When He Was Wicked

Author: Julia Quinn
Published: July 2004 (Avon)
Category: Historical Romance
Series: Bridgerton Family #6
Rating: 8/10

I was eager to read this entry in the Bridgerton series because Francesca wasn't in the previous books much. Either she was too young or already married and mourning soon after in the later ones.

Michael Stirling, the notorious rake and cousin to John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, has always chased skirts, but when he sees Francesca Bridgerton, he knows she's the one. Unfortunately, she's about to marry John, and because John is his best friend and practically his brother, he sucks it up. He, Francesca, and John are the best of friends, and when John dies out of the blue, he can't deal with being the new earl. Is it possible he made this happen because he wanted Francesca?

He goes abroad for several years, trying to get over Francesca, but when he returns, he finds that he loves her still. He and Francesca are definitely attracted to each other, but after they kiss, she's overcome with guilt, thinking she's desecrating her memory of John, and this time, she runs away.

This is one of those less common novels where the hero admits he loves the heroine but must work to get her to accept his affection and help her learn the truth of her own feelings. Of course, Michael uses his sensual expertise to encourage Francesca along, and it's quite steamy, maybe the steamiest of all the Bridgerton novels I've read so far. When Francesca realizes she loves Michael, and that her first husband would have wanted her to be happy, it's quite touching and sweet.