How to Seduce a Scoundrel (15 page)

“I was a bit weary,” she said.

“Little wonder. You danced your dainty feet off,” she said. “You were the belle of the ball.”

“No, that title belongs to Elizabeth.” Just when she’d thought matters couldn’t possibly grow worse, Elizabeth’s engagement was announced.

“You seemed displeased by the news of her engagement,” Hester said.

“Elizabeth is cruel. I don’t like her or her friend Henrietta.”

“Lady Elizabeth claimed the first engagement of the season,” Hester said. “It will be much talked of, and the
papers will make a fuss over her. Even in my day, the gels always hoped to be the first. But I can understand why you cannot be happy for a disagreeable young lady.”

“She has a large group of friends who follow her everywhere. They even dress like her and jump to do her bidding.”

“I knew such a girl when I made my come-out,” Hester said. “She picked on one poor chit. The others followed her lead, because they feared becoming her victim.”

“That is an apt description of Elizabeth and her flock of sheep.” Julianne swallowed hard. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Hester about their mockery or her conversation with Ramsey.

Hester smoothed the covers. “You are unable to sleep. What troubles you?”

Julianne drew her feet up and wrapped her arms around her shins. “It is so unfair. The most hateful girl in the ton is engaged.”

When Hester said nothing, Julianne looked at her. “I know it is foolish of me. Mama would tell me life is not fair.”

“No, it is not,” Hester said. “But your feelings are understandable. I daresay, you are not the only young lady who felt the pangs of envy tonight.”

“Amy and Georgette were particularly distressed. Elizabeth treated them horribly last year.” Julianne huffed. “She is spiteful and horrid. I hate her.”

Hester tilted her head. “It has been many years since I was a young belle, but some things never change. If you are amenable, I will offer you advice.”

Julianne nodded. “I welcome your wisdom. You speak frankly. Mama only tells me to follow the proprieties without question.”

“That is because she is your mother and has high expectations of you.” Hester paused. “Now for the advice. Tonight, you may vent your feelings, but once they are spent, you must banish them forever.”

She rested her chin on her knees. “That is easier said than done.”

Hester considered her for a long moment. “Yes, but while you are fuming over Elizabeth, she is probably not giving you a single thought.”

Julianne lifted her chin. Her chest rose and fell quickly as Hester’s words sank in.

“She is not worth your anguish,” Hester said.

Julianne threw her arms around Hester. “Thank you. However did you become so wise?”

Hester patted her back. “The usual way. I learned from my mistakes.”

A Lady’s Secrets of Seduction: Plant posies in the drawing room so that your admirers will presume other gentlemen have called.

T
he next morning, Julianne worried her hands as Hester directed two maids to plant flowers on the numerous side tables. “Hester, this seems like trickery.”

Hester waved her hand. “You must think of those poor single gels who are desperate to find a husband. Gentlemen hold all the power in matrimonial matters. As you said in your introduction to the pamphlet, most men put off marriage for far too long. Ladies have few advantages. If gentlemen conclude they have competition, they will be more eager to court the ladies.”

Julianne still thought the scheme deceptive. “Well, we are presuming gentlemen will call today.”

Hester chuckled. “Oh, they will call. You were the most popular lady at the ball last night.”

Hester had been right after all.

When the five gentlemen had arrived earlier with posies, they had looked abashed and said they could see their offering was not the first. Hester had given Julianne a smug smile. Although Julianne tried to squelch her guilty conscience by thinking of all the lovelorn ladies, she didn’t like deceiving the young men. Mr. Osgood, Lord Beaufort, Mr. Portfrey, Lord Caruthers, and Mr. Benton were amiable and witty. In a spurt of inspiration, she’d honestly been able to say she favored their flowers over all the others.

When the footman announced Hawk, Julianne’s stomach fluttered involuntarily. She told herself she had nothing to be concerned about. He probably did not suspect her former feelings for him. Even if he had known, he could not deny she no longer held a
tendre
for him. Feeling a tad more confident, she lifted her chin as he walked inside and smiled serenely—at his cravat. Then, she silently chastised herself for acting like a cowardly ninny and forced herself to meet his gaze.

He arched his brows and then sauntered past. Julianne expected him to glower at the other gentlemen and secretly hoped he would be jealous. But he merely acknowledged them with a nod, headed to the tea tray, and heaped biscuits on a plate. He didn’t even spare a glance at the numerous bouquets.

Drat him. He’d taken the wind right out of her sails.

Caro and Byron followed him to a chair. The dogs sat at his feet, looking at him hopefully as he ate the biscuits.

“You can give them a crumb or two,” Hester said.

He flicked his fingers and set the plate on the carpet. The dogs greedily lapped the crumbs.

Charles Osgood, the bad poet, grimaced. “Is that, er, sanitary?”

Hawk shrugged. “Best way to clean the plates.”

Lord Beaufort elbowed Osgood. “Buffle head,” he said, his tone good-natured.

The dogs trotted over to the tea tray, sniffing the carpet. Finding no stray crumbs, they sat on their haunches and stared up at the tray as if expecting someone to serve them.

Julianne tried to think of something witty to say to the younger gentlemen, but Hawk stretched out his long legs, drawing her attention. His tight trousers left little to the imagination. She had no trouble discerning the corded muscles of his thighs.

Fearing he might catch her ogling him, she jerked her gaze away. Did she have no shame? She applied her fan in an effort to cool her embarrassment.

Beaufort’s voice pierced the silence. “I say, Hawk, your fencing match this morning caused quite a stir.”

Julianne regarded Hawk with parted lips. “I did not know you fence.”

“The exercise is invigorating,” he said.

“You gave Ramsey no quarter,” Beaufort continued.

Julianne stiffened. Oh, dear God. Had Hawk purposely sought out Ramsey?

Osgood leaned forward. “He couldn’t match your speed.”

Hawk shrugged. “Ramsey lost his focus, let his temper get the better of him early on.”

Her pulse raced. Had Ramsey said something to Hawk about his encounter with her last night?

“You had him sweating buckets,” Mr. Benton said.

“He’s a two-bottle man,” Hawk said. “Can’t keep fit if you drown yourself in claret every night.”

The younger men murmured their agreement. They clearly admired Hawk, and he’d given them sage advice. But the news of the fencing match rattled her nerves. Was Ramsey the reason Hawk had called on her?

“I thought at first he meant to refuse to shake your hand after you trounced him,” Osgood said.

Mr. Portfrey nodded. “He did so in a grudging manner.”

“It was unsporting,” Lord Caruthers said.

Julianne winced. Apparently Ramsey had made an ass of himself in front of his peers.

Hawk glanced at her. “I fear this topic is unsuitable for the ladies.”

The younger gentlemen rushed to offer their apologies.

“No apology is necessary,” Julianne said. But she meant to question Hawk later and find out if he had challenged Ramsey.

“I rather enjoyed hearing of my nephew’s victory,” Hester declared.

Osgood looked at the mantel clock. “I say, we’ve overstayed our welcome.”

Julianne rose along with Hawk and the other gentlemen. They bowed to her. Then Beaufort approached. “Lady Julianne, I should be in possession of that curricle by the end of the week. Will you allow me the honor of driving you to the park?”

Oh, no. He would likely rattle on about axles and wheels again, but she must be polite. “Let me know when
you’ve taken possession.” There, she’d not refused, but she’d not agreed, either.

“Will you attend the theater tonight?” Beaufort asked.

She shrugged. “Perhaps.”

Hawk narrowed his eyes. “No one informed me that the plans changed.”

Drat it all. She couldn’t tell him that she meant to test Hester’s idea for the next chapter:
Be vague about your planned entertainments
.

“It is a lady’s prerogative to change her mind,” Hester said.

Beaufort laughed. “Well, I hope to find you in attendance, Lady Rutledge.”

Hester snorted. “Scamp. You’re a bit young, but I shall be happy to receive you—
if
I decide to attend.”

After the younger men left, Hawk folded his arms over his chest and regarded his aunt. “When were you planning to tell me the plans changed?”

“We have not decided yet,” Hester said.

“Oh? What else did you have in mind?”

“The opera,” Julianne said. They had not actually discussed the matter, but she saw no reason to enlighten him.

“Then I’ll decide,” he said. “The theater.”

Julianne shrugged, pretending indifference as she perched on the sofa beside Hester. She refused to let him see that his high-handed manner provoked her.

“Do be seated,” Hester said to Hawk. “My neck is aching from looking up at you, and I wish to hear more about this business with Ramsey.”

“You’ve heard the salient points.” He slumped back into his chair.

Julianne regarded him with suspicion. He’d called today for a reason, but he’d yet to state it.

“How many beaux have paraded through the drawing room today?” he asked.

“She did not receive all of them,” Hester said.

“This is a bit excessive, even for you, Julianne,” Hawk said.

“She cannot help it if the gentlemen flock to her,” Hester said. “Her beauty and wit draw them.”

Hawk gripped the arms of the chair. “Julianne, we need to discuss rule number three. You violated the ‘no flirting’ rule repeatedly last night.”

“Rules?” Hester said. “This is news to me.”

Julianne waved her hand. “It’s just one of his foolish notions. Do not pay any heed to him.”

“You are determined to flirt with every man in the beau monde,” he said. “The men will think you are a tease, and the dragons will flay you alive.”

“If I did not know better, I would think you are jealous,” she said.

“I see what you’re about,” he said.

She fanned herself. “Really? Enlighten me.” Of course, she would never reveal she’d meant to show the ton she no longer had feelings for
him
.

“You wish to increase the number of proposals you have refused,” he said.

“That is ridiculous. I have not received a single offer of marriage this season.” She meant to be careful not to encourage gentlemen. Somehow, she must be clear that she only sought to dance and be merry.

“You’ve been here only eight days,” he said. “By next week, you’ll have half the bachelors in London on bended knee if I do not put a stop to it.”

“It’s not her fault they fall in love with her,” Hester said.

“Julianne, you will cease flirting,” Hawk said.

She struggled not to laugh. “What do you consider flirting?”

“You are being purposely obtuse.”

“I merely wish to know exactly what I may or may not say to a gentleman.”

Hester rose. “I’m weary of this foolish discussion. Julianne, when he grows too tiresome, evict him.”

Hawk glared at his aunt as she and the dogs retreated. Once the drawing room door closed, he strode over to Julianne and sat beside her on the sofa. “I meant what I said.”

“I have more important concerns. Why did you fence with Ramsey?”

“He challenged me. I accepted.”

“You wanted to fight him,” she said.

“It was a fencing match, not a fight.”

She shook her head. “You say that, but I know there was more to that match than mere fencing.”

The gold flecks in his brown eyes glinted. “This is no simple grievance, Julianne. He’s a blackguard and a poor sport.”

She recalled Ramsey’s forceful manners at the ball. Clearly he’d sought a confrontation with Hawk today. But she didn’t know if it was because of the bad blood between the two men or because of her rejection last night.

“I hope you aren’t planning to defend him on account of his sister,” Hawk said.

“No. His poor sportsmanship today was inexcusable.” Last night at the ball, Ramsey had importuned her, despite her attempts to deter him. She knew now that he was every bit as manipulative as Hawk had said.