When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons, #6) by Julia Quinn

                                                           

Print Length: 368 pages

Publisher: Avon (June 29, 2004)

From Goodreads.com: In every life there is a turning point.

A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one's life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London's most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca's surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer -- the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.

But that was then . . . Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets . . .

                                                         *******************

My Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

For the first few chapters, I thought I had finally found a Bridgerton Story that I would enjoy. The banter between Michael and Francesca was witty and engaging and it was easy to see the friendship that they enjoyed (even if I couldn't quite understand why Michael thought he was in love with her when the only thing he knew about her at the time was that she was pretty and was to marry his cousin). 

When John died, I thought the authors approach to how they each handled the loss to be realistic, if also a bit unrealistic. What I mean by this is that as someone who has lost their own husband, I understand where Francesca was coming from, the depth of her grief and despair. However I found it a bit unrealistic that she seemed to become angry at Michael because he wasn't grieving in the same way that she was. In some ways, she seemed to expect him to set aside his own grief in order to be there for her and it just kind of came across as more selfish on her part than anything else. 

Fast forward a few years (four to be exact) and the two are suddenly thrust back together. As unbeknownst to the other, they have both decided to return to London at the exact same time. Michael because he has tired of India and has decided to finally step up and take responsibility for his title (duties he was more than happy to allow Francesca to handle as she apparently did it brilliantly); and Francesca because she had decided it was time to remarry. Not because she wanted to, but because she wanted to have a child. Not an unrealistic or even surprising choice on her part considering she was young when she married and was widowed, but a curious one considering the fact that her first marriage had not produced a child. Right off the bat, I noticed that their friendship was strained, which made sense considering they had not seen nor spoken to each other in over four years. What was curious was the fact that Michael still considered himself in love with her (and again, for no reason that I was able to ascertain). Eventually, things come to a boil between them and they kiss. And Francesca immediately runs back to her dead husband's family seat in Scotland rather than face Michael and what had happened.

And Michael lets her go. At least until he has a surprise run in with her brother Colin who informs him that he has just become betrothed and someone really ought to tell Francesca (who has always been the forgotten Bridgerton as is proved once again later in this book). Colin also points out that Michael should marry Francesca because "it makes perfects sense". I mean  in terms of the fact that she already holds the title of Countess and has been running the estates sure. I guess. Michael agrees that someone (he) should go to Scotland and tell Francesca the happy news, and while on his way there he decides two things. One; Colin was right and he should marry Francesca. In fact, no other woman will do for him as he has been "in love" with her for years. And two, he is willing to do anything (and I do mean anything) to have her. 

And that, to quote Lady Whistledown, dearest reader, is where this book completely went off the rails for me. 

You see, Francesca had already confided in Michael that her dearest wish was to be a mother. So on his very first night in Scotland? He seduces her. Sure, he pauses here and there and gives her the illusion of choice (she could have said no, but he knew she was too far gone in pleasure to actually do it), but he still defiles her on the drawing room carpet because he knows once the deed is done she will have to agree to marry him. The next day, she runs from him again (only this time just outside, but far enough away to get caught in a storm where he has to rescue her). Cue the perfect storm arriving and a lame horse so they have to seek refuge in a one room "Gardner's Cottage" where he aims to seduce her again despite her being angry with him for what happened the night prior. Only this time, for some reason, Francesca lets her inner Dominatix out to play. 

More time passes in which the two enjoy dirty talk and pleasures of the flesh, but then her courses come. Which again considering her first marriage was to be expected. But this changes her, and even when Michael tells her that he loves her and has done so for years, she runs away. Again. Now here is where for me as a long-time hater of the male characters, I was left surprised. Because as much as Michael annoyed me with his constant need to bed her, I was more annoyed by her hot and cold attitude towards him. Constantly telling him "I don't know", "I don't want to think about it", "I need time" quickly got old. And then she has the audacity to scream at him that she can't sleep with him anymore because she's not a wanton. I could have cheered when Michael so rightly pointed out that he had offered on more than one occasion to make a respectable woman out of her and it was her that kept declining said offer. Until finally she does accept. 

They end up having a rushed, quiet wedding ceremony in Scotland with none of their family present (this is presumably because her brother Colin wed without telling her and her sister Eloise was about to do the same), but surely they should have written to Michael's mother, as well as Francesca's former mother-in-law and had them attend? But of course Francesca doesn't yet realize she is in love with Michael and is more worried about what people will think about her marrying his cousin than how they (especially Michael's mother) might feel about being purposely excluded from their wedding. 

Of course, she eventually admits her feelings for him, and we are told they have a happily ever after, but the version that I read actually didn't have an epilogue which I found curious because it means I never got to see that. Were they able to have children after all? How did the Bridgerton family react when Francesca finally told them the news of her second marriage? We know how Michael and John's mother's reacted, but not how Francesca's family did (although I am sure they were happy for her). 

I do believe there are still two books left in this series for me to read, but once again, I need a break from this author and the Bridgerton Family. I'm sick of being disappointed.