to Daphne and doesn't crave the spontaneity that he gets during these encounters with different women 😏

Eloise being my favourite feminist character in this series:

Also I do kind of like the relationship that Eloise and Daphne have. They are two different girls with different viewpoints and priorities of life and while they do disagree on those, it's pretty clear how much they still care about one another

PLEASE, imagine getting the sex talk from your future love interest. Someone get these girls some sex education, stat

Also, I think Eloise and Benedict’s relationship is very precious in their own way. The fact that they bond over smokes in the middle of the night and confess their fears to the other is adorable

“I do not believe there could be a more ridiculous notion than that of us ever being friends” “You were a convenience… a diversion�� but nothing more” OUCH SIMON, he's clearly pushing her away because he's caught the feels!

Honestly, if I didn’t know Anthony has Kate in season 2, I would’ve found his “I’m here because I miss you” to Siena cute

Can I just say that while I don't really like Siena, I do wish she deserves better than Anthony in this situation? While I don't like that she seems to be chastising Anthony for putting all his responsibilities to his family over her, I do like how she delivered the line and especially when she says "I shall always be the woman you may love in darkness, but never in the light of day" 😔

I feel kind of bad for Marina, it's a shame that Lady Featherington truly believed that manipulating and forging George's letters would be what was best for her

When Daphne steps out on the balcony in front of everyone and picked herself up after Simon broke her heart 😍 yesss girl

I'm not sure why it took me so long to finish watching episode 3 (probably because of school and work), but I really hope Simon and Daphne find their way back to each other soon. Hopefully, Simon realizes that he shouldn't fight his feelings for her and that Daphne feels the same way he does!

[newtonsheffield]

Hi, Molly! Could you share your favorite Kate and/or Anthony scenes from season 2? And what are your thoughts on not showing their wedding? Were you happy with the epilogue?

My favourite Kate and Anthony scenes from season 2? Okay

If you want a more thorough review of Season 2 I really would recommend watching my Tea and the Ton Videos, yeah, they're long and you have to put up with my bad jokes and me calling a man we've never seen Dilf Daddy Sharma, but I also burst into tears randomly and stab myself in the eye while doing some bee themed makeup so... Ya know. And each episode gets a discussion of about an hour and a half

But my favourite scenes are in no particular order

Kate listening to Anthony talking about being a man of action and realising she feels a kinship with what he's saying. I also love the moment after Kate's spoken to Lady Danbury and you can see Kate slip back into her mask before she rejoins the party. I think in that moment we see, just for a second how lonely Kate really is. And it's very different from the face she shows everyone else

Pall Mall. I love seeing Kate and Anthony be themselves, I love her getting to tease him, and Anthony relaxing a little bit and their stupid little giggles when they fall in the mud are so cute. And I like that Kate's almost disappointed when Anthony just abandons their game because she was actually enjoying herself with him.

Hearts and Flowers. I love the slow motion, I love the tension, I love the moment they realise this isn't something they can really ignore anymore. I love that Kate wants to dance with Anthony, but she also doesn't because she's afraid to let herself know what that feels like and Anthony's the same way. He wants to ask her to dance, but he's afraid of what he'll do because every time he's close to her it's so hard to control himself. And I love the scene afterwards where you can tell in that moment Kate does hate Anthony. Because if it wasn't for him the job she came to England to do would be so much easier. She wouldn't have to worry about the fact that her heart feels like it's going to pound out of her chest every time she's around him.

I know, I know this is a really sad scene But I like the scene where Kate tells Anthony to marry Edwina. Purely because you can see their true characters. You can see that Kate's taught herself to push down every feeling she's ever had and she believes that she can repress whatever she's feeling for him. She can. Because she has to. And you also see that Anthony would do anything she asked him to do. Even if what she wants is the opposite of what he wants.

I don't think I need to mention that the Gazebo Scene is in here. Both of them letting themselves go and being stupid sluts. Perfection.

When Anthony B bares his whole entire soul I almost forget what a dumb fuckboi he truly is and when he cries over Kate being okay: Honey, you're perfect, never change.

The epilogue is three minutes of cinematic perfection. I love how stupidly happy they are. I do. I love it They wanna stay in bed and fuck all day: as they should. And they absolutely do not let the fact that there are actual children watching stop them from sticking their tongues down each other's throats. Perfect. No notes.

Also we know I love the Kate and mary scene. I write an entire essay on it.

[frodothefair]

@konartiste

Am I the only one though who thought that having your v card taken on a settee or sofa seat seems really uncomfortable? Depends on the settee, I think.

Dankworth-Finch ball was a hoot! Yes, you know, I am so glad that Penelope's sisters, though they were kind of horrible to her, still had good things happen to them, and got husbands who loved them, though they were not stratospheric in their station like the Bridgertons. And my heart also melted at what Penelope did for them with the ball. Mari may or may not have done the same thing in FoM. (The Gollum in me is muttering "they stole it from us," meaning story ideas, though I logically know that's not possible).

Kate and Anthony? Oh, you mean Mr. Nisile's high school friend and my med school friend, lol? (Truly, that association just made me incapable of ever taking Kathony seriously -- I'm sorry). Yeah, that was a little... I don't know, I feel like India is just a ploy to get them out of the picture for next season for whatever reason, because first they were on their honeymoon, then they extended their honeymoon by saying "let Violet run things a little longer," and now they're going to India? It seems like they're trying to postpone being Viscount and Viscountess as long as they can, under every possible pretext. Which I guess is their right. But yeah, traveling with child is no picnic today, and I can't imagine it was particularly pleasant or safe then.

I suspect that Benedict will be the focus of next season. They set it up nicely with him feeling like he needs to be free for a while, which is perfect for True Love (tm) to come along and wreck his best laid plans. Eloise, however, still has a lot to do and to be before she is ready to settle down. Plus, they mentioned a masked ball, and that's where Benedict meets Sophie, no? I also miss Benedict's art -- I recall Anthony paid for him to get into the Academy, and then Benedict got mad at Anthony and presumably did not go... But why did that have make him give up his art? Or maybe he is doing art, he's just not as public about it at the moment because of what happened with Anthony, who knows.

When it comes to Frannie and Eloise's storylines, I think it's anyone's guess now what's going to happen. There have been so many changes already that I now just think of the books as more of an inspiration than a guide for the TV show. Which may be just as well -- I haven't read all the books, but since they were written in the early 2000s some of the behavior by the male leads in the books will probably be seen as toxically masculine by modern viewers.

I am not really looking for historical accuracy in Bridgerton either, but some forms of inaccuracy I can deal with, and some I can't. I mean, even in the books the way the characters speak is riddled with American-isms, and I can deal with that. I also have no problem with Colin's glow in the dark vest, and the Old Hollywood and Art Deco influences in the outfits -- I actually quite like those touches. But when it comes to changing the fundamental beliefs that a person from that era would have imbibed with their mother's milk? That's tougher for me to accept.

Of note, I do like the race-blind casting, and I do consider it to be historically accurate, because there were in fact POC nobles in Europe (not as many as in the show, but there were). On a semi-related note, there was also all kinds of Us and Them wrangling between Catholics and Protestants over the centuries, so the "Great Experiment" with bringing the POCs into the fold in Queen Charlotte could have easily been modeled after some sort of truce between the religious groups, and therefore was believable.

Daphne and Apollo say hi.

Mr. Nisile and I watching Bridgerton: the season 3, part 2 edition

@konartiste

Episode 5:

Mr. Nisile: Kate looks so much like my former classmate, it's uncanny. Me: Yeah, and Anthony looks like my weird friend from med school. Mr. Nisile: and they both had a propensity to share really awkward things with us. Like, didn't (the weird friend from med school) once text you "just had sex"? Me: I don't know. If he did, I probably repressed that.

Mr. Nisile on Anthony, Benedict and Colin talking: Ok, this whole scene is just collars talking to collars.

Daphne the cat is on Mr. Nisile's knee during the mirror scene: Daphne, we must look away for scenes like this. (And then, Daphne actually does look away :P)

Mr. Nisile: You know, this might have been said before, but Penelope probably actually fit the beauty standards of the time far better than most of the people cast in this show. Me: Yes, indeed. There is fatshaming of Penelope even in the book, but in fact, it's quite anachronistic. It was not until the late 19th century that thinness became chic because... *goes off on a tirade that is far too long to document here*

Mr. Nisile: It would've been funnier if Lord Greer had announced his conditions backwards: if he had led with the 4-5 children and Cressida was like, "ok, ok, this I can do," but then only one ball per month, and Cressida is like "shiiiiiiiit" and then the coup de grace is the grey and brown dresses.

Episode 6:

When John Stirling announces his and Francesca's engagement, a few of the chords in the music that follows sound suspiciously like the Fellowship theme from LOTR. Mr. Nisile upon hearing this: NO, NO, NO! YOU CAN'T DO THAT! Me: wha, did I just hear what I think I heard?! Mr. Nisile: You can't SHIRE THE TON! YOU CAN'T FELLOWSHIP THE BRIDGERTONS! Me: what are you talking about, that was excellent! Mr. Nisile: THAT JUST RANKLED ME IN THE RELIGION! Me: Ok, that is one for the Mr. Nisile-isms post, once my nails dry. Mr. Nisile: Ok, fine. But I'll be right back. I need to use the bathroom -- when you get rankled in the religion, it tends to loosen up the bladder.

Mr. Nisile on Cressida Cowper's red dress: That dress looks like a red spinnaker. Me: what's a spinnaker? Mr. Nisile: (looks is up and shows me -- it is a type of sail) Oh. Yeah. Ok.

Me when Cressida Cowper shows up at a ball after she reveals herself as Lady Whistledown: And all the while, Ms. Malhotra is in the background going :D, and that is my favorite thing in this episode so far.

Episode 7:

All of the below are from Mr. Nisile:

You know, Cressida needs some better editing. I could write better than her. I could be Lady Whistledown, that could be my new drag name.

The schism of the ton!

Well, at least this Lady Whistledown is better composed than a crummy tweet.

That outfit is like a Rorschach test for flamingoes.

You know, with how autistic-coded Stirling is, I'm glad the Bridgerton brothers didn't try harder to convince him to "declare himself" by throwing rocks at a window. He might have gone and actually done it.

You know, carriage drivers probably have the best gossip. I wonder why no one thought that Lady Whistledown was a carriage driver.

Ok, you want to talk about anachronisms? Colin's black light vest. It looks like it came from a laser tag studio. (This is in response to me having eagle eyes for any part of a period piece drama that is anachronistic).

Episode 8:

Mr. Nisile on Colin's home decor: Those houses have co-lors.

Mr. Nisile on Colin and Eliose talking: I would be more comfortable wearing what she's wearing than what he's wearing. I mean, he's got like two cravats and three collars, and a woolen coat. I would be sweating like a pig in July.

Mr. Nisile on the introduction of Michaela Stirling: wait, are they (Eliose and Francesca) just in awe of her overwhelming femininity or something? Me: (sitting on my hands and aggressively not saying anything because I have read the books and he has not, and I know what the deal is with Michaela Stirling)

Eventually, I did tell him about Michaela Stirling, and then he felt vindicated because he thought he saw an intimate moment between Francesca and Penelope in the first part of the season, and thought they were trying to code Francesca as queer all along.

[margoshansons]

I like your discussion about Kate’s insecurity and stubbornness and how that’ll inform how she adjusts as Viscountess. IF the show gave her her due (unlikely since they didn’t in her own season), Kate could be the most interesting character in S3 imo.

If S3 begins the next season, then Kate and Anthony will have just returned from their honeymoon. They (particularly her) will have a big adjustment since they’re back to real life after being in a bubble for six months - even with the Queen’s blessing, I’m sure the ton will still be scrutinizing them; the day to day of being married; Kate being Viscountess. And if Kate is pregnant on top of all of all that, which seems likely, that’s even more stressful for her.

I’m interested to see what the Violet/Kate dynamic will be like. I kind of think Violet liked Edwina because she was so young and malleable and deferential - Violet would still hold all the power despite technically being demoted. I actually think Kate will immediately be good as the managerial/household side of it since she already had that role in her own family and we know she’s generally capable and bright. She will probably feel insecure and out of place though, but refuse to ask for help as you said. I hope she’d confide in Anthony though. And if Kate and Violet ever butt heads, I do think Anthony would easily side with Kate. But I hope there’s low stakes/minimal conflict between them - I would like to see Violet genuinely take to Kate and want to guide her without being patronizing.

I also would want to see Kate reckon with her mother’s memory as she’s about to be one herself, but this seems most unlikely to me. I think the show will probably relish Kate vs Violet tension

I completely 100% agree with all the points above. This show prioritizes drama over meaningful conflict resolution/character interactions and I think as S3 progresses, we're gonna see Violet and Kate butt heads more and more with Anthony caught in the middle and Kate's insecurity will come full force when that happens.

Cause there's no way her husband will pick her over his mother (although it shouldn't even be a choice, they should be a team)

But I do think we're going to get a resolution in which Violet realizes just how much Kate Bridgerton nee Sharma is like her.

Kate Sharma was not born to be Viscountess but she worked every day of her life to ensure that her sister was, and her insecurity will definitely stem from the fact that her marriage was considered one of the biggest scandals in London, her sister and mother are gone, and she is alone with her husband and his seven siblings and overbearing mother in a house that was never supposed to belong to her.

She will definitely take to the role with everything she has, but will need to rely on Violet and probably Lady Danbury for help when it comes to bigger things like hosting balls or presenting Francesca and Hyacinth or childrearing.

Kate Sharma was an older sister who was parentified and there's a great fic (I'm really gonna have to find it again) which delves into her insecurities regarding being a parent because her only experience was Edwina, and she failed. So she has extra expectations that she places on herself due to her perceived failure and the fact that she's now responsible for Violet's seven children and any of her own that she has.

And as for the whole "Violet wanted someone malleable" argument, I don't agree at all. I hate the way they wrote Violet on the show because she comes across as an overbearing mother who shoves her kids toward the first person who shows interest instead of genuinely recognizing what they want.

Violet Bridgerton nee Ledger in the books is incredibly perceptive and is able to figure out what her children want before they do sometimes. She's a matchmaker yes, but she matches her kids with people who bring out the best in them because she knows. So her shipping Simon and Daphne despite their fake relationship is not the mark of an obtuse, overbearing mother desperate for grandchildren and an ambitious match, but rather the mark of a perceptive woman able to discern their feelings for each other way before they did. Same with Kate and Anthony. She sends him off toward the gardens (where Kate is) because she's able to see the spark between them. She encourages Benedict to marry Sophie despite the scandal because of how much love she sees between them, and perhaps the best example, she orders Colin to dance with Penelope at every ball since her first season because she is able to perceive Colin's feelings TEN YEARS before he does.

Show!Violet in my opinion, pushed Anthony toward Edwina because of her own insecurity regarding being pushed out of the matriarchal role. It wasn't because she saw Edwina as malleable or because she could turn her into a mini-her, but Edwina was young, she still needed a parental figure after marriage, and Violet--Like Lady Danbury--has a habit of adopting people in need of help. Edwina is more likely to turn to her for help, more likely to invite her over for tea and keep her updated on the family business. Anthony doesn't do that, and so Violet was happy he found someone who would. Violet has spent her entire life pre-marriage being a wallflower, and marrying Edmund Bridgerton put her at the forefront of society. She doesn't want to become one again, she doesn't want to be left out of the loop again. A mother's greatest fear is being seen as redundant, and Violet knew that with Edwina she never would be.

Violet, more than anything, still wants to be involved with her children's life after marriage, she wants to be the person they turn to when they need help or advice with, even with their spouses cause she regards them as Bridgertons. Anthony stopped involving Violet in his life a long time ago, and so it's understandable that when she meets someone like Kate, who keeps stuff from her own family like Anthony does, who makes decisions for what's best for the family on her own like Anthony does, Violet becomes scared and shoves Anthony toward the woman who doesn't do that.

It's so interesting because both Violet and Kate share the same fear of being seen as irrelevant. Kate wants to go back into India because Edwina won't need her anymore, her family won't need her anymore, and Violet has the same fear once her children get married (which is why I think subconsciously she refuses to tell her kids about sex).

Anthony literally chose the woman who is most like his mother to be the next Viscountess, and Violet hates the mirror that's being held up to her.

[edwinas]

I have a LOT of thoughts about the dinner scene with the Sheffields but firstly want to say: I don't necessarily think that the narrative painted off Anthony as the "savior" in this situation so much as him acting out despite the appropriateness of it (and him likely knowing so because he doesn't speak up until Lady Sheffield insults Kate), and Kate herself mentions this right afterwards when she says that because of him, Edwina has now lost her dowry, which is why he can't use it as some bs excuse for him to end the engagement to her. But fandom really neglects all nuances when it comes to this dinner and zeroes in on making Anthony look like the dashing hero who comes in to save Kate from "her horrible family" when the complete opposite happens, and Kate herself knows this and mentions it. She goes from vulnerable to shocked and panicked once the Sheffields announce that they won't let Edwina have any of their money, something that she tried so hard to work for because she knew that Edwina should have that for her life, and then chases after Anthony just to right things for the engagement once he's already ruined the main goal for her plan. It's actually one of the reasons why I love that scene so much bc it shows various complexities within the characters' relationships. If you firstly focus on Mary, you see her directly speak up against her parents whom she's obviously avoided ever since she eloped, but she also makes it firmly clear that they cut her off and never considered her own daughters or family because of her choice. Throughout this, Kate's face is a mix of surprise and vulnerability, because Mary is defending their family from her own parents, but also possibly because Kate didn't even know Mary's true feelings towards them. Then the shift when the Sheffields mention their deal with Kate and both Edwina and Mary being shocked and unsure of what's even going on because Kate's secret is out. And then Anthony opens his mouth and it all further falls apart, and afterwards Kate doesn't look thankful or have some cringe "he's a hero" line like in the book, which I was very thankful for because it would've been completely out of character for her. But I do understand the inclusion of Anthony taking away from a real moment between Mary, Edwina and Kate where the former find out about her plan and then all three actually having a proper scene where they talk about this, and the fact that again, the fandom pretty much warps both Edwina and Mary's positions during the dinner and either say that they "disowned Kate" after it (which makes no sense????) or they focus solely on Anthony's "heroic" moment when it was never that, and not even Kate considered it as such.

The show took conscious measures to make Anthony look in the right: he says the “right” things, chases the Sheffields out with Edwina nodding approvingly.

Only having him speak up for Kate, the woman he’s attracted to... isn’t great. He made it about his feelings and spoke over a Brown woman (Mary) instead of amplifying her voice. He could have shut up the Sheffields and let Mary talk. Instead he goes on a rant, parrots what Mary was saying, got more screentime/lines than her with her parents. We got Brown women needing a white man to defend their honour (speaking over them) when Mary was already doing it and him getting all the credit. Text book white saviour lol. So I don’t necessarily blame fans for picking up what the show was putting down. 

Kate called him out but I felt like her one comment was overshadowed by Anthony's long declaration? Everyone lost it over “My honour is hanging by a thread” spiel and Kate’s very valid criticism was forgotten. Again, the show decided to prioritise a white man’s feelings over a Brown woman’s. It’s the lack of screentime exploring the Sharmas’ point of views.

Fans do take it to an extreme with the racist narrative of “Anthony saving Kate from her terrible (Brown) family...” or that “only Anthony cares for her.” He’s the only one who knows Kate’s feelings because they’re panting on each other. Mary and especially Edwina have always cared about Kate’s happiness. 

I liked the dinner for the same reasons as you! We saw Kate’s plan fall apart, how each Sharma reacted and the real Mary. The Mary who took her infant and young daughter to a new country, leaving behind the only home she ever knew. We saw that Mary for the first time and it was glorious. But Anthony had to open his big mouth and rob Mary of her chance at closure with her parents...

Yes!!! We needed a Sharma family convo. We were robbed of so many of them. The narrative consistently prioritise the Bridgertons (and Featheringtons) over the Sharmas. Instead of criticising that, fans obsess over hating Mary & Edwina (get a life pls). The latest being “historical accuracy” and how Indian girls at that time were married off at 8-16, how dare Mary not make Kate a child bride. THE BLATANT RACISM. URGH.