One of the most important moments in Bridgerton book canon happens before Sophie Beckett ever meets Benedict. It happens at the reading of her father’s will, and it explains almost everything about how Sophie ends up trapped in Lady Penwood’s household.
In An Offer From a Gentleman, the Earl of Penwood is clear about his intentions. He does not forget Sophie. He does not leave her unprotected.
When the solicitor reads the will, it states:
“He settled funds on Rosamund, Posy, and even Sophie, ensuring that all three girls would have respectable dowries.”
Sophie was meant to have money. She was meant to have options. That alone contradicts the story she is told her entire life.
The will then turns to Araminta Gunningworth, Countess of Penwood. She is left a yearly income, but with a condition attached:
“To my wife, Araminta Gunningworth, Countess of Penwood, I leave a yearly income of two thousand pounds unless she agrees to shelter and care for my ward, Miss Sophia Maria Beckett, until the latter reaches the age of twenty, in which case her yearly income shall be trebled to six thousand pounds.”
Araminta’s reaction makes her priorities clear.
“That’s all?” Araminta cried out.
When reminded she does not have to take Sophie in, she responds:
“Live on a measly two thousand a year? I don’t think so.”
She is also very clear about Sophie herself.
“I don’t want her.”
Araminta does not agree to take Sophie because she cares about her. She agrees because her income triples if she does.
And then she lies.
The book explicitly tells us that when Araminta goes to Sophie, she withholds the truth:
“But when Araminta found Sophie, she left out a few important facts…”
Those facts are everything. Sophie is never told she has money set aside for her. She is never told that Araminta is being paid to care for her. Instead, Sophie is told she was left nothing and should be grateful to stay at all.
From that point on, Sophie’s life is shaped by that lie. She grows up believing she has no claim, no safety net, and no future beyond service. Meanwhile, Araminta benefits financially while keeping Sophie dependent and powerless.
This is not a misunderstanding of the will. It is a choice. Araminta follows the parts that benefit her and ignores the parts meant to protect Sophie.
As season 4 part 2 approaches, the show may change timelines and character details. But this piece of the story will most likely stay the same. It explains why Sophie has so few options and why her situation is not the result of bad luck but of deliberate deception.
The will was meant to secure Sophie’s future. Instead, it became the reason it was taken from her.
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