Perhaps it was unatural the way women carried with your romantic desire

Perhaps, and you knew that it was more that a mere 'perhaps', you should not have lay your eyes and affection into Francesca Bridgerton-Stirling Your dear late cousin's wife

But you just could not help yourself

Her chesnut hair, her brown doe-like eyes, her upturned nose, her subtle freckles, her shyness and the way she has to have everything controlled almost maniatically... Lord, what a woman... And she was smart too! And nice and gentle! She was... Your Frannie was... Francesca was Francesca, arriving to your life either to ruin you or to make you go mad with love

After John's death you swore to her that you would stay with her, noticing your feelings when she held your hand and running away from Mayfair after that. Scared of the version of yourself that fell in love with the only person who accepted your liking to women's wife

Now, after a year and a half on India you came back to Mayfair, to Fran...

And the vision... God, the vision of her almost made you lost your mind, she looked like an Scotish goddess. And the best thing is that she thought the same about you! Of course you didn't know at the moment the reunion happened, but still!

It made you feel like even if you gained everybody's disapproval, you should have worshipped her sooner

Now, in hopes of being alone drowning your feelings in alcohol, you went to the library, not expecting to see the woman that haunted your dreams and thoughts there

"Oh" you stutter, not being able to help yourself but part your lips at the sight of her; she was on her nightgown and a blue robe, her hair up in a one sided braid as she glared to one of her puzzles. Trying to put it together

Obviously your mumble word made her introspective brown eyes to your figure on the door frame "Oh" she repeated in your same tone, not expecting you either "You can stay... If you want!" she clears her throat, just as nervous as you "I was trying to finish this before sleeping, but I am unable to stop trying to not lo- I mean... I am unable to stop trying to put it together" she rambles

"Of course" you nod, walking towards her slowly; not even bothering to understand her incessant need of seeing everything done once she starts "... Can I?" you ask when you are next to her, looking at the pieces and the half-finished puzzle

"Mhm" she nods, not looking at you in the eye while giving a side glance to the liquor bottle "Can I?" Francesca repeats your words once more

*Mhm" you hum affirmatively as she eagerly took the bottle and drank from it

"I- why did you leave? You told me you would be here, mourning together, with me. Why did you leave? Did I do something? Did you wish to change something on the house? It would be yours, it was yours. I- I asked you to stay, you told me you would... I-"