How to Seduce a Scoundrel (4 page)

“If I pretend I do not care, he might conclude I am indifferent.”

“You must not demonstrate tender feelings. There is nothing more fearful to a rake than the prospect of matrimony. Rakes value their freedom and their mistresses.”

Julianne stared at her lap, trying to hide the pain lancing her heart. She’d heard the rumors about his mistresses, but she’d refused to believe he was as dissolute as others intimated.

“Your face is like a signpost, gel. My nephew is one and thirty. Did you think him a virgin?”

Misery engulfed her. Of course, she’d known there had been other women, but she’d tried to push it out of her mind. She could not bear the thought of him touching and kissing another.

“Now, now. Men are passionate creatures,” Hester said. “They are made that way. You’ll learn, gel. You need only entice him with the promise of your sensual charms.”

Julianne looked at her. “But I don’t even know if I have any sensual charms.”

Hester chortled. “My dear, your charms are apparent to any man with eyes in his head. But you must endeavor to keep him interested beyond the visual feast.”

“How am I to manage when I’ve no idea what to do?”

“Look at him with desire and tease him. But when he gives chase, you must keep him at arm’s length. Doing so will stoke his fire, if you catch my meaning.”

Julianne couldn’t imagine Hawk chasing her or any other woman for that matter. In truth, women chased him.

“If you play your cards right, you can have him in the palm of your hand,” Hester said, closing her fingers into a fist. “Why, Anne Boleyn kept Henry the Eighth on a lusty leash for years.”

And got her head chopped off in the bargain
.

“Well, gel, do you want him or not?” Hester asked.

She would not play horrid games with the man she loved. Hester’s ideas sounded like lessons for a courtesan. Julianne lifted her chin in a defiant gesture, but she wasn’t quite brave enough to voice her objections.

Hester gave her a knowing look. “You’re determined to woo him your way. When you are ready, you’ll remember my advice.”

The next night, Hawk strolled about the cluttered Egyptian drawing room while he waited for his aunt and Julianne. Earlier in the day, Hester had sent him the requested list of Julianne’s invitations for the week.

After much thought, he’d concluded Julianne did not need him to watch her every move. She was a good girl and would never do anything improper. He planned to
escort Julianne and his aunt this one night, but in the future, he would make an appearance, ensure all was well, and make a hasty exit.

The drawing room door sighed open. Hester pressed it shut and marched over to him in a billow of purple skirts. Her tall ostrich feathers waved above a gaudy pearl-encrusted turban. “I must speak to you before Julianne arrives.”

“Where is she?” Hawk asked.

“Changing her gown.”

Lord help him. “Why?”

“Because she is a female.” Hester gave him a measuring look. “Her brother says he won’t rush her into marriage, but I’ve given the matter more thought. Everyone knows he is too protective. He still thinks of her as a young gel. I think he’s trying to discourage her because he cannot admit she’s a grown woman.”

“Aunt, she’ll wed when she’s ready,” Hawk said.

“Obviously you are unwilling to help,” Hester said. “The task must fall to me.”

“What?” Oh, Lord. His aunt fancied herself a matchmaker.

Hester tapped her chin. “I imagine she would prefer a young cub with an agreeable nature, but I fear she would find him disappointing. A gentleman with a bit of savoir faire would suit her best. The young ones don’t know what is what. They tend to fire too soon, if you take my meaning.”

The devil.
“Aunt Hester—”

“Oh, hush, you know it’s true. Of course, her intended should not be above nine and thirty. The older ones tend to wither.”

He really could bear no more of his aunt’s bawdy speech. “Perhaps you should check on Julianne’s progress.”

The door opened, letting in a draft. Relieved at Julianne’s timely appearance, he said, “Ah, there she is now.”

“Forgive me. I am terribly late,” Julianne said.

A sheer fabric covered her girlish pink underskirt. She looked every inch the virtuous young lady. He crossed the room and bowed over her gloved hand. When he glanced up at her, she blushed.

He intended to discourage his aunt’s matchmaking scheme. Julianne was a woman, but a very young one. She’d turned down multiple proposals, and he suspected she enjoyed being the belle of the ball. Hang society. She had every right to enjoy her youth as long as possible.

Julianne fingered a locket nestled just above her bodice, drawing his attention.

“A new bauble?” he asked.

“My father gave it to me long ago.” She unclasped the locket.

He swallowed hard as she showed him the tiny miniature of her father, the father who had ignored her because she wasn’t the long-hoped-for spare heir. The wastrel had occasionally bestowed kindness upon his wife, son, and daughter. Just often enough to make them hope he’d changed. It had never lasted long.

“I’ve only worn the locket once before,” she said, her eyes downcast.

At that moment, he wanted to give her the most costly jewel to replace that crumb her father had doled out years ago.

“She is an incomparable beauty, is she not?” Hester
said, her voice booming behind them. “I predict all the gentlemen will fall at her feet.”

Julianne closed the locket. Her eyes twinkled as she regarded him. “I shall try not to tread on their prostrate bodies on the way to the dance floor.”

Hawk chuckled. She was the same merry Julianne he’d always known. “That’s my girl.”

My girl
. His words echoed in Julianne’s mind all during the carriage ride. She continued to savor them as they walked inside the Beresford’s Palladian mansion and made their slow way upstairs. While they filed through the receiving line, Hawk smiled at her, making her heart melt. Afterward, Hester claimed weariness and ambled toward the chairs occupied by the matrons and wallflowers.

As Hawk led Julianne along the perimeter of the ballroom, dozens of people marked their progress. A sidelong glance assured her more than a few ladies were watching with curled lips. Let the jealous cats scowl. Tonight she was on the arm of the most handsome gentleman in the ballroom. And before this night ended, she hoped to make him yearn for her as much as she yearned for him.

She glanced at him. In profile, his dark brows and prominent cheekbones gave him a roguish appearance. She knew his face so well, and yet each time she looked at him, she found herself mesmerized.

As he returned her gaze, his full lips curved with the hint of amusement, and then he looked out at the crowd once more.

She’d attended more balls than she could count, but tonight, magic filled the air. Usually she paid scant attention
to the décor, but now she noticed every detail. A row of rising shelves covered in crimson serge held dozens and dozens of crystal vases filled with hothouse flowers. Yards of scarlet draperies floated across the mantel and fell in a waterfall across the gold wall sconces. She vowed always to remember the romantic ambience.

Julianne tightened her fingers on his arm. The heat of his body seeped into her. She felt all warm and wobbly inside.

Please let him propose soon
.

As they neared the dance floor, she caught her breath, hoping he would request her hand for the next set. An enormous gilt mirror reflected the couples twirling and parting in intricate patterns. Above them, candlelight twinkled starlike among the teardrop crystals in the enormous chandelier. She hoped he would stop to watch the dancers, but he led her over to an alcove displaying a large bust of Lord Beresford.

Hawk glanced at a lanky young man passing by. The skinny boy looked at her and almost tripped over his huge feet.

“There’s a perfectly harmless cub,” Hawk said. “Let me take you to him. I’ll hint he should ask you to dance.”

Her face heated. “I do not need your assistance.”

“You do not wish to dance?” he asked in a teasing tone.

Clearly he had no intention of asking. Offended, she released his arm. “I’m off to find my friends.”

She’d taken only a single step when he caught her arm and pulled her back to him.

“Not so fast,” he said. “Tell me what I’ve done to vex you.”

She refused to look at him. “Obviously you think no one but clumsy boys will dance with me.”

He scoffed. “From the moment we entered the ballroom, I’ve seen dozens of gentlemen looking at you. Some of those men have bad reputations. Stay away from them.”

He’d spoken in a gruff manner. Perhaps he was jealous of those other men. “I will,” she said.

“What? No argument?” He released her and pretended to stagger.

His antics confused her. He’d sounded perfectly serious earlier. Then all of a sudden, he’d made a jest. Of course, he always made a joke of everything. She told herself it was his nature and part of his charm, but an uneasy sensation settled in her chest.

Someone called her name. Her friends Amy Hardwick and Lady Georgette Danforth were approaching. Georgette’s eldest brother, Lord Ramsey, followed close behind. Julianne inhaled. She would ask her friends for their opinions as soon as she could speak to them in private.

When her friends reached her, she kissed the air by their cheeks. “Oh, it’s been ages since last I saw you.”

“I’ve missed you,” Amy said. “Letters are a poor substitute for being together.”

Georgette’s blue eyes sparkled as she beckoned them both aside. “You have made a conquest of Hawk.”

“Not exactly,” Julianne said in an undertone. “He is to be my guardian for the entire season.”

Her friends gasped.

“Oh, this is wonderful,” Amy murmured.

Georgette leaned closer. “I saw the way Hawk looked at you. I predict he will dance attendance on you all evening.”

“He’ll propose this year. I’m sure of it,” Amy said.

Georgette grinned. “How could he resist you?”

Julianne glanced over her shoulder at Hawk. Ramsey said something to him. Oddly, Hawk gave him a freezing look and focused his attention on three other gentlemen. Julianne shrugged off his strange reaction to Ramsey and turned back to her friends. “I need your advice.”

After she described Hawk’s confusing behavior, Georgette’s dimples showed as she smiled. “I think he inadvertently revealed his tender feelings.”

Julianne worried her hands. “But why did he pass it off as a jest?”

“He is unsure of your regard, and so he resorted to teasing you,” Amy said.

Julianne realized Amy was right. “He’s teased me for years. Perhaps all this time he’s waited for a sign from me.”

“You must show him you welcome him as a suitor,” Amy said.

Georgette shook her head. “No, she must make him even more jealous by dancing with other gentlemen.”

“I disagree,” Amy said. “It would be cruel to wound him. He might conclude she does not care for him. All would be lost.”

Georgette released a loud sigh. “Oh, why must matters of the heart be so complicated?”

“Because love makes one vulnerable,” Amy said. “We all want to protect our hearts. I think it doubly hard for gentlemen because of their pride.”

“It is a wonder anyone manages to wed,” Georgette grumbled.

Julianne glanced at Hawk again. She started to turn away when Ramsey looked at her. His eyes gleamed as
his gaze dipped lower. The horrid man was ogling her bosom.

She averted her gaze, only to realize she’d missed part of her friends’ conversation.

“She should express interest in Hawk and ask him questions so she may get to know him better,” Amy was saying.

Julianne frowned. “I’ve known him forever.”

“I doubt he has told you his deepest secrets,” Amy said.

Georgette scoffed. “What deep secrets? Hawk is a charmer and a rogue. Nothing troubles his mind. Do you not agree, Julie?”

“I’ve never seen him brood over anything. Even after his father’s funeral, he tried to cheer up everyone else.” She sighed. “He has a wonderful ability to make everyone laugh even during trying times.”

Amy’s green eyes widened. “Watch out. Lord Ramsey is coming this way,” she said in a stage whisper.

Julianne winced. Oh, she could not bear to look at him after she’d caught him ogling her bosom.

Georgette groaned. “Papa made him escort me. I think he meant to punish Henry. Of course, Mama would not tell me why he was in trouble.”

“He’s almost here,” Amy said

Upon reaching them, Ramsey bowed. “Lady Julianne, you are as dazzling as the sun.”

“I hope you are not seeing spots,” she muttered.

Georgette snorted.

Ramsey’s rumbling laugh reverberated all along Julianne’s spine and made her ill at ease. Then his gaze drifted lower as if he were mentally undressing her. Her ears grew hot.

“May I have the honor of the next dance?” Ramsey asked.