Bridgerton S01e02 -

Simon's mother died during childbirth after finally delivering a male heir. His father, Lord Hastings, was only concerned with the boy's ability to carry on the family name and showed no grief for his wife.

A close friend of his mother, Lady Danbury, intervened, helping Simon find his voice and gain the confidence to eventually confront his father. Bridgerton s01e02

By pretending to be "glued to each other's side," Simon avoids mothers looking to marry off their daughters, while Daphne becomes a "prize" coveted by other men who suddenly see her as more desirable because a Duke wants her. By pretending to be "glued to each other's

Anthony Bridgerton is furious about the arrangement, distrusting Simon’s rakish reputation and fearing for his sister's honor. The Origin Story: Simon’s Past where Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset

The episode follows the fallout of the Vauxhall Gardens celebration , where Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, agreed to a fake courtship.