When She Was Wicked: A Bridgerton Fanfiction

RIP:JOHN KILMARTIN

Johnnie was gone. The Kilmartin house was empty. And Michaela had not been there for her either.

Frannie had always liked silence. Had chosen it, even. But for once she wanted noise .. anything.. something loud enough to sit on top of the pain for just a moment. The workers were still there, faithful in their routines but uncertain in their footing. A widow in a house already slipping from her hands was not exactly a steady position to serve under. She wasn't ready for the marriage mart. Wasn't ready for any of it. She hadn't known how large Kilmartin House truly was until she was left to carry it alone.

Then came the letter from her in-laws. They were coming. When she heard the knock, she assumed they had arrived early. She was wrong. She was used to taking on some chores that weren't fit for a lady of her status for some distraction. She went to open the door.

Standing at her doorstep was Michaela Stirling. The broken promise came back immediately. Replaying in her head. She had thought they were in this together. There is no manual to grief but Michaela had promised to be by her side. Now here she was. Back from God knows where. Standing at Frannie's doorstep. The very same house Frannie was about to lose.

Frannie left the door open and walked inside without a word. Frustrated. She felt the weight of anger she was suppressing as soon as she laid eyes on Micheala.

Michaela followed.

"I am sorry" she pleaded, as Frannie moved down the corridor. "I could not—" She stopped. Stammered. "Frannie..."

The bedroom door closed.

Frannie pressed her back against it and did not fight the tears. Michaela was back. She could leave and return as she pleased. Johnnie was never coming back. He was gone for good. How dare she?

Michaela stared at the closed door. Then she turned and walked to her old room. The silence bore her to the core and she went to the kitchen, where a young maid was preparing ginger soup for Frannie.

"Miss Stirling." The maid greeted.

"Might I help?" she asked. The young maid was stoked. A noble lady offering to help in the kitchen. How odd, truly.

The young maid looked up in quiet alarm as Michaela tied an apron around her waist and set about it like she had done it a hundred times before. Micheala grabbed a knife and started peeling the layers of the ginger.

"How is she?"

The maid sighs.

"She claims she is well, my lady. Though we are all tiptoeing, trying to make sure she does not see how much we pity her."

Michaela can't help but feel super guilty. The soup was done. The smell could defeat the flu at an instant. Michaela scooped ginger soup and offered the young maid to taste. She stared into the lady's soul as the maid brought the spoon to her lips.

"This is remarkable" the maid breathed."I never thought a noble lady can be this skilled" she added.

"Travelling taught me a great deal," Michaela said as she served herself a scoop. She lifted the bowl with both hands, the warmth of it bleeding through her fingers. She drank slowly. Deliberately. Eyes half closed. Like she was receiving something rather than simply tasting it. Like pleasure, to her, was never a thing to be rushed.

The maid stared.

Beware of the innocent ones. Michaela had a very innocent look. Who would have thought that this young lady had been fornicating with almost half of the ton. The beauty about her fornication is that she left no proof. It was pleasure that was addictive yet very much out of the ordinary. The touches. The foreplay. She learned from the best and knew exactly how to be the best. The ladies loved how discreet she was. She wasn't a kiss and tell. She knew how to act like she didn't know you at all meanwhile you were having flashbacks about last night. A woman who burned and yearned for her cousin's wife. A feeling like this you walk away from because you wonder if it is the thrill, lust or love.

"Do you know how to keep a secret?" Michaela asked. Suddenly curiosity sipped in and the young maid wondered. The allure of the ask. She nodded. Michaela served the soup in a bowl and took a spoon. She gave the maid.

"Please do not tell her I made this. I am rather afraid. She will not drink and punish herself just to punish me." Michaela said.

As the young maid went to Francesca's room. Frannie was laying on the bed visibly not happy at all. The young maiden knocked.

"Go away Michaela"

The young maid responded."It is me my lady." A sudden disappointment in Frannie's face was evident as she went to open the door.

The young maid entered."I made ginger soup for you my lady. Please have it while it is still hot.""Thank you."

The young maid stood there while Frannie was expecting her to leave.

"Uhmm.. are you going to watch me drink?"

The young maid was speechless.

"She sent you, didn't she?" Frannie said.

"I....."

Frannie chuckled.

"No... she did not send me. She knows you are not well because she saw me making the soup." The young maid looked visibly nervous. She added. 

"I swear, my lady, this is for your health."

Frannie drank the soup and gave the young maid the bowl. She didn't even use the spoon. 

"Are you happy now?" Frannie said. The young lady bowed, took the bowl and left the room. It was after the young lady had left that Frannie felt how hot the soup was as her tongue was burned.