Personality Having newly returned to London, the Duke of Hastings finds himself the primary topic of conversation amongst marriage-minded misses and ambitious mamas alike. Yet, for reasons of his own, our devastating Duke has zero interest in his title, society, or taking a wife. He is reserved and keeps his emotions close to his chest, is morally upstanding and values honour. He is kind and humorous, willing to poke fun with Daphne when at balls. Relationships Romantic Daphne Basset (formally Bridgerton) Simon came to London and attended his godmother's opening season ball, where he literally bumped into Daphne Bridgerton, his friend Anthony's younger sister, who had just debuted on the marriage market, and the Queen's newest diamond. They faked a courtship in order for Daphne to attract suitors after Anthony scared all her suitors away, which resulted in Lady Whistledown writing scandalous gossip about her, and also so that Simon would seem unavailable to the other debutantes hoping to become his Duchess. However, they eventually fell in love for real. They have one child together, Augie. Familial Simon's mother, Sarah Basset, died in childbirth, and his father died shortly before the start of the 1813 social season. Simon had a strained relationship with his father. Throughout Simon's childhood, his father lived almost exclusively in London and rarely returned to Hastings House, leaving only the staff to care for Simon. His father only cared about having a son, so he could carry on the family line. He called Simon his biggest mistake because he had a stutter. On his father's deathbed, Simon vowed to never have children so the Hastings line would die with him.[7] Simon's primary mother figure is Lady Danbury, a close friend of his deceased mother. Friendships Anthony Bridgerton Simon has been friends with Anthony Bridgerton since their time at Oxford together. Things were tense between them for a while because Anthony was against Simon courting Daphne and found them alone together. After Daphne told Anthony and Simon that Cressida had also spotted them alone together in the garden, she said she would have to marry Simon to avoid a scandal. They did so and Anthony and Simon repaired their friendship. Will Mondrich He spars with Will Mondrich, and also gets along well with Will's wife, Alice Mondrich. Will and Alice also attend his and Daphne's wedding. Kind,romantic and husband material to Daphne