Page 12 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
“William,” Cassian said, a hint of surprise in his voice, “to what do we owe the pleasure?”
“I could not help but overhear your newfound interest in literature,” William replied, looking pointedly at his younger brother. “I too have recently read ‘Persuasion’. An engaging tale, to say the least. Perhaps, you ought to give Miss Austen’s works a try, brother.”
Eris’ surprise must have been evident, for William’s lips twitched in an almost-smile. “Indeed, My Lord. I am glad you share our appreciation for Miss Austen’s work.”
From that moment onwards, William seemed to be a shadow trailing Eris and Cassian. No matter where they ventured within the confines of the expansive castle, William was curiously never far away.
In the grand drawing room, Eris and Cassian had settled to enjoy the morning’s musical recital. An accomplished soprano was earnestly weaving a captivating tapestry of high notes and lingering melodies, enrapturing the audience. Just as the last note of the aria reverberated through the room, a familiar voice chimed in from behind them.
“The soprano did well on the coloratura, don’t you think?” William interjected, his deep voice smooth as velvet. He was leaning against a marble column nearby, his posture casual yet carrying an undertone of confidence. “Her high notes were particularly impressive.”
Eris shot him a brief glance, raising a brow. “You seem to have a keen ear, Lord Thornhill. I didn’t take you for an appreciator of the finer points of music.”
A smirk played on William’s lips. “There’s much about me you’re yet to discover, Miss Eris.”
As soon as Lord Thornhill had strolled away, blending seamlessly into the throng of aristocrats, Cassian turned toward Eris, his expression softening. “I trust you enjoyed the performance, Miss Eris?” he asked, his voice barely audible over the chatter that filled the room.
Eris nodded, her gaze dropping to her hands clasped in her lap. “Indeed, Lieutenant Hudson, it was beautiful. But,” she sighed, her voice dropping to a whisper, “it made me think of Lily.”
“It did?” Cassian’s brows furrowed, curiosity lighting his hazel eyes.
“Yes,” Eris elaborated, her gaze faraway. “She loves music. She would have adored this performance.” She took a deep breath, as if gathering herself, before looking at Cassian. “Away from all her friends and from family, I fear she must be quite lonely.”
A silence stretched between them, filled with the strains of the next performance starting on stage. Cassian’s eyes gleamed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “Perhaps,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, “we can think of a way to alleviate her loneliness.”
“You are too kind, Lieutenant Hudson,” Eris beamed at him.
Eris was the first to suggest they move to the library after the recital. Viscount Harlington, renowned for his intellectual pursuits, was scheduled to present a lecture on the philosophies of Immanuel Kant and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. Eris, although more inclined toward literature than philosophy, was nonetheless curious to hear the lecture.
She turned toward Cassian, his face betraying a brief, aghast expression at her suggestion. Yet, he was quick to school his features back into an affable mask. With an indulgent chuckle, he nodded. “A lecture on philosophy, you say? Well, Miss Eris, your intellectual curiosity is indeed admirable. Very well. Let us proceed to the library.”
Eris could not help but notice the slight crinkle of his nose, a playful indication of his reluctant agreement. She could not suppress the smile that tugged at her lips, appreciating his willingness to join her despite his obvious disinterest in such scholarly pursuits.
As they settled into their seats, Eris could not help but notice William had chosen to attend as well. He was seated close to them, his attention drawn to the Viscount, who was preparing his notes at the podium. An unease settled in her stomach. Was his constant proximity intentional or merely a coincidence?
The lecture began, and the room fell into a hushed silence, the assembled guests eager to absorb the Viscount’s knowledge. As the discourse unfolded, centering around Kant’s ‘categorical imperative’ and Hegel’s ‘absolute idealism,’ Eris found herself intrigued despite her initial reservations.
When a pause in the lecture invited audience interaction, it was William who spoke first. “Would you say, Viscount, that Kant’s notion of a moral law within us supersedes Hegel’s interpretation of an evolving consciousness of freedom?”
His question sparked an intellectual debate. Cassian, whose interest in philosophy had been one reason for attending, jumped into the fray, offering a nuanced interpretation that furthered the discourse.
Despite the compelling philosophical debates, Eris could not help but find her attention straying to the man who’d asked the first question — William. His keen intellect was a surprise, his words eloquently put together, revealing a side of him she had not anticipated.
The lecture ended with applause, but the intellectual hum of the discussion lingered in the air. Eris turned to find William’s eyes already on her. “What did you make of it, Miss Eris?”
His question was direct, challenging her to match their intellectual banter. She looked at him, a spark of defiance in her eyes. “Philosophy is quite fascinating when presented well,” she began, “but I find myself more inclined toward the world of literature. It might not involve the world’s absolute idealism, My Lord, but it delves into the depths of human sentiment and emotion which I find equally captivating.”
There was a pause and then a slow, approving nod from William. “A fair point, Miss Eris,” he said, a spark of respect in his eyes. The Earl of Thornhill, it appeared, was full of surprises.
Eris was bewildered, confused, and, to her consternation, a little bit flattered. But mostly, she was annoyed. Here she was, trying to make the best of a difficult situation, and the Earl was making it even more difficult. Why did he keep following her and Cassian? Did he not have other, more important people to charm and converse with? Perhaps there was a reason behind his sudden interest, but for the life of her, Eris could not figure it out.
ChapterEight
Lord Thornhill stood, leaning against a marble column at the far end of the grand drawing room. His eyes were affixed on his brother, Cassian, who was engaged in animated conversation with Miss Eris Saffron — the very picture of charm and amity. Their laughter punctuated the air, clear above the polite titter of the gathered guests. Something inside William tightened, a knot of distrust knotting his insides.
He swallowed the distaste and pushed himself off the column, a new determination etching into his features. It wasn’t jealousy that propelled him forward. No, he had simply seen too much of the world and knew all too well the machinations of society. Miss Eris was beautiful and witty, but she also carried a desperation that raised his defenses.
Her father, Viscount Blackwell, was a boisterous man who indulged excessively in drinking and gambling. His manners, brash and overbearing, hardly ever meshed well with the refinement of the gentry. Her mother, on the other hand, was a stark contrast. She was ever so desperate to climb the social ladder, her ambition radiating from her in palpable waves. Together, they painted a vivid picture of a family striving to secure their foothold in society at any cost. And their favorite pawn, it seemed, was their lovely daughter.
