The episode begins with the morning after Sophie and Benedict spent the night together. They wake up in bed, and Sophie freaks out, not wanting to be caught by anyone. He promises that he will take care of her, but she knows that they cannot be together publicly because of her status as a maid.
Penelope and Lady Agatha Danbury meet for tea. Penelope is certain that she’s ready to step aside from being Lady Whistledown. Meanwhile, Anthony and Kate make their return, along with their baby.
John notices the shift between Michaela and Francesca during breakfast.
While at breakfast, Violet tells Marcus that Benedict knows about their relationship. And later, she distracts Lady Penwood from discovering Sophie in the home. Once the Penwoods leave, Violet gives Sophie her letter of introduction. Although she’s hesitant to let Sophie go, it’s the best way to make sure Lady Penwood doesn’t find out about her.
Benedict, Colin, and Anthony go out for drinks. Benedict learns that Violet told Anthony about Sophie. The two of them get into an argument, and Benedict storms out.
We learn that Cressida Cowper is the new Lady Penwood when she visits Penelope and her mother. She invites the Featheringtons to her first ball as a Penwood in hopes that Penelope will attend.
Benedict plans a romantic evening for himself and Sophie. He wants the two of them to live together at his cottage. He tells her that he’s been with men and women, and she does not judge him. He wants to show her how she should be loved, wanting to have their privacy together. She is worried that his feelings will change, admitting that her father was a nobleman and her mother was a maid.
That evening, everyone attends the ball. Eloise helps Hyacinth sneak in with the help of Sophie. Before Cressida can make a speech, Penelope nods at one of the maids, and immediately, an issue of Lady Whistledown gets handed to everyone there. She’s made the decision to make this reading the last.
After getting caught by Benedict, Eloise and Hyacinth return home with their brother. Once home, Anthony confronts Benedict about the plans he has with Sophie for the cottage. Sophie overhears the conversation. Benedict tells his brother, “I cannot walk away from her.”
Later on, after the ball, Queen Charlotte lets Agatha move on from her time there without saying anything, and the two women get emotional.
Marcus confesses his love for Violet, and she embraces him. The two of them agree to get married. Meanwhile, Benedict meets with Sophie. She tells him that she has an interview to work at another house. Sophie thinks they should end whatever it is they are, especially now that she knows she’s not pregnant.
The episode ends with Francesca going to wake her husband from his sleep for dinner, but he doesn’t respond. Michaela hears her scream as she learns her husband has died.
Overall, this episode was filled with lots of tension and sadness. Unfortunately, Sophie does not want to start a new private life with Benedict, but understandably so. It is frustrating to see them not fully agreeing on this decision, especially with how much Benedict really wants to be with her. Meanwhile, John’s passing was heartbreaking, especially with all that Francesca and he had been through. Victor Alli has done a tremendous job as Lord John Sterling throughout this series. He’s been quiet, yet filled with banter and a lot of love and respect for Francesca. Now that he’s gone, what will Francesca and Michaela do?
Rating: 9/10