Bridgerton may have a large cast, but Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) and Lady Agatha Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) certainly made their presence known. These two matriarchal figures have quite a friendship over the two seasons, as they engineered a pair developed of weddings that, let’s face it, look unlikely. These two women have little in common, Violet is a dedicated mother of eight, who is devoted to her children and her late husband. Meanwhile, the sharp-tongued Agatha Danbury lives alone, seems grateful that her children left the country, and shows a particular interest in matchmaking. Yet these two women get along well, often assisting each other in their endeavors to marry off children or family friends.
However, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story shows a deeper side to their friendship. Tying into their lives several decades before the main show, the series develops Agatha (Arsema Thomas), in particular, but a young Violet (Connie Jenkins-Greig) appears as well. The show flashes between the women in the months following Bridgerton Season 2 and their younger days, explaining the details of the stories which the women discuss. Although it expands their friendship, as Agatha helps Violet through personal problems, Queen Charlotte leaves their relationship in a precarious place, making the audience wonder if troubled waters lay ahead in this friendship.
Lady Danbury’s Affair in ‘Queen Charlotte’
The problems begin in the past, and the secrecy certainly doesn’t help. The spinoff series shows a young Agatha Danbury trapped in a loveless marriage with a much older man. Throughout her appearances, it’s clear that she and her husband have no connection, and Agatha has never experienced love. She was betrothed to Danbury (Cyril Nri) at three years old and never had a choice. Agatha and her husband are granted titles in the Great Experiment, and Agatha joins the queen’s (India Amarteifio) court. She also strikes a deal with the king’s mother, Princess Augusta (Michelle Fairley), to inform Charlotte in exchange for help. In this way, Agatha and Danbury become the defacto leaders of the families raised by the Great Experiment. They are granted an estate, which shares borders with the Ledgers, Violet’s parents. When her husband dies suddenly, Agatha takes to walking the land for solitude but wanders onto the Ledger’s property. There she runs into Lord Ledger (Keir Charles), who has a similar habit.
Despite the tension in the news from the Great Experiment, Ledger showed the Danburys kindness. And when they meet again, he is understanding towards Agatha. Ledger’s marriage isn’t blissful, and his long walks are partially to avoid his wife. Agatha starts meeting him, and they go on walks together, and on one such walk, she confides in him about her birthday, which she fears would pass uncelebrated without a husband. In response, Ledger makes a birthday crown for her, as he does for his daughter. This catapults them into an affair. But soon, Ledger pulls back, ending the affair before Agatha is ready. They still see each other often, but Ledger takes Violet along to prevent another lapse in judgment. Although briefly, her relationship with Ledger taught Agatha much about love. However, it remains a surprisingly well-kept secret even decades later.
