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from the lecherous man. Ramsey was six and thirty, much too old for an innocent like Julianne. And Hawk knew too much about Ramsey’s bad character to let him near her.
    As they stepped onto the wooden floor, the orchestra struck up the opening bars of a waltz. Julianne’s lips parted.
    Hawk looked into her stunned blue eyes. “I suppose you’re familiar with the steps.”
    She shook back her glossy curls. “I am.”
    He lifted his brows. “And your brother approves?”
    “He would not object to you waltzing with me.”
    Hawk wasn’t entirely sure of that, but it was too late to back out now. He took her gloved hand and clasped her slender waist. When she just stood there, he murmured, “Put your other hand on my shoulder.”
    She winced and complied.
    “You’ve never waltzed,” he said.
    “My brother is overly protective. It is ridiculous.”
    The music started with a flourish. He kept the steps small for her sake and caught her watching her feet. “Look at me.”
    She lifted her lashes and regarded him with a mischievous smile. “You are being conservative because you fear I will disgrace you.”
    “Is that a dare?” Before she could answer, he whirled her round and round in dramatic circles.
    A breathless laugh escaped her. “Oh, this is wonderful.”
    He’d waltzed with more women than he could recall. All of them had told him he danced divine. Not one of them had ever expressed such sincere exuberance. But this was Julianne’s first waltz, and she would find it special, unlike the jaded women he ordinarily danced with.
    Her flowery perfume drifted to him. He looked into her shining blue eyes and found himself hoping she would never succumb to the cynicism so common among the ton.
    “A penny for your thoughts,” she said.
    He let out a dramatic sigh. “I’m crushed you think my thoughts are so worthless.”
    “Until you tell me, I cannot be certain,” she said.
    Her naturally husky voice never failed to captivate him. “I might shock you.”
    She gave him a saucy grin. “You may try.”
    He enjoyed teasing her. “You would have to pay me a king’s ransom for my current thoughts.”
    “How much is a king’s ransom?”
    “A thousand pounds.”
    “Oh, it must be very shocking indeed.”
    “That is why I named such a high price.”
Because I dare not admit I find you utterly enchanting tonight.
    Her eyes lit with mischief. “What if I call your bluff?”
    “In that case, I had better quadruple the price.” Then he whirled her round and round again. When he neatly evaded a near collision with another couple, she laughed.
    He winked at her. She’d always been a bit saucy, and naturally her family claimed he was a bad influence. But her sweet excitement over her first waltz tugged at him.
    The couples whirling past blurred. Her blue eyes softened, and he found himself mesmerized by her long lashes. Gradually, her smile faded, and her lips parted a little. He became all too aware of the soft curve of her waist beneath his hand, and something inside his chest shifted.
    As the music wound down, he slowed his steps until the very last note. His blood hummed in his ears. Unable to let her go just yet, he held on to her. He was dimly aware of others walking past. His heart knocked against his chest as he gazed at her lush mouth.
    The air between them heated and crackled like the calm before a summer storm. A forbidden thought struck him like lightning.
    I want you
.
    An unnatural silence descended over the ballroom, alerting him. He glanced beyond Julianne to the mirror. In shock, he realized all the other couples had exited the dance floor. The back of his neck prickled as he turned his head. A huge crowd had gathered around. Everyone was staring at Julie-girl and him.
    Wild applause broke out.

Chapter Three
     
A Scoundrel’s Code of Conduct: To avoid the parson’s mousetrap, lie through your teeth.
     
    I n a daze, Hawk led Julianne off the dance floor. His heart still thumped hard. What the