Eloise Bridgerton was the fifth child and second daughter of the Bridgertons.
At the beginning of the social season in 1813, Eloise accompanied her family when her eldest sister Daphne made her debut. Eloise herself was granted another year’s leave before her debut. Eloise disliked attending balls and other social events, preferring instead to focus on her studies.[1]
When Penelope told Eloise that she knew of an unmarried woman who was pregnant, despite pretending to be a maid, Eloise became concerned that it might happen to her, as she did not know exactly how women became pregnant. She went to her family and asked her mother, although her mother refused to tell her, so she went to her brother. Colin began to tell her, using farm animals as examples, but Benedict stopped him with a slap on the head. She then goes to Penelope to find out more about the maid and is horrified to learn that the maid wants to run away and marry her lover.
One evening, Eloise goes out and sits on the swing, smoking. Benedict finds her, but instead of scolding her, just sits with her and the two talk about wanting things different from what society expects of them. Eloise then goes to see Daphne. She is shocked that Daphne actually wants to get married and have children. Hearing that their mother gave birth to Hyacinth has horrified her. Daphne admits that she was scared, but sees the light at the end of the tunnel, for their mother is Hyacinth. Eloise believes that she lied.[2]
Eloise finds herself again outside on the swing, smoking with Benedict. She talks to him about his art and tells him that, as a man, he should do whatever he wants, as he has the freedom to do so and she, as a woman, does not. They also talk about Lady Whistledown and Eloise’s admiration for her, writing despite being a woman and having to publish under a pseudonym. Benedict asks if she is Lady Whistledown. She says she is not, but admits that she would not tell him if she were.[3]
At an event, Eloise talks to Penelope about Daphne’s relationships. She does not expect Daphne to get engaged because she knows it would put pressure on her to be next. She is jealous of Lady Whistledown, who is living a dream in her mind. She wants Penelope to help find out Lady Whistledown’s true identity, but Penelope says she doesn’t have time, but still cheers Eloise on.
While trying to find out Lady Whistledown’s identity, Hyacinth interrogates Eloise, who wants to know what she’s doing. She doesn’t tell Hyacinth what she’s doing, instead pretending that she’s writing to Francesca about Hyacinth being a meddlesome person.
Believing that Lady Whistledown might be a servant, Eloise rummages through Mrs. Wilson’s belongings. Mrs. Wilson catches her and interrogates her. When Eloise admits why she’s there, Mrs. Wilson laughs at the idea that a servant would have time to become Lady Whistledown, or would continue to be a servant if they had money like Lady Whistledown.
She then goes to Penelope with her new theory that Lady Whistledown is a widow. Eloise is unaware that Penelope has just received bad news and ends up snapping at Eloise, saying that she doesn’t care, causing Eloise to start crying and leave.[4]
When Daphne becomes engaged, Eloise denies that she will follow in Daphne’s footsteps. She attends Daphne’s wedding to Simon and the reception afterwards. At the reception, she runs into Penelope, with whom she shares an awkward moment. Eloise goes to see Lady Danbury, believing her to be Lady Whistledown. Lady Danbury denies this, but says that she would love to know who she is if Eloise finds out. The Queen overhears this conversation and asks Eloise what evidence she has of Lady Whistledown’s identity. Eloise begins to explain to her.
Eloise and her family go to see Daphne off at the end of the reception. Daphne talks to Eloise, showing her her spare bedroom and saying that although they don’t have much in common, she knows that Eloise will make her own career.[5]
After Daphne gets married, Violet tells Eloise that it’s time for her to start preparing for her own debut, although Eloise isn’t interested. She says that she’s not good at anything she needs to do, but Violet says that she could do better if she spent as much time on it as she did on her diary. However, she goes with her mother to the tailor to have her dress hemmed.
When Penelope is distraught over Marina’s engagement to Colin, she goes to Eloise, who comforts her.[6]
