Page 59 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
He allowed his gaze to wander over to Eris, taking in her radiant smile as she listened to Cassian’s tale. He could feel the familiar stirring of emotions within him — warmth, admiration, and a powerful desire that seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment. His heart clenched at the sight of her, her beauty more striking than ever against the backdrop of his ancestral home.
Seeing the room warming to the charm of Lily and Eris, William felt a small measure of relief. It was then that he noticed his mother, the Dowager Countess, studying him from across the room. Her sharp gaze met his, and for a moment, he felt a twinge of unease. But he squared his shoulders, and his gaze drifted back to Eris, her laughter filling his ears.
Tonight, he resolved, he would face his future, one way or another. He only hoped his heart would survive the outcome.
Suddenly, the Dowager Countess interrupted the lively chatter with a cool, pointed inquiry. “Miss Saffron, we find ourselves in private company,” she began, her tone piercing the jovial atmosphere like a winter chill. “It would serve us well to discuss the matter that has been so liberally detailed in the scandal sheets.”
A stunned silence descended over the room. The mirthful laughter and chatter came to an abrupt halt as everyone turned to look at the Dowager Countess. She met their gazes unflinchingly, her eyes finally settling on Lily.
“Mother, please,” Cassian began, his tone firm, but his mother waved him off dismissively.
“No, Cassian,” she said. “If your intended is to be a part of this family, she must be prepared to face her past, just as we must be prepared to face it with her.”
Lily’s face drained of color, but she held her chin high. “I was manipulated by my parents, Lady Thornhill,” she began, her voice trembling slightly. “They wanted me to seduce a wealthy rake, thinking that if I were to become compromised, he would be forced to marry me. Mother thought a kiss in a secluded spot would be enough to secure his hand, but he wouldn’t stop, and well…”
Eris let out a strangled cry. “Lily —”
“When I fell pregnant, Mother and Father’s plan failed as the rake refused to marry me.”
The room was still, the silence hanging heavy with shock and uncertainty. William watched as his mother’s eyes widened, the shock visible even in her normally impassive expression. His sisters, too, were visibly taken aback.
William watched as a myriad of emotions played across Eris’ expressive face. Her brows furrowed slightly, and he knew she was grappling with a strange mix of sorrow and admiration.
Finally, William cleared his throat, standing to face his family. “Regardless of Lily’s past, she has proven herself to be a woman of remarkable strength and courage,” he said, his voice steady and clear. “Cassian loves her, and we must respect his choice, just as we must respect Miss Saffron for the difficult path she has walked. We are family, and as such, we stand by each other, no matter the circumstances.”
His words seemed to echo in the silence that followed, a declaration of his loyalty and support that brooked no argument. He could only hope that his family would follow suit.
The tension eased slightly as Cassian flashed William a grateful smile. “Thank you, William,” he said sincerely, his hand coming to rest reassuringly on Lily’s shoulder.
Then, one by one, the sisters voiced their agreement. Rose was the first to speak, her gaze steady as she nodded toward Lily. “I believe Miss Saffron has shown herself to be a woman of great courage and resilience. Thomas and I have been fighting to defend women that do not have the means to sustain themselves or as shunned by society,” she declared, her tone filled with quiet respect.
Jasmine and Daphne echoed Rose’s sentiments, their voices ringing with sincerity and warmth. The room seemed to exhale collectively, the atmosphere gradually lightening once more.
Rose, then, shot a sly glance at Eris, a small smile playing on her lips. “And speaking of proving oneself,” she began, her voice light but her gaze sharp, “it appears there is more than one Saffron sister who has shown herself to be more than capable of capturing the affections of a Hudson brother.”
A faint blush spread across Eris’ cheeks, but she held Rose’s gaze steadily. Around them, the room filled once again with quiet, anticipatory murmurs.
With a thoughtful expression, the Dowager Countess took a small sip of her sherry. The room held its breath in anticipation, all eyes turning toward her. She cleared her throat delicately, the sound echoing softly in the silence.
“Duties and responsibilities of an earldom and the Thornhill legacy weigh heavily,” she began, her gaze sweeping over the assembled family. “It requires making difficult decisions, some of which may not always be popular.”
A short pause followed, a momentary interlude filled with unspoken expectations. Then, her gaze softened as it landed on William. “But there is something that I have learned over the years,” she continued, her voice softer, more personal. “While duty and responsibilities are of great importance, love and family are what truly matters. They are what keep us grounded, what make us human.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to William, the unspoken challenge hanging in the air. He shifted uncomfortably under their gaze, unaccustomed to having his personal life become the center of attention. Cassian, always his stalwart supporter, shot him an encouraging grin, nudging him lightly.
William cleared his throat awkwardly, his eyes flickering to Eris. He could see the hopeful glint in her eyes, the silent plea for him to validate their love. He realized then that he had to declare his feelings to assure her that he was not ashamed of her, that his love for her outweighed the concerns of duty and legacy.
With a deep breath, he began, his voice unsure but resolute. “There is something I need to say.”
Eris interrupted him gently, her voice trembling, “William, you do not have to say anything if you do not wish to.”
But William, his resolve solidifying with each passing moment, only shook his head as he stepped forward and took her hand. His touch was warm and steady, a comforting reassurance that silenced any doubts that might have been lingering in her mind.
“Actually, I do wish to, Eris.” His gaze met hers, the intensity in his green eyes unyielding. “I need to say this for both of us.”
There was a hush in the room as he took a deep breath and began his speech. “I have been raised in the shadow of duty and responsibilities, and I always thought they would guide my decisions. That was until I met you, Eris.” His grip on her hand tightened, the warmth of his touch radiating through her. “You have taught me the power of love, the courage it brings, and the strength it instills. I fell in love with your kindness, your intelligence, your passion, and most importantly, with the way you light up my world, Eris.”
There was a collective intake of breath in the room as he continued. “I realized that the earldom, my responsibilities, they can all be managed, but a life without you is not a life I wish to lead.” His voice dropped to a whisper, the words meant only for her. “So, Eris, before my family and friends, I declare my love for you. I want you to be my wife, the Countess of Thornhill. I want us to face every challenge, every joy, every heartbreak together.”
