  This is the first book of Quinn's that I have ever read and was impressed! When He Was Wicked is set in England and Scottland in the early 1800's. this is a powerful story about a man in love with his cousin's wife but no one knows. Michael loves Frannie with all his soul but is honor bound to keep away. But on one night, Cousin John, dies....Frannie is free....Michael is now Earl....but Michael still feels honor bound. Racked with guilt that maybe have wished it true. Poor Frannie losses her husband then days later loses the baby that she longed for....it took years for her to conceive. Frannie also loses her best friend - Michael. Because he leaves for India to try and get his mind straight...get away from Frannie. But he still loves her. He can't hide for ever...so after 4 years -- he returns to find the love of his life in the manor house. He hates the fact that he still loves her, wants her and can't have her. But in the end love does win.
It takes a lot to push them in the right direction....but it was Michael who makes the moves. Frannie's brother is the one who prompts Michael into action and somewhere on his way to find Frannie in Scotland does he find peace within himself to ask for her hand. He forms a plan of seduction...but he wasn't expecting to be mutually seduced. Frannie's passion wins but her mind fights her feelings.
It takes a long time and a sickness for Frannie to understand her new feelings for Michael and to feel that her late hubby - would be happy for the two of them. It's not a fast moving story - but a gentle weaving of the emotions surrounding them and their mutual loss and love for John...then how the new love comes about. It's a good book, well written, well told but not a great book...it deserves a B+. 
