Page 18 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
Nanette had been with her since childhood, and while she was her chaperone, Eris knew she was much more. She was her confidante, her friend, and in some ways, her protector. Eris knew that Nanette was well aware of their parents’ instructions, and even though her focus appeared to be on the delicate stitches of her embroidery, she was listening to every word that passed between Eris and the Lieutenant. Knowing her mother, Nanette probably had clear instructions to stay near enough to avoid tongues wagging, but far enough away that Eris could ensnare Cassian.
Eris could not afford to be careless. She had seen firsthand how a moment’s indiscretion could ruin a woman’s reputation and change her life irrevocably. The memory of Lily’s tear-streaked face was etched in her mind, a constant reminder of the harsh reality of their society. As they turned a corner, Eris cast another glance over her shoulder. Nanette was still there, her head bowed over her needlework, but her eyes were sharp and alert.
And so, they continued their tour of the castle, Lieutenant Hudson pointing out various objects of interest and sharing the amusing tales associated with them. Eris relaxed, drawn in by his charm and good humor, but behind her laughter and nods of interest, her mind was still guarded. She could not afford to forget the purpose of her presence here and the role she was expected to play.
But I do not want to trap this man in marriage. I do not even want to kiss him.
As they traversed the castle’s lavish halls, Eris’ heart pounded with anticipation and dread. The flickering torchlight cast long, eerie shadows, adding to the weight of centuries that permeated the thick stone walls. Lieutenant Hudson was a charming guide, his stories and laughter warming the ancient, chill halls. Yet, despite the Lieutenant’s vibrant company, Eris’ thoughts could not help but drift to his older brother. And as if summoned by her musings, her eyes caught sight of him — Lord William Hudson, observing them from a distance.
His sudden appearance startled her, causing her to stumble over her own feet. Cassian, quick to respond, caught her arm, steadying her. His brow furrowed in concern as he asked, “Miss Eris, are you quite all right? You seem rather flustered.”
“I… I am fine,” she lied, attempting to regain her composure. “I think I just need some water.”
“Certainly,” he replied, visibly relieved. “I will go fetch some for you immediately.” With a last concerned look, he hurried off, leaving her alone.
As soon as he was out of sight, Eris turned to face William, who had approached from the shadows. The flickering torchlight highlighted his chiseled features and shrouded his expression in mystery. His dark green eyes held a strange mix of concern and… was that indignation?
“What are you doing, Lord Thornhill?” she asked, her voice shaky from the surprise.
“I should be asking you the same,” he replied, his voice low but not unkind. “I cannot let you be alone with my brother, Miss Eris. You must understand.”
A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “Are you jealous, Lord Thornhill?” The words were out before she could stop them.
He was taken aback by her boldness, his eyes flashing in the dim light, but instead of addressing her accusation, he chose to divert the conversation. “This castle,” he started, his gaze sweeping over the aged stone walls, “was bought by my father for my mother. She was fond of medieval architecture, and he wanted to make her happy. He had all of the family portraits brought north to keep watch andto imbue the place with a sense of our history and continuity,” he continued, the corners of his mouth curling up in a rueful smile. He ran a hand over the back of an antique chair, the wood smooth and cool beneath his touch. “Every portrait, every tapestry, each piece of furniture — they all have a story, a lineage tracing back to generations long gone.”
He took a step back, leaning against the imposing mantel of the fireplace. His gaze met Eris’, steady and unflinching. “But despite all the artifacts and history it houses, this castle is just a shell, Miss Eris. The people within it, their joys, their sorrows, their triumphs, and failures… those are what make it a home. My father’s grand gesture for my mother was meant to fill it with love and laughter. But love, as I have learned, is a treacherous and fickle thing.”
There was a hardness to his words, a bleakness that shadowed his usual cool demeanor. The memories, the experiences etched into his being, seemed to rise to the surface, raw and palpable. Eris could only watch as the Earl, so composed and aloof, allowed a glimpse into the depths of his soul. The man beneath the title, beneath the responsibilities and expectations, was far more complex and intriguing than she had anticipated. And she was hooked, pulled in by the enigma that was William.
Her heart ached as she thought of her family’s ambitious designs. The Saffrons were willing to trap the Hudson brothers in a matrimonial web for their own gain. The realization filled her with a sickening dread. She was caught in the middle of a dangerous game, one that threatened to shatter the peace and love the Thornhill family had so carefully nurtured.
His gaze held hers, a seriousness lurking in his eyes that set her heart pounding. “Miss Eris,” he began, his voice a murmur of silk against stone, “there are certain... matters of interest that I believe we ought to discuss. Perhaps of a nature that would be inappropriate for a setting such as this.”
Eris’ brows furrowed at his vague words, a ripple of unease coursing through her. What could he possibly want to discuss that could not be broached in public? Before she could voice her concerns, he continued, effectively halting her brewing protest.
“And before you worry that I intend to drag you into a dark corner to broach subjects unfit for a lady’s ears,” he added, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, “let me assure you that my intentions are entirely honorable. I thought you might find it… enlightening to peruse my extensive collection of French literature. It’s quite impressive if I do say so myself.”
The sharp turn in the conversation left her momentarily stunned. She was no fool; there was undoubtedly more to his invitation than the prospect of exploring his library. But what was the Earl of Thornhill up to?
“French literature?” she asked, her tone hinting at her suspicion.
His eyes twinkled, the corner of his mouth curling up in a half-smile. “Indeed. Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot… a veritable feast for the intellect. I daresay our debate on Voltaire’s Candide could benefit from a perusal of my collection.”
“Really? And when might this… literary excursion take place, Lord Thornhill?”
“A little past the stroke of midnight, perhaps? Late enough to ensure we are uninterrupted yet early enough to ensure a proper lady such as yourself is not deprived of her beauty sleep.”
A shiver of anticipation ran down her spine. A midnight rendezvous in the library — she knew well enough there was more at stake here than a discussion on French literature.
“I cannot,” she stammered, the proposition making her heart pound with a mix of fear and anticipation. But the idea of stepping into whatever game William was playing was an intriguing proposition. She was a Saffron after all, and if there was one thing the Saffrons did well, it was playing the game. She would meet him in the library. For better or worse, she intended to see this dance through to its end.
“You will want to hear what I have to say, Miss Eris. I promise,” he urged. His tone was serious, leaving no room for refusal.
Before she could answer, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hall. William moved away, melting into the shadows just as Cassian returned, a glass of water in his hand. The moment, charged with tension and unsaid words, vanished as quickly as it had arrived. Yet, its after-effects lingered, setting the course for a clandestine meeting that held the power to change everything.
Taking the glass from Cassian with a gracious smile, Eris sipped the cool water, allowing it to soothe her flustered state. The Lieutenant’s eyes held nothing but genuine concern and kindness for her. It was heartwarming and in another circumstance, Eris might have found herself falling for such open affection. But her heart seemed to be engaged elsewhere. She set aside the thought with a sigh, returning her focus to the matter at hand.
As Eris stood silently, lost in her thoughts, Cassian tilted his head, studying her face. “Is everything all right, Miss Eris? You seem somewhat disturbed.”
