03 · Spoken in confidence

Words Between Them

Every conversation between Francesca and Michaela. Arranged by scene.

Michaela Stirling. I caution you, every sordid detail John has spoken about me is a lie. The truth is far worse.
And you must be…
Uh, I am… Well, I'm… Francesca Bridgerton. Kilmartin. Kilmartin is my name now.
A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Good evening. Or should I say, good morning. Nearly.
I have not wanted to break up the festivities, but it is… four in the morning. We are planned to have breakfast at 9:30.
Is there a reason we're breaking our fast at 9:30? Perhaps we could push it a little later?
I fear that would be most unkind to our cook, who will already be up at six.
Considering we have probably kept the entire house awake… Apologies, truly, we did not notice the time. Perhaps we could give everyone the morning off and find some fruit and bread ourselves.
We used to plunder the kitchen all the time when we were children.
I do not wish to do that.