Francesca Stirling, Countess of Kilmartin (née Bridgerton) is the female protagonist from When He Was Wicked. Michael Stirling is her love interest.
History[]
Early life[]
Francesca is the third Bridgerton daughter. She grew up with her seven siblings. She was six years old when her father passed away.
Physical appearance[]
Like all the Bridgertons, Francesca bears a striking resemblance to her siblings: the same thick brown hair, the same wide mouth, and the same elegant bone structure.
Francesca is a very beautiful woman, and everything about her is perfect, from a wonderful head of thick, shiny brown hair to porcelain skin. Her face is heart-shaped, and her lips are full and pink. Francesca is slender and walks with an erect spine, and her manner radiates pride. She moves with grace and elegance. Her most striking feature is her beautiful dark blue eyes, described as intense and stunning, framed by long, thick lashes. She possesses a sparkle, a vivacity, a glint of intelligence in her eyes that adds something to her beauty.
Personality traits[]
Francesca is introverted and a great lover of music. She appreciates it when someone goes out of her way with thoughtful gestures. Francesca is shy, quiet, direct, and prefers solitude; however, she opens up to those closest to her. She's a reserved person and enjoys long walks outdoors, reading, and animals. Francesca has a sharp and caustic sense of humor. She hates blushing. She doesn't roll her eyes. When she wants to be sarcastic, ironic, or mischievous, her tone of voice indicates it, and she forms a peculiar pout with her lips. She doesn't need to roll her eyes. She simply stares directly at you, her lips curling slightly. Francesca purses her lips when she's irritated. She doesn't like being contradicted and, undoubtedly, hates admitting that she might not be able to arrange her world and the people in it to her liking.
Relationships[]
Francesca was married to John, the Earl of Kilmartin. John died from a brain aneurysm.
Michael Stirling, is John’s 1st cousin and heir to the titles for Earl of Kilmartin. Francesca and Michael became friends because of their mutual love for John, although upon meeting each other for the first time Michael was immediately smitten by Francesca. Michael respected the marriage between John and Francesca and resigned himself to the fact that Francesca was already married. When John died Francesca grieved him for years. Michael, unable to cope with suddenly being Lord Kilmartin, began traveling extensively. Michael did everything he could to delay taking up the mantle of John’s title, leaving Francesca to manage the Kilmartin estate.
Eventually, Francesca would stop grieving John and decide to move on romantically, a move born out of a desire for a child. It is around this same time that Michael decides he has tired of traveling and needs to return to the Kilmartin Estate and take up his duties as Lord. The pair then encounter each other in London at the Marriage Mart and engage in a passionate affair.
They then married in 1824, and had two children John in 1829 and Janet in 1830.
Quotes[]
"Tell me something wicked.."
"If you didn't wish for a nagging wife, you shouldn't have married me."