The Mondrichs good fortune begins in Bridgerton season 3 when a person approaches them at Will’s club with a letter stating that Alice’s extended family member, Lady Kent, has died. Furthermore, they explain that, because Lady Kent’s closest relatives had not produced any sons, which means no heirs, the Mondrich’s young son, Nicholas, would inherit everything, including the title of Baron. Immediately, this is a massive deal for the Mondrichs. Over the course of a single scene, the family earns a title, a house with all its extravagant belongings, and lots of money. But: who is Lady Kent?
Lady Kent Was Alice Mondrich’s Great Aunt Who Died Before Bridgerton Season 3
Lady Kent was never on-screen
As it is explained in Bridgerton season 3, episode 1, “Out of the Shadows,” Lady Kent is the great aunt of Alice Mondrich. During this pivotal scene, Alice recalls meeting Lady Kent as a child, and describes her as a very cold woman. Now, for fans wondering if they have missed Lady Kent over the seasons, never fear. Lady Kent has never been mentioned before this moment, and furthermore, she most definitely has not been on screen.
For all intents and purposes, Lady Kent exists in Bridgerton for this exact moment, when the Mondrichs unexpectedly inherit her wealth.
In this way, the particulars of Lady Kent remain a mystery. As Alice’s great aunt, Lady Kent is likely the sister of Alice’s grandmother. Additionally, it is clear that Lady Kent and Alice were completely removed from each other before Kent’s death, as Alice seems to have only met her once. Although this type of inheritance situation has not occurred in Bridgerton before, it makes sense. The wealthy often had extended family trees, as evidenced by the Featherington’s cousin Jack in season 2. Overall, Lady Kent’s character is less important than what she provides.
How Alice’s Son Nicholas Mondrich Inherited Kent
Nicholas was the eldest son in the family
It may seem strange and unlikely that the young Nicholas Mondrich would inherit everything from Lady Kent, but this interaction is not fictionalized, and in fact, it follows the rules of Regency Era inheritance. Unless otherwise written, the owner of a massive estate typically passes it down to the eldest boy in the family. For example, when the Bridgertons’ father died, the Viscount title was passed onto Anthony as the eldest son. The same can be said for cousin Jack of the Featherington family.
In this way, Nicholas, though extended from Lady Kent herself, proved to be the eldest boy.
In fact, the estate manager who gives the Mondrichs this news gives a brief explanation as to how this happened, as Alice and Will seem confused as well. He notes that, although Lady Kent had several other family members that were closer with her than Alice, none of those individuals had male children. Alice was the only one to have a boy in the family, making Nicholas the heir. In more specific terms, it seems likely that Alice and her cousins were all women, and they had daughters, except for Alice, leading her son to be the heir to Kent.
Why Alice & Will’s Kent Storyline Is So Important In Bridgerton Season 3
The Mondrich’s symbolize audiences
Although Will and Alice’s storyline may seem like a simple background story to the greater plot, this isn’t entirely true. The Mondrichs newfound wealth is actually one of the most important and interesting events to take place this season. Previously, the Mondrichs have proven themselves to be a likable and kind couple. However, without titles like the Bridgertons, they have always been somewhat on the outskirts. Now, Bridgerton season 3 sees them thrust into society, and though they have close relationships with men like Anthony and Benedict Bridgerton, they are clueless when it comes to the ton.
Ultimately, the Mondrich’s storyline is great because it represents the audience. Every season, viewers return to Netflix and dive deep into the world of Bridgerton, which is so vastly different from what any normal audience member experiences on a day to day basis. And now, the Mondrichs are in the same boat. It is satisfying and fun to watch them ease into their wealth and status, and in some ways, they are a conduit for the audience. We feel their confusion and desire to impress just as much as they do through the end of Bridgerton season 3.
