Page 55 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
“And William?” Eris asked, her voice barely a whisper as she tried to keep the anxiety out of it.
Cassian looked at her for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. “William knows his duty,” he said at last, “but he also knows his heart. You are not alone in this, Eris. Remember that.”
With that, he offered her a reassuring smile, squeezed Lily’s hand once more, and walked away, leaving the two women alone once more in the sun-dappled garden. Eris watched him go, her mind whirling with his words. She had hoped to find reassurance, but instead, she was left with more questions. But if there was one thing she knew, it was that she was not going to give up. Not when she had come this far and not when love was at stake.
ChapterThirty
The Earl of Thornhill sat alone in his bedchamber, the dying embers of the fire casting a warm glow over the elegantly appointed room. He stared at the amber liquid in his brandy glass, his mind in turmoil. His mother’s words echoed in his mind, each syllable like a sharp knife twist.
“The Saffron name is tarnished, William. Do you wish to bring scandal to our earldom? What would your father say?”
William found himself torn. His mother was a woman of influence and social standing, and he had always respected her opinion. Yet, in his heart, he knew that her concerns, while valid, were temporary. Yes, there would be scandal and wagging tongues. But the ton was fickle, and soon enough, the next piece of salacious gossip would come along and divert their attention.
Moreover, Eris was not merely a means to an end. She was not just a potential wife to produce an heir. She was the woman he loved. Her kindness, beauty, and intelligence would win over even the most jaded of the ton. He knew that deep down, his mother would see it too.
He had spent the day away from Thornhill House, both to avoid his mother’s disapproving gaze and to settle his swirling thoughts. He had ridden through Hyde Park, strolled along Bond Street, and even visited his club, but none of it had helped.
Now, as the evening descended and London quieted down, he found himself alone in his chambers. Alone with nothing but the steadily dying fire and his thoughts.
He took a slow sip of the brandy, the warmth spreading through him, doing little to quell the inner conflict within him. He thought of Eris — her smile, the way her eyes lit up when she was passionate about something, the sound of her laughter. He yearned for her, not just as a man yearns for a woman, but as a soul yearns for its other half.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. He welcomed the distraction, setting the brandy down on the side table.
“Come in,” he called, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him.
The door creaked open, and his butler entered, carrying a message.
“What is it?” he asked.
“A message, My Lord,” the footman replied, handing him a piece of paper.
He unfolded it to find a few hastily scrawled lines. His heart skipped a beat as he read the sender’s name — Eris. His fingers traced over the ink as if hoping to connect with her through it.
His eyes scanned the contents of the message quickly. She wished to meet him. Alone. He looked up at his butler, his heart pounding in his chest.
“Prepare my horse,” he commanded. “I have an urgent matter to attend to.”
William pulled his coat collar up against the chill night air, setting his horse at a brisk trot as he navigated through the narrow streets of London. His mind was awhirl with a maelstrom of thoughts and emotions, each more confusing than the last.
He found himself heading toward the famed Kew Gardens, a tranquil oasis amidst the city’s constant bustle. A popular meeting place for lovers and friends, it was teeming with life during the day, but at this late hour, it was deserted, save for a few dedicated night walkers.
What could Eris want?he wondered, his heart pounding in rhythm with his horse’s hoofbeats. Could it be that she wished to declare her love for him, just as he longed to declare his for her? He dismissed the thought almost as soon as it arose, not daring to let himself hope for such an outcome.
Upon arriving, William dismounted swiftly, tethering his horse to a nearby post. He moved toward the gardens, his eyes scanning the area for Eris. The fountain stood majestic in the moonlight, its cascading waters twinkling with reflected starlight, but Eris was nowhere to be seen.
Just as he was about to call out, he saw two figures emerge from the shadows. His heart skipped a beat, but as they stepped into the soft moonlight, he realized it was not Eris. Instead, it was Cassian and Lily, their hands entwined.
“My Lord,” Lily greeted, a soft smile playing on her lips, “your swift arrival says more than you might think.”
His heart sank a little. Was this a ruse? Had Eris sent him on a wild goose chase? But he dismissed the thought almost as soon as it surfaced. Eris was not the kind to play games.
“What do you mean, Miss Saffron?” he asked, his confusion evident in his voice.
Lily exchanged a glance with Cassian, who gave a subtle nod, his face a mask of seriousness. “I wanted to make sure you cared for my sister as much as she cares for you,” Lily said, her eyes meeting his squarely.
William’s heart quickened at her words. Could it be true? Did Eris return his feelings? His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, but one thing was certain — he was willing to do whatever it took to win Eris’ love. “And what have you concluded?” he asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Lily’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “You are here, aren’t you?”
