Simon knows that Lady Danbury is trying to set him up with Daphne, as is Violet, Lady Bridgerton. He accepts the dinner invitation to the Bridgertons with a grain of salt. Yet, he seems touched that the kids in the family eat with their "mama" and the adults, with Violet saying they're eccentric since it's obviously not conventional. As Violet talks about how much she loves having the kids around and that they bring joy, he has a sweet smile on his face, tinged with a longing that he didn't have such a childhood, let alone a mother like her.
The queen helps out when Lord Berbrooke attempts blackmailing Daphne into marrying him. She shoos a gossipy servant out of the room and tells Violet exactly what to do: invite his mother for tea, and get gossip from Lady Berbrooke's servants.
While Eloise is an Annoying Younger Sibling, it's shown she doesn't hate Daphne. Far from it, when Daphne is nearly forced into marriage with Lord Berbrooke, Eloise is clearly horrified and in near tears for her sister. After her family manages to resolve this with Lady Whistledown's help, Eloise comes to Daphne's room and says she's glad Daphne isn't going to be trapped in a loveless marriage. She then asks Daphne how she isn't scared about marriage, being a wife, and having children. Daphne tries to be cool about it because she likes children, but Eloise recounts the night their mother almost died having Hyacinth, and was screaming despite Daphne trying to distract Eloise and her siblings by singing. Eloise still has nightmares about it, since their father had died only a few months before. That motivates Daphne to admit that she remembers the screams as well and yes, she is scared about what the future will bring and that it depends on the match she makes. But she reassures Eloise that no matter how dark things may get, they can find their happy ending, no matter if their wants seem impossible.
Simon effortlessly endearing himself to both Hyacinth and Gregory. When Hyacinth innocently ask for one of Simon's horse, Simon playfully asks her "would a pony do?" and makes a paper horse, much to the younger girl's delight. And when Gregory points out that it's just a paper horse, Simon continues the playful act by impishly asking "Is it?" before imitating a horse's snort, much to the amusement of both Hyacinth and Gregory. It's a very cute scene that cements him as a genuine Friend to All Children and hints to just how good a father he will be in the future. Doubly heartwarming about the scene is that Daphne herself looks utterly smitten at seeing Simon play with her two youngest siblings and it's made very clear that the rest of the Bridgertons are similarly endeared.
Daphne uses her last chance to save her deteriorated marriage by convincing Simon that she married him out of love (not solely to save her honor or having children) and how he deserves love, albeit his late father told him otherwise. As if touched by her genuine love and determination, he finally comes back to her; gives in to his love for her by wishing to be with her forever. He even humbles himself to make sure that he’s enough for her.
Lady Danbury, Violet, and Daphne cooing over Daphne's son, August, as seen above. Little August is even Lady Danbury's "grand-godson", indicating that Simon chose to honour the woman who helped him all his life - if anything happens to him and Daphne, Lady Danbury, the godmother, will become his guardian, because she's the right one to do so.
Lady Danbury presses Kate for the reason the Sharmas returned to London, saying hang that Kate went for a ride without a chaperone, what's more important is the deal with the Sheffields. She goes from angry to sympathetic when hearing that the Sheffields want Edwina to marry a noble as a condition of providing a dowry. Kate is fine with not being considered since she's a step-grandchild, as long as she finds a man that will make Edwina happy. Lady Danbury asks why not tell Edwina about the arrangement, since her sister is no longer a child. Kate responds that if Edwina knew, she would accept the first proposal lobbed her way without any thoughts to her own happiness out of love for her parent and sister. No, Edwina has to fulfill the conditions without knowing, so Kate can find the right nobleman for her.
Charlotte is known to be offended easily and matches wits with anyone that has the courage to contradict her. Then a nervous Eloise makes a remark about how she likes emeralds better than diamonds, in an attempt to sabotage her own chances. After a Beat, Charlotte says in Sincerity Mode that her favorite necklace is an emerald one and how nice it is that Eloise knows.
Colin seeks out Penelope at the afternoon races. He says that he's really happy to see her, and then seeks her out again. At the soiree, he says that Penelope's letters have encouraged him to realize that he is a better person than he thought he was, and thanks her. While he has sworn off woman, he can't swear off Pen, his Only Friend. Penelope isn't happy to hear she's just a friend, but she takes what she can get in stride.
Edwina sincerely compliments Penelope on her soiree dress, which is yellow and embroidered with flowers. She says that the color and flowers are lovely for her, and that she carries it well with poise.
When Anthony has a panic attack over Kate getting stung by a bee, this being how his father died, she chooses to comfort him. She places his hand on her sting, and her hand on his chest.
When no one comes to their soiree, Anthony turns it into an impromptu dance party with the Bridgertons, the Sharmas, and Lady Danbury. For a few minutes, they just have fun.
Kate, all along, has been driven by the feeling that she owes a debt to Mary for raising her. Mary disagrees.
Mary: You owed me nothing. Oh...You never had to earn your place in this family. I loved you from the day I met you. Oh, love is not something that is ever owed. You came into my life...as a daughter, and I never saw you as anything else.
When Eloise wants to escape the stares and whispers, Violet makes it clear that she loves her daughter because of her strong spirit, not in spite of it.
Eloise: I-I cannot do this tonight. I am sorry, Mama. I fear I must disappoint you yet again. Violet: The only thing that'd disappoint me is seeing you care what anyone else thinks. That would not be you.
In the middle of the aftermath of Edwina canceling her wedding, a senile King George comes and interrupts her audience with the queen. He immediately worries that he missed the ceremony after asking about fireworks, and talks about Lottie, his beautiful bride. Without missing a beat, Edwina goes and helps him back to his room, asking about their courtship.
Anthony cathartically cries when Violet tells him Kate has woken up from her coma. Violet apologises for what he had to go through after Edmund died and reassures him that although losing her husband was painful, she would choose to go through it every time "because real, true love is worth it". She then encourages Anthony to go after Kate.
After Edwina calms down from the initial heartbreak, rage and betrayal, she finally talks with Kate frankly after the latter suffered her near-fatal accident and recovered in bed. She says that she understands Kate was trying to protect her, but as a result they've both become strangers. Edwina asks Kate to stop treating her like a child, and they need to know each other better.
All it takes for Queen Charlotte is to see the way Anthony and Kate look at each other when they dance; being a fan of true love, she clears away the scandal with a few words and gives the couple her support.
Queen Charlotte offers to introduce Edwina to her nephew, Prince Friedrich. She doesn't just want Edwina to find a good match; she wants that girl in the family! Plus, last season showed us Friedrich is a true Prince Charming. Not only will Edwina likely get a happy ending, she'll likely get to be a literal princess. Karmic Jackpot, anyone?
As cold as Lady Featherington is, Lord Featherington trying to get her to leave her daughters behind while they go to America is the red line for her. She sets everything up to make him the fall guy for their scam and send him away with nothing, while the family title will pass to the son of one of her daughters.
Jack: Portia, we are a team. And an excellent one at that. Portia: Oh, I already have a team. They are three young ladies, often nettling and contrary, but they are mine. And it is clear to me that you do not care about them at all, so I am sending you away with your favorite person. Yourself.
Anthony's love declaration and second proposal to Kate in the season 2 finale. The simple, uncomplicated adoration with which he calls her "Kathani" — not Kate, but Kathani, the name not even her family uses for her — is absolutely dreamy.
Just how deliriously happy Anthony and Kate are together in the last scenes of series 2. They've both been through so much heartache, and it's incredibly heartwarming to see them so utterly enraptured with each other, without any need for guilt or regret.
about why he wants to marry Daphne left a million fangirls (and Daphne) swooning.