Duke Simon Basset of Hastings

As Simon was born, his father waited outside, only concerned with whether or not he would have an heir. When his mother cried out, his father ran inside the room, where Simon was then born. After learning it was a son, he took Simon out to show him off while Sarah died of a hemorrhage.

When Simon was four and still not speaking clearly due to a stutter, the Duke ordered Simon out of his sight, saying Simon was dead to him. Simon continued to be schooled by nursemaids, though his father refused to see him. When he was six, Lady Danbury came to visit and was surprised to find him alive, as his father had told her Simon was dead. When she learned of his stutter, she took him as a ward, promising to help him overcome his stutter on the condition that when he stepped into the light, he would be worthy of the attention he commanded. By age 11, Simon was speaking well and came to visit his father to show him. He had also written his father letters, which had gone unacknowledged. The duke re-iterated Simon's uselessness and sent him away again.

Years later, Simon came to his father's bedside when he learned his father was dying. The duke was glad to see him coming to claim his title, though Simon simply told him he would never marry or sire an heir. He pledged that the line would die with him. Right at the start of the 1813 social season, Simon returned to London to settle the affairs of his recently deceased father. Upon his return, Lady Danbury invited him to a ball she was throwing, though he had no interest in socializing. Having newly returned to London, the Duke of Hastings finds himself the primary topic of conversation amongst marriage-minded misses and ambitious mamas alike. Yet, for reasons of his own, our devastating Duke has zero interest in his title, society, or taking a wife.

He is reserved and keeps his emotions close to his chest, is morally upstanding and values honour. He is kind and humorous, willing to poke fun

Bridgerton is a period drama set in the sexy, lavish and competitive world of Regency London high society. From the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair to the aristocratic palaces of Park Lane and beyond, the series unveils a seductive, sumptuous world replete with intricate rules and dramatic power struggles, where no one is truly ever on steady ground. At the heart of the show is the powerful Bridgerton family. Comprised of eight close-knit siblings, this funny, witty, daring, and clever group must navigate the upper ten thousand's marriage mart in search of romance, adventure and love.

Historically, dating was called courting or wooing. A young lady of good breeding who wished to keep her reputation pristine so she would be a candidate for marriage never, ever allowed herself alone with a man. (The double standard is, of course, that the man could have a very sullied reputation and still be considered a good match if he were wealthy and well-connected enough, but that’s another matter.) Therefore, courting was a fairly public affair.If the gentleman wished to get better acquainted with the lady he had met the night before, he would send her flowers. Soon after, he would pay a visit to the family during their “at home” hours. At home hours were held at the family’s home when they received callers. Her mother or aunt or another chaperone would be present. They speak and flirt discreetly, all within view of the chaperone.His next obvious step was to take her for a stroll in one of the nearby walking parks, or take her riding, either on horseback or in an open carriage–open being the operative word since riding in a closed carriage could ruin her reputation as quickly as being alone in a house with a man. Taking her to the theatre or opera or museums might follow. He might even simply sit with her at events they both attend, as a way of courting her. During these outings or events, a chaperone generally remained close at hand.Courting could be short or take place over a long period of time. If she refused to dance with any other man but him, she basically announced to the world that she was unofficially engaged. Dancing together more than twice in one night was essentially an annoucmennt of engagment Public opinion placed them as engaged once people began to notice how frequently they saw the couple together. If he failed to make an offer of marriage for her, people said he had failed to come up to scratch and shook their heads and wondered if she were unsuitable or if he were. She might be labeled as “fast,” a terrible label for a proper young lady

Once he felt secure that she returned his affections (or determined to make the mach, regardless) the gentleman would make an appointment with her father and formally ask for her hand in marriage. His income would be scrutinized. A thoughtful father considered his daughter’s wishes in the matter.

If agreeable, the father’s attorney and the groom’s attorney drew up a prenuptial agreement called a marriage settlement. This called what went to her such as her pin money, dress allowance, jointure, and other ways he would provide for her in life and upon his death. It also spelled out her dowry that went to the man. With all that settled, the father broke the news to the girl and the wedding preparations would commence. The wedding announcement appeared in the social column of the newspapers after the wedding commenced. Some believed the wedding was not official until the annoucement of it appeared in print.