Honeymoon Bliss (Netflix)

**Honeymoon Bliss** is the second episode of *Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story*.

## Synopsis

Frustrated by her first days of marriage to the mysterious and mercurial king, a lonely Charlotte finds a confidante and advisor in Lady Agatha Danbury.

## Full Summary

Charlotte wakes up and gets out of bed. She rings a bell and Brimsley comes in along with several maids. They dress her and do her hair.

Charlotte asks Brimsley what's in her engagement diary for the week. He says there's nothing, which surprises her because she's the queen and has official duties. He says she's currently enjoying the privacy of her first days of marriage. She realizes it's her honeymoon.

Lord Bute says Parliament is calling it the Great Experiment. Princess Augusta says it is a great experiment, giving titles to people who look like their new queen. Lord Bute says it must be a success. Princess Augusta says it will be. Lord Bute has a concern, but he can't speak it with a lady present. Princess Augusta says there were seven people present in her bedchamber the night of her wedding to witness the marital act, to confirm that they consummated the marriage. Now it's the thing to give the couple privacy. It wouldn't normally be an issue, but George can have his own mind. Lord Bute says if those actions didn't take place on their wedding night, the Great Experiment is in jeopardy. There can be no question about it.

Charlotte eats alone. She looks at the empty seat across from her. She goes about her day. She gets dressed and tests Brimsley's commitment to staying five paces behind her on the way to dinner, which she eats alone again. Her maids undress her and let her hair down. She lies awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. The next day, she does it all again.

Charlotte tries to reach for a book, but a footman gets it for her. She reads it at the table as she eats.

Charlotte tries to run from Brimsley, but he follows her.

She collapses into bed and cries out.

*Lady Danbury arrives at a run-down house as Lady Whistledown's sheets are printed and distributed.*

*Violet plays with Augie and another baby.*

*Prince Adolphus defends his chosen mate to his mother. Queen Charlotte objects because she's an actress. She tells him to break it off and find a suitable mate. Prince Augustus's lady friend is married. Prince Frederick hasn't seen his wife in 20 years. Prince Ernest says he'd also flee the country if he were married to Frederick. Queen Charlotte wonders how none of them have managed respectable marriages. Prince Edward thinks it might be too late because their sisters are past childbearing age. Queen Charlotte refuses to accept that. She insists that the bloodline will continue. Her sons bicker about it.*

Charlotte eats her dinner. She stops and asks Brimsley to ready the carriage. They're going to see her husband.

Reynolds greets Charlotte at the Kew estate. He tells her the king is in the observatory. She orders Brimsley to wait there. Brimsley and Reynolds think it might be good or it might be bad. Reynolds invites Brimsley inside to warm up while they wait.

Reynolds welcomes Brimsley into his quarters, which Brimsley notes are better than his own. They start kissing and undressing each other. Brimsley says the palace is asking for a report and asks him what he'll tell them. Reynolds doesn't know why he should be the one to say anything. Brimsley says the king's the one refusing to consummate. They argue over it. Brimsley pushes Reynolds onto the bed and climbs on top of him. Brimsley asks if there's something wrong with the king's bits. Reynolds believes them to be fine and large. He unbuttons Brimsley's pants. Brimsley wonders if Charlotte's not his type. Reynolds doesn't know what his type is. They wonder how much time they'll have together.

Charlotte enters the observatory, where George is looking through a telescope. He respositions it, saying he thinks he's getting a glimpse of a planet. She wonders if this is how he's been spending his nights. He says he has and she asks what she's done wrong. He says there's nothing. She thought he was visiting a brothel. It might be better if he were. She'd understand that, but now it seems he prefers the company of stars to her. He denies that. She says she's been stuck at that house being changed like a doll with nowhere to go and nothing to do. George tells her she can do whatever she likes. She wants to spend time with her husband. He doesn't know why she's complaining. She says she's 17 and suddenly, she's queen in a strange country with strange food and customs. She can't do whatever she likes because the queen can't just go places. She can't just make friends. She doesn't know anyone there except him. She's alone and he prefers the sky to her. He doesn't want to fight, but she wants him to fight for her. He tells her to go home.

Brimsley meets Charlotte at her carriage. Reynolds watches as they leave.

Brimsley and Reynolds report to Princess Augusta. They say that the king and queen seem happy. She was hoping for more news than that. Reynolds says the king is smitten with the queen's beauty. Princess Augusta asks for evidence of this. Reynolds and Brimsley both lie about what they've seen. Princess Augusta asks about their marital relations. Lord Bute says she wants to confirm that the marriage has been consummated. Reynolds says it has been. They declare it a successful honeymoon.

Lord Danbury thrusts into a bored-looking and stiff Lady Danbury. He groans as he finishes.

Lady Danbury complains to Coral about the increased frequency of their marital relations. Lord Danbury went to White's in Mayfair for the first time. As a titled member of the ton, he has a right to entry, but they refused to let him in. Coral says the same as happened to the Smythe-Smiths and the Kents. Lady Danbury says he's determined to get people to accept him. He's going to try to join the hunt tomorrow. Coral says she'll keep the hot water on the fire anytime she needs it. Lady Danbury also needs salve for her inner thighs. She's worried he'll put another of his gigantic babies inside her.

Charlotte eats alone again.

Brimsley tells Reynolds he must make the king do something. He suggests some kind of gesture. Reynolds promises to suggest it.

Charlotte looks around the orchard. She reaches for an orange, but before she can pick it, Brimsley has a footman get it for her and another one takes it to the kitchen for her to eat at her next meal. She says she can pick her own orange, but he has the same act repeated when she tries. Brimsley gets a message from a footman and tells Charlotte that the king has sent her a gift and a note, which says he never wants her to feel alone. She asks Brimsley to show her the gift.

Charlotte is surprised to see a small dog, which Brimsley says is the gift. She says dogs are big and majestic. She thinks this one is more like a deformed bunny. She walks away without taking it. Brimsley accepts the dog.

Charlotte eats her dinner.

She gets up and Brimsley follows her with the dog. She tells him she wants to meet her ladies-in-waiting tomorrow. He reminds her she's on her honeymoon. She tells him he can't tell her what to do. He says he won't tell her what to do, but he will tell her how best to do the things she's not allowed to do. It would be unwise for her to meet with all her ladies-in-waiting during her honeymoon. She'll also want to be discreet. She asks if someone wanting to be discreet would trust Lady Danbury.

Lady Danbury rides in a carriage.

Charlotte and Lady Danbury have tea together. Lady Danbury compliments her dog, but she still doesn't like it. Lady Danbury asks if she's meeting all her ladies-in-waiting individually. Queen Charlotte says no. Brimsley said she'd be the most discreet because she's still on her honeymoon. It's going well, she claims. Lady Danbury asks if she can speak freely and Charlotte dismisses her staff. Once they're gone, Charlotte tells her to speak freely. She says Charlotte's a terrible liar. She tells her not to try it in public or she'll cause a scandal. Lady Danbury says her honeymoon was a disaster. She didn't know what to expect and he was old and impatient. It was painful and terrifying. It's okay if Charlotte's wedding night wasn't perfect. She realizes that Charlotte didn't have a wedding night. Charlotte vents about George's behavior that night. Lady Danbury says she's asking about consummating the marriage. If they didn't, they're not actually married and her position is in danger. The Great Experiment is in danger. She asks if Charlotte knows what she means by that. Charlotte asks if it has something to do with the Great Experiment. Lady Danbury calls for drawing paper and charcoals.

Charlotte looks at the pictures Lady Danbury has drawn and asks how many times he inserts it. Lady Danbury says as many as necessary. Sometimes it feels like it takes forever. Lady Danbury's never enjoyed it, but she's never thought of it as something to enjoy. It's more like a chore. Maybe it's different if it's with someone you like. Charlotte says she doesn't like George, so she doesn't see why they should do this. Lady Danbury says she has to. It's important. She's the first of her kind, so she must secure her position. Charlotte says it's not her failing. He doesn't want her and she can't force him. Maybe it's a good thing, if they're not married. Maybe she can go home. Lady Danbury tells Charlotte her dog is a Pomeranian, a rare and purebred Pomeranian.

Lord Danbury thrusts into Lady Danbury.

Lady Danbury takes a bath and confirms to Coral that they wouldn't let him join the hunt.

*Queen Charlotte complains to Lady Danbury about her children refusing to get married. She doesn't think it's such a difficult task. Everyone does it. Brimsley announces the arrival of Violet Bridgerton, who is happy to have been invited. The queen was hoping to consult an expert. Violet has a lot of children and two of them have been married in the last two years. She wonders how Violet got them to want to marry. Violet says it helps if they're in love. It solves a lot of issues. Queen Charlotte says her boys are in love with commoners and Catholics and actresses and women who are already married. Love is not the issue. Love has produced over 50 illegitimate babies. Violet says Lady Danbury also has children and maybe she has advice. Lady Danbury says her four children have all moved continents away. Married is a duty, not a pleasure. Violet says it can be a pleasure. It offers so much. A match doesn't have to start with love. It can bloom. Queen Charlotte says she'll just find them wives herself, make them marry, and they can worry about the love part later, after there are royal babies. She calls from Brimsley to have a list drawn up of eligible women.*

Charlotte wakes to the sounds of her dog whining. She tells the dog to go to sleep.

Brimsley walks the dog to meet Reynolds. Reynolds asks if Brimsley allowed the queen to have a visitor. Brimsley says just one and Lady Danbury won't tell anyone. Reynolds says the servants know, so the palace knows she was there. Brimsley asks what's wrong with the king that's keeping him from the queen's bed. Reynolds tells him to worry about his side. Brimsley takes the dog and leaves.

Coral is shocked to find a royal carriage outside the Danburys' home.

Lord Danbury wonders what the dowager princess would want with her. Lady Danbury doesn't know. His family was the one that had a relationship with the late king. She is no one. She is sure it's only because of Lord Danbury's reputation that they want to meet with her. She promises to tell him everything when she returns. He says that will do. Coral helps her get ready.

Lady Danbury is led to Princess Augusta.

Princess Augusta asks about Lady Danbury's meeting with the queen. She wants details. Lady Danbury says they had tea and she met the queen's puppy. Earl Harcourt asks what they talked about. Lady Danbury says tea is for boring talk. Princess Augusta knows Lady Danbury knows more than she's letting on. She asks what this tea was about, calling her Agatha. Lady Danbury reminds her of her new title. The one thing she remembers about the tea is that the queen didn't realize their titles were shiny and new. She hints that she could tell the queen at their next meeting. Princess Augusta dismisses Earl Harcourt to talk to Lady Danbury alone. Lady Danbury surprises her. She always thought Lady Danbury was quiet, but Lady Danbury says her husband is simply loud. She wants to know what's going on at Buckingham House. She needs a trusted ear. Lady Danbury says traditionally, a title comes with income and land. Without those things, a title is just a title. They all have needs. Princess Augusta realizes she wants money. Lady Danbury says the princess's father-in-law knew her family because her father-in-law is also a king. Sierra Leone is very rich. They already have money, more than most of the ton. She needs her husband to be included in things. Princess Augusta says she's asking for a lot, but Lady Danbury knows Princess Augusta needs her. They can be grateful to each other.

Charlotte's maids dress her and do her hair.

George comes to see Charlotte. He wants to join her for a meal. She's upset at the suggestion and walks out. He follows her, but she's trying to get away from him. He stops her and says he knows she has no reason to trust him. He married her, then left. And now he's back as if nothing had happened. He asks for just one evening to show her where his mind has been.

George has Charlotte look through the telescope. She finally sees Venus. He's been studying it. Soon, it'll be in a rare position to let them measure the distance from the earth to the sun. It will be quite the spectacle. Charlotte agrees that it's beautiful. This is what he's been doing. It's nice to remember that he's a small dust in the universe. It keeps him humble. Being king is a hazard. The world has been made to revolve around him, which has made him selfish. He knows it was cruel of him to ruin her wedding night. She says it was his as well. She won't forgive him yet. He finds hope in the yet. He says it doesn't quite count as a wedding night because they didn't have the night part. She's heard the same thing. He wants to start over and try again. She finds that reasonable. They start kissing. She asks if he's coming home to Buckingham House. He says he is.

The king and queen return home. Charlotte asks George about them not being allowed to travel together. He says it's to protect succession. She says they did after the wedding, but there was no chance she was carrying the future king then. There also isn't now, but they don't know that. And after tonight, there will be. They part with a promise to see each other soon.

Charlotte's maids get her ready and she goes to George. Brimsley and Reynolds wait outside. Brimsley offers Reynolds a refreshment.

George tells Charlotte she's breathtaking. She says her gown has a lot of buttons and she's worried she made the wrong choice, but he's good with buttons. They lean in and start kissing. They start undressing each other. He asks if she knows what happens on a wedding night. She says she's seen drawings and had a detailed explanation. She doesn't like the part where her head hits the wall over and over again. He says they can avoid that. They finish undressing and move to the bed, where they consummate their marriage.

Brimsley and Reynolds share a drink together in bed.

Charlotte wakes up alone. She rings a bell.

Lord and Lady Danbury arrive at their new estate. They receive a letter that says it's theirs along with the land and spots at Eton for their boys and some cattle. Lord Danbury never thought he'd see this day. He asks if she knows how it happened. She says she doesn't. He thinks the king sees him for who he is and understands that the old days are over and men are men no matter from whence they come. Lady Danbury thinks it's the beginning of a new era. She tries to say more, but he hushes her and goes to try the key. It opens the door and they go inside.

Charlotte tells Brimsley that the king has gone for a ride or a walk, so they should hold breakfast for him. She wants them to eat together. Brimsley says he thinks the king has a visitor. Charlotte overhears George talking to Princess Augusta, who tells him his marriage is palace business. It can't go wrong. She needs to know if her son has properly bedded her. He lays out all the demands she's made of him. He says he's done as she asked. He knows his duty and he's done it.

Charlotte says she'll have her breakfast. There's no need to wait for the king.

*Queen Charlotte eats alone. Brimsley brings her the list of suitable brides for her sons and she reviews it as she eats.*

Reynolds comes to the king and tells him that Princess Augusta has left. George asks about Charlotte. Reynolds says she's at breakfast. George suddenly struggles and has to sit. Reynolds asks if he should send for a doctor, but George says he doesn't need that. After a moment, he changes his mind and Reynolds leaves to get the doctor. He promises that Charlotte won't know.

## Cast

### Main Cast

* India Amarteifio as Young Queen Charlotte
* Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury
* Michelle Fairley as Princess Augusta
* Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton
* Corey Mylchreest as King George III
* Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
* Arsema Thomas as Young Agatha Danbury
* Sam Clemmett as Young Brimsley
* Freddie Dennis as Reynolds
* Hugh Sachs as Brimsley
* Julie Andrews as Lady Whistledown

### Guest Stars

* Cyril Nri as Lord Danbury
* Peyvand Sadeghian as Coral
* Joshua Riley as Prince Adolphus
* Jack Michael Stacey as Prince Edward
* Seamus Dillane as Prince William
* Ben Cura as Prince Augustus
* Harvey Almond as Prince Ernest
* Felix Brunger as Prince Frederick
* Neil Edmond as Earl Harcourt
* Richard Cunningham as Lord Bute

## Quotes

***King George:*** You told me I had to wed. For the Crown. I did. You told me to charm her to make it easier for the Crown. I have done my best. You told me I could not let her know me because I must protect the secrets of the Crown. I have not. You told me to bed her. I have done so! I understand! It has been abundantly clear since my first breath that I was born for the happiness or misery of a great nation and consequently must often act contrary to my passions. I am the picture of duty. The Crown resides within me, embedded like a knife! You do not need to explain it to me, Mother. It is me!