Francesca's Story: The Unexplored Journey in Bridgerton

The Mystery of Francesca's Absence

Francesca's frequent absence might have worked with a huge focus being on her siblings in Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2, but one important character connected to her must appear in Bridgerton season 3, or her story’s timeline might be greatly affected.

Ruby Stokes as Francesca Bridgerton in Bridgerton season 2 and Hannah Dodd as Cicely in Enola Holmes 2

Disappearing to study piano with an aunt in Bath shortly after all the Bridgertons were introduced in the Bridgerton season 1 premiere, Francesca’s dynamics with the rest of her siblings were only briefly explored. However, Ruby Stokes’ other work commitments introduced more unexplained absences for Francesca in Bridgerton season 2, as she could be seen even at Aubrey Hall before completely disappearing without attending their traditional Pall Mall game.

Ruby Stokes as Francesca Bridgerton, Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton, Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton, Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton, Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton, and Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in Bridgerton season 1

The Need for John Stirling in Francesca's Story

Unlike any other Bridgerton sibling, Francesca marries twice in the Bridgerton books. Her first husband John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, is introduced in When He Was Wicked, but their romance is only touched upon as he dies of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm per Quinn’s author note in the book. The event heavily affects Francesca not only because her husband dies so soon, but also because his death remains unexplained, as those closest to John only saw him lie down because of his terrible headache before inexplicably dying, due to the state of medicine at the time.

With only three siblings left whose Bridgerton seasons need to be announced before the youngest Gregory and Hyacinth whose stories will likely be tackled last, Bridgerton season 3 must deal with Francesca and John’s short engagement, wedding, and move to Scotland. Otherwise, there won’t be enough time between Francesca and John’s wedding and his death two years later, and Francesca and Michael’s romance in the years after John’s death, even if Francesca’s story were featured in Bridgerton season 6 while involving a time jump.

Francesca's Refusal To Abandon Her Widowhood

Bridgerton season 1 already highlighted how marriage gave more power to the women of the ton, with Sir Granville and Lady Granville’s marriage of convenience perfectly explaining how their position would benefit them greatly even if they were never in love.

Similarly, when Daphne returned to London while having problems with Simon, she was introduced by Lady Danbury to the soirees organized only for the ladies of the ton, which opened Daphne’s eyes to the public life of married women. When He Was Wicked’s love story between Michael and Francesca happening four years after John’s death guaranteed Francesca got used to her freedoms as a widow.