Hold onto your dance cards, folks, because there's a scandal brewing at the Emmys, and even Lady Whistledown herself couldn't have predicted this one!

While our favorite gossip columnist, Nicola Coughlan (aka Penelope Featherington), graced the Emmys stage as a presenter (looking absolutely radiant, might I add!), the rest of the "Bridgerton" crew was conspicuously absent.

And no, I don't mean hiding from creditors or caught in a compromising position with a footman (though with this bunch, you never know!). I'm talkin' completely MIA from the biggest night in television.

The Case of the Missing Bridgertons: An Emmy's Enigma

Now, I know what you’re thinking: "Surely the Ton's most talked-about families wouldn't just skip the Emmys for a game of pall-mall and some cucumber sandwiches?"

And you're right, they wouldn't.

There's a perfectly reasonable explanation (don't worry, no duels were fought...yet). It turns out, “Bridgerton" itself wasn't actually nominated for any awards this year.

Cue the gasps and the dramatic fainting.

The Emmy's Fine Print: It's All in the Timing (Darling)

Before you go accusing the Television Academy of harboring a personal vendetta against feather boas and romantic longing, let me explain.

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