How to Seduce a Scoundrel (24 page)

“No, but it is Wednesday night. You might find her at Almack’s.”

“Thank you, Lady Dunworthy. You have been tremendously helpful.”

Lord help him. Almack’s of all the wretched places.

After an interminable wait in a long queue, his carriage halted before that hallowed hall. As he strode toward the doors, he recalled the patronesses insisted men wear breeches. To hell with that. He’d gain entrance even if he had to flirt with Lady Jersey.

Lady Jersey met him and shook her head at his attire. “Hawkfield, you know breeches are de rigueur, not that we’ve seen you here in years. What brings you?”

“My aunt and Lady Julianne,” he said.

“They are not here.” She laughed. “Oh, how delicious. You have lost your aunt
and
your ward.”

“My aunt is in her dotage and obviously gave me the wrong information.”

“I wish you luck finding them.” A sly look came into her eyes. “Next week, I hope to see you—dressed appropriately, of course. You have been absent too long from the seventh heaven.”

He bowed and strode off. “More like the seventh circle of hell,” he muttered.

When he reached the carriage, his driver regarded him with pity. “Where to, my lord?”

“Damned if I know,” he said.

“My lord, I heard there will be fireworks at Vauxhall tonight.”

“Then let us be off.” He figured he’d find his aunt and Peckham in one of the supper boxes, if that was, in fact, their destination. Even so, he couldn’t trust Hester to keep a close watch over Julianne. The thought of her wandering along the main avenue with her silly friends made him wild. All manner of riffraff tended to lie in wait for unprotected young ladies. His heart pounded at the possibility of Julianne coming to harm.

A Scoundrel’s Code of Conduct: Put your foot down, but have a hanky available in case she turns into a watering pot.

J
ulianne admired the beautiful lamps hanging in the great elms lining the avenue at Vauxhall. She sat in one of the supper boxes with Hester and Mr. Peckham. They were partaking of thin slices of ham, tiny chickens, biscuits, strawberries, and wine. Sipping a glass of wine, Julianne smiled as Mr. Peckham offered Hester a strawberry. He gazed longingly at Hester, and when she lowered her eyes, the sweetness of her sudden shyness touched Julianne’s heart.

She averted her gaze to give them privacy. Hester had never discussed her relationship with Mr. Peckham, but their feelings for each other were obvious to Julianne. And she had no doubt Mr. Peckham was Hester’s first love. Tonight the world seemed a better place because of
their reunion after so many years. Hester had suffered too much in her youth, but now she was free to give her heart to the man she’d never forgotten.

Julianne was not completely at ease, however. Hawk would be furious when he discovered they had thwarted him tonight. Her conscience had roared when they had left thirty minutes prior to Hawk’s expected arrival. Oh, why should she feel guilty? He had gone too far with his rude insistence that he must accompany them tonight.

“Lady Julianne, you look as if you wish to slay someone.”

Beaufort’s voice startled her. She looked up to find all five of the cubs in the supper box. “I did not know you would be here.”

“We didn’t want to miss the fireworks,” Osgood said.

“Will you take some refreshment?” she asked.

At that moment, great bursts like gunfire erupted. Julianne squeaked, eliciting laughter from the young men. They drank wine and watched the fireworks display. Then Georgette, Sally, and Amy arrived in the box. Julianne’s happiness at seeing her friends faded quickly at the sight of Ramsey following close on their heels. For Georgette’s sake, she greeted him politely and turned her attention to the others. But she grew increasingly uncomfortable as she caught Ramsey watching her more than once.

After several minutes, he approached his sister. “Georgette, I’ll return shortly to escort you back to our parents,” he said.

Julianne breathed a sigh of relief when he departed. Obviously, he’d only meant to escort his sister, along with Amy and Sally. Thank goodness he’d taken her seriously when she’d told him to cease his pursuit.

“I say, it is a beautiful night,” Caruthers said. “Shall we take a stroll along the Grand Walk?”

Everyone assented, except Amy. “Georgette,” she said, “will your brother be angry?”

Georgette waved her hand in dismissal. “Oh, who cares about him? The gentlemen will escort us. We will be perfectly safe, and Henry will never know the difference.”

“Let me discuss the plan with Hester first,” Julianne said.

When she approached Hester about the walk, Mr. Peckham frowned. “There are unscrupulous sorts out there.”

“But Julianne’s beaux will be there to protect the girls,” Hester said. “Mind you, stay away from the dark walks.”

Julianne laughed. “I promise to steer clear of those paths.”

The entire group set off to the accompaniment of popping sounds. The sky lit up again and again with great fanfare. After spending so many days indoors, Julianne enjoyed the invigorating exercise.

Georgette spied an unlit path and halted. “Oh, look. That must be one of the famous dark walks.”

Naturally, everyone had to stop and look.

The branches of the tall trees formed a canopy over the dark walk, making it look even more forbidding to Julianne. She imagined a villain grabbing an innocent young lady and dragging her down that secluded path. Chill bumps erupted along her arms.

Sally shivered. “Oh, it looks scary.”

Caruthers snuck up behind her and made a bloodcurdling sound.

Sally yelped and everyone laughed. “You rogue,” she said, swatting his arm.

Georgette edged closer to the dark walk. Then she turned with a sly grin on her face. “I think we should walk a few paces down the path so that we can say we’ve actually been on one of the dark walks.”

Julianne rolled her eyes at her feather-brained friend. “Georgette, don’t be silly.”

“It’s only a lark,” Georgette said. “Let us make a pact never to reveal we walked there.”

Beaufort cleared his throat. “Lady Georgette, I cannot allow you to embark on that path.”

Julianne bit back a grin, knowing Georgette would consider Beaufort’s words a dare.

Georgette giggled, lifted her skirts, and tapped her toe on the path. “Oops, I stepped on the dark walk.”

Everyone laughed, except Beaufort. “I think we had better turn back now.”

“Oh, very well,” Georgette grumbled.

Julianne shook her head at Georgette’s antics. As the group turned back, Beaufort took her arm. She told herself his escort was nothing more than a gentlemanly gesture, but something in his manner made her feel as if he’d made a propriety claim on her. As they strolled along, Beaufort gradually slowed his pace until the others were far ahead. Her nerves rattled. “We’re falling behind,” she said.

He smiled at her. “I wanted to tell you that I’ve acquired the curricle. Will you take a drive with me tomorrow?”

She couldn’t refuse when she’d put him off more than once and led him to believe she would accept as soon as he took possession of the curricle. “Yes, of course,” she said.

His smile grew wider. “Excellent. Tomorrow it is.”

She turned her gaze away so that he wouldn’t see her guilty expression. Now would be the perfect moment to tell him she only wanted friendship from him and the other four young men, but she didn’t want to spoil his happiness. Tomorrow she would tell him after he returned her home. No, she would say it to all the young men the next time they called, because she must ensure they understood she wasn’t interested in a romantic relationship.

The breeze blew her bonnet ribbons across her face. She pushed them away and thought of the Durmont’s ball. That night, she’d flirted with all five of those young men and danced with each of them twice. All because she’d wanted to show the ton that she no longer cared for Hawk.

Shame burned deep inside her. She’d taken advantage of the cubs and thought only about herself.

When they reached the supper box, Julianne’s pulse sped up at the sight of Ramsey taking Georgette aside. Julianne couldn’t hear them, but she surmised Ramsey was displeased that Georgette had left the box.

A few moments later, Georgette approached, and Beaufort excused himself. After he walked away, Georgette let out a loud sigh. “My brother insists I must return to my parents’ box now.”

“I suspected he was angry at you for leaving,” she said. “Will your parents be angry?”

She snickered. “They will never know. Henry was supposed to stay with me, so he’ll say nothing.”

“Perhaps you should tell your mother the truth. Let her know we consulted Hester before leaving.”

“Julianne, that would not satisfy my mother,” Georgette said. “Mama disapproves of Lady Rutledge.”

“What?” she said, unable to keep the shock from her voice.

Georgette winced. “I know how much you like her, and I do as well. My mother is a high stickler for the proprieties. Don’t let her opinion trouble you.” She paused. “I had better inform Amy and Sally that we are leaving soon.”

Julianne nodded, but inside she seethed at Georgette’s mother. High stickler, indeed. Lady Boswood ought to keep her nose firmly planted in her own concerns—such as her horrid son, who was striding toward her now. She had no intention of letting him corner her again and turned away.

She’d taken only a few steps when he called out her name. With a disgusted sigh, she halted. “Lord Ramsey, I understand you are angry that your sister left, but—”

“I wish to speak to you about that letter you wrote to your mother,” he bit out.

“My private correspondence is none of your affair. Now, you will excuse me,” she said.

“It is my affair when you make unfounded accusations about my character,” he said.

“I made my disinterest clear the last time we spoke. Soon after, I received news that your mother proposed a match between us. Obviously, you applied to your mother to further your suit. I stated my objections previously and have no wish to repeat them.”

“You told her I am a dissipated rake. Is that what
he
told you?”

Rapid footsteps sounded behind her. Hawk stepped beside her and stared coldly at Ramsey. “I told you to stay away from her.”

Her heart hammered against her chest. She had to prevent a confrontation. “He came to collect his sister.”

Ramsey inclined his head. As he walked past them, he left a parting shot. “I’ll wait for you, Julianne.”

“What did he mean?” Hawk gritted out.

“I’ve no idea,” she said under her breath. But of course she knew. He’d used his own mother to try and press his suit. Even in the face of her refusal, he still persisted.

Beaufort approached. “Lady Julianne, we are leaving. I will call for you tomorrow in my curricle.”

After he left, Hawk turned on her. “He is taking you for a drive?”

“Yes. He wants to show off his new curricle,” she said.

His nostrils flared. “We’re leaving.”

“But I came with your aunt,” she said.

“She’s coming with us,” he said, striding toward Hester.

“But her carriage is here and so is Mr. Peckham.”

“The driver can take Peckham home and return the carriage. You and my aunt have much to explain.”

Hawk stood in front of the mummy case and folded his arms over his chest. “Aunt, you went too far tonight.”

Hester sighed. “Marc, if you had not acted in such a high-handed manner earlier, I would have waited for your escort. Let that be a lesson to you.”

“You seem to have forgotten that I am her guardian and am in charge of her,” he said.

“Yes, yes, but I am also responsible for her. And frankly, I am disappointed that you have so little faith in me.”

“I chased after the pair of you for half the evening. And what did I find? Julianne in conversation with Ramsey, when I specifically instructed her to stay away from him.”

“Ramsey came to escort his sister back to their parents’ box,” Julianne said. Then she told him about Lady Boswood proposing a match between her misbegotten son and her. “The only reason Ramsey confronted me was because he was angry that I’d reported his bad reputation to my mother.”

“Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?” he said, his voice rising.

“I resolved the matter with my mother,” she said. “And I made it very clear I do not welcome his addresses. When you appeared, I was on the verge of walking away from him. To be honest, you only goaded him again.”

“You blame me?” he said.

“No, I’m only trying to demonstrate that I’m perfectly capable of thwarting him.”

He held up his hand. “I’ve heard enough. Matters are going to change or I will take action.”

“What are you suggesting?” Hester said.

“Aunt, I appreciate that you are sponsoring Julianne, but I cannot have you working against me. Ultimately, I am responsible for Julianne’s welfare. I am her appointed guardian, and if anything goes awry, I am the one who must answer for it. The schemes must stop immediately or I will make other arrangements for her.”