Page 7 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
Just as Eris was left to her own thoughts, she felt the rustle of silk next to her. Felicity Patterson, the daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness Patterson, was at her side. The girl was all smiles, her golden curls bobbing as she spoke with giddy excitement.
“Eris, dear, how lovely you look tonight!” Felicity exclaimed, the volume of her voice making it clear she was not accustomed to keeping her thoughts to herself.
“Felicity, thank you,” Eris replied, forcing a smile onto her face. They were friendly enough, but Felicity was often too enthusiastic for Eris’ liking. Despite their different personalities, their families had been friends since Felicity and Eris were infants in the nursery. “You are glowing yourself.”
Felicity beamed at the compliment, her fingers twisting and turning a ringlet of hair in a manner that Eris found oddly endearing. “Oh, how kind! But tell me, how is dear Lily? I have missed her terribly.”
Eris tensed but kept her face composed. “She is ill, unfortunately. Doctors recommend the clean air of the countryside for her.”
“Oh, poor Lily,” Felicity’s doe-like eyes showed concern but quickly moved on. “I am sure she will be back before we know it. Now, tell me, isn’t it thrilling that the Earl is looking for a wife?”
Eris feigned disinterest. “Is it?”
Felicity nodded vigorously, her curls bouncing. “Oh, yes! Mama has even had several new dresses made just for this fortnight! She is convinced they will catch his eye. Do not play coy with me. We all know why we are all here too!”
As Felicity animatedly rattled off the fine points of her couture finery, Eris found her attention pulled away to the spectacle unfolding across the room. Her father was commanding the attention of a cluster of gentlemen, a brandy snifter swinging precariously in his hand.
“My friends, I tell you, the odds were stacked impossibly high, but there I was, a straight flush in hand, ready to topple my adversary!” George boomed, his voice carrying across the room, punctuating his tale with a careless wave of his hand. A generous slosh of brandy escaped the confines of his glass, staining the expensive Persian rug underfoot.
Nearby Eris’ mother navigated the precarious task of placating and managing her husband’s folly, her voice a sharp, hushed whisper amongst a coterie of flustered ladies. The pinched expression on her face screamed of strained dignity.
Returning her attention to Felicity, Eris felt a pang of sympathy for the optimistic girl. Listening to Felicity chatter about the intricate details of her new wardrobe, Eris’ mind wandered back to the Earl. Felicity, as sweet as she was, was in for quite the surprise if she thought she could easily win over the gruff Earl with mere dresses. Eris gave a polite smile and nod when needed, but her mind was somewhere else, wrapped up in her own web of worries and newfound emotions.
The announcement for dinner echoed through the hall, causing an excited buzz among the guests. Eris felt a touch on her arm and turned to see Cassian standing there, an affable grin on his face.
“May I have the honor of escorting you to dinner, Miss Eris?” he asked, extending his arm.
“I would be delighted, Lieutenant Hudson,” Eris responded, looping her arm through his. His grip was warm and secure, a comforting presence in the sea of opportunistic mothers and eager daughters.
As they made their way toward the dining room, Cassian leaned closer, his voice a low murmur meant only for her. “I have been thinking about our conversation. I am excited to hear more about your favorite books.”
Eris smiled up at him, his sincerity disarming. Despite her family’s worries, she was making a friend here tonight — even if she did not intend to marry him. Maybe this fortnight would not be so dreadful after all.
Just as they entered the dining room, Eris allowed her gaze to flicker over the crowd, instinctively seeking the Earl. Her eyes locked with his for a moment, his green eyes narrowed in a way that was far from friendly. A spark of apprehension flared within her as they took their seats at the grand dining table.Just what was the Earl thinking?The thought hung in the air, an ominous cloud that threatened to overshadow the evening.
A sea of candlelight bathed the dining room in a golden glow, illuminating the ornate carvings of the mahogany table and bouncing off the expensive silverware. Crystal goblets sparkled, hinting at the lavish courses soon to be served. It was opulence at its peak, a display of wealth that was both awe-inspiring and daunting. Everyone was to know that the Earl of Thornhill had insurmountable wealth.
Cassian helped her into the chair next to his, the smile on his face sheepish as he admitted, “I may have persuaded a servant to switch the place settings.”
Eris could not help but chuckle at his confession, feeling an ease with him that she had not felt in a while. “You are full of surprises, Lieutenant Hudson,” she said, her tone playful.
Before she could say more, a clinking sound drew her attention across the table. The sound was followed by a rustle of silk as Lady Charity Eastwick, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Eastwick, moved to take the seat next to William. Eris found herself studying the young woman, her heart dropping slightly at the sight.
Lady Charity was the very picture of English beauty: a delicate face framed by golden curls, blue eyes that sparkled like sapphires, and a figure that would make a painter weep. Her rose-colored gown highlighted her fair complexion, making her look ethereal. Eris felt a pang of inadequacy, a familiar sentiment whenever she compared herself to the other young women.
But she quickly dismissed the thought. She was not here to compete for the Earl’s attention. She was here to help her family, to secure their future. And with that thought, she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. She would face this challenge head-on, no matter how uncomfortable it made her feel. It was her duty, after all.
The corner of Eris’ eye caught a ripple of tension from the doorway. Her parents were no doubt displeased with her seating arrangement. She glanced at them to find her suspicions correct. Her mother wore a sour expression, one she tried to mask beneath a polite smile. Her father, ever the less subtle of the two, merely frowned. Both of their gazes flitted between her and the Earl, the message clear.
Eris returned an apologetic smile, even as her insides churned. It was not as if she had been the one to arrange the seating. And even if she had, she would not have positioned herself anywhere near the Earl. Not after their encounter in the study.
The uncomfortable sensation prickled Eris’ skin as her parents made their way across the room, weaving through the clusters of guests to find their way to her. Their displeasure was practically palpable, a wave of disapproval that washed over her and sent a shiver down her spine.
Her mother was the first to sit, her face a tight smile. Her father, however, pulled up a chair on Eris’ other side, his frown only deepening as he eyed the laughing Cassian and the distant William. His gaze turned to Eris, dark and stern. She felt a wave of nausea bubble up but forced it back down, meeting her father’s eyes head-on.
In a low voice, barely louder than a whisper, he leaned in to speak to her. “Eris, you must remember our perilous situation. You know the stakes if Lily’s situation is discovered. We cannot afford any missteps. You must do your duty, daughter.”
Eris felt an icy knot of anxiety form in her stomach at her father’s words. Her face paled slightly under her makeup, but she quickly schooled her features into a blank mask. She nodded once, sharply. “Yes, Father.”
