Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) is distraught upon learning Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) is Lady Whistledown, the famed gossip writer on Bridgerton. The Netflix show dedicates each season to a romance of one of the Bridgerton siblings, so far focusing on Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), Anthony (Jonthan Bailey), and Colin (Luke Newton). However, one of the main “B” storylines is Eloise uncovering the real identity of Lady Whistledown and how Penelope tries to keep it a secret. Initially, Eloise wants to unmask Lady Whistledown so she can learn from her how as she admires the writer’s accomplishments, but that changes.

As the series continues, Eloise’s reasons change to wanting to convince Lady Whistledown to write about the things she wants. This comes to a head when Queen Charlotte believes Eloise was Lady Whistledown. Desperate to find a solution, Penelope exposes Eloise’s trips to political rallies, which forces the Queen to back off Eloise but also taints the Bridgertons. Eloise connects the writer and her best friend in the Bridgerton season 2 finale, “The Viscount Who Loved Me,” when she recognizes that the way Penelope talks is the same as how Lady Whistledown writes. The discovery shatters their friendship. 

Eloise Feels Betrayed By Penelope

Eloise Is Just As Mad At Herself As Penelope

…instead of using her privileged position to make something of herself, Eloise wallows in it.

While Eloise sees what Penelope did as a betrayal, her anger and hurt come from a deeper place. Eloise admires Lady Whistledown for her success, independence, and distaste for society. Penelope, however, is someone whom Eloise has never associated with these qualities; instead, viewing her as meek, under her mother’s control, and above all else, kind. Eloise’s anger truly stems from jealousy that she was not the one to break from society’s restrictions and that Penelope has not been the person she always thought she was. 

Eloise prides herself on being a woman ahead of her time, but instead of using her privileged position to make something of herself, Eloise wallows in it. Daphne’s successful marriage to a Duke affords Eloise the luxury of not having to marry. Yet, she does nothing to make herself independent and berates Daphne, as well as other women, for doing what is necessary for their family by marrying. When speaking with Penelope, every conversation is about Eloise and what she wants for herself.

Still, whenever Penelope expresses her wish to both be successful and to marry, Eloise looks down on her for wanting it all. Eloise’s discovery that Penelope is Lady Whistledown and the first of them to achieve what she wants for herself cause her to look inward at how she has underestimated and undervalued Penelope and her potential. It is no wonder that the first time Eloise truly listened to Penelope when she spoke, she heard her real voice.

Penelope is the one person whom Eloise feels she does not disappoint and who has never shown judgment for Eloise’s ambitions.

Penelope being Lady Whistledown also deeply hurts Eloise due to how different the two are. Penelope is sweet, non-confrontational, and unconditionally in love with Colin Bridgerton, while Lady Whistledown is cutthroat, opinionated, and very critical of the courtships throughout the social season. While Eloise looks up to Lady Whistledown as someone to aspire to be, she also depends on Penelope’s loyalty and caring nature.

Penelope is the one person whom Eloise feels she does not disappoint and who has never shown judgment for Eloise’s ambitions. The revelation that Penelope is Lady Whistledown makes Eloise wonder how someone so gentle could be capable of what Lady Whistledown has done and throws into question how much of her friendship with Penelope is real and how much is all a lie.

Going into Bridgerton season 3, Eloise and Penelope have not solved their issues, and with the main love story being Colin and Penelope’s, Eloise and Penelope’s former closeness is an important part of the story.