A Gentle Reminder

Dearest Gentle Readers, ​The ton may whisper of dowries and titles, but let us speak of the only currency that truly matters: Respect. ​A match of "convenience" is a bore, but a match of inequality is a tragedy. Do not be fooled by a suitor who offers his hand only to demand your silence. A lady’s heart is not a prize to be won and tucked away; it is a fire to be tended by an equal. ​To love is a venture of the heart, but to love without respect is merely a gilded cage. A diamond, however bright, loses its luster when kept in the dark by a hand that does not value its brilliance. ​Do not settle for a love that requires you to shrink so that another may feel tall. The most scandalous thing a lady can do is forget that she is a sovereign entity, entitled to a seat at the table and not just a cushion at the feet. ​Never dim your light to make a man feel brighter. The most exquisite dance is one where both partners lead in perfect, respectful harmony. ​Yours Truly, ​Lady Whistledown

• Bridgerton