The Duke and I

Daphne is the fourth child in the Bridgerton family, in her third “season” since coming of marrying age. She has brown hair and brown eyes, like several of her siblings, and is considered pretty but unexceptional, though Simon is immediately struck by her looks, especially her “large, dark eyes” (49). Daphne is kind and good humored, and she complains often that “everyone sees me as a friend” (102) so she has not been able to attract a man who interests her despite her desire for a fulfilling marriage and family life. Daphne is both intellectually and physically adept: She is a capable horsewoman, throws a hard punch several times in the story, and regularly banters with Simon during their early acquaintance and courtship. She displays a knack for wordplay, teasing Simon about his “dukish rakishness […] Or do you prefer rakish dukishness?” (63-64).

Daphne begins the novel naive and full of romantic visions: she hopes that marriage will fulfill her dreams of a family, and she makes much of Simon’s comfort with her compared to his standoffishness with others. Rather than face social ruin or see Simon die in a duel with her brother after they are caught in a compromising position, she interrupts the duel and persuades Simon to marry her.