The Gilded Age season 3’s premiere subtly teased a new enemy for Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) who could even be living inside the Russells’ opulent 61st Street palace. The Gilded Age season 3 picks up months after Bertha’s triumph in the opera war, where she secured the appearance of Hector, Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb), by promising him something he desires: the hand of Bertha’s daughter, Gladys (Taissa Farmiga), in marriage.

The bargain Bertha Russell struck with Hector would turn Gladys into the new Duchess of Buckingham, making the Russells’ only daughter into one of the most powerful and influential women in the world. Never mind that Gladys doesn’t like or want to marry the Duke; Bertha is intent on forging this union. By marrying Gladys, Hector would also receive a dowry from the Russells to save Buckingham’s perilous finances.

If Bertha’s plan for Gladys and the Duke was intended to be a secret, however, that aspect went up in the air, because the newspaper gossip columns are printing the details in The Gilded Age season 3.

Someone Is Leaking Bertha Russell’s Plans To The Press In The Gilded Age Season 3

The Russells’ Family Business Is In The Newspaper Gossip Columns

Bertha Russell has an unknown new enemy, possibly within her own household, because someone is leaking her plans to the newspapers. Somehow, the gossip columns have already published that Gladys Russell is engaged to the Duke of Buckingham. The rags also contain intimate details and pieces of private conversations that could only have come from within the Russells’ home. Bertha is no stranger to gossip within New York’s high society, but her plans for Gladys are out in the open.

So far, Bertha seems overall unperturbed by the newspapers’ printing the details of Gladys’ arranged marriage to the Duke. Bertha is savvy enough to know how that sort of publicity can benefit her, as it keeps the Russells on the minds and lips of New York’s elite. However, the presence of a leaker is a greater issue that could potentially jeopardize Bertha’s plans for Gladys.

Meanwhile, Larry Russell’s (Harry Richardson) romance with Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) and George Russell’s (Morgan Spector) business dealings could also end up splashed in the gossip rags as The Gilded Age season 3 continues. The newspapers printing gossip about the Russell family could soon snowball into a bigger issue, and give ammunition to the Russells’ many enemies and ill-wishers.

Who The Gilded Age Season 3’s Mystery Leaker Could Be

Someone On The Inside Is Betraying Bertha Russell

The Russell family servants seem even more concerned with Bertha and Gladys being the subject of newspaper gossip, but one of them may secretly be the leaker. Church (Jack Gilpin), the Russells’ faithful butler, seems to be beyond suspicion as he appears to be the most concerned about leaks. Given how Bertha and George kept Mr. Borden (Douglas Sills) as their chef even after learning he isn’t really French, Borden looks to be loyal to his employers. The same likely goes for housekeeper Mrs. Bruce (Celia Keenan-Bolger). They all seem honor-bound to dutifully serve the Russells.

Adelheid Weber (Erin Wilhelmi), Gladys’ lady’s maid, seems sweet and loyal, but perhaps she is secretly the leaker. After all, if Gladys marries the Duke, she will move to England but will still require a lady’s maid. Perhaps Adelheid is offering details to the press to help ensure Gladys’ marriage takes place, which could mean the new Duchess would be bringing Weber with her to England as her maid. Adelheid was romantically interested in Jack Trotter (Ben Ahlers) in The Gilded Age season 2, but she has grown cold as Jack tries to sell his clock invention and move up in society.

Another possibility is Enid Turner (Kelly Curran), who is now Mrs. Winterton and remains Bertha’s enemy. One of the Russells’ footmen was planted by Mrs. Winterton in The Gilded Age season 2 and tried to sabotage dinner with the Duke. Perhaps Enid has another ally in the Russells’ home who is now feeding intimate details about Bertha and Gladys to the gossip columns. Whoever the leaker is, they are doubtlessly getting paid, so the culprit may also be someone dissatisfied with their wages from the Russells.