Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1 ends on a breathless cliffhanger, leaving fans ready for the Part 2 premiere on Feb. 26. Over four tantalizing initial episodes, viewers watched Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) and Benedict Bridgerton’s (Luke Thompson) undeniable attraction make it impossible for the two to stay apart, despite their different worlds. Benedict is the second son of a powerful aristocratic family, and Sophie is a maid with a secret (or two). Finally, in Episode 4, they give in to their feelings and share a passionate moment on the stairs of Bridgerton House. Afterward, Benedict pops a question that gives the book on which Season 4 is based — An Offer from a Gentleman — its title: “Be my mistress?”

Sophie rushes away without giving an answer. But the Part 2 clip above confirms neither she nor Benedict can avoid that question forever. 

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In the sneak peek scene, Sophie winds up in the Bridgerton study, where Benedict has secretly been keeping his artwork depicting the Lady in Silver. He met the captivating woman at his mother’s (Ruth Gemmell) masquerade ball in Episode 1, and searched desperately for her throughout the ton. In Episode 5, Sophie happens upon a romantic painting of the mysterious lady. Unbeknownst to Benedict — Sophie is the Lady in Silver. When Benedict surprises her by entering the room, their connection is undeniable. 

“It’s steamy knowing she has to work under the same roof as Benedict Bridgerton,” Ha says. “She tries really hard to have that put-together maid look and be like, ‘Everything’s cool. Nothing to see here.’ And then he looks at her, and she crumbles.”

PHOTO BY LIAM DANIEL

As the emotions rise, Sophie still asks Benedict important questions about their relationship — and his past with the Lady in Silver. “Who is this woman?,” she inquires, gesturing toward the painting. Benedict assures Sophie she’s the one who has his heart, which leads to another romantic, pulse-spiking moment that you won’t want to miss.   

Although Benedict swears his affections for Sophie, Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1 made it clear why his mistress proposal comes with some baggage. Sophie is the product of an affair her father, Lord Penwood (Arthur Lee), had with his maid-turned-mistress. For the first years of her life, Sophie was raised as her noble father’s ward. But things started to change once Penwood married Araminta Gun (Katie Leung). In the wake of Lord Penwood’s death, his cruel widow forced Sophie to become a maid in their home, leaving her with a completely different way of life and without status or financial security. 

PHOTO BY LIAM DANIEL

“Sophie really doesn’t want to ever put a child in the situation she was in,” says showrunner Jess Brownell. “Despite societal rules, there is a part of Sophie that’s hoping that Benedict could see beyond [the ton] and that what they have is so special it could overcome the obstacles of class.” Will Sophie accept his offer? Will Benedict realize Sophie and the Lady in Silver are the same? Watch Part 2 to find out!

As Sophie and Benedict decide their future, the clip above suggests that Part 1 was just the tip of the iceberg of their many sexy rendezvous: from the clandestine meetup in the study to a not-to-be-missed bathtub scene hinted at in the Part 2 teaser, the next chapter may be the hottest one yet. Thompson agrees, teasing, “There’s something quite romantic about that as well, because there’s always been this thing with them and water. The first time they met, they talked about wading in deeper together …” 

You’ll have to tune in on Feb. 26 to learn how deep Benedict and Sophie’s love can grow. Watch Part 2 to find out what happens between them and the rest of the Bridgerton cast, including Violet, Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), Francesca Stirling (Hannah Dodd), and Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli) — even Kate Bridgerton (Simone Ashley) and Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) will return, with their adorable baby in tow. 

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