Francesca (Frankie) and Michael will 100% get their own story one day! I mean, we all need to see what happens in Kilmartin that has Kate so hooked and Michael’s Grandmother declaring at John’s child’s christening that they’ve all seen rather a lot of Francesca, Even if the nudity was very tasteful right??
Of all of the Bridgerton Siblings, Francesca is likely the one that people recognise most on the street. She’s also the quietest, most reserved, so it’s always been a little difficult. She’d had a little media attention before, but she found herself wholly unprepared for the press storm of Kilmartin. She does interview after interview, she gets photographed on the street, Shopping for a baby gift for her sister leads to speculation that she’s pregnant (ludicrous given she hasn’t dated anyone for the entire run of the show). But worst of all, are the questions about him. It’s natural, she supposes for interviewers to ask about the chemistry between the shows two leads, but someone had clearly done a quick google and discovered a post from Michael’s Aunt Janet at the Bridgerton and Sons Picnic years ago, that showed a teenage Francesca her arms wrapped tightly around John, Michael smiling brightly beside them. And apparently this made them star crossed lovers. Which, she told herself at night it didn’t, it didn’t. She marches furiously from an interview one day, after the interviewer asked how many of her costars she’d slept with over the years, or some other ludicrously sexist statement, only to find Michael already in the hall, his eyes shining brightly. Had enough too? Francesca nods tightly and sighs leaning against the wall. Michael smiles, and takes her hand tugging it forward saying Come on then, let’s run away together. Francesca’s mouth drops open in surprise and she starts to protest, they have another round of interviews in 10 minutes, but he just leans forward and whispers in her ear Come on Frankie, what happened to the girl who snuck out in the night to go to parties? They spend the rest of the day hiding from their publicists in a Baskin-Robbins, and Francesca thinks, looking back maybe this was the moment she started to let herself love Michael Stirling.
Francesca would absolutely never admit to reading all of Michael’s press about Kilmartin but she does. When her siblings catch her she tells them that She has to keep up with what’s being said about the show. Eloise had raised a sceptical brow at her over the top of Amanda Crane’s head, covering her ears briefly before saying Are You Sure this isn’t just to make sure he’s not having sex with Emma Watson? Francesca had scoffed loudly though her stomach had swooped at the thought of Michael with such a beautiful woman Michael’s NOT having sex with Emma Watson! Emma’s in LA right now anyway! She says defensively, as though she didn’t google where Emma Watson was this morning after the article about her and Michael’s supposed love came out. Amanda Crane’s head shoots up and she turns to her mother saying “What’s S-?” Eloise cuts her off with a quick Ask your father sweetheart, I’m busy, Auntie Frankie’s close to a breakdown Amanda runs off at top speed running through the house with a “DAD! Mum said to ask you what sex is!” Francesca has to bite her lip to keep from laughing as she hears Eloise’s husband call out Does she still not know?! Tragic! Eloise sighs wrapping her arms around her sister and says Can you just admit you’re in love with Michael before you truly ruin the innocence of my children, Frankie? Francesca mumbles I’m not in love with Michael but they both know it’s not true.
