Page 36 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
He paused, swallowing hard before adding, “The expectations, the judgments, they all came crashing down on me. And even now, I struggle under the weight of it all.”
The confession startled her. She had never seen this side of William before, had never imagined he could be so human.
“But,” he continued, his gaze hardening, “I wouldn’t risk getting you with child, Eris. I won’t marry you. I cannot.”
The words hung in the air between them like a dagger, harsh and cold. “Why?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Because,” he said, a note of bitterness creeping into his voice, “I can’t stand being responsible for more people than I already am. I can’t risk losing them, too.”
Something inside Eris twisted painfully. She wanted to protest, to argue, but the words would not come. All she could do was nod, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.
As she watched William walk away, a sense of profound loneliness washed over her. She had let him see her, truly see her, and he had walked away. She could not help but feel a pang of disappointment, a stark reminder that she was treading on dangerous ground. Falling for William was not part of the plan, but as she stood there, watching him disappear into the rain, she could not help but fear that it was already too late.
ChapterTwenty
“William, we have a problem,” his mother’s voice broke through the tranquil quietude of his study. Her tone wavering between concern and frustration, the Dowager Countess stepped into the room, brows furrowed in consternation. “The Eastwicks are threatening to leave. They claim your behavior is inappropriate for a host.”
His eyes remained fixed on the parchment in front of him. His surroundings — the soothing scent of old books, the soft scratch of quill on parchment — had become his sanctuary, a refuge from the whispered accusations and disdainful gazes.
“I apologize, Mother,” he murmured in response, his voice barely more than a whisper, not looking up from the letter he was drafting. “I… I am just not in the right state of mind.”
His mother’s warning served as a damning reminder of his perceived cowardice, the reality of his predicament echoing around him like a haunting symphony. The whispers and rustles of silk gowns echoed through Thornhill, growing louder with each passing day, each one a mocking testament to his failure as a host and a gentleman.
Avoiding Eris had become his full-time occupation, a task he pursued with a fervor he did not know he possessed. Her image, her voice, even the sparkle in her eyes when she laughed — all of it was imprinted in his mind, an indelible ghost that seemed to pervade every corner of his existence. Each moment of solitude was pierced by the specter of her presence, her laughter echoing through the hollow chambers of his heart, her words an unending refrain in his tormented thoughts.
“Well, you must snap out of it, William!” she retorted, her voice sharp. “Our guests are here for a reason. To see you settled. To see you happy.”
At this, William could not help but snort in derision. “Happy?” he echoed. “They want to see me shackled, Mother, as do you. Not happy.”
“Well, I have invited your sisters and their husbands over. Maybe they will help shake you out of this stupor,” she declared, ignoring his bitter outburst.
“Rose, Daphne, and Jasmine are coming?” he asked, surprised. It had been quite some time since they had all been under one roof. The thought of having his sisters, along with their husbands, made him both nervous and hopeful.
“Yes, they are all quite worried about your state, just like I am,” she affirmed, her tone softening. “You are not alone in this, William. You have family, people who care about you. You have a duty to fulfill and —”
“Yes,” he sighed, leaning back into his chair, “I understand, Mother.”
“Good,” she nodded before making her way toward the door. “And William,” she added, looking over her shoulder, “avoiding your problems will not make them disappear. They have a knack for catching up with you when you least expect it.”
The door closed with a soft thud, leaving him alone with his thoughts once again. The silence seemed louder now, his mother’s words echoing in the room, each syllable a stark reminder of the truth he had been running from.
But there was another truth, one that was harder to face. His growing feelings for Eris. Despite his resolution to keep a distance, his heart seemed to have other plans. The shared moment of vulnerability, the confession, and their kiss — it all kept replaying in his mind, tugging at the strings of his heart. William knew he could not run forever. Sooner or later, he would have to confront his feelings. But the question was, would he be brave enough to face them?
As the day progressed, the tranquility of Thornhill was shattered by a lively commotion. A parade of carriages adorned with the crests of Hexington, Everness, and Dawson streamed through the grand entrance, heralding the arrival of his beloved but noisy family.
The entrance hall was awash with the sound of joyous voices and laughter as William’s sisters, their husbands, and their children made their grand entrance. Thornhill, usually a bastion of peace and solitude, now buzzed with the infectious warmth of familial love.
First to emerge was Jasmine, the middle sister and the pillar of the family. She was a natural leader, balancing her duties and family with grace. With a delighted cry, she flung herself into William’s arms, her husband, the beastly Duke of Hexington, following with an indulgent smile.
Then came Rose, the rebel of the family who had once fled an arranged marriage to find love on her own terms. Now the Duchess of Everness, she had lost none of her independent spirit. Her husband, Thomas, greeted William warmly, their shared interest in politics and civic duty a strong bond between them.
Finally, there was Daphne, the youngest and fairest of them all. Her entrance was an elegant dance, her Duke of Dawson trailing a respectful step behind. They moved as if attuned to each other, a testament to their deep and abiding love.
A flock of children trailed behind the adults, their cherubic faces aglow with the thrill of new surroundings. Nannies scurried behind them, their arms filled with the small squirming bodies of the youngest, trying to maintain some semblance of order amidst the excitement.
“Uncle William!” Madeline, the adopted daughter of Rose and Thomas flung herself into his arms. “I have missed you ever so much.”
William lifted Madeline into his arms. Although she was almost ten-years-old, she was small for her age, and her younger cousins were gaining on her quickly in height.
