Netflix’s Bridgerton has returned for its fourth season, with fan favourite Francesca still married to her series three partner, John Stirling.

The latest series of Bridgerton has left viewers baffled about the direction of Francesca’s storyline.

Netflix has released the first four episodes of series four, which explore the Cinderella-esque romance between Benedict (Luke Thompson) and housemaid Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha).

Based on Julia Quinn’s third book, An Offer From a Gentleman, the series kicks off with Benedict meeting a captivating lady dressed in silver at his mother’s masquerade ball.

The duo have a flirtatious encounter, though it’s fleeting as she abruptly leaves the ball without revealing her identity. Benedict becomes obsessed with unmasking the mystery woman and even seeks Lady Whistledown’s (Nicola Coughlan) assistance.

The series also centres on newlyweds Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and John Stirling (Victor Alli), who are finding it difficult to conceive after nearly a year of marriage. We also discover that Francesca has experienced difficulty reaching her pinnacle, or orgasm, during her intimate moments with John, reports the Mirror.

Given the complications emerging so early in their union, viewers have been left questioning whether Francesca and John remain together in Quinn’s books.

Who does Francesca end up with in Bridgerton?

Victor Alli and Hannah Dodd

Francesca and John’s marriage is short-lived in the novel series (Image: Netflix)

Francesca and John get married in the book series, though their marriage is tragically curtailed when John dies unexpectedly from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm.

Those familiar with the Bridgerton sister’s novel, When He Was Wicked, will know that she subsequently develops a romance with John’s cousin, Michael.

Francesca is married to Michael by the end of her story.

The programme has altered Michael’s gender to Michaela (Masali Baduza), yet her romantic link with Francesca appears to be already simmering just below the surface.

We witnessed Francesca and Michaela’s first meeting in season three, with the Bridgerton sister appearing noticeably unsettled during their encounter.

Hannah Dodd, Victor Alli and Masali Baduza

Francesca ends up with John’s cousin Michael (aka Michaela) (Image: Netflix)

She appears to still be processing her feelings as John discloses in series four that Francesca has been maintaining her distance from his cousin throughout the past year.

Francesca was equally taken aback when she was reunited with Michaela at the conclusion of season four, part one, suggesting she remains attracted to her husband’s relative.

Should Michaela and Francesca unite, as occurs in the novels, audiences might need to prepare themselves for John’s heartbreaking demise.

Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1 is streaming now on Netflix.