Kate Bridgerton (books)

*This page is about the book character. For the Netflix character, see Kate Bridgerton*

## Biographical Information

### Title(s)

* Lady Bridgerton
* Viscountess Bridgerton

## Familial Information

### Children

* Edmund Bridgerton II
* Miles Bridgerton
* Charlotte Bridgerton
* Mary Bridgerton

### Others

* Newton *(dog)*
* Mr. Bagwell *(brother-in-law)*

*For a complete family tree, see the Bridgerton family tree*

## Appearances

### Last

*On The Way To The Wedding*

**Kate Bridgerton** (*née* **Sheffield**) is the wife of Anthony Bridgerton.

## History

### Early Life

Kate's father is a baron's second son. Her mother died from lung fever on her third birthday, during a terrible thunderstorm. She had been ill for a week, and Kate was kept confined to her room. The night her mother died, the servants were distracted by her impending death, and Kate managed to get to her mother's room. Her father was there, and tried to get her to leave. Unfortunately, a huge lightning bolt flashed, and both Kate and her father saw her mother suddenly sit up, despite being bedridden for a week, and open her mouth in a silent scream. A huge thunderclap hit, and Kate believed the thunder sound was her mother's scream. Kate climbed onto her mom's lap, screaming and crying for her mom to wake up. Even as her mother fell back onto the pillows, now dead, Kate wouldn't let go of her mother, despite her father's attempts. She fell asleep from exhaustion, and Kate's father and the servants were finally able to pull her off and put her to bed. Kate repressed the memory of that night, but became terrified of thunderstorms.

Her father married her stepmother, Mary, mere months later. Kate loved Mary, and vice versa. Her half-sister, Edwina, was born soon after, and the two grew up close. She was comforted by her father or Mary during storms. When she grew older, to stop her family from worrying about her, Kate claimed she didn't fear them anymore, though she still did.

After Kate's father died, the Sheffields' family finances were in a precarious state. As a result, Kate was not able to make her debut in London when she came of age. With their money stretched thin, the plan was for both Kate and Edwina to debut in the same year, in hopes they both made good matches.

### 1814

Kate and Edwina make their debuts, and Edwina is named the season's Incomparable. When Edwina publicly declares that she will only marry a man who her sister approves, Kate becomes besieged by suitors attempting to gain Edwina's favor. Well aware of this, Kate endeavors to help Edwina by vetting any suitors. Anthony Bridgerton courts Edwina, but Kate refuses to approve of him because of his reputation as a rake. Anthony meets her challenge and says he'll marry Edwina, regardless of Kate's approval. Kate is thrown by his challenge, but is still against a match between him and Edwina.

Kate ends up going for a walk with Anthony and her dog, Newton, when he pays a visit to Edwina. Anthony tries to adjust her bonnet so she can feel the sun, and Kate is distracted by him being so close that Newton gets away. He ends up finding Edwina near the Serpentine, and she falls into the water when Newton pounces on her. Anthony yells at Kate, but she insists it was an accident, and she'd never hurt her sister on purpose. When Anthony yells at her again, Kate gets Newton to purposely get Anthony wet as revenge.

Kate reluctantly joins Mary to attend a musicale at Bridgerton House without Edwina, who gets sick after her accident. Kate watches Anthony blatantly flirt with Maria Rosso, the opera singer performing. Wanting to avoid the gossiping crowds, Kate ends up hiding in Anthony's study. When Anthony comes in with Maria, Kate hides under the desk. Anthony finds her, though, and she insists that she came there by accident. Anthony doesn't believe her, and thinks Kate desires him. The two end up kissing. Kate is shocked by her own desire, and gets angry at Anthony. She tells him she'll never let him marry Edwina, but Anthony brushes her off before she leaves in anger.

Kate reluctantly attends the Bridgerton country party at Aubrey Hall with Mary and Edwina. She is surprised when Anthony apologizes for his behavior at the musicale, but accepts it. She joins a spirited game of Pall Mall with Anthony and Edwina, where she meets Anthony's siblings, Colin and Daphne. Daphne tells Kate to help her send Anthony's ball into the lake as revenge for the last time he did the same to Daphne. After Anthony purposely sends Kate's ball off course, she gets even and makes sure his ball falls into the lake. Kate and Anthony clean up the course together, and admit they've become friends of a sort.

At dinner that evening, Kate watches Anthony rescue Penelope Featherington from being bullied by Cressida Cowper, and admires his actions. That night, she tries to find a book to help her sleep when a thunderstorm starts. Terrified, she stays in the library, unable to move. Anthony finds her there, and comforts Kate during the storm. She's grateful for his support and tells him the following morning that she approves of him marrying Edwina.

Suddenly, Anthony becomes terrified when a bee flies near Kate. She sees it, and tries to shoo it away, but it ends up stinging her. Kate doesn't make a big deal out of it, but she sees Anthony panic and desperately try to extract the venom, saying she will die if he doesn't. Kate is confused, but lets him help her when he tells her his father died of a bee sting. As he tries to help her, they are caught by Mary, Violet Bridgerton, and Portia Featherington. Kate became panicked at getting caught, since Portia is notorious gossip. When Portia said they had to marry, Kate protested, not wishing to trap Anthony into marriage. When Violet pointed out that they could've been seen by the other house guests, Anthony quickly declared the two of them will wed immediately.

Kate is frazzled, and tells Anthony that she knows everybody will say she trapped him. Anthony, though, kisses her, and says he does desire her, and believes they will have a happy marriage because they've learned to get along. When he points out that them not marrying will cause ruin for Edwina, Kate accepts the fact they will marry, however reluctantly. After their engagement is announced, Kate becomes the center of attention, as she welcomes visitors to her family's house and shops for her trousseau with Violet. A few days before the wedding, Anthony comes over and gives Kate an engagement ring while also telling her that he won't be able to love her so she shouldn't expect it. Kate is annoyed, but accepts Anthony being honest with her.

The night before the wedding, Mary comes to explain marital relations to Kate, saying that a woman can only find pleasure with the man she loves, but a man finds pleasure in the act with any woman. This leads Kate to believe Anthony pictures Edwina when he's with her. Kate and Anthony get married, but her lingering doubts are there as she gets ready for her wedding night. Anthony tells her resolutely that he's always desired Kate and found her beautiful, even when he didn't like her, and that she's the only woman he's ever thought about. Kate realizes Anthony is speaking the truth, and the two make love on the wedding night.

Kate steps into the role of Viscountess Bridgerton after her marriage, entertaining guests, attending balls and parties, and spending time with the Bridgerton family. During the nights, she enjoys Anthony's attentions in bed. A month later, Edwina visits, and reveals she's in love with Mr. Bagwell, a scholar she met at Aubrey Hall. Kate is thrilled for her sister. She later tells Anthony, who promises to set aside a dowry for Edwina. That night, a thunderstorm hits, and Kate has a nightmare, screaming in her sleep and calling out to her mother. Anthony overhears her, and tells Kate what she said the next morning. Kate is confused, and Anthony suggests she should talk to Mary. Though afraid of what she might hear, Kate agrees when Anthony accompanies her. They visit Mary, and Kate asks what happened to her mother. Mary explains what happened, and how Kate saw her mother die. Kate is shocked, but glad to know where her fear comes from. Realizing how Anthony has helped her, Kate realizes she's fallen in love with him, but keeps it to herself.

That night, Anthony suddenly leaves, confusing Kate. She gets a note from his sister, Eloise, the next morning that he's at Bridgerton House. Kate comes over, and tries to get Anthony to explain why he left and to come back home. Anthony refuses, and angrily tells her to not bring it up. Hurt, Kate leaves, making Anthony feel guilty for hurting her.

A couple days later, Kate chaperones a carriage ride with Edwina, Mr. Bagwell, and Newton. When Newton gets loose, Mr. Bagwell loses control of the carriage and it overturns, pinning Kate underneath. Anthony finds her just as this happens, and says how it's his time, not hers. Kate awakes hearing this, and Anthony tells Kate he loves her, and needed to tell her. He pulls her out, and realizes her leg is broken. Kate is brought home, where her leg is treated. She asks Anthony about what he said at the park, and Anthony admits how he believes he'll die at 38 like his father did, meaning he'll only be alive for another ten years. Kate says she wants to live with him, no matter how long or short their lives are, because they both deserve to be happy and enjoy life. Anthony agrees, and tells Kate he loves her and wants to spend the rest of his life with her. The two admit their love, and reunite.

### 1815

By the following season, Kate is expecting her first child. Violet hosts a masquerade ball at Bridgerton House as one final party, then moves out while Anthony and Kate move in. They have their first child soon after, a son named Edmund after Anthony's father.

### 1817

By the start of the season, Kate and Anthony have another son, Miles.

### 1823

Kate celebrates Anthony's 39th birthday with their family, when he finally surpasses his father in age. The two are thrilled to celebrate his birthday together. They now have a third child, a daughter named Charlotte.

### 1829-30

Mary died, and soon after, Kate found out she was pregnant with her fourth child. She and Anthony had another daughter who they named Mary.

## Personality

Often compared to her younger sister, Edwina, Kate accepted who she was and learned to only make time for those who were willing to accept her as she is, mainly her family. But beneath her sharp wit and cutting remarks, Kate yearns to experience true love and have a family as loving as the one she grew up in.

## Relationships

### Romantic

#### Anthony Bridgerton

Kate heard of Anthony's reputation as a rake, and believed he was not a suitable match for her sister. But when Anthony met her challenge and refused to cower, Kate was thrown. She still did everything she could to prevent him from courting Edwina. In the process, they ended up in close proximity to each other, and Kate started feeling desire for Anthony that she didn't believe was possible for her. Kate saw a different side of Anthony that was caring and compassionate, and her opinion of him started to improve, despite her denial. After he comforted her during a thunderstorm, Kate realized she could not object to his suit of Edwina; she also admitted, though, that she had developed feelings for him. Choosing her love of family over Anthony, she told Anthony that she approved him courting Edwina just before they're caught in a compromising position and forced to marry out of honor. Kate is distressed at the forced marriage, never wishing to trap Anthony despite her feelings. Just before the wedding, Anthony told her that she shouldn't expect their marriage to be based on love, and Kate accepted this, knowing she will probably fall in love with him. She wished Anthony would feel as much desire for her as she does for him. She's afraid to consummate her marriage, thinking Anthony will picture Edwina when he's with her. Anthony, though, makes it clear that he only wants and dreams of her, stunning but thrilling Kate. This affirmation made Kate feel at ease as she settled into her new life. Anthony often kept Kate company at balls and parties, never leaving her side, and always stayed with her during the night, making the pressures of her duties easier to manage. When Anthony helped her discover the reason she is afraid of thunderstorms, Kate realized she's fallen in love with him. Remembering his words, Kate kept her feelings to herself. Anthony finally came around, and tells Kate he loves her, but is afraid of dying young and her being heartbroken. Kate told him that regardless of when they die, they should still enjoy life and love because they'll be left with regrets if they live in fear. The two finally accepted having a love marriage, and Kate got the happy marriage she always dreamed of.

### Familial

#### Mary Sheffield

Mary is Kate's stepmother, but she has raised Kate since she was three years old, and is the only mother figure Kate has ever known. Mary never treated her any differently than Edwina, and loved and protected Kate with every bit of energy she had. When Kate was a little girl, she would go to Kate's mother's grave to give her updates about Kate. Kate would join her, and tell her mother how much Mary has loved and cared for her. Though Kate did not hold any hope for getting married, Mary refused to let her sit out a season and insisted she look for a husband too. Mary looked for a match for Kate as much as Edwina, though Kate didn't care. Kate listened to Mary when she put her foot down, even when she didn't want to, like when it came to Anthony Bridgerton. Kate was terrified when she got caught with Anthony, and realized Mary was just as concerned for her. Anthony agreed to marry Kate, saving her honor, and Mary told her that despite the circumstances, she believed Kate would have a happy marriage with Anthony. She told Kate that a woman needs to have love in her marriage in order to enjoy a physical relationship, and though Kate and Anthony married hastily, Mary wanted her to have that happiness and pleasure in her marriage. When Kate told Mary how she was still afraid of storms, Mary felt guilty for not noticing, but Kate assured her that it wasn't her fault, and she always felt loved by Mary as a mother.

#### Edwina Bagwell

Kate dotes on her younger sister, and the two have always been close. As they grew up, Edwina became noticed for her dazzling beauty while Kate was ignored. Kate accepted it, because she loved her sister and Edwina's caring heart. She didn't envy the attention Edwina received, because she felt the men were too superficial to be considered worthy husbands. Kate felt Edwina's chances were better for marrying, but came along to London because Edwina didn't want to be separated from her sister. Despite the financial struggles of the family, Kate told Edwina that she could marry whomever she fell in love with, because she wanted Edwina to have a loving marriage. Edwina quickly made it known that she would not marry without Kate's approval, which amused Kate, but she still agreed to help Edwina find a good match. When she grew close to Anthony, Kate purposely avoided Edwina, because her sister knew her well enough to know when Kate was hiding something. When Kate and Anthony got engaged, she was surprised when Edwina told her that she was thrilled and knew that he was smitten with Kate, so the engagement did not surprise her at all. After the wedding, Edwina told Kate that she met Mr. Bagwell, a scholar that she was very interested in, and Kate realized Edwina was in love, thrilling Kate. When Edwina mentioned that Mr. Bagwell was not that wealthy, Kate realized Edwina carried pressure to marry well and provide for her mother and sister, but because of Kate's marriage, Edwina was relieved of the pressure; Kate was emotional thinking of Edwina's struggle, but glad to know that her sister had found happiness.

#### Mary Bridgerton

Kate was 37 when she had Mary. Her youngest daughter was a lovely yet very unexpected surprise due to her age and the fact that she and Anthony already had three children together. She was named after Kate's mother, Mary, who had passed away before Mary II was born.

### Friendships

#### Daphne Basset

When Kate met Daphne during the Pall Mall game, she showed just as much competitive spirits as the other Bridgertons, and Daphne was impressed by how well Kate fit in. They bonded over being women and learning to manage men.

#### Lucy Bridgerton

Kate always adored Lucy, and not-so-secretly wanted her with her brother-in-law, Gregory. Eventually the two got together, and Kate was very happy for them both. Gregory and Lucy named their first daughter after her.

## Appearances

 **#02** | "The Viscount Who Loved Me"
 **#03** | "An Offer from a Gentleman"