Michaela Stirling was introduced as John's cousin at the end of Bridgerton season three and, if you didn't catch it from Francesca's reaction, she's a pretty big deal.
Francesca is now married to John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, after overcoming the reservations of her mother and getting the approval of Queen Charlotte herself. Theirs has been a calm, slow and comfortable love – unlike anything we have seen from the Bridgerton siblings' love stories so far.
And yet, when Francesca finally got to kiss her new husband John after their vows, a look of confusion – perhaps even disappointment – seemed to flicker across her face.
Was there something missing, as Francesca's mother had feared all along?
A word of warning, gentle reader, as we're about to delve into possible spoiler territory from this point – drawing from the source material of Julia Quinn's novels as well as potential Bridgerton season four plot.
Sure enough, Francesca Bridgerton and John Stirling did fall in love in the books – however their story was to be cut tragically short, with John dying in his sleep a few years later.
But this is where things could get really interesting for Netflix's adaptation (RIP John).
In the novels, John does indeed have a cousin – only he is called Michael Stirling.
John's cousin would be in love with Francesca from the very moment he met her, but only ever acting on his feelings as a confidant and supportive friend. Some time after John's death however, Francesca ended up falling in love with Michael too and they wound up getting married.
If you've not yet connected the very clear dots, Bridgerton's decision to introduce a female Stirling cousin invites us to assume that we will finally be getting a central queer romance on the show.
Michaela and Francesca's initial on-screen introduction also suggests that the show will be switching the initial feelings; let's not pretend that Francesca wasn't clearly in awe of John's beautiful cousin Michaela.
"I caution you," Michaela teased upon meeting her. "Every sordid detail John has spoken about me is a lie... The truth is far worse."
An enamoured Francesca struggled to even muster up her own name in response, also conveniently forgetting for a moment that she's now a Kilmartin and no longer holds her maiden name of Bridgerton.
Michaela and Francesca's meet-cute mirrored the picture that Lady Violet Bridgerton had painted of her own first meeting with Francesca's father, where she could "barely speak my own name" because she had been "so taken by him."
This was the Bridgerton matriarch's precedent for a passionate and enduring love, against which Violet measured all of her children's relationships. She had worried it wasn't there for Francesca with John, but every love is different and she hadn't seen Francesca with Michaela just yet.
With Michaela set to accompany the newlyweds to Scotland (with an adventure-seeking Eloise also in tow) we have every reason to believe that Francesca and Michaela's storyline will continue into season four.
Let's also not forget that the Netflix show has finally given space for Benedict Bridgerton to explore his bisexuality in a meaningful way, so it's a great time to be a Bridgerton fan.
Bridgerton is available on Netflix.
July 2024 gift ideas and deals
Watch Power Book II: Ghost season 4 in the UK
Marquee TV streaming service - Save 50% with offer code
Digital Spy Holidays - trips with TV experts
Buy Zendaya's 'I Told Ya' Challengers t-shirt
Buy Cat Deeley's This Morning outfits
Shop Sky TV, broadband and mobile
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
