Simon Basset Quotes

(Daphne and Simon’s son is born…)

Daphne Bridgerton: Do you wish to hold him? We must think of a name.

Simon Basset: Whatever it is, I believe it must begin with the letter “A.” We do have family traditions, do we not?

Violet Bridgerton: We certainly do, Your Grace.

Daphne Bridgerton: You look angry and bothered. Look at you, you are downright flushed.

Simon Basset: Yes, that is what happens.

Daphne Bridgerton: When one is angry.

Simon Basset: When one burns for someone who does not feel the same!

Daphne Bridgerton: You… burn for me?

Simon Basset: Why do you think I followed you into that garden?

Daphne Bridgerton: Why do you think I went into that garden? If you would have only looked at me this week for longer than two seconds, you would have seen. It is you I cannot sacrifice. I burn… for you.

Daphne Bridgerton: Your Majesty, I assure you nothing untoward has occurred. It is only that we love each other so very much. While I was deeply flattered by the attention of your nephew, the prince, I… I simply could not ignore my long-standing affection for the duke. You see, Your Majesty, it was love at first sight.

Simon Basset: It was not, Your Majesty. The young lady flatters me, but it was not love at first sight for either of us. There was attraction, certainly, at least on my part. But Miss Bridgerton thought me presumptuous, arrogant, insincere. All fair, really. And I thought her a prim young lady barely out of leading strings. Not to mention the sister of my best friend, and so romance was entirely out of the question for both of us. But in so removing it, we found something far greater. We found friendship. You see, Miss Bridgerton and I have been fooling all of Mayfair for some time. We have fooled them into thinking we are courting… when really, all along, we simply enjoyed each other’s company so much we could not stay away from one another. I have never been a man that much enjoyed flirting, or chatting, or, indeed, talking at all. But with Daphne… Miss Bridgerton… conversation has always been easy. Her laughter brings me joy. To meet a beautiful woman is one thing, but to meet your best friend in the most beautiful of women is something entirely apart. And it is with my sincerest apologies, I must say it took the prince coming along for me to realize I did not want Miss Bridgerton to only be my friend. I wanted her to be my wife. I want her to be my wife. And so I plead with you… not to make us wait.

(Daphne stops a duel between Anthony and Simon…)

Daphne Bridgerton: It is not merely your own life that hangs in the balance now. If you do not marry me, I shall be ruined.

Simon Basset: Daphne, I cannot.

Daphne Bridgerton: Did you not hear me? Someone knows what we have done, someone who will surely talk. What possible reason could you have to condemn me to shame and reproach? Do you truly… Do you truly hold me in such low regard?

Simon Basset: It is because I regard you so highly that I cannot marry you. I know you do not love me, but I never thought you could despise me so. Daphne… You must know, if we were to wed… I can never give you children. It is your dream to be a mother, is it not? To have a household full of love and laughter, like the one you have known all your life? You deserve nothing less. You deserve everything your heart desires. But I cannot provide it for you. Nor could I ever ask such a sacrifice. Please, Daphne, for your own sake… you must stand aside… and let your brother finish this.

Anthony Bridgerton: We must resume before someone should find us.

Daphne Bridgerton: There will be no need to resume. The duke and I are to be married.

Daphne Bridgerton: Is my general ready for battle?

Simon Basset: I was born ready.

Daphne Bridgerton: Were that true, I suspect you would need less protection from our beloved packs of ambitious mamas.

Simon Basset: You call me the general, yet you are the first to draw blood.