Page 38 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
As the day ebbed into the evening, the castle drew a veil of tranquil warmth over its inhabitants. The guests trickled back from the gardens, flushed with the pleasures of the day, their laughter and chatter echoing through the grand halls. As dinner concluded, they retired to the parlor, a majestic space outfitted with rich tapestries, antique furnishings, and the comforting scent of aged wood and old books. A myriad of drinks were served from aged brandy to fruity wines, and the card tables were set up.
The scene unfolding before William was something of a mild horror. There his sisters were, circled around Eris as if she were a delightful, rare bloom. Their smiles were sweet, their words laced with genuine curiosity and affection. They were welcoming Eris into their little coterie, and he felt a twinge of possessiveness, even jealousy.
“Eris, do tell us about yourself,” Rose was saying, her eyes twinkling with interest.
Before William could intervene, he found himself being led away by a firm grip on his arm. Turning, he saw his brother-in-law, Thomas, Duke of Everness, wearing an expression of seriousness.
“I am sorry, William, but we must discuss some important matters,” Thomas declared, leading William toward the other men who were huddled near the fireplace, brandy in hand.
William’s protests fell on deaf ears as his gaze swept across the familiar faces in the room — his brothers-in-law, Axel, the Duke of Hexington, and Richard, the Duke of Dawson, among them. Sir Percival Fairchild and Lord Eastwick were also present, their attention firmly held by Thomas. The conversation had turned serious, the topic at hand being the rallying of support for the Factory Act. This crucial piece of legislation aimed to enhance the conditions of factory workers with a particular focus on safeguarding the rights and well-being of child laborers. The weighty discussion captured William’s full attention, and his earlier protests were momentarily forgotten.
While the discussion grew heated and passionate, William found his gaze straying back to Eris. She was laughing at something Jasmine had said, her eyes sparkling with delight. A pang of longing seized him, making it difficult to focus on the political banter around him.
“William, are you with us?” Thomas asked, repeating a question he had asked moments ago.
Jerked back to the conversation, William nodded, turning his attention back to the important matters at hand. Yet he could not help but steal one last glance at Eris, who was now engaged in an animated discussion with his sisters.
As the hour grew late, the castle gradually succumbed to a peaceful quietude. The last strains of laughter echoed through the stately halls, slowly fading away as the guests retired for the night. William and Thomas remained nestled in the plush armchairs, nursing the remnants of their brandy glasses as the embers in the fireplace crackled and danced.
After a moment of comfortable silence, William turned to his brother-in-law, his gaze thoughtful. “Thomas,” he began hesitantly, “when did you know you were in love with Rose?”
Thomas blinked, taken aback by the sudden, deeply personal question. He contemplated for a moment, swirling the amber liquid in his glass as he gathered his thoughts. “I found her alluring the moment I laid eyes on her, you know,” he finally said, his eyes glinting with remembered fondness. “She was such a sight, having fallen from her horse and yet so defiant. In her wedding dress no less. But when I knew I was truly in love… that happened gradually. She somehow found her way into my thoughts from dawn till dusk. A relentless presence, constantly intriguing, constantly beguiling.”
William listened to Thomas’s words, his heart pounding in his chest. The simplicity and profundity of Thomas’s confession stirred something within him. It struck a chord that resonated deep within, illuminating a truth that he had been avoiding. Eris had infiltrated his thoughts, filled his dreams, and occupied his mind in a way no one ever had. His heart clenched at the thought of her, the mere mention of her name was enough to set his pulse racing.
Could what I feel about Eris be more than just fervent captivation?
ChapterTwenty-One
Eris wearily climbed the staircase, her mind a whirlpool of thoughts and emotions. She had spent the day navigating the sparkling dynamics of William’s sisters, their lively conversation and keen observations leaving her feeling somewhat like a lamb to the slaughter. They were kind and welcoming, but there was an unspoken weight of evaluation in their glances that left Eris on edge. Each laugh, each jest, each compliment, she felt, was a measure of her worth.
She reached her chamber door and hesitated. Could she really stand up to their scrutiny? Could she truly fit into their world? She had always felt herself lacking in so many ways, and now more than ever, it was as if her insecurities were magnified tenfold.
They welcomed her into their midst with open arms, peppering her with questions that ranged from her likes and dislikes to her thoughts on the latest fashion trends. She had done her best to keep up, trying to navigate the labyrinth of polite conversation without tripping over her own words.
“Tell us, Miss Eris,” Jasmine had asked during their game of whist, a twinkle in her eye, “do you find our brother, William, attractive?”
The question had caught her off guard, the cards in her hand forgotten as all eyes turned toward her. She had stuttered out a weak, “He is pleasing to the eye, yes,” her cheeks warming under their appraising gazes.
Rose had let out a laugh at that, a genuine, full-bodied sound that echoed around the room. “Pleasing to the eye! That is one way to put it!” she had exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
Daphne chimed in next, her tone more serious than her elder sister’s. “Indeed, William is quite the catch. But more than his looks, he is a man of substance. He carries the weight of his responsibilities with grace, and he cares deeply for his family. Do you not agree, Miss Eris?”
Eris had nodded, a lump forming in her throat. She could not deny any of it. William was everything they said and more. But voicing out her thoughts felt too much like admitting her feelings for him — feelings that, until a few days ago, she had not even been aware she possessed.
Brushing away the unwelcome thoughts, she pushed open the door, expecting to see Nanette, her lady’s maid, ready to help her undress for the night. But to her surprise, the familiar figure of her mother and the slumped form of her father greeted her from the fireside. Her heart sank at the sight of her father’s flushed face and his half-closed eyes, a clear indication of his inebriation.
“Oh, Eris dear, we were just talking about you,” her mother chirped, her tone too bright, too forced. Eris felt a sudden urge to flee, to escape from whatever conversation her parents had been preparing, but she stood her ground, shutting the door behind her and walking over to the fire.
“And what, pray tell, were you discussing about me?” she asked, attempting to keep her tone light.
Her father hiccupped and slurred, “Just saying you should be spending more time with the Earl, is all.”
Eris turned to her mother, her heart heavy with a sudden onslaught of disappointment. She had hoped that her parents would be different, that they would support her choices, but it seemed they too were a part of the same game, the same farcical matchmaking, driven by ambition and societal pressure.
“Oh, do not mind your father, Eris,” her mother chimed in, waving her hand dismissively at her husband’s drunken antics. “But you know, he is not entirely wrong. With Mr. Hudson away, you should try to catch the Earl’s attention. It would be good for you and for us. For Lily.”
Her father snorted in his sleep, his head bobbing dangerously low before jerking back up again, a comedic rhythm that would have made her laugh under different circumstances. As it was, Eris felt a sudden pang of sadness. Was this what her life had come to? Being pushed into the arms of the first available bachelor while her parents looked on?
