But soon those rules would change, thanks to the pamphlet. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she imagined the fury of all the rakehells upon reading what ladies really thought of their scandalous doings.
“I must go now,” he said.
“Wait. Surely Tristan mentioned Tessa in the letter. How is she faring?”
“She is well.”
Julianne knit her brows. “That is all he said?”
Some odd emotion flickered in his eyes. “The babe keeps her awake at night kicking.”
Julianne smiled. “In less than two months, I will be an aunt—and a godmother. Tristan said you agreed to be the babe’s godfather.”
Hawk wagged his brows. “I shall try not to corrupt him.”
“But what if it is a girl?”
He tugged on his sleeves. “We shall see.”
“Oh, I cannot wait to hold the babe in my arms,” she said. “Mama is planning a large celebration for the christening. All your family will be invited to attend. It will be such a happy occasion.”
He stood. “I will call for you and my aunt tonight.”
Her lips parted at his sudden change in topic, but she rose and curtsied.
He strode out the door, as if he were in a hurry to escape.
In the end, Hawk’s aunt had insisted upon attending the theater. He’d rather be at his club enjoying a fine brandy, but given the limited choices, the theater was preferable to having his ears assaulted at the opera.
When they entered the box, dozens of ladies across the expanse of the auditorium stared at them. Their tall feathers bobbed as they whispered to those beside them.
He grinned at Julianne only to find her scowling. “See something you dislike?”
“Lady Elizabeth and her lapdog Henrietta.”
He laughed. “Sheath your claws, kitten. They are not worth your disdain.”
She lifted her chin. “You are correct.”
“Oh, ho. You are a dragon in the making,” he said.
Julianne swatted his arm with her fan, but her eyes twinkled. “What if I am?”
“Shall I tremble in fear?” he asked.
“I beg you to control yourself. I left my smelling salts at home,” she said.
“If I swoon, you may revive me with a swish of your fan.”
Her husky laughter called to the beast inside him. As he escorted her to the chairs, he imagined the sound of her raspy voice in a darkened boudoir.
He forced those dangerous thoughts from his head.
After they were seated, his aunt went to visit a friend. Hawk took the opportunity to tease Julianne. “Look at those gentlemen strutting along the aisles of the pit. They are taking seats next to lonely ladies. How kind of them.”
She sniffed. “A lady never notices lewd behavior in public places, and you are unmannerly to encourage me to watch.”
“Lewd?” He made a mock show of horror.
She wafted her fan. “I’m sure you’re well acquainted with such doings.”
“I’m shocked,” he said.
“That is the worst bouncer I’ve ever heard.”
“No, really, I’m quite astounded.” He paused for effect. “I’d no idea you were such an expert on… what were the words you used? Oh, yes, lewd behavior.”
“Rogue,” she said.
The curtain rose, and the actors stumbled about the stage as if they were as drunk as sailors. He couldn’t recall the name of the play, but it mattered not. No one paid much attention, which was a good thing since the actors kept slurring their lines.
Hawk slouched in the velvet chair and stretched out his legs. He accidentally brushed Julianne’s arm. The brief contact made his skin tingle.
He gazed at her, intending to make a jest, but she clutched the rail, seemingly mesmerized by the play. When she leaned forward, the exterior candle sconces illuminated her shining midnight curls. A rope of pearls was threaded through her intricately styled hair. Her complexion was as luminescent as the pearls. Without a doubt, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known.
Hawk imagined taking her hand and building a slow fire in her with a secret look. Her preoccupation gave him leave to admire her long, slender neck. He wanted to plant butterfly kisses along her jaw and trail his lips to the pulse point. He could almost hear her low gasp as he suckled her.
When his cock stirred, he made a halfhearted attempt to turn his thoughts elsewhere, but in the close confines, the scent of her flowery perfume fogged his brain. Once more, he glanced at her profile, remembering her passionate response to his kiss.
The memory made him feel like a devil. He’d had no right to touch her, but his guilt hadn’t stopped him from continually reliving the taste of her sweet lips.
Knowing she was forbidden made her all the more tempting. Night after night, he’d imagined stripping off her gown and undergarments. He’d formed a picture in his mind of her slim, naked body. And he’d thought of dozens of ways to pleasure her. He wanted to taste every inch of her skin. He wanted to spread her thighs and kiss her intimately until she shattered in ecstasy. He wanted to pin her wrists above her head and make her beg to have him inside her.
His cock hardened. The devil. He was making himself half mad over a woman he could never have.
He ought to take a mistress to dampen the damnable lust coursing through his veins. But when would he ever have time to set one up, much less bed her? He was spending all his time ensuring Julianne stayed out of trouble.
Hell and damnation. He’d sworn to be discreet, but that wasn’t even an issue. When he’d agreed to be Julianne’s guardian, he’d thought he could pop in to a few balls occasionally and return to his usual carousing. The wine episode aside, he didn’t dare leave her without protection, not with Ramsey and every buck and blade in London sniffing round her skirts.
In addition to escorting her to entertainments every evening, he’d decided it was necessary to call on her in the afternoons. After their conversation earlier today, he knew she was entirely too naïve where men were concerned. She’d actually worried about injuring their tender sensibilities. Clearly, she had no idea what foul thoughts ran through the primitive male brain.
To her, flirting was nothing more than a merry game. She thought herself experienced enough to avoid seductive traps. Nothing he said would convince her, for he’d already tried. She didn’t know that one heedless decision, one stumble, could send her sliding down the proverbial slippery slope.
He knew from experience how easy it was to fall.
No matter how much she resented his interference, he could not let down his guard.
Chapter Nine
A Lady’s Secrets of Seduction: Once you secure his interest, drift away before he becomes too confident of your affections.
When the curtains closed for intermission, Julianne turned to find Hawk feigning sleep. She’d felt him watching her, but she’d not returned his gaze. The entire time, she’d pretended interest in the play, but her thoughts had darted about. She’d tried to think of a scheme to draw him slowly into her web, but she couldn’t risk being obvious.
His pretense at sleep, however, presented an opportunity. She hesitated a moment, unsure if she could be so bold, but timidity would gain her nothing.
She leaned closer to him and whispered near his ear, “What are you dreaming of?”
His eyes flew open, and he turned toward her, his mouth only inches from her lips. The ragged sound of his breath made her heart beat faster. He was much too close. She recollected Hester’s advice to drift away before a gentleman became too confident of a lady’s affections and rose quickly. Noting his arrested expression, she bit back a secret smile. “You might as well continue napping. I’m off to visit friends.”
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 paren
ts.”
“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.
How to Seduce a Scoundrel Page 12