Gardens in Bloom is the fifth episode of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Synopsis[]
Charlotte reaches out to George as she comes under the watchful eye of an unwelcome houseguest. Lady Danbury ponders the future during daily walks.
Full Summary[]
An opera singer performs for a full audience, including Queen Charlotte. From elsewhere in the room, Violet quietly tells Lady Danbury the queen must be the loneliest woman in England. Violet wonders if she misses companionship. She's always surrounded by people, but no gentlemen. Lady Danbury says she has a husband, but in a very real way, she's as much a widow as they are. Violet wonders if the queen ever seeks another kind of companionship. Lady Danbury is appalled.
Violet lies awake at night.
Lady Danbury gets up at night and goes into her late husband's bedchamber, where she remembers having unpleasant sex with him.
Queen Charlotte sits up with a start. She rings her bell and Brimsley appears. She frantically asks if her husband is dead. Brimsley says he hasn't heard anything, so he imagines the king remains alive. She asks him to find out. She wants to be sure. He leaves to do that.
Queen Charlotte wakes up alone.
Reynolds hears King George calling out in pain. He stands outside the room and ignores it.
Mourners attend Lord Danbury's funeral. Lord Ledger and Violet Ledger are among the mourners Lady Danbury sees.
Coral finds Lady Danbury up in the middle of the night and asks if there's anything she needs. Lady Danbury notes that the children aren't upset at the death of their father. It makes sense as he was a stranger to them. He only saw them a few times a month. Lady Danbury apologizes and tells Coral to go back to bed. Coral says she must be mourning. Lady Danbury says she's drinking port wine. She hates it, but it was Lord Danbury's favorite. She was promised to him when she was three. She was raised to be his wife. She was taught to love all the things he loved. She never thought about what it would be like after he was gone. She doesn't know how to do it. She's brand new.
Queen Charlotte walks in the garden. She tells Brimsley to have the crops harvested and given to the poor. Brimsley gets a message from a footman. He tells Queen Charlotte that Princess Augusta has arrived with Lord Bute. Queen Charlotte says she's not receiving visitors. He says the royal physician has come with them. She refuses to see the physician.
Queen Charlotte lies back on the bed with Dr. Hunter between her legs, working. He's taking a long time, according to Princess Augusta and Lord Bute. Dr. Hunter confirms that Queen Charlotte is pregnant. In fact, she's quite far along and progressing well. Lord Bute wants to announce, but Princess Augusta says not until the quickening, which Dr. Hunter says should be before the end of the month. Princess Augusta says she'll have her things moved. She doesn't want to leave Queen Charlotte alone for even a moment.
Queen Charlotte writes a letter and seals it, then hands it to Brimsley.
Brimsley takes the letter to Reynolds. He goes to leave, but Reynolds stops him. Reynolds struggles to get his words out, so Brimsley leaves, telling him to deliver the letter to the king.
Reynolds again hears King George crying out in pain. He knocks on the door and Monro's assistant says Reynolds has been told not to bother Doctor Monro when he's working. Reynolds says he has a letter from Queen Charlotte to King George. The assistant tries to take it, but royal mail must be delivered personally. The assistant shuts the door. A moment later, it opens again and a shivering King George is standing there. He tries to take the letter, but Monro says he's not ready. King George tells Reynolds to put it with the others. The door then slams shut and locks.
Reynolds goes to the conservatory, where he adds the new letter to a large pile of similar letters.
Lady Danbury lies in her late husband's bed and stares at the ceiling. Coral comes in and says she has visitors. She tries to refuse because she's in mourning, but Coral says it's Lord and Lady Smythe-Smith, along with the Duke of Hastings and other families from their side. They say they have concerns.
Lady Smythe-Smith says she's devastated for Lady Danbury, but they need to know what happens now. What do they become? They think the palace must have given her some word on what will happen next, if her son will inherit her late husband's estate and title. She never thought to ask. She'll set the precedent for them all.
Lady Danbury searches her husband's desk. Coral comes in and says Lord Danbury's valets didn't know and neither did the butler. Lady Danbury says her husband had a solicitor. They met several times about things. She just needs to find his name. Coral asks if it would be so bad to lose the title. Lady Danbury says everyone is looking for answers. They've been given a taste of equality and don't want to lose it. She finds the name of the solicitor. She just needs to send for him. Coral asks if the solicitor would really come see a woman. Lady Danbury decides to sign the letter just Danbury and hope he assumes she's a man with poor etiquette.
Queen Charlotte asks if Brimsley has heard anything and he says he hasn't. Queen Charlotte asks if he's sure King George is receiving the letters and Brimsley says he's delivering them. Queen Charlotte asks if Princess Augusta is still there and Brimsley says she is.
Queen Charlotte sits while Allan Ramsay paints her. She's been sitting for a while, but he says he's not even halfway done. He shows her there's a large gap where King George is meant to be. It's a wedding portrait at King George's request. Queen Charlotte notices her skin is too light and tells him to paint it darker, as it actually is. Princess Augusta looks at it and says to paint her lighter, as the king wants her to glow.
Queen Charlotte writes another letter to King George. She hands it off to Brimsley.
Brimsley carefully opens the queen's letter to the king and reads it. He seals it shut again.
Brimsley meets with Reynolds. He tells Reynolds there is no letter, but Reynolds says he can see it. Brimsley admits there is a letter, but not for the king. She's written to Duke Adolphus, her brother. She's asking him to take her back to Germany. Brimsley asks if he should send it. He could fail to send it. Brimsley says Reynolds could tell the king and the king can take action and come back to his queen. Reynolds tells him there's nothing that can be done, so he should send it. Brimsley says everything's in danger and Reynolds is keeping secrets.
Coral is shocked that Lady Danbury is going out to walk. She wants to go with, but Lady Danbury wants solitude.
Lady Danbury walks around her property. She finds an old structure and sits down next to it. She pulls off her shoes and rubs her feet. Lord Ledger finds her and says those don't seem to be the best shoes for the fields. He says she's on his property, but only just. Their properties touch. He promises not to set the hounds on her for trespassing. He's out walking himself. He does it every day, but he calls it rambling. She says it's her first time. He says he's sorry for her loss. She couldn't stay in bed any longer, so here she is. Lord Ledger says it'll make her feel better, but she should wear better shoes tomorrow. They can ramble together.
Prince William and Prince Edward arrive at the palace.
Queen Charlotte introduces William to Princess Adelaide and Edward to Princess Victoria. She says they'll call on the two women again shortly. Once they're gone, Queen Charlotte says those are their betrothed. They're noble and rich. They are perfect and they will be their wives. William and Edward are both appalled and want to have a say.
Violet walks around the gallery and fans herself as she looks at the art. Lady Danbury finds her looking at a painting of a young couple which she calls provocative. She asks if Violet is okay. She's seemed out of sorts lately. Violet claims she's fine, but then admits to being out of sorts. Anthony is on his honeymoon. Gregory is growing. Eloise is fighting with Penelope, so she's stomping around the house. Lady Danbury realizes there's something Violet is holding back. Violet says she won't say it. She can't. Lady Danbury tells her she can. Violet finally admits that her garden is in bloom. She and her husband had a garden, a luscious garden. When he died, the garden died. She didn't think about it or want it. And recently, it began to bloom and it wants things. She's becoming dangerous. She almost asked a footman to lay on top of her. Violet quickly excuses herself and leaves.
Lady Danbury meets up with Lord Ledger. She's wearing riding boots, which are much more practical. They walk together. He explains how he walks around and notices things. He also notices what's not there.
Lady Danbury says she requires more solitude and Coral says yesterday, Lady Danbury's dinner spoiled. Lady Danbury tells Coral to tell the kitchen she doesn't need dinner.
Lady Danbury and Lord Ledger walk together again.
Lady Danbury tells Coral she needs solitude again.
Lord Ledger and Lady Danbury walk and observe things not there.
Queen Charlotte is pleased to see William and Edward. They need to discuss flowers for the wedding. William and Edward tell her there will be no wedding. They've brought Prince George with them. He's in charge since their father is incapacitated. According to the Royal Marriages Act of Parliament, he must approve all royal weddings. And he hasn't approved them and will not. He's offended that the queen didn't consult him first. Queen Charlotte admits they're right. She overstepped. As Prince Regent, the matter is entirely in Prince George's hands. Then she tells George to be a good boy and approve his brothers' marriages, which he immediately does.
Queen Charlotte sits alone.
Duke Adolphus arrives at the palace. Brimsley greets him and he tells Brimsley his trip was horrible.
Brimsley takes Adolphus to see Queen Charlotte. Queen Charlotte confirms that Princess Augusta is with the modiste and tells Brimsley to wait outside. Queen Charlotte hugs her brother. He would have been there sooner, but it was a hard crossing. He's pleased to discover she's with child. She says she's not happy and wants to go home. He says she can't. She thinks he can't refuse her as a member of the royal family. He says she's carrying the royal fruit. Until her child is born, her body is not her own. Leaving now would be treason and kingnapping. She just wants to be home with her family. He says King George is her family now. He asks if there's something wrong, if the king is hurting her. Queen Charlotte says everything is fine, which he's relieved to hear. He used her engagement to forge an alliance which means they're defended by Great Britain. Their fates are tied. Queen Charlotte offers to show him some exotic creatures they have now.
Reynolds walks outside, away from the sounds of the king's screams. He sees two footmen whispering and tells them to stop.
Lady Danbury tells Lord Ledger the things she has. She might lose her title and her estate and along with it, her future happiness. She doesn't consider her husband among the things she lacks. He imagines many widows would say the same. Widowers, too, if they were as free as she is. She doesn't feel free. He's dead, but she's burdened with figuring out what she is as a woman not tied to a man. She's on her own, but life is out of reach. Her birthday is next week, but it'll just be another day in mourning. He says she can still go for rambles with him. They lean in, but he pulls back and gets up before they can kiss. He excuses himself to leave.
Lady Danbury looks at the place where she used to sit and talk with Lord Ledger. It's run down.
Lady Danbury tells Coral she's not hungry. Coral says a gentleman is there to see her, the solicitor.
Henry Reed tells Lady Danbury there's no precedent for cases like hers. It's an experiment and her husband is the first to die. The title and estate were bestowed on the late Lord Danbury, not on her. Normally, they'd pass to the next Lord Danbury, but no one clarified if the new peerages pass down. It's likely they revert to the crown, leaving her with nothing but her husband's old house and money. He tells her that he spent a large amount of money to support their new lifestyle. Due to the peerage they might not be able to keep, she could be left penniless and homeless. She asks what she should do. He says she could seek the kindness of a male relative or remarry.
Lady Danbury stands alone in her husband's bed chamber. She repeatedly kicks the bed, then throws the covers on the floor.
Princess Augusta thinks it's nice that Duke Adolphus is visiting his sister. When she married, she barely saw her family again. Queen Charlotte is fortunate for that. When Queen Charlotte doesn't react, Princess Agusuta blames it on her confinement. Carrying a future king isn't easy. Duke Adolphus asks where the current king is and Princess Augusta says he has business. Queen Charlotte says she writes him letters.
Queen Charlotte, Duke Adolphus, and Princess Augusta enjoy a musical performance. Princess Augusta tells Queen Charlotte she's done her duty. She's carrying an heir. And she never has to see King George again if she doesn't want to, at least until they need another heir.
Queen Charlotte stops suddenly while walking down the hallway and begins to cry. Brimsley holds up his hand as if to comfort her, but doesn't make contact. After a moment, she wipes her tear and continues.
Reynolds rides his horse.
Brimsley brings Reynolds in and shows him that the wall the king wrote on has been cleaned. And he has a plan to shield the garden should the king need to bathe in the moonlight without his garments. He tells Renyolds he's worried about the queen. She might need to see the king's doctor again. Reynolds refuses. Brimsley is upset because Reynolds is keeping secrets and won't tell him anything. Reynolds says he can't help Brimsley. He leaves to get back to the king.
Reynolds goes back to the cellar, where Monro is torturing a screaming George. Reynolds forces his way into the room, saying he's the king's man and he will see the king. Monro's assistant reminds him he's not allowed in there. Reynolds pushes his way past and sees King George being repeatedly dunked in water. Reynolds tries to stop them, but is forced out.
Lady Danbury watches her children play with their nanny. She pulls off her mourning veil.
Violet meets Lady Danbury at the now-empty exhibition. Lady Danbury thought Violet would enjoy it more without the crowds. Violet apologizes for her outburst the day before. Lady Danbury says it wasn't nonsense and she won't forget it. She wonders what the two of us really know about each other, beyond social chatter and gossip. Violet opened herself up to show who she really was. That was brave. They spend all their time matchmaking, but never for anyone mature enough to know what it means. They are never the topics of conversation. Lady Whistledown never writes about them. Yesterday, Violet told her part of her story and Lady Danbury thanks her for that. She takes VIolet to see one of her favorite works. It's King George and Queen Charlotte, whose garden is always in bloom. Violet asks if that's still true and Lady Danbury says it is. They all have gardens. Hers didn't die with her husband because it had never been planted. She didn't know she could have one until after he was gone. And when it did, she nurtured it. Violet's never once considered another man. Lady Danbury tells her it's okay to want it. Violet says she wants to be gardened.
Brimsley asks Queen Charlotte if they should replant the garden. She says no, to let it die. Brimsley tells her she can't leave England. She tells him he'll have to stay there or he'll be blamed. Queen Charlotte asks where Princess Augusta is.
The Danbury nanny gets Dominic Danbury ready. He doesn't want to wear his neckerchief, but Lady Danbury tells him it's an important day and he must behave.
Dominic asks when they're going back to Nanny. Lady Danbury says she's sorry he doesn't know her. She didn't know her parents well either. She knows it's scary to leave Nanny, but she's his mother and his father is dead, so he's the man of the family. And his family needs him to do his duty. He says okay.
Lady Danbury introduces Dominic to Princess Augusta as Lord Danbury. Princess Augusta starts to address him as Lord Danbury, But Lord Bute subtly stops her and quietly reminds her that the question of inheritance hasn't been settled. Earl Harcourt says her actions would have implications. Princess Augusta avoids addressing him at all and dismisses them.
Dominic asks his mother if he did his duty. She says he showed them who he is. He says he's Dominic Danbury, son of Herman Danbury. She says he is that and he is Lord Danbury. He will take his rightful place because he's entitled to it as her son. She is borne of royal blood of the Kpa-Mende Bo tribe in Sierra Leone. He comes from warriors.
Lord Ledger makes a birthday hat. Violet tells him it's beautiful, but he'll have to start over because it's too big for her head. He tells her this one isn't for her. It's for a friend. Violet says he never makes them for his friends, but this friend is feeling sad and he wants to help. He starts to doubt himself, but Violet says his hats bring cheer. No one should be sad on their birthday. She asks if she can help, but he needs to make this one on his own. She tells him to add paper flowers because everyone loves those.
Coral tells Lady Danbury that Queen Charlotte is luminous. Coral's never seen anyone so rich. She didn't say why she's there. Lady Danbury has Coral take Dominic back to Nanny.
Lady Danbury goes to see Queen Charlotte, who offers her condolences. Lady Danbury says Queen Charlotte should be at home resting. Queen Charlotte starts to cry and says that place has no home. She has left and she's never going back. Lady Danbury asks where she'll go. Queen Charlotte says she's come there.
Lady Danbury goes to Coral and says the queen means to stay. It's terrifying because she's carrying the heir. Lady Danbury can't be responsible for her. The queen is asking her to commit treason. She has Coral send a footman to Buckingham House. In the meantime, Lady Danbury sits on a chair blocking the door.
Duke Adolphus is upset with Brimsley for losing the queen. Brimsley says the queen is not lost. He knows her circumstances and he's capable of handling them, if foreigners would stay out of his way and let him handle it. Brimsley calls for a carriage.
Queen Charlotte rubs her belly and talks to the baby. Lady Danbury comes in and tells her Brimsley is there and so is the queen's brother. Queen Charlotte refuses to see them. Lady Danbury says her problems won't be solved in that room. Queen Charlotte doesn't think they'll be solved anywhere. Queen Charlotte wants to tell Lady Danbury what's troubling her, but she can't. All she can say is that she's been lied to and betrayed by everyone in the country except Lady Danbury. Lady Danbury is her only friend. Lady Danbury says she wants to be Queen Charlotte's friend, but for now, she's just her subject. And she's been acting as such, not considering the queen's feelings. If they're to be friends, they need to start again. Lady Danbury needs a friend, too. Queen Charlotte says Lady Danbury will be her friend. Queen Charlotte says this isn't the life she wished for. Lady Danbury says they're women and the men who hold their fates don't consider that they have desires and dreams of their own. If they want to live their own lives, they have to make the men think of them.
Queen Charlotte leaves, thanking Lady Danbury for her hospitality. Duke Adolphus thanks her for her discretion and grace.
Prince Edward and Prince William prepare to be married. Prince William goes to Queen Charlotte, but she doesn't want to hear what he has to say. She tells him his long boyhood is over. In an hour, he'll be a husband. He admits he's afraid that he won't be able to love her. Queen Charlotte says love isn't something someone is able or not able to do based on magic. It's determination, a choice one makes. You take someone in marriage and choose to love them. You don't give yourself another option. Marriage is difficult and the life of a royal is lonely. So you grab someone and hang on. You love hard because if you don't, you're lost. Princess Adelaide and Princess Victoria are led in. William moves to his place.
Duke Adolphus tells Queen Charlotte that her first duty is to her people. She'll grow to love her duties. Queen Charlotte hesitates before entering Buckingham House. She tells Duke Adolphus that he sold her off to be the Queen of England, so she's going to be the Queen of England. She goes back to her carriage.
Lady Danbury goes to leave and sees Lord Ledger standing outside her door. He gives her the birthday hat he made for her. He didn't want her birthday to pass without celebration. She says he can't be there and he says he isn't there. He can't come in. He says he has no intention of coming in. She says he must be quiet and he promises not to make a sound because he isn't there and he's not coming in. She opens the door wider and he comes inside. They start kissing.
Lady Danbury searches her home.
Reynolds greets Queen Charlotte. She asks him where the king is and he tells her the king can't see her now. Doctor Monro reiterates that it's impossible for her to see King George right now. She insists and says she'll have her men search the entire palace if they don't take her to him. Reynolds directs her to King George.
Lady Danbury continues her search. Finally, she finds a box. She opens it and smiles.
Queen Charlotte finds King George being tortured and restrained. She demands they untie him, which they do. He gets up and falls into her arms. She orders everyone else out of the room. Once they're alone, Queen Charlotte tells King George that Venus is here. Then she abandons that and tells him she's Charlotte and she needs him to be George. She needs him to try. She puts his hands on her belly and tells him the baby kicks. It's their child and they need him to come back to them. He looks at her and says her name. She kisses and holds him.
Doctor Monro tells Queen Charlotte that despite his methods, he desires the king's sanity as much as she does. She doesn't care for his sanity, she says. She cares for his happiness and his soul. If he needs to be mad, he can be mad. She orders Monro removed from the grounds. Then she goes to Reynolds and tells him the king needs a warm bath, food, and clothes. Then she tells Brimsley she needs her things packed because they're moving to Kew.
Lord Ledger and Lady Danbury have enthusiastic sex.
Lady Danbury pulls the birthday hat Lord Ledger made for her out of the box.
Lady Danbury looks up at the ceiling as she did before.
Lady Danbury puts the hat on.
Lady Danbury tells Lord Ledger to stop. Then she pushes him down and climbs on top of him. They continue.
Lady Danbury smiles.
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[]
- Connie Jenkins-Greig as Young Violet
- Tunji Kasim as Adolphus
- Guy Henry as Doctor Monro
- Keir Charles as Lord Ledger
- Peyvand Sadeghian as Coral
- Ryan Gage as Prince Regent
- Jack Michael Stacey as Prince Edward
- Seamus Dillane as Prince William
- Neil Edmond as Earl Harcourt
- Richard Cunningham as Lord Bute
- Sophie Harkness as Princess Adelaide
- Florence Dobson as Princess Victoria
- Isaiah Ajiboye as Dominic
- Jasper Jacob as Henry Reed
- Amy Rockson as Danbury Nanny
- Lemar Obika as Lord Smythe-Smith
- Nicola Alexis as Lady Smythe-Smith
- Harry Omosele as Duke of Hastings
- Gerrard McArthur as Dr. Hunter
- Riyonn Farsad as Monro's Assistant
- Daniel Cerqueira as Allan Ramsay
- Sean Alayo as Bishop
- Alison Buchanan as Operatic Soprano
Music[]
| Song | Performer | Scene |
|---|---|---|
| "Run the World" | Caleb Chan & Brian Chan (originally by Beyoncé) |
|
Notes and Trivia[]
Gallery[]
Episode Stills[]
Behind the Scenes[]
Quotes[]
See Also[]
|
A complete overview of this episode's crew can be found here. |
| Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story | |||||
| #01 | "Queen to Be" | #03 | "Even Days" | #05 | "Gardens in Bloom" |
| #02 | "Honeymoon Bliss" | #04 | "Holding the King" | #06 | "Crown Jewels" |