There's more than one love story happening in Bridgerton Season 3. While the main event was obviously Colin and Penelope going from friends to, well, carpoolers, fans quickly fell in love with the budding relationship between Francesca and Lord John Sterling. Kilmartin.
Francesca and John's connection begins at a dance in episode three, where they both step out to find a moment of peace. "Maybe we can enjoy the silence together," John said. Another suitor has just said he wants eight children so his house will always be "filled with constant chatter," which is exactly what Francesca needs to hear.
They don't even know each other's names until a smitten John later shows up at the Bridgerton home and is formally introduced. "Miss Francesca," he said. (Swoon!!!) "John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin." In a show that's often filled with angst, it's fun to see a couple have such tender, easy chemistry - it's This chemistry is based on John's touching gesture of rearranging a piece of music to suit Francesca's taste.
Viewers react to every charming moment on X (formerly Twitter) and share their thoughts on Francesca and John's future. Major spoilers ahead for the Bridgerton book When He Was Evil .
Fan-favorite new couple
After the Season 3 premiere, viewers couldn't resist the connection between John and Francesca. "Find yourself a man who understands your love language like John Sterling did to Francesca Bridgerton," one fan wrote, praising his musical talent.
"This is what I imagine love to be like," replied another.
One viewer couldn't help but scream when the pair were first officially introduced at the Bridgerton residence, where they simply enjoyed each other's silence. "Ah chemistry."
Readers *experienced* it
If you've read Julia Quinn's Bridgerton books, you probably had a bittersweet reaction to John's introduction to Bridgerton. John died suddenly early in his marriage to Francesca, and the rest of her book focuses on dealing with that loss - and ultimately her love affair with his cousin Michael Stirling.
"Watching Francesca and John get married will be devastating and beautiful at the same time," one viewer wrote.
As another fan described it perfectly, "During their adorable first meeting, my heart softened and broke for their future." Viewers also pointed out that Francesca was in Mozart's "Funeral March" is being played before her debut in the episode, adding a tragic atmosphere to her journey.
But there is a bright side
Because "When He Was Evil" is about finding love after loss, readers don't get to spend much time with John. In fact, his death was briefly mentioned in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, well before Francesca's book. Even by volume six, there is very little coverage of John and Francesca's relationship.
So now, by introducing John, Bridgerton is able to reveal the couple's sweet courtship, much to fans' delight. "I'm glad we're introduced to him now at the same time as Francesca, because in the novel we barely know him before his death," one viewer wrote.
Another praised the way Victor Ali kept his character John Sterling under wraps. "It left us with some suspense, trying to figure out how this was going to play out on the show, because we didn't see that part of Fran's story on the page."
