How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling Page B

greatly.
    “But three years later, he died of a heart seizure.” She smiled at Julianne. “He left me a considerable fortune, and as a widow, I had far more freedom. Back then, I was young and attracted the attention of many a handsome gentleman.”
    “But you remarried four more times,” Julianne said.
    “Loneliness, I suppose,” Hester said. “Well, that’s quite enough of my history. You must work on your pamphlet if you are to finish it in a timely manner.”
    Julianne hesitated a moment but decided to take a page from Hester and speak frankly. “Is Mr. Peckham the gentleman who will make arrangements for publication?”
    Hester shook her finger. “The less you know the better.”
    Julianne wondered if Mr. Peckham was Hester’s first love, but she would not pry about such a personal matter, one that had clearly caused such grief. If Hester wanted her to know, she would tell her.
    “Once the pamphlet is published, I can observe the other single ladies for signs they are following
The Secrets of Seduction
,” Julianne said.
    “Perhaps you should test some of the ideas in advance,” Hester said. “To ensure they work properly.”
    Julianne regarded her clasped hands. She could not tell Hester about her vengeance plan, but her conscience bothered her. Hester had been so kind to her, and she was purposely deceiving her.
    Hester patted her hand. “Go along now. You must complete the pamphlet quickly if we are to see it published well before the season ends.”
    Julianne nodded and hurried upstairs to the desk, determined to scrub thoughts of Hawk from her head. An hour later, she set her pen aside and read her latest entry.
     
Confidence is the key to becoming irresistible. Sweep away feelings of inadequacy. A woman who is assured of herself exudes a mysterious quality, one that makes her alluring to gentlemen. You need not have excessive beauty. It is said that Anne Boleyn was only moderately attractive, but her vivacity and quick wit drew gentlemen to her side. Her elusiveness made her all the more desirable. It is that inexplicable quality you must convey if you are to attract the attention of gentlemen.
     
    Excitement raced through her veins. She was certain the pamphlet would be a roaring success.
    Predictably, the food was cold, and his dining partner, Wallingham’s daughter, was tongue-tied.
    Hawk recalled the sizzling beefsteak at his club and sighed inwardly. Hopefully soon, the ladies would take their leave. It was a sad commentary on his life as a guardian that he actually looked forward to sipping port while the gents passed round a chamber pot at the bloody table.
A pissing good time,
he thought wryly.
    Husky, feminine laughter drew his attention to Julianne. She sat beside the Earl of Wallingham’s brash young heir, Edmund, Viscount Beaufort. Hawk noted Beaufort’s gaze straying to Julianne’s low-cut bodice. The devil. Of course, all the ladies showed off their bosoms in a similar manner, though some, like the silent Lady Eugenia, had little to display.
    “Well, Hawk,” Lord Wallingham said from the head of the table, “I heard all your family is in Bath with your ailing great-grandmother.”
    Lady Eugenia finally found her squeaky voice. “I am sorry to hear of her illness, my lord.”
    “Nothing to worry about,” he said. “Just the usual heart palpitations.”
    Eugenia looked horrified. “My lord?”
    “She feigns illness for attention,” Hawk said.
    “B-but why?” Eugenia asked.
    Was she deaf? “For attention.”
    “Oh.” Eugenia once again lapsed into silence.
    Hawk forked a bite of congealed potatoes into his mouth and instantly regretted it. He managed to hide his revulsion by washing the food down with a gulp of wine.
    Wallingham eyed Hawk. “Now that Shelbourne has taken vows, I expect you’ll be on the lookout for a bride. Can’t be outdone by the duke.”
    Hester, who sat farther down the table, smirked at Hawk.
    He set his glass aside, suspecting Wallingham had