With the arrival of Bridgerton Season 3, the first four episodes centers on Penelope and Colin’s transition from friends to lovers while highlighting Francesca Bridgerton’s debut into society. However, an unexpected main player this season is regal mean girl Cressida Cowper. Read on to learn more about Cowper’s love story in Bridgerton and who she marries in the books.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Bridgerton Season 3 and Julia Quinn’s book, “An Offer From A Gentleman.”

Cressida Cowper (portrayed by Jessica Madsen) was introduced in Season 1 during Daphne’s debut. Despite unsuccessful romances with Prince Friedrich and Jack Featherington, she remains hopeful for a courtship her third time around. Facing pressure from her parents to marry, she becomes set on the the wealthy yet eccentric Lord Debling, who is more interested in Penelope.

Cowper continues her bullying in Season 3, mainly targeting Penelope and Lord Debling’s courtship, but her character begins to pull back layers with the help of Eloise. Their unlikely friendship — driven by Eloise’s fallout with Penelope after discovering her identity as Lady Whistledown — surprisingly works. Eloise’s candidness allows Cressida to reflect on her toxic behavior.

Bridgerton. (L to R) Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper, Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton in episode 301 of Bridgerton.

For instance, in a moment of vulnerability, Cressida confides in Eloise about her struggles. She admits to feeling lonely and finding it hard to make friends. “It has been difficult to find a husband,” she shares with Eloise, “it has been more difficult still to find a friend.”

Madsen expanded on her character’s evolution in a recent interview with StyleCaster. “We’ve seen her [Cressida] break down, and I don’t mean break down in the sense of falling to pieces, but we’ve seen her open up and I think once you open, you’re receptive to change,” the actress explained. “I hope that by the end of the season, people don’t forget the beginning.”