- This page is about the book character. For the Netflix character, see Mary Sharma
Mary Sheffield is the stepmother of Kate Bridgerton, and the mother of Edwina Bagwell.
History[]
Mary was married once before she married Kate's father. She married Kate's father only a few months after his first wife died, as he felt that Kate needed a mother. She used to visit the grave of Kate's mother, and give her updates about Kate when she was younger. She also used to comfort Kate during thunderstorms. Even after giving birth to her own daughter, Edwina, Mary treated both girls as her own.
After Mary's husband died, the Sheffield family were financially constrained. They were not poor, but they were not wealthy enough to live in London. In order to make sure both Kate & Edwina were able to marry well, Mary made the decision to have her daughters debut in the same year — when Edwina turned 17, and Kate would be 21. The family saved as much money as they could for five years to prepare for a London visit.
1814[]
Mary supervises both Kate and Edwina as they make their debuts in London. When Edwina is courted by Anthony Bridgerton, Kate doesn't approve, but Mary dismisses her concerns and tells her to worry about her own prospects. When Anthony visits, Mary is accosted by Kate's dog Newton, whom she dislikes, and causes a scene that Anthony witnesses. She insists Kate take Newton for a walk, and convinces Anthony to join her. Edwina becomes sick, and Kate tries to use this as an excuse to avoid the Bridgerton musicale event. Mary, though, refuses, saying Kate should look for matches too.
Mary brings her daughters to the Bridgerton country party at Aubrey Hall, and tells Kate to be on her best behavior around Anthony, which Kate reluctantly agrees to do. Mary was with Violet Bridgerton and Portia Featherington when they caught Anthony and Kate in a compromising position. Mary pulled Kate away from Anthony, who was convinced by his mother to marry Kate. Violet took Mary inside to begin planning, and Mary later joined Kate and Violet with Edwina when they went shopping for her trousseau.
The night before Kate's wedding, Mary explained to her how she believed a physical relationship was only enjoyable if a woman loved her husband. Even though Kate and Anthony married out of honor, Mary was confident that Anthony would make her happy, and told Kate she would enjoy being married.
A month after Kate's marriage, she visits Mary and reveals that she still fears thunderstorms, and asks Mary what happened to her mother, because she thinks it's connected. Mary tells Kate how her mother died during a thunderstorm and Kate was present when it happened. Mary feels guilty for Kate trying to stay strong, but Kate tells Mary that she's always done right by her and she loves her very much.
1829-30[]
Mary died a month before Kate found out she was pregnant with her fourth child. In honor of Mary, Kate named her newborn daughter after her.
Personality[]
Mary Sheffield brings her two daughters to London to help them get married. Though Kate is her stepdaughter, Mary considers Kate her own as much as Edwina, and wants her to have as much a chance to marry. Her love for both of them fuels her determination to have her daughters marry not only advantageously, but also happily to someone they will love.
Relationships[]
Romantic[]
Mary mentioned that she was married once before she married Kate's father. She didn't love her first husband, and found having a physical relationship with him difficult because of it.
Mary's second husband was a recent widower with a young daughter, Kate. His main reason for marrying was so Kate would have a mother figure. Mary wanted to fulfill that role that her husband wished for, and became a mother and wife. Kate remembers Mary and her father sharing a loving relationship, and Mary said she did love Kate's father. Their daughter, Edwina, was born within the first year of their marriage.
Familial[]
Kate Bridgerton[]
Though Kate is Mary's stepdaughter, Mary loved and cared for her like her own daughter. Mary used to go to the grave of Kate's mother, and give her updates about Kate. When Mary caught Kate and Anthony in a compromising position, she was immediately concerned for her daughter's reputation being ruined by the potential scandal. Anthony agreed to marry Kate, saving Mary and her daughters from ruin. Before Kate got married, Mary told her how she wanted both her daughters to be prepared for a physical relationship in marriage the way she wasn't. When Kate later came and told Mary how she still had a fear of storms, Mary felt ashamed for not seeing her daughter was distressed. Kate, though, didn't blame Mary, and said she had loved her as well as a mother could, making Kate feel like her own daughter.
Edwina Bagwell[]
Edwina is Mary's own daughter with her husband, and the two look alike, according to Kate. Mary loves Edwina as much as Kate, hoping she will find someone who she loves to marry. As the diamond of the season, Edwina is courted by many, and Mary welcomes them, letting Edwina decide who she would prefer. When Kate gets engaged, Edwina is excited to learn about a physical relationship from Mary, but her mother tells Edwina she will only tell her the night before Edwina's wedding, showing that despite her leniency, Mary knows how to keep Edwina in check.
Friendships[]
Professional[]
Notes and Trivia[]
Appearances[]
| Bridgerton Books | |||||
| #01 | "The Duke and I" | #04 | "Romancing Mister Bridgerton" | #07 | "It's In His Kiss" |
| #02 | "The Viscount Who Loved Me" | #05 | "To Sir Phillip, With Love" | #08 | "On The Way To The Wedding" |
| #03 | "An Offer from a Gentleman" | #06 | "When He Was Wicked" | #09 | "The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After" |