Anthony Bridgerton had always known he would die young.
-- Narrator (“Prologue”)

Importance: Quinn opens her novel with this surprising statement that piques the reader’s interest and keeps them reading to find out why Anthony knew he would die young. Anthony’s fear is significant because it is the basis for his decision to marry a woman with whom he believes he will not fall in love.

But before he could finish his question, Daphne lifted her head, and the shattering heartbreak in her large brown eyes cut through him like a knife. He stumbled back a step, knowing something was wrong, terribly wrong.
-- Narrator (“Prologue” )

Importance: Anthony knew when he saw Daphne crying that something horrible had happened. Daphne told him that their father had died after begin stung by a bee.

Edmund Bridgerton had died at the age of thirty-eight. And Anthony simply couldn’t imagine ever surpassing his father in any way, even...
-- Narrator (“Prologue” )