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POV: you’ve finished Bridgerton Season 3 and you’re currently (1) down bad crying at the gym over your unrequited love for Anthony, and (2) in the midst of an absolute gasp over Francesca vibing with her husband’s cousin. Like, hope Scotland gets Lady Whistledown dispatches, because we clearly have a love! match! brewing!
And if you urgently need to know what happens next / absolutely refuse to wait, great news, we have spoilers. Bridgerton is (as we all know) based on the horny book series by Julia Quinn, and Francesca’s installment, When He Was Wicked, gives plenty of insight as to what to expect from her story.
John Stirling introduces Francesca to his cousin Michael Stirling in When He Was Wicked, while in the show, we’re introduced to Michaela. But aside from this welcome departure from the book’s heteronormativity, Bridgerton will likely follow its source material when it comes to Francesca and Michaela’s romance.
On that note, here’s what happens to Francesca and Michael in the books!
They Become Fast Friends (But He’s Smitten)
Francesca and Michael become super close during her marriage to John—though it’s definitely an unrequited crush situation: Michael’s hopelessly in love with Francesca, while she’s busy enjoying wedded bliss with his cousin.
A direct quote from the book to emphasize just how obsessed Michael is? Ahem: “He took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and so hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing.”
John Stirling Suddenly Dies
The Earl of Kilmartin passes away just two years into the marriage, leaving Francesca pregnant and widowed at 22. Sadly, she suffers a miscarriage in the days following John’s death and has few people to lean on. Meanwhile, Michael (who’s inherited his cousin’s vast estate and Earldom) is so overwhelmed with grief—not to mention guilt over loving Francesca—that he peaces out to India.
Francesca and Michael (Duh) Fall in Love
When He Was Wicked flashes forward four years after John’s death and picks up with Francesca and Michael in London: she’s there to find a husband and have children, and he’s there to assume his responsibilities as Earl. Surprise, surprise, they end up in a friends-to-lovers romance that’s deeply angsty and filled with mutual guilt + several extremely hot sex scenes (fun fact: they’re big into dirty talk).
Michael ends up proposing to Francesca and they confess their love for each other, ending the book in much the same way most Bridgerton’s novels conclude: with a happy ending (and an elopement). Soooooo, assuming the show follows this narrative, we can expect to see a slow burn romance between Francesca and Michaela when Bridgerton comes back for Season 4. Cannot. Wait.
