What is a ward in Bridgerton season 4?

Cast of Bridgerton Season 4 on Representation, Behind-the-Scenes Rituals, and Ton Secrets

Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1, introduces Benedict's love interest, Sophie Baek, who first appears as the mysterious 'Lady in Silver' at a masquerade ball.
Sophie, the illegitimate daughter of the late Lord Penwood, shares a dance and a kiss with Benedict at the ball before disappearing at midnight, leaving him with a single glove.
Her backstory reveals she was raised happily until her father married Lady Araminta, who knew Sophie was his daughter despite him calling her a 'ward'.
The dictionary definition of a ward is “a person, especially a child, who is legally put under the protection of a law court or a guardian”.
After Lord Penwood's death, Lady Araminta left Sophie nothing in his will and forced her into servitude as a maid in her childhood home.
Sophie's surname was changed from Beckett in the book to Baek in the series to honour actress Yerin Ha's Korean heritage, a decision made by the showrunner.

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