Page 19 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
She was taken aback by his direct question. Recovering quickly, she nodded and gave him a faint smile. “Oh, it is nothing of great importance, Lieutenant Hudson. I was merely thinking about my sister, Lily. She has always held a certain fondness for history and grand architecture. I believe she would have found Thornhill Castle fascinating, had she been well enough to accompany us.”
“Lily is truly special,” Eris continued, her voice wistful. “She is a woman of many talents. She paints, she writes poetry, and she can sing so beautifully that she could easily charm the birds from the trees.”
A warm smile spread across Cassian’s face as he listened to Eris speak about her sister. “She sounds wonderful. I am truly sorry that I missed meeting her.”
“Yes,” Eris nodded, her heart filled with longing for her sister. “She has been through a lot, you see. She’s brave and strong, but at the same time, she is as gentle as a dove.”
She bit her lower lip, wrestling with the pain that came from keeping Lily’s secret. She looked at Cassian, saw the genuine interest in his eyes, and felt a pang of regret. He was a good man. A part of her wished she could return his affections, but her heart seemed to be firmly entangled with the enigmatic Lord Thornhill.
Cassian seemed lost in thought, his eyes softened by her glowing description of Lily. After a moment, he said, “Your sister sounds like a remarkable woman, Miss Eris. I can see the love and admiration you hold for her in your eyes.”
His words were sincere, causing a blush to creep up her cheeks. “Yes,” she murmured, looking down at her hands. “She has always been my role model. I just wish I could be as strong as her.”
“You are stronger than you think, Miss Eris,” Cassian assured, his voice soft. “You carry a certain grace and quiet strength that is admirable.”
His compliment made her look up at him in surprise. His eyes were warm and full of kindness, a stark contrast to the icy intensity she had seen in William’s gaze. The encounter with William lingered in her mind, his midnight invitation casting a shadow over her conversation with Cassian.
A deep sense of turmoil gnawed at her heart. She had a decision to make, one that could potentially alter the course of her life. But for now, she had to focus on the present. She offered Cassian a gracious smile, grateful for his kindness. And as they resumed their exploration, her mind continued to wrestle with the uncertainty of what was to come.
ChapterTwelve
William watched Eris’ expression as he dropped his midnight summons, a tumultuous mix of emotions flashing across her face. Curiosity, confusion, and fear? It gave him no pleasure to frighten her, but the stakes were too high for pleasantries. As much as he wished it weren’t the case, he had a duty to protect his family, to protect Cassian, from any potential harm. Even if that harm came disguised as the charming Miss Eris.
Cassian’s voice echoed from down the corridor, its timbre warm and inviting. His laughter bounced off the stone walls, setting William’s teeth on edge. With a final, lingering look at Eris, he turned on his heel and made his exit, his boots echoing against the stone floor.
“You know, Miss Eris,” Cassian was saying, “there are few who possess such a natural grace and eloquence as you do.”
Her light, flattered laughter in response seemed to resonate in the air, causing a curious twist in William’s chest. “Why, Lieutenant Hudson, such compliments! And here I thought you were immune to my charms.”
The exchange was brief, fleeting. Just enough for William’s mind to conjure images of the two of them, sharing a moment of levity, a moment he was not a part of. The pang of jealousy flared anew, more potent this time, and he stalked down the hall.
He gritted his teeth. This was ridiculous. He had no claim over Eris, no right to feel this surge of possessiveness. It was Cassian she had captivated with her quick wit and unpretentious charm. Shaking his head, he continued down the hallway, the voices of Eris and Cassian becoming fainter with each step.
As he moved through the labyrinthine corridors of Thornhill Castle, he wrestled with the tangled knot of emotions churning within him. Guilt and confusion warred with a fierce, protective instinct. He could not afford to let sentiment cloud his judgment. And yet, something about Eris Saffron defied his resolve. The vulnerability he had glimpsed in her eyes, the quiet strength beneath her reserved exterior, it all drew him in, even as his instincts warned him to be wary.
The castle was a constant reminder of his responsibilities, the weight of his title heavy on his shoulders. Every tapestry, every stony corridor, each grand chamber echoed with thoughts of his family and the duties that came with his lineage. The Thornhill legacy was his to uphold, and he wouldn’t allow anything, or anyone, to tarnish it.
He thought back to all he had observed and overheard as he had watched her and Cassian. He had heard the earnestness in Eris’ voice as she spoke of her sister. She had seemed sincere, but he had seen sincerity faked before. Yet, as much as he tried to convince himself of her potential duplicity, a part of him could not reconcile that notion with the woman he had spent the day with.
And so, he was left with a dilemma. He had to confront Eris about her family’s plans and make sure Cassian was safe, but in doing so, he would be exposing himself to a woman who, despite his best intentions, had managed to slip past his defenses.
He steeled himself as he neared the main hall leading to the drawing room, the clamor of the guests reaching his ears. Tonight, he would unravel the mystery that was Eris Saffron. For better or for worse.
“Ah, William!” Lady Fitzwilliam called out, her vibrant silk dress rustling as she hurried over. Despite her many attempts to throw her daughter in William’s path, she showed no signs of relenting. “Have I told you that Marianne is just returned from her finishing school in France? I wasn’t sure if you remembered me telling you.”
“I certainly do,” William replied, offering a polite nod to the young woman standing next to her mother. Marianne, with her sharp nose and slightly protruding teeth, was hard to forget. She gave him a coy smile, her gloved hand fluttering to her chest in what was likely meant to be a demure gesture.
Meanwhile, the Viscount and Viscountess Harlington’s daughters were waiting eagerly to participate in the outdoor games. Emma, the eldest, was a spitting image of her mother, bearing a striking resemblance with her regal stance and dignified poise. The middle child, Charlotte, was known for her infectious laughter and sparkling wit. Lydia, the youngest, was a spirited girl with a passionate love for nature and horse riding.
“Lord Thornhill,” Charlotte said, her eyes twinkling mischievously, “I do hope you will not allow us to engage in these games without your participation.”
Before William could reply, Emma chided her sister, “Charlotte, do not bother Lord Thornhill. He might have other important matters to attend.”
“Oh, nonsense, Emma,” Lydia chimed in, a mischievous grin on her face. “I am sure Lord Thornhill won’t mind a bit of sport. Isn’t that right, My Lord?”
The playful banter continued, the sisters engaging William in their lively discussion, their laughter filling the garden. But amidst the merriment, a meeting in the library at the stroke of midnight weighed on William’s mind, the anticipation leaving a lingering unease in the back of his consciousness.
Just as William was about to engage in a spirited round of archery, a commotion at the far end of the garden drew his attention. Through the crowd, he spotted Sir Percival Fairchild, a rather rotund gentleman with an unfettered passion for food and courtship, making a beeline for the Dowager Countess Thornhill, his mother.
