How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling Page B

end, he told our parents I had suffered from motion sickness in the carriage. I’m sure he lied because he knew Papa would blame him.” She snickered. “They had no reason to doubt his explanation, given my history. Of course, my maid smelled the wine on my breath, but I gave Lizzy one of my straw bonnets from last year.”
    Amy’s lips parted. “Georgette, you bribed your maid.”
    “What of it? Lizzy will enjoy the bonnet.” Georgette’s wide smile showed her dimples. “Amy, it isn’t as if you told your parents.”
    Amy winced. “I should have done so, but I feared they would prevent me from seeing both of you today.” Then she opened her reticule and drew out Julianne’s locket. “I brought it for you.”
    Julianne flinched. Why had she even kept the necklace? She ought to have destroyed it long ago. “Throw it on the fire.”
    A slight frown marred Amy’s red-gold brows. “I beg you to reconsider. You will surely regret it.”
    Georgette snatched the locket from Amy, walked to the bedside table, and deposited it in the drawer. “Julianne, you can decide the fate of the locket later. We have more pressing matters to discuss.”
    Julianne nodded, relieved to put thoughts of her father aside. She bade her friends to join her on the bed.They kicked off their slippers, hiked up their skirts, and climbed onto the mattress.
    “Have you written the advice yet?” Georgette asked.
    “I tried, but my headache prevented me. The maid brought me a cup of willow bark tea, so I feel a bit better.”
    “It’s just as well,” Amy said. “The wine-inspired scheme is harebrained.”
    “Last night, you agreed,” Georgette said. “It will be such a lark.”
    “The plan is too risky,” Amy said. “If we share the advice with the other single ladies, they will spread the news.”
    Georgette twirled a blond curl around her finger. “Is that not the idea?”
    Amy scoffed. “Georgette, you know very well the other ladies will spread the word, and our reputations will be ruined. Our families would suffer as well. And Julianne cannot risk angering Hawk. He might send her home.”
    “He’s planning to call today.” Julianne scowled, remembering his words. “He told me I’d better be prepared to grovel.”
    Amy tucked a red-gold curl behind her ear. “He is worried about you, Julianne. We are very lucky to have escaped worse consequences.”
    Georgette rolled her eyes. “Ignore her, Julianne. Write the advice just for us. What fun. We’ll steal all the rakes away from the other girls. They will be green with envy.”
    “Now you are being ridiculous,” Amy said.
    Georgette lifted her palms. “How else are we to help Julianne win Hawk?”
    “I don’t want him,” Julianne said.
    “Yes, you do,” Georgette said.
    Amy considered Julianne for a long moment. “I know you’re wounded, but you love him. Aren’t you willing to give him another chance?”
    Julianne held her fist to her heart. “If I were to let him inside again, I would be giving him permission to treat me cavalierly, the same way he treated me last night. I am done with him.” She’d seen the way her father had begged her mother’s forgiveness, only to mistreat her repeatedly. Julianne vowed she would never let Hawk hurt her again.
    Georgette peered at Julianne. “You can make him jealous by flirting with other rakes.”
    “Frankly, I do not understand the appeal of rakes,” Amy said.
    The minute she uttered the words, a knock sounded, and the door whooshed open. Hester ambled inside, her eyes alight. “Did I hear mention of rakes?”
    Julianne cleared her throat. “Amy was reminding us to stay away from them.”
    Hester smiled knowingly as Amy tugged her skirts over her exposed calves. Then Hester walked over to the desk and smoothed out the crumpled paper.
    Julianne hissed in a breath, drawing Hester’s attention.
    “It seems you wrote down part of my advice. Were you planning to share it with your friends?” Hester