Bridgerton Season 3 finale explained: Does Colin learn the truth about Penelope?

Bridgerton Season 3, Part 1 ended with that steamy carriage scene between Colin and Penelope. However, the show changed the order of things in the books.

Caution: We’re heading into spoilers for the Bridgerton Season 3 finale in this post.

The big question for fans was whether Colin would be able to accept Penelope as Lady Whistledown once he learned the truth. After all, he made it very clear that he hated the gossip columnist. In the books, Colin learns the truth before the steamy carriage ride, and Penelope’s gossip isn’t all that damaging.

In the show, Penelope’s gossip damages far more reputations, and it led to us questioning whether Colin could still love her after it. Well, we found out in Bridgerton Season 3, Part 2.

Cressida outed Penelope as Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton Season 3

Cressida figures it out. She finds out that Penelope is Lady Whistledown, and she decides to blackmail Penelope. This is the day after Colin and Penelope get married. So yes, Polin happens, but we’re left wondering for how long.

Penelope ends up opening up about who she is to Colin. She shares that Cressida is blackmailing her and she is willing to pay the blackmail. Colin decides to pay Cressida a visit.

He understands that Cressida is lonely, just like he was. He also understands that Cressida is angry. However, he makes it clear that she needs to let this go.

Colin loves Penelope regardless

After this, Penelope tells Colin that she understands if he would like to annul their marriage. That is not going to happen. Colin admits that he was jealous of the fame Lady Whistledown had gained. Now that he knows that it’s Penelope, he can accept it.

Penelope wants to keep going with the gossip column. She promises Colin to be more careful with is, and he agrees.

Penelope outs herself to Queen Charlotte in the Bridgerton Season 3 finale

At the end of the season, Penelope decides that it is time to come clean. And she does it in public. She writes a column as Lady Whistledown asking Queen Charlotte for mercy. Then she stands up and shares that she is the writer.

Queen Charlotte isn’t as angry as you would think. She allows Penelope to keep writing the column. After all, we all need some gossip in our lives!

And so, it seems like it’s happily ever after for Penelope. She even starts writing the column under her own name “Penelope Bridgerton.” She and Colin also have a child by the end of the season.

What about Benedict and Francesca?

Eyes were on two other Bridgerton siblings. Francesca ends up getting married to John. The two move to Scotland, and Eloise goes with them.

As for Benedict, he breaks up with Lady Tilley. He wants to be free for a little while longer, and it looks like Bridgerton Season 4 is sure to follow his love life now. It just looks like we’ll have to wait until 2026 for that!