The Duke and I: Bridgertons Book 1 Summary
Julia Quinn

The Duke and I: Bridgertons Book 1 Overview

In the romance novel, The Duke and I: Bridgerton Book 1 by Julia Quinn, Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset (the Duke of Hastings) do not care much for society's rules. They fake a courtship so they can avoid being pressured into marriage, but their passion for each other puts them in a position where they have no choice but to be married. Simon has warned Daphne that he cannot have children, but she is shocked and hurt when she discovers that he simply does not want them. Daphne learns that after Simon’s father had rejected him because he stuttered, Simon made a vow to do everything he could to ensure that his father would be unhappy with him, including not having an heir to whom he could pass his title. Daphne tries to convince Simon he is only hurting himself with his vow. Themes in the novel include love and marriage in the Edwardian Era, preserving one’s honor, and overcoming one’s past.