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Authors: Vicky Dreiling
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My Dear Impertinent Ward,
Either you present yourself in the drawing room in ten minutes or you will forfeit the rest of the season.
Impatiently yours,
Hawk
“A moment please,” she said to the footman. Then she returned to the desk and wrote her reply on Hawk’s note.
My Dear Dictatorial Guardian,
You have obviously forgotten the proprieties. It is a lady’s prerogative to refuse a caller. I will receive you another day, provided you present yourself in a gentlemanly manner.
Never yours,
Julianne
After instructing the footman to deliver her missive, she returned to the desk, but the latest edition of
La Belle Assemblée
tempted her. She perused the fashion plates, finding one especially lovely walking gown trimmed with pink ribbons.
The door flew open, startling her. Hester hurried inside, her eyes bright. “My nephew is in a
state
. I must say your reply was quite inventive, but now you must come.”
Julianne set the magazine aside and frowned. “I will not bow to his demands.”
“You mustn’t push him too far. He threatened to return you home if you do not cooperate.”
Hawk probably wanted to be rid of her so he could spend all of his time carousing and raking. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “Oh, very well.”
She followed Hester downstairs. Despite her earlier bravado, Julianne’s anxiety grew with each step she took. When they neared the drawing room, she turned a pleading look on Hester. “I do not wish to see him today. It’s too soon.”
“My nephew will bluster, but you’ve nothing to fear.”
She wasn’t afraid of Hawk. She was afraid of herself, because deep inside, a little corner of her heart still ached. But she vowed never to let him see he’d wounded her. Taking a deep breath, she walked with Hester into the drawing room.
Hawk turned away from his contemplation of the faux mummy and clasped his hands behind his back. Naturally the dogs leaped up, barking and wagging their tails. Hawk ordered them to sit and strode across the plush carpet. He wore a hunter-green riding coat and buff trousers that hugged his muscular legs like gloves.
Why was she admiring him when he’d humiliated her last evening? She lifted her chin and gave him a freezing look.
“Ah, now I perceive the reason for your reluctance to greet me,” he said.
She regarded him with suspicion. “I beg your pardon?”
“You are looking a bit peaked, no doubt the result of your indulgence last evening. I daresay you’re ready to renounce wine forever.”
She averted her gaze because she didn’t want him to see that his jest hurt.
He chuckled. “You’re awfully touchy today.”
Hester let out a disgusted sigh and ambled over to the sofa. “Marc, you brute. Do not tease her.”
Julianne drew in her breath, determined to pretend she didn’t care. “I’m impervious to him.” She didn’t spare him a glance as she marched over to the sofa directly across from his aunt and perched upon it. For good measure, she covered a yawn.
“You did not sleep well last night?” he asked.
She would never admit it. “On the contrary, I slept like the mummy.”
“Julianne, you know why I’m here,” he said. “I’ll hear your explanation and your apology now.”
“Marc, she apologized to me last night,” Hester said. “Let us forget this matter.”
“An apology won’t satisfy him,” Julianne said. “He expects me to grovel.”
“I expect you to tell me why you tricked me last night,” he said.
She huffed. “You act as if I have done you an injury.”
“You barely escaped ruining your reputation last night,” he said.
“I find it exceedingly hypocritical of you to criticize me when your reputation is firmly entrenched in the mud.”
“If you think to divert me, you are sadly mistaken,” he said. “Your brother named me your guardian, and I intend to protect you, whether you like it or not.”
“He must have been out of his wits.”
“I believe that
My Dear Impertinent Ward,
Either you present yourself in the drawing room in ten minutes or you will forfeit the rest of the season.
Impatiently yours,
Hawk
“A moment please,” she said to the footman. Then she returned to the desk and wrote her reply on Hawk’s note.
My Dear Dictatorial Guardian,
You have obviously forgotten the proprieties. It is a lady’s prerogative to refuse a caller. I will receive you another day, provided you present yourself in a gentlemanly manner.
Never yours,
Julianne
After instructing the footman to deliver her missive, she returned to the desk, but the latest edition of
La Belle Assemblée
tempted her. She perused the fashion plates, finding one especially lovely walking gown trimmed with pink ribbons.
The door flew open, startling her. Hester hurried inside, her eyes bright. “My nephew is in a
state
. I must say your reply was quite inventive, but now you must come.”
Julianne set the magazine aside and frowned. “I will not bow to his demands.”
“You mustn’t push him too far. He threatened to return you home if you do not cooperate.”
Hawk probably wanted to be rid of her so he could spend all of his time carousing and raking. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “Oh, very well.”
She followed Hester downstairs. Despite her earlier bravado, Julianne’s anxiety grew with each step she took. When they neared the drawing room, she turned a pleading look on Hester. “I do not wish to see him today. It’s too soon.”
“My nephew will bluster, but you’ve nothing to fear.”
She wasn’t afraid of Hawk. She was afraid of herself, because deep inside, a little corner of her heart still ached. But she vowed never to let him see he’d wounded her. Taking a deep breath, she walked with Hester into the drawing room.
Hawk turned away from his contemplation of the faux mummy and clasped his hands behind his back. Naturally the dogs leaped up, barking and wagging their tails. Hawk ordered them to sit and strode across the plush carpet. He wore a hunter-green riding coat and buff trousers that hugged his muscular legs like gloves.
Why was she admiring him when he’d humiliated her last evening? She lifted her chin and gave him a freezing look.
“Ah, now I perceive the reason for your reluctance to greet me,” he said.
She regarded him with suspicion. “I beg your pardon?”
“You are looking a bit peaked, no doubt the result of your indulgence last evening. I daresay you’re ready to renounce wine forever.”
She averted her gaze because she didn’t want him to see that his jest hurt.
He chuckled. “You’re awfully touchy today.”
Hester let out a disgusted sigh and ambled over to the sofa. “Marc, you brute. Do not tease her.”
Julianne drew in her breath, determined to pretend she didn’t care. “I’m impervious to him.” She didn’t spare him a glance as she marched over to the sofa directly across from his aunt and perched upon it. For good measure, she covered a yawn.
“You did not sleep well last night?” he asked.
She would never admit it. “On the contrary, I slept like the mummy.”
“Julianne, you know why I’m here,” he said. “I’ll hear your explanation and your apology now.”
“Marc, she apologized to me last night,” Hester said. “Let us forget this matter.”
“An apology won’t satisfy him,” Julianne said. “He expects me to grovel.”
“I expect you to tell me why you tricked me last night,” he said.
She huffed. “You act as if I have done you an injury.”
“You barely escaped ruining your reputation last night,” he said.
“I find it exceedingly hypocritical of you to criticize me when your reputation is firmly entrenched in the mud.”
“If you think to divert me, you are sadly mistaken,” he said. “Your brother named me your guardian, and I intend to protect you, whether you like it or not.”
“He must have been out of his wits.”
“I believe that
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