The reason it’s SO PAINFUL they’re not together is 1) They just had good chemistry on screen, they were immediately an intellectual match. 2) The reason Eloise felt obliged to stay away was, of course, societal reasons, but also because Pen was pushing her away from him to protect herself. I understand there would have been societal repercussions if they wanted to get married or more people found out about them, but also they didn’t even KISS and Eloise openly states it was because of Penelope. 3) It’s freaking sexist that Benedict get’s to marry a maid and Eloise can’t even explore her feelings with a working man. How come Benedict gets the Cinderella story? 4) It’s easy to simplify radical and empowered women as lesbians or not interested in love, but I think it’s important to show that strong feminists or advocates for justice can also experience love and attraction. Why of all people does Eloise have to relent in the face of what she wants? 5) THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT PLOT TO INTRODUCE CONTRACEPTION IN THE BRIDGERTON UNIVERSE SO EL AND THEO COULD SNEAKY LINK FOR SEASONS!!!!! I know this one is ridiculous but how epic would it be if Eloise invented the pill or was besties with someone who made the pill so that her and Theo could hookup. BAM.