Page 15 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
To Eris’ surprise, Charity let out a laugh that rang out in the room, drawing the attention of the other guests. “Oh, Lord Thornhill,” she exclaimed, looking at William with wide, almost adoring eyes, “I didn’t know you were so good at this game!”
There was a moment of silence as everyone processed her comment before laughter erupted throughout the room. Even Cassian could not help but chuckle. William’s face flushed a touch, but he recovered quickly with a swift laugh of his own. “Well, Lady Charity, there’s much you don’t know about me,” he replied, the twinkle in his eyes returning.
His response made Eris feel a pang of unease, a strange prickling sensation that coursed through her. She shifted in her chair, forcing a laugh even as her gaze drifted from William’s face to the cards in front of her. Something about this whole situation felt incredibly complicated, like a puzzle she could not quite solve.
And it didn’t help that William’s incessant, infuriating charm was becoming more difficult to resist with each passing moment. But resist, she must because no matter how charming William was, she was not going to be ensnared.
With a graceful bow to her competitors, Eris declared herself to be tired and ready to retire. “I shall claim my victory in the morning,” she said, and was satisfied to see a flicker of disappointment in William’s eyes.
As she walked away from the drawing room, she pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, suppressing a yawn. She felt exhausted. The weight of the day’s social interactions, combined with the unwelcome attentions of her mother and the subtleties of the ongoing game of societal chess, all culminated in a bone-deep weariness.
She had almost reached her room when the voice of her father halted her progress. “Eris,” he called out, emerging from the shadows of a nearby alcove. Her mother followed, both their expressions stern.
“Father, Mother,” she greeted, keeping her tone light, despite the dread pooling in her stomach. “It’s been a long day.”
“And you’ve nearly ruined everything, twice,” her father shot back, his voice harsher than she’d expected.
Eris’ eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What do you mean?”
Her mother’s gaze was sharp, almost accusing. “You nearly spilled the truth about Lily to all and sundry. Twice.”
Eris’ throat tightened. “I am doing my best,” she argued. “It’s difficult to constantly dodge questions and create stories.”
A dismissive snort from her father made her flinch. “Appearances, Eris. It’s all about appearances. None of these people care much about morality.”
Her mother chimed in, “You’ve got Lieutenant Hudson’s attention. Now make sure you keep it.”
A burst of indignation swelled within her. “Trap him into marriage?” she echoed incredulously. “Is that really the sort of person you want me to be?”
They shared a glance that spoke volumes. “If it means securing your future, Eris,” her father said, his voice softening, “then yes, that’s exactly who we want you to be.”
With that, they turned, leaving Eris alone in the dimly lit corridor, the weight of their expectations pressing heavily on her already burdened shoulders.
Before her parents’ words could fully sink in, Eris turned on her heel, heading toward the sanctity of her room. Her heart pounded against her ribs, a staccato beat echoing the tumultuous thoughts swirling in her mind. Her gloved fingers fumbled with the door handle, the iron cold and unyielding against her palm before it finally gave way.
“Nanette,” she breathed, startling her maid from a doze by the dying embers of the fire. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Nanette straightened in her seat, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “No, miss, ’twas my fault. I was just restin’ a moment. Shall I prepare you for bed?” Eris nodded, her throat tight with unshed tears. “Miss, you were an absolute vision tonight if I may say so,” Nanette chattered on as she helped Eris undress, her hands deft and practiced as she loosened the intricate network of laces and hooks.
Eris sat silently at her vanity, her fingers numbly plucking hairpins from the ornate style that Nanette had so painstakingly created earlier in the day.
“You did outshine them other ladies, you did, and I ain’t just saying that because I am partial,” Nanette continued, her fingers deftly working through Eris’ hair, her chatter filling the quiet room. “Why, even Lady Charity seemed quite plain, next to you. Not that she’s an unattractive girl, mind you.”
Eris gave a non-committal hum, her reflection staring back at her from the vanity mirror. Her face was pale, save for the faint remnants of rouge on her cheeks, her eyes glassy and distant. The mention of Charity Eastwick’s name jolted her slightly from her stupor, a thread of curiosity pulling her back into the present.
“Lady Charity?” Eris echoed, her voice hollow.
Nanette glanced at her through the mirror, her eyes filled with concern. “Aye, Miss. Quite a sight she was in that garish yellow gown. No subtlety to her at all. Unlike you, Miss — you’ve got that grace, that elegance.”
Eris managed a small smile, nodding her thanks to Nanette. Despite her heavy heart, she appreciated Nanette’s attempt to lighten her mood.
Finally, Eris found herself tucked into the plush softness of her bed. The room was lit only by the soft glow of the dying embers in the fireplace. Nanette bid her goodnight and left, the door closing softly behind her, leaving Eris alone with her thoughts.
And in the quiet, solitary darkness, the dam holding back her emotions finally broke. Tears streamed down her face, hot and stinging as they traced the curve of her cheeks. She curled into herself, pulling the covers tighter around her as sobs racked her body. She allowed herself to grieve for Lily, for the future she’d lost, and the one she was being pushed toward. The tears were cathartic, releasing pent-up frustration and sadness, leaving her spent and empty in the silence of her room.
Her thoughts swirled in the darkness, a whirlwind of emotions she could not quite grasp. But amid the chaos, one thing stood out. She would not be the woman her parents wanted her to be, the woman who would trap a man into marriage. She would find another way for herself and for Lily.
With a deep, shuddering breath, she wiped the remnants of her tears, her resolve hardening. She might be alone, but she was not powerless. She would face the morrow head-on. For now, though, she allowed sleep to claim her, her dreams filled with visions of a future of her own making.
