Page 28 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
William sighed internally. This was going to be a long evening.
The room hushed as Cassian, resplendent in his navy uniform, rose to his feet, his glass of brandy in hand. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice booming across the room, “it is with regret that I must inform you of an urgent summons I have received. Duty calls, and I must depart Thornhill for a few days.”
A murmur of disappointment rippled through the room, a few ladies pouting and fluttering their fans in a dramatic display of their distress. Cassian, ever the gallant officer, offered them reassuring smiles.
Lady Marianne let out a sigh that was almost a whimper with her fan coming to an abrupt halt. Miss Beatrix, on the other hand, managed to find her voice. “So soon, Lieutenant Thornhill? But we were to take a ride in the morning.” Her words, edged with disappointment, caused a few empathetic murmurs amongst the other ladies.
Cassian, ever the gallant officer, offered them reassuring smiles. “I assure you, ladies, Thornhill will not be devoid of entertainment in my absence. My brother, I am certain, will be an adequate replacement.” Despite his reassuring words, the women’s expressions remained downcast, their disappointment palpable.
William watched this performance with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. He knew his brother reveled in the attention though the drama of his departure was, perhaps, a bit excessive.
Yet, his gaze was drawn back to Eris. Instead of the disappointed dismay that colored most of the ladies’ faces, he noticed a subtle hint of relief cross Eris’ features. Her shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension in her posture easing. Her fingers, which had been restlessly tapping against her glass, stilled.
The sight brought an unexpected flutter of satisfaction to William’s chest. He savored the feeling, the small victory in an otherwise complicated and frustrating situation.
Perhaps the evening would not be as long as he had initially feared. He took a sip of his own drink, his gaze never leaving Eris, and he could not help but smile. This small, unexpected moment of happiness was something he had not expected, but he would take it, nonetheless.
William, comfortably ensconced in a wing-backed chair near a marble fireplace, found his gaze straying toward Eris. She was seated across from him on an elegant settee, her dark chestnut hair catching the glint of the chandelier’s light rendering an ethereal aura about her. As he sipped his brandy, he watched her converse with those around her, her animated expressions a testament to her engagement in the conversation.
Next to him, Charity was prattling on about her uncle’s estate in the country, but William’s attention was elsewhere. His gaze locked onto Eris as she laughed at something Cassian said. A wave of irrational irritation washed over him.
“I heard Lieutenant Hudson’s naval duties are quite demanding,” William stated, steering the conversation away from the local gossip and Charity’s talk of her uncle’s estate. His voice, though not particularly raised, echoed in the room, drawing attention to his words.
Cassian readily picked up on his cue, a light in his eyes as he began recounting his naval adventures. Eris, on the other hand, had a cool, polite smile on her face though William didn’t miss the flicker of annoyance in her gaze.
“Yes, life on the sea can be very challenging,” Cassian agreed, his words punctuated with an earnest enthusiasm that was hard to ignore.
“Indeed,” William chimed in, his gaze flitting to Eris. “And I hear the ladies who wait for them ashore find it equally so. Long months of solitude, uncertainty, the dread of unforeseen dangers. Few could bear such burdens, don’t you think, Miss Eris?”
Eris returned his gaze evenly. “Perhaps, Lord Thornhill, but some of us find strength in challenges. It brings a certain excitement to life, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Excitement? Is that what we are calling it now?” William shot back, unable to conceal his amusement. “I thought it was sheer foolhardiness.”
“And I thought you enjoyed a dash of foolhardiness, Lord Thornhill,” Eris countered, her blue eyes glittering. “After all, it keeps life from becoming too mundane.”
The room filled with gentle laughter, easing the underlying tension. But their banter did nothing to quell the strange, simmering undercurrent that persisted between them. The battle lines were drawn, and William found himself both irked and intrigued by this captivating woman.
A spark ignited within William at her audacious response. The undercurrent of tension between them persisted, adding a dash of spice to the otherwise pleasant evening. This was a dangerous game they were playing, and despite his better judgment, William found himself reluctant to stop.
ChapterSeventeen
Eris’ breath hitched as William’s eyes bore into hers. There was a warmth, a light in his gaze that she had not seen before. A flame that was ignited with each word, each challenge they exchanged. An undeniable spark that made her heart flutter in a way that was not entirely unpleasant. No, not unpleasant at all.
Why had he done this? She had spent the last few days expertly evading him, ensuring they were never alone together, carefully curating her emotions so as not to betray the fact that their stolen encounter had affected her far more than she dared admit. But now, all her efforts seemed in vain. Because there he was, igniting that flame once again.
Sheer foolhardiness.Is that what she was to him? A reckless woman who dared challenge an Earl? Who dared to dream of something more than a loveless marriage of convenience?
She could see the amusement in his eyes, and hear the laughter that filled the room. But beneath that, there was something else. An undercurrent, a tension that was all too familiar. And all too dangerous.
The meal continued, but Eris barely tasted a thing. Her mind was consumed by William, by his words, by the intensity in his eyes, and by a longing, a desire to feel his lips on hers once more. It was a feeling she knew she should suppress, a thought she should dismiss, but try as she might, she could not. Because at that moment, all she could think of was him and how badly she wanted him.
Yet, she knew better. She had to distance herself. Her family’s reputation, their very future, was at stake. She could not afford to let this desire distract her from her duty. To fall for William was a risk she simply could not take. She had a mission, a role to play, and she would do it well, even if her heart yearned for something — someone — else. With a deep breath and a quick glance at Cassian, she steeled herself. The battle had only just begun, and she had no intention of losing.
Turning her attention to Cassian, Eris intentionally engaged him in conversation, “What is your favorite part about serving in the navy, Lieutenant Hudson?”
Cassian’s face lit up at the question, his usual demeanor of reserved aloofness replaced by genuine enthusiasm. “The sense of adventure, I suppose,” he said. “There’s nothing quite like sailing through uncharted waters, not knowing what lies ahead. It is thrilling, really.”
Eris smiled at his words, imagining the wide-open seas, the thrill of discovery, the camaraderie among sailors. It was a world so vastly different from hers, one that she would never get to explore, but she could live it through his stories, and for now, that would have to suffice.
