How to Seduce a Scoundrel (17 page)

He shot up out of his chair and caught her arm. “You are going nowhere alone.”

“I only wish to call on Georgette. Amy is with her.”

He released her and leaned out of the balcony. “You may forget that plan. Ramsey is there, along with his parents.”

“Ah, yes, the danger is clear. He will accost me in front of his family and all of society,” she muttered.

He faced her. “I said no and that is the end of the matter.”

Julianne considered her next move. Hawk couldn’t prevent her from leaving without causing a scene. She meant to thwart him, but Hester entered the box on Beaufort’s arm.

“The scamp insisted upon escorting me,” Hester said. “No doubt, he meant to charm his way into the box so that he could pay court to Julianne.”

Osgood, Portfrey, Benton, and Caruthers followed close behind and bowed. Julianne greeted each one enthusiastically and tried to ignore Hawk’s scowl. He leaned his hip against the balcony and crossed his arms over his chest. Clearly he meant to monitor her every word so that he could rebuke her later for flirting.

Julianne invited the gentlemen to take seats and made a point of asking how they liked the play. They declared the acting horrid and admitted they had given up watching.
She found herself laughing at Mr. Portfrey’s imitation of one actor’s stumbling about the stage.

“Lady Julianne, you have not told us your opinion of the play,” Caruthers said.

She smiled. “I could not hear a word for Hawk’s snoring.”

“I do not snore,” he drawled.

She glanced at him and then returned her attention to the younger gentlemen. “I fear I’ve embarrassed him,” she said sotto voce.

“I could never fall asleep in your presence,” Mr. Benton said.

“Do not be so certain,” she said. “I might bore you with talk of bonnets and balls.”

Benton gazed into her eyes. “The mere sound of your voice brings me pleasure.”

Hawk pulled a face. Clearly, he thought himself far superior to the younger men, but she liked them. They were amiable and appreciated her conversation, whereas all Hawk ever did was lecture her.

When Amy and Georgette arrived, Julianne brightened. Osgood escorted Amy to the chair next to him. Julianne exchanged a secretive smile with Georgette. The sensitive poet would make a wonderful beau for gentle Amy.

Beaufort stood and approached Julianne, holding up a coin. “A guinea for your thoughts?”

She arched her brows. “Are you out of pennies, my lord?”

“Sadly, yes. Will a bit of magic do?”

“Is it a trick?”

He held out his palm. “Allow me to demonstrate.”

She took his hand and stood. Then she darted a glance at Hawk. He regarded Beaufort with an amused expression. Hawk’s arrogance irritated her. Perhaps his reaction was a defensive one. She made a mental note to consult Amy and Georgette when they were alone.

Beaufort held the coin up for her inspection. Then he placed the coin in his other palm, closed his hand, and held his fist out to her. She obligingly tapped his hand. When he revealed his empty palm, she cried out, “Where are you hiding it?”

Beaufort reached toward her ear with his other hand and produced the coin. She let out a peal of laughter, and everyone clapped, with the exception of Hawk.

“You must teach me,” she said to Beaufort.

“Very well. The magic involves sleight of hand.” He positioned the coin between her fingertip and thumb. “Now, the trick occurs when you transfer the coin to your other hand.”

“Show me.”

“As you pass the coin to your other palm, keep your forefinger straight and close your two middle fingers. He bent her fingers to demonstrate. “Let the coin rest between your two fingers as you pull away.”

She tried, but dropped the coin.

He retrieved it. “The motion is similar to snapping your fingers,” Beaufort said. “You must be quick. Try again. I’ll help you.”

As he manipulated her fingers, Hawk cleared his throat. “That is quite enough sleight of hand for one evening.”

She frowned at Hawk. How dare he object? They were only having fun. “I wish to practice.”

“You’ve had enough practice,” Hawk growled.

Beaufort stepped away. “Perhaps another time.”

“Oh, there is Mrs. Rankin.” Hester hefted herself out of her chair. “Excuse me, but I promised to call on her this evening.”

After Hester retreated, Julianne whispered to Georgette, “I need your advice for the pamphlet. Agree to my suggestion.”

Georgette smiled and nodded.

Julianne regarded Amy with a speaking look. “Amy, will you come with us to the retiring room?”

“Yes, of course,” she said.

Hawk retrieved his watch and regarded her with a stern expression. “You will return promptly, I’m sure.”

He’d meant it as a warning. She refused to let him spoil her evening and decided to ignore him. Instead, she turned her attention to the five cubs. “Do you mind very much if I take my leave of you?”

“We’ll wait for you,” Beaufort said.

When the other gentlemen agreed, she shook her head. “It is very kind of you, but please do not feel obliged,” she said. “I do not wish to keep you from calling on your other friends.”

Hawk instantly regretted allowing Julianne to leave the box. The devil only knew what mischief she and her crafty friends were brewing.

Her beaux huddled together, speaking in low tones. When a wicked laugh escaped Beaufort, Hawk narrowed his eyes. That cub bore watching. He’d used the magic trick as a ruse to touch Julianne. Hawk had gritted his teeth the entire time. Unless he missed his guess, Beaufort was a rake in the making.

Hawk turned and gripped the balcony rail. If his aunt had not disappeared again, he would have asked her to accompany Julianne to the retiring room. Damnation. If he’d had any idea this guardianship business would take over his life, he would have insisted his mother stay behind to sponsor Julianne. Of course, he’d never suspected a hellion lurked beneath her sweet façade.

He retrieved his watch. She’d been gone only ten minutes. He’d give her fifteen more minutes, and then he would go in search of her. While he couldn’t boldly knock on the retiring room door, he could send a servant to fetch her. And if she wasn’t there, he would make her pay for deceiving him. Hawk regarded the restless cubs over his shoulder. The besotted fools obviously meant to stay until Julianne returned. Hawk decided to take pity on them. “You’ve waited long enough. I’ll give the ladies your regrets.”

Their rumbling voices dwindled as they left the box. Osgood lagged behind and then stopped at the entrance until his friends disappeared.

Hawk let out an exasperated sigh. “Osgood, you’ll not impress the ladies by waiting. Go join your friends.”

The young man turned around, his expression anxious. Then he cleared his throat. “Sir, I hoped you c-could advise me.”

“Hawk,” he said.

“Yes, sir.” Osgood’s face reddened. “I mean Hawk.”

Hawk sighed inwardly. “I’m not in the habit of doling out advice. Ask your father.”

Osgood shuffled up to him. “I can’t. He’d cane me.”

“If you’ve racked up gaming debts, you’d better confess to your papa. And don’t go to the moneylenders. The ruinous interest will make matters far worse,” he said.

“It’s not about gaming,” Osgood said. “I need advice about… w-women.”

“If this is about my ward, you’d best forget her. She has no interest in forming an attachment.”

Osgood tugged at his cravat. “I have the greatest respect for Lady Julianne, but…”

Hawk’s patience was wearing thin. “Just spit it out.”

Osgood glanced over his shoulder as if checking for nonexistent eavesdroppers. When he returned his attention to Hawk, he spoke in an undertone. “You’ve a reputation as a legendary lover. I hoped you could advise me how to solicit a c-courtesan.”

Lord help him. “How old are you?”

“Two and twenty next month,” he mumbled. “It’s dashed embarrassing. The other fellows boast about their conquests.” He scuffed the toe of his shoe. “I’ve never… you know.”

Hawk thought of that raucous party he’d attended long ago, but shoved the memory aside. “Braggarts often lie or exaggerate,” he said. “I doubt your allowance is sufficient to set up a mistress.”

Osgood blushed again. “How do I go about… getting experience?”

“The only reason you came to me is because you’re feeling pressured to compete with your peers. That’s a bad reason to climb into bed with a woman.”

He hung his head. “The other gents are ribbing me.”

Osgood was too sensitive for his own good. “They will continue to bully you if you don’t grow a tough hide. Learn the art of a raised brow and a bored look.”

“It won’t help. They know.” His jaw worked. “I mean to do something about it.”

“What do you plan to do? Have a quick tryst with a street prostitute in an alleyway? If you think that will make you feel manly, you’re wrong. It’s a filthy business.” He’d never sunk that low but feared Osgood might.

The young man winced.

Hawk silently cursed, knowing if he said the wrong thing, he’d crush the lad. “Don’t rush your fences.”

“You think I should wait until I’m older,” Osgood muttered.

I don’t want you to regret the first time
. “In the next couple of years, you’ll mature physically and be more confident. Women will take notice.”

Osgood regarded him with a dubious expression.

“They’ll make their interest clear, but stay away from other men’s wives, unless you want to risk getting shot. An experienced widow will teach you. But don’t mistake lust for tender emotions. Enjoy the liaison and make a graceful exit before it grows tedious.”

Osgood blew out his breath as if he were relieved.

Then Hawk advised him where to purchase sheep-gut condoms to prevent disease and other undesirable consequences.

“Thank you, sir. I mean Hawk.”

“If your friends ask, we were discussing fencing,” he said. “I’ve got a bad reputation to maintain.”

After Osgood left, Hawk again gripped the balcony railing and thought of all the things he’d not told the cub. That he’d be scared. That he’d probably humiliate himself. That in the wrong circumstances, a woman might take advantage of him.

The cub was too impressionable. He was likely to cave under pressure. The thought made Hawk’s stomach churn.

He’d done what he could to dissuade the young man. The rest was up to Osgood. One way or the other, he’d learn to stand up for himself.

Hawk’s gaze strayed to the pit below. People were returning to their seats. Frowning, he took out his watch. Bloody hell. Julianne had been gone for three-quarters of an hour. He strode out of the box, swearing he’d make her pay dearly for defying him again.

“I think Hawk is jealous of your beaux,” Georgette whispered.

Julianne sat with her friends on a settee in the retiring room and started to speak, but held her tongue until a group of younger, giggling girls walked past. “Hawk is only watching me because he thinks I’m too flirtatious.”

“He seemed displeased when Beaufort taught you the magic trick,” Georgette said.

“Nothing I do pleases Hawk,” she said.

“You said you need help with the pamphlet. Are you almost finished?” Georgette asked.

“No, I’m about halfway done. I’ve got to write faster if I’m to publish the pamphlet in a timely manner,” she said.

Amy’s red-gold brows furrowed. “Julianne, I know Lady Rutledge said she could hide your identity. But are you sure?”

“Stop being a ninny,” Georgette said. “Julianne, perhaps you could include advice about dancing.”

Julianne wafted her fan. “What should I say?”

“Mama said I should never accept more than one dance from a gentleman,” Georgette said.

“Excellent,” Julianne said. “If a lady dances more than one dance with a gentleman, he is liable to conclude he’s already caught her.”

Georgette nodded. “And then he might want to throw her back, like a fish.”

Amy laughed. “Georgette, that is silly.”

“Hester said men love the chase,” Julianne said. “So we have to be seemingly unobtainable.”

“But what if that doesn’t draw their interest?” Georgette said.

“Hester suggested giving gentlemen a come-hither look,” Julianne said. “Of course, a proper lady must keep a gentleman at arm’s length.”

Georgette twirled a blond curl around her finger. “Should you not call it a
seductive
look? After all, the pamphlet is called
The Secrets of Seduction
.”

“Georgette, you’re absolutely right,” Julianne said.

Amy snapped her fan closed. “Have you lost your wits? There is nothing proper about such risqué advice.”

Georgette regarded Julianne with a sly smile. “Perhaps you should practice your seductive look on Hawk—to test it for the pamphlet.”

Her face flamed. Even though she’d vowed only to get revenge, she’d been unable to put his heated kisses and touches from her mind. Every night, she’d tossed and turned in bed, recalling the wicked sensations he’d aroused in her. She’d never guessed passion could be so thrilling. Heaven help her. She was a wanton.