Page 17 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
With practiced ease, Bartholomew assisted William through his morning ablutions and helped him dress. Today, he donned a coat of dove gray, a stark contrast to the dark mood that still lingered within him.
Skipping the usual breakfast rituals, he descended the stairs, his mind preoccupied with his mission — to warn Cassian. He needed to make his brother see reason before it was too late.
He found Cassian in the library, hunched over a desk, quill in hand, scribbling on a piece of parchment. William leaned on the door frame with his arms folded across his chest.
“Cassian,” William started, his tone serious. Cassian looked up, the ink-stained fingers and the earnest expression on his face painting a picture of focus and sincerity.
“I am writing to Lily,” he said, dipping his quill back into the inkpot. “Eris told me her sister is lonely. I thought I could be of some help.”
A wave of surprise washed over William. “Cass, we need to talk. I fear Eris may not have the best intentions toward you. She wants to trap you into marriage,” he began, deciding to dive straight into the matter.
Cassian only laughed, dismissing William’s concerns with a wave of his hand. “And what if she wants to ensnare me? Should I not consider myself lucky? She is beautiful, and she is smart.”
“Beauty and wit are not the only factors to be considered when choosing a wife,” William interjected, his tone sharp.
But Cassian was quick to put an end to the conversation. He sealed the letter with a dollop of red wax, pressed the family seal into it, and handed it to a servant waiting in the wings.
“Post this right away,” he ordered before turning back to William, his grin cheeky. “Now, let us break our fast, brother. We have a long day ahead of us.”
Despite the knot in his stomach, William followed Cassian out of the library. As they made their way to the breakfast room, he could not help but fear for his brother’s future. Cassian was treading on dangerous ground, and William could only hope he could navigate it without losing himself.
William and Cassian entered the breakfast room together, the clattering of cutlery and the low murmur of conversation filling the room. Breakfast was a grand affair, the long table laden with an array of dishes — kippers, bacon, eggs, toast, and an assortment of fruits and pastries.
Eris was already seated at the table, engrossed in a discussion with the Dowager Countess. Seeing her there, bathed in the soft morning light, William felt his breath catch. Her hair, the color of polished chestnuts, fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and her bright eyes sparkled with intelligence and charm. But as he watched her, his mind returned to the conversation he had overheard. Could this charming, lively woman really be an accomplice to her parents’ mercenary plan?
As they took their seats, Cassian, in his usual vivacious manner, turned to Eris. “Miss Eris, would you be interested in a tour of the castle after breakfast? There are several rooms and secret passages that are worth exploring.”
Eris looked up, her face lighting up at the prospect. “That would be wonderful. I have always been fascinated by ancient architecture.”
William’s heart clenched at her eager response. He fought the urge to intervene, to voice his suspicions. Instead, he forced himself to focus on his meal, his eggs, and bacon suddenly tasting like sawdust.
Breakfast passed in a blur, the conversation around him nothing more than background noise. When it was finally over, he watched as Cassian and Eris left the room together, her chaperone trailing a few steps behind. William noticed the maid’s seeming indifference, her attention conveniently distracted by a piece of embroidery. He felt a surge of anger.
Was she in on this too?
Deciding to follow them, he rose from the table and under the pretext of visiting the library, quietly trailed behind them. He kept a safe distance, careful not to draw their attention. He watched as they meandered through the castle’s corridors, Cassian pointing out various artifacts and historical tidbits. Eris hung onto his every word, her laughter echoing through the stone walls.
I feel ridiculous. What has me acting like this? Cassian clearly said he doesn’t mind. I should stop caring.
William’s heart twisted with a confusing mix of emotions. He wanted to trust Eris, to believe that she was genuinely interested in his brother, not just trying to secure a prosperous match. But his fear for his brother’s well-being and the evidence against Eris made it impossible for him to give her the benefit of the doubt.
His steps echoed in the empty corridors as he followed them, his heart pounding in his chest. His eyes never left Eris, her radiant smile and her sparkling eyes. He found himself torn between his desire for her and the protective instinct he had for his brother.
I am a terrible person. What if she actually likes Cassian after all?
The uncertainty gnawed at him, making him question his motives. Was he following them out of concern for Cassian, or was it jealousy that prompted him to shadow their every move? The truth was a bitter pill to swallow, and William could not help but resent his own conflicting emotions. Yet, he remained in the shadows, ensuring that nothing untoward would take place.
ChapterEleven
Eris walked beside Lieutenant Hudson, her steps slow and measured as she carefully maintained the distance a lady should keep from a gentleman who was not her kin. The Lieutenant was regaling her with an amusing story about one of his ancestors whose portrait hung on the wall.
“That is Lord Albert Hudson Thornhill,” he said, pointing to an imposing portrait of a man in elaborate military regalia, his expression stern. “He was a notorious gambler, and on one occasion, he wagered our ancestral home in a game of cards. The stakes were enormous, the tension was high, and as the legend goes, he had an abysmal hand.”
Eris chuckled, glancing at the grim-faced man in the painting. “And did he lose?”
Lieutenant Hudson laughed, a genuine sound that made his eyes crinkle at the corners. “He did indeed. However, luck was on his side. It turned out that the man he lost to was so drunk, he forgot about the entire wager the next morning. Lord Albert quickly had the legal documents destroyed and never gambled again.”
Eris’ laughter echoed down the grand hallway, the sound bouncing off the stone walls. As much as she enjoyed Lieutenant Hudson’s company, she was also aware of the risks. She stole a glance at Nanette, her loyal companion, who was trailing a few steps behind them, an embroidery hoop held delicately in her hands.
