There’s a reason we ranked Julia Quinn’s When He Was Wicked as the spiciest of all eight Bridgerton books. Francesca and the rakish Michael (Michaela in the Bridgerton show) both know their way around the bedroom when they begin their relationship. Years before they fall in love, Francesca is married to Michael’s cousin, who died unexpectedly. Devastated, Francesca and Michael form a close friendship in their grief. Unbeknownst to Francesca, Michael has guiltily harbored feelings for Francesca since they met, which eventually leads him to leave town. (Bridgerton Season 4 ends on that note.)
The angst only gets more intense from there, as does the heat. Though Francesca is angry at Michael for leaving, they manage to become friends again — and eventually lovers. For Francesca, no romantic feelings are involved at the start (or at least, she isn’t aware of them), but she can’t deny her attraction to him.