Page 39 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
She bit her lip, the knot of unease in her stomach tightening. She loved her parents, but this was one thing she could not do for them.
The conversation took a new turn with her mother’s gaze becoming more calculating. “You know, Eris,” she began thoughtfully, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her gown, “it has not escaped my notice that the Earl’s sisters have taken quite an interest in you.”
Eris’ heart skipped a beat, alarm bells ringing in her head. “And what of it, Mother?” she asked, doing her best to keep her voice even.
Her mother’s gaze sharpened, the meaning behind her words clear. “It would seem they may believe their brother has an interest in you. It could be beneficial for you, for us… for Lily.”
A pang of despair gripped Eris. She shook her head vehemently, “I will not throw myself at the Earl, Mother. I will not act the part of a desperate, scheming debutante.”
Her mother was not deterred. “I am not suggesting anything unseemly, Eris,” she said, her tone placating. “But surely you must see the opportunity here. If the Earl does harbor feelings for you…”
“Mother!” Eris interrupted, her voice laced with frustration. “William is not interested in marriage. He has made that clear more than once.”
Her mother’s lips pursed, contemplating. “Perhaps you’re right. He is notoriously resistant to the idea of marriage. But we don’t have the luxury of time. Your future and Lily’s reputation hang in the balance.”
“And if Lily’s secret is exposed?” Eris asked, her voice quiet but forceful. “Do we abandon her to her fate?”
Her mother seemed taken aback, her eyes widening momentarily. “No. Of course not, Eris. We would never…” she trailed off, rising from her chair. Her gaze softened as she looked at Eris. “We only want what’s best for you both,” she murmured, helping her husband to his feet.
As her parents exited the room, leaving Eris alone with her thoughts, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. She had no desire to manipulate William, but it seemed her parents were pushing her into a corner, and she wasn’t sure how to escape. The door had barely closed behind them when Nanette appeared from her hiding place in the adjacent room, her expression apologetic.
“Miss, I did not want to intrude,” she began, but Eris waved away her concerns.
“No matter, Nanette,” she said, her mind still on her mother’s words.
Nanette moved to assist Eris in preparing for bed, the silence of the room wrapping around them. Eris sat in front of her vanity, her thoughts far away. She had a decision to make, a future to secure, not just for herself but for Lily too. She had entered a game of chance, and she had to ensure they all emerged victorious, but how?
Caught between her duty to her family and her growing feelings for William, Eris felt the weight of her predicament press heavily upon her. She sighed, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The image gazing back was that of a woman trapped in a situation she never asked for, forced to make decisions that no one her age should have to make.
“Nanette,” she began, her voice breaking the silence, “what would you do if you were in my place?”
Nanette paused, her hands stilling in the process of unpinning Eris’ hair. Her brown eyes met Eris’ in the mirror, filled with understanding and empathy. She was silent for a moment, and then she shrugged.
“Miss Eris,” she said gently. “I cannot pretend to understand the weight of your choices, but if it were me, I would follow my heart.”
“But what if following my heart leads to the ruin of my family?” Eris countered. Her voice grew thick with emotion.
“Perhaps,” Nanette replied, resuming her task. “But if we always lived in fear of the ‘what ifs’, we would never take any chances at all. And isn’t love the greatest risk of them all?”
* * *
Eris had sought refuge in the ladies’ sitting room after breakfast, the ornate room filled with soft chatter, rustling silk gowns, and the steady rhythm of needle and thread. She sat with Rose, the Duchess of Everness, discussing various plants used in healing and their properties. Rose’s passion for botany, combined with her inquisitive mind, made her a fascinating conversationalist.
Their peaceful morning was interrupted when a footman entered, carrying a silver tray laden with missives sealed with wax. The quiet hum of conversation ceased immediately as every lady in the room turned their attention to the man, a flutter of excitement sweeping through them.
“Ladies,” the footman announced, “Invitations have arrived from the Duchess of Hartville for her annual summer ball in London.”
Excited whispers filled the room. Marianne, Felicity, Charity, Beatrix, and the others eagerly reached for their invitations, their faces lighting up as they read the elegant script. The Duchess of Hartville’s ball was one of the highlights of the Season, an event where the crème de la crème of the ton gathered to see and be seen.
Eris, however, felt a twinge of anxiety. The ball meant leaving Thornhill, leaving the memory of William’s warm gaze, his strong hands, and their stolen moments. Would William also go to London? Would they be in the same city yet miles apart?
“Miss Eris,” Rose’s soft voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She turned to find the Duchess studying her, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “You look as though you have received a death sentence, not an invitation to a ball.”
Eris mustered a weak smile. “I suppose I am not as excited as I ought to be.”
Rose leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Could it be that the prospect of leaving Thornhill fills you with dismay?”
Eris could only offer a noncommittal hum, her thoughts too entangled to voice. Leaving Thornhill would mean leaving William, and the idea left a strange ache in her heart.
