The installment opens with Lady Whistledown declaring the near end of social season by noting a barely memorable noble couple’s shocking decision to court, marry and move away rather quickly. This is juxtaposed with the Duke and Duchess of Hastings sitting acrimoniously for a portrait painted by the secretly polyamorous Henry Granville. Simon and Daphne tersely discuss their plans for their upcoming ball while posing for the painting but don’t bother to touch or look at each other until Henry asks them to do so for the sake of the portrait. The couple does as they’re told and, for nearly a minute, Simon and Daphne realize they’re still in love. But the moment is fleeting, and as soon as Henry comments about the look of devotion in their eyes, Daphne and Simon quickly return to their despondence.