How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling Page A

“The first gentleman proposed after I allowed him to walk with me at a garden party. The next time, I was returning to a musical exhibition when the gentleman stepped outside the drawing room and drew me aside. The third one surprised me while I was walking in the park with my maid. The fourth one—”
    Hester chortled. “My dear, you must have grown quite wary of gentlemen popping out of the shadows. You obviously inspired their passions.”
    She remembered what Hawk had said about Ramsey. “At the time, I didn’t understand, but now I suspect they viewed me as a sort of prize to win.”
    “Whatever gave you that impression?” Hester asked.
    “Hawk said that Lord Ramsey is trying to pursue me because I’m supposedly unobtainable.”
    Hester fingered her quizzing glass. “My nephew is jealous. That is a good sign.”
    She had no such illusions. “I’m sure he’s not. He dislikes Ramsey and told me to stay away from him. Do you know if they had an altercation?”
    “If they did, my nephew certainly would not discuss it with me.”
    Based upon Hawk’s words, Julianne surmised something had occurred. He knew something about Ramsey, something he refused to divulge. The mystery niggled at her brain. She wanted to know more, but Hawk had no intention of revealing anything.
    “You were angry at my nephew last night,” Hester said.
    “He insists on following my every move. It is quite provoking,” she said. But last night, she’d glimpsed a different side of him. He was truly concerned that Ramsey could prove dangerous to her. Of course, it was silly of him. She could manage Ramsey, whether Hawk believed her or not.
    “My nephew is fighting his attraction to you because of the promise he made to your brother,” Hester said. “Enchant him and build a slow fire. At all costs, however, you must not let him get close too soon.”
    Julianne’s cheeks heated. She rose and walked to the window to avoid Hester’s scrutiny. Of course, she’d failed miserably when she’d let him kiss her. She’d not even tried to resist him, even though he’d made his disinterest clear at the ball. Had she secretly hoped that their kiss meant more than mere lust to him?
    “Gel, what is wrong?”
    She dared not look at Hester. Mama had always said all her thoughts showed on her face, and Julianne did not want Hester to see her tumultuous emotions. “All I want is to complete the pamphlet so that I may help other single ladies.”
    “You have given up on my nephew?”
    She ought to have given up long ago. He didn’t love her, and she would not demean herself in pursuit of his heart. With a deep breath, she mustered her courage and faced Hester. “That door is closed.”
    Hester gave her a knowing look.
    She turned to the window again. Drops of rain pattered the wavy glass. Hester didn’t believe her, but Julianne had meant every word. She’d spent too many years wanting and waiting for him. “It will be some time before I’m ready to open my heart again,” she said.
    Hester sighed. “Ah, the trials of young love. I remember it all so well.”
    Julianne returned to the sofa. “Tell me about your first beau.”
    “Well, he was not my beau, though I certainly admired him from afar.”
    “Did he not return your feelings?” Julianne asked.
    “We exchanged words occasionally and longing looks. But he dared not declare himself.” Hester regarded Julianne with a bittersweet smile. “You see, he was my father’s steward and completely unsuitable.”
    “Oh, no,” Julianne said. “Your heart must have been broken.”
    “I was to undergo a far greater heartache. Unbeknownst to me, my parents had arranged my marriage—to a man more than twice my age.”
    Julianne gasped. “You must have been horrified.”
    “I wept for days, but I had no choice. He wasn’t the most attentive of men, and he was displeased that I didn’t bear him an heir.”
    Julianne covered her mouth, realizing Hester must have suffered