How to Seduce a Scoundrel (14 page)

Elizabeth’s particular friend Henrietta Bancroft regarded Julianne with a sly smile. “Wherever is your beau? Oops, I mean your guardian.”

The other girls snickered behind their hands.

Elizabeth’s green cat eyes gleamed with malice. “Henrietta, dear, you know very well he considers her almost like a sister.”

Julianne lifted her chin and turned her back on them, a cut direct. Let them laugh. She despised those rotten girls. Though she told herself she didn’t care, humiliation burned through her. She’d known others had overheard Hawk’s comment, but having it flaunted in her face hurt.

Immersed in her depressed thoughts, she searched the crowd for Amy and Georgette. She didn’t notice Lord Ramsey until he intercepted her.

“Lady Julianne, what a pleasure to see you,” he said.

She suppressed a groan. His insufferable pursuit irritated her, but she would fob him off. “Lord Ramsey.” She curtsied. “I am looking for your sister and Miss Hardwick.”

“I’ve been searching for them as well and can’t find them anywhere.” He surveyed the crowd. “It’s unbearably warm in the ballroom. Perhaps they stepped out onto the landing. Shall we have a look?”

His request sounded innocent enough, but she’d promised not to leave the ballroom. And she couldn’t forget the way he’d goaded Hawk on two previous occasions. “That is unnecessary. I’m sure I’ll find them eventually.”

When she took a step to walk past him, Ramsey grinned and blocked her path.

“My lord, was there something else?” she said in a cool voice.

“I’m not letting you get away so easily,” he said.

We shall see about that
. “Excuse me, I must find Lady Rutledge.” She turned and walked away.

He caught up to her and smiled. “Ah, the lady wishes to play cat and mouse.”

She kept walking. “I’m in no mood for games.”

“I mean to catch you.”

His overconfident demeanor annoyed her. “You may try, my lord, but you will not succeed.”

“I only want to spend a little time with you.”

“You know Hawk would not approve.”

“He is in the card room and will never know.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You are asking me to defy him?” As she spoke the words, she noted several guests watching them.

When he tipped his head, a curly blond lock fell over one brow. “Then let us find a quiet corner so that we may talk.”

She realized Ramsey would not relent until she told him in no uncertain terms to desist. But she did not want anyone to overhear her words. “Follow me to the wall niche beyond the pillars,” she said.

When he offered his arm, she could not refuse without drawing unwanted attention. But every step of the way, she resented him.

After they reached the wall niche, she released his arm and struggled to rein in her temper. “I have no wish to give offense, but you are placing me in an untenable position.”

“Because Hawk has forbidden me to court you,” he said.

“He is my guardian, and I must abide by his wishes.”
Of course, she didn’t welcome Ramsey’s addresses, but it was a convenient excuse.

“It should be your decision,” Ramsey said. “His objections are unreasonable.”

Ramsey’s argument sounded eerily like the one she’d made recently, but she knew he had ulterior motives for pursuing her. “Whether they are or not does not signify. It is evident to me that there is animosity between you and Hawk. And it is clear that I am a pawn in your feud with him.”

His expression registered shock. “He has persuaded you that I am a scoundrel, but he is the one—”

“Lord Ramsey, I’ve no intention of arguing the point. As far as I am concerned, you are Georgette’s brother. She is my dear friend. For her sake and mine, I ask that you cease your addresses to me. It will end badly if you do not.”

“You ask me to forget you, but I cannot.” He put his fist to his heart. “My feelings—”

She held up her hand. “Say no more. I have given you no encouragement. I am very sorry, but this must be the end of the matter.”

A pained expression crossed his face. “It is as I feared. You hold tender feelings for him.”

Shock cascaded over her. “What?”

“That night at the Beresford’s ball, everyone remarked upon your waltz with Hawk. He led everyone to believe that he cared for you, and then he denied it all by saying you were practically a sister to him. I saw your ashen face and thought I had caused your vexation. But others said you have held a torch for him for years.”

Her heart beat madly.
Oh, dear God. Everyone knew.

“He is a vile deceiver.”

“You have twisted matters when you know nothing,” she hissed.

He regarded her with pity. “No matter what he has told you,
my
intentions are true and honorable. Please do not let him keep us apart.”

“Good evening, my l-lord.” She fled, hating the way her voice had shaken. All she wanted was to put as much distance as possible between herself and Ramsey. When a group of matrons looked at her askance, Julianne immediately slowed her steps. She skirted the perimeter of the ballroom to avoid the worst of the crowd and fanned her hot face.

Her stomach roiled. Elizabeth and Henrietta knew. Ramsey knew.
Everyone
knew. She’d made a fool of herself, because she’d worn her heart on her sleeve.

Julianne wanted to go home, but home was miles and miles away. And what would she tell her brother and mother? She didn’t want her family to know she’d humiliated herself before the entire ton.

Her throat clogged. Mama had warned her repeatedly about infatuation. She’d told her to keep her own counsel in society and adopt a tell-nothing countenance. But she’d ignored the warnings, thinking her mother too cautious. All these years, she’d openly adored Hawk and misinterpreted his teasing as a sign he returned her feelings.

He probably knew. How could he not when she’d followed him about like an eager puppy?

Her chest hurt. She’d never been so mortified in her life.

Halfway into her circuit of the ballroom, she happened upon Sally Shepherd and managed a weak smile. “Sally, it’s been ages since I last saw you.”

Sally’s round face lit up. “Have you heard? There is to be an announcement tonight.”

“What announcement?” she said, not really caring.

“No one knows for certain,” Sally said. “Lady Durmont is keeping mum about it.”

“I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.” She started to excuse herself, but Amy and Georgette arrived, their expressions excited.

Georgette’s blue eyes twinkled. “Something is afoot. Sally, do you know what will be announced?”

“No, but everyone is on pins and needles.”

Julianne’s chest tightened. How could she bear to mingle among the crowd and pretend nothing was amiss?

While Sally and Georgette continued to speculate about the announcement, Amy walked over to Julianne. “You do not seem yourself tonight,” she murmured.

Amy’s sensitivity made her keenly aware of others’ feelings. “It is nothing. I will be myself again soon,” Julianne said.

“If you need someone to listen, you need only ask,” Amy said.

Julianne nodded, but the wound was too raw. Only a little over a week ago, she’d rejoiced upon learning Hawk had agreed to be her guardian. She’d been so certain this would be the year he would make all her dreams come true. That night at the Beresford’s ball, she’d thought his rejection was the worst thing that could ever happen to her. She’d not known everyone mocked her.

Lord Beaufort and Mr. Osgood joined the group. Sally questioned them, but they knew nothing about the impending announcement.

Beaufort turned his gaze to Julianne. “I say, where is your customary smile, Lady Julianne?”

Evidently her emotions showed on her face. She vowed
to work on adopting a serene expression. “I was merely lost in thought.” She would have to pretend for the rest of the evening that nothing was wrong.

Georgette walked over to her. “I can guess the reason for your vexation,” she muttered. “Hawk is striding in this direction. Honestly, he is a domineering brute.”

Amy frowned and held her finger up to her lips. Julianne glanced around and found Hawk almost upon them. Her throat constricted. How could she even bear to look at him when she’d made such a cake of herself?

Hawk stopped beside her. “A footman interrupted the card games for an announcement.”

“We’re all anxious to hear the announcement,” Sally said. “Do you know what it is about?”

He shrugged. “I’ve only heard a rumor.”

Sally’s eyes brightened. “What rumor?”

The orchestra played a short, lively tune, interrupting their conversation. Then Lord and Lady Durmont took up a stance before the musicians. Lord Durmont held up his hands, and eventually, the buzzing voices dwindled.

“As you know by now, my lady and I have an announcement to make tonight.” He looked thoroughly pleased with himself.

Lady Durmont simpered. Then her husband turned to Elizabeth. “Daughter, will you and Lord Edgemont join us?”

Julianne’s heart knocked against her chest, realizing the significance of his words.

“No,” Georgette said, drawing Julianne’s attention.

Amy’s eyes filled with tears as she covered her mouth.

Lord Durmont’s voice rang out. “We are overjoyed to
announce the engagement of our daughter Lady Elizabeth to Lord Edgemont.”

As thunderous applause erupted, Lord Edgemont gazed into Elizabeth’s eyes. Then he raised her gloved hand for a kiss and said something. Though the words were inaudible, Julianne knew he’d said he loved her.

A stinging sensation rushed up her throat and cheeks. She blinked back her own tears. The most hateful girl in the ton had found love. The irony only made her feel worse. Because Elizabeth had gotten what Julianne had dreamed of since the night she’d danced with Hawk at her come-out ball four long years ago.

Julianne’s determined smile made Hawk suspicious.

He wandered about the ballroom, stopping frequently to speak to friends. The entire time, he kept a surreptitious watch over Julianne. She never lacked for a dance partner. Between sets, the younger blades surrounded her, vying for her attention. The cubs were none the wiser, but Hawk realized something was amiss. He knew her too well not to recognize the artificial quality of her pasted-on smile.

When midnight struck, he decided to seek out Julianne and his aunt so that he could escort them to the traditional supper. He pressed through the crowd, nodding genially at the ladies, who eyed him as if he were a haunch of beef they’d like to sink their teeth into.

He spotted Julianne exiting the dance floor with Beaufort and strode in that direction. At last, he caught up to them and addressed Julianne. “I will escort you and my aunt to supper.”

“Lord Beaufort already offered,” she said in a cool tone.

Beaufort looked uncomfortable. “With your permission, sir.”

Sir
. The cub made him feel ancient.

Julianne regarded Hawk warily as if she expected his refusal.

Well, hell. He had no reason to object. “I’ll see you downstairs.”

Julianne looked taken aback at first, but she turned that artificial smile on Beaufort. The young man bowed and led her away. Hawk watched the pair until they became lost in the crowd heading for the doors. For some odd reason, he felt bereft.

Not long ago, she’d enjoyed his company. Now she only wished him to leave her in peace so that she could dance and flirt with her beaux.

In the not-so-distant future, she would marry and have children. Nothing would ever be the same again.

A hollow sensation settled in his chest.

Later that night, Julianne tossed and turned in bed. Then she punched the pillow. She wanted to weep like an infant over her stupidity, but she’d long since passed the awkward schoolgirl age. If she’d not clung to her girlish infatuation, she could have saved herself from humiliation.

Tonight, she’d paid the price for wearing her heart on her sleeve. The most vicious girls in the ton had mocked her, and Ramsey had pitied her. She’d danced the night away to show everyone she held no tender feelings for Hawk. But the damage was done.

The blame fell squarely on her shoulders. If she’d not been such a fool, she would not be in this predicament.
Not once had she ever questioned her feelings for Hawk. She’d been so certain she was in love, but she’d been in love with the fantasy of him.

She prayed he didn’t know, but he probably secretly found her infatuation amusing. Oh, God, how could she face him?

The worst part was that she couldn’t avoid him. For the rest of the season, she must meet him on a daily basis. But when the season ended, he would escort her home for the babe’s christening. Somehow she must find a way to endure, without letting her wounds show.

A tap sounded, startling her. Hester opened the door. “Ah, you are awake.”

She took a deep breath, willing a calm expression. “I hope I did not disturb you,” she said, sitting up.

“No, I only wanted to check on you.” Hester’s frilly wrapper billowed as she crossed the room and set the candle on the bedside table. The mattress dipped when she sat beside Julianne. “You were unusually quiet during the carriage ride.”