Page 40 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
It is not as if we would have a future together though. He told me so himself.
Rose exchanged a knowing glance with Jasmine and Daphne before she replied, “Why, it almost sounds as if you have a reason to stay. Something or perhaps someone?”
Her words hung in the air, a silent dare for Eris to deny the implication. Eris kept her face impassive, but her heart pounded in her chest.
“I enjoy the peace and tranquility of the countryside,” she stammered, trying to brush off Rose’s insinuation.
Jasmine narrowed her eyes at Eris, a mischievous twinkle in them. “Oh, it’s not the countryside that has you flustered. It’s our brother, isn’t it?”
Eris could feel her cheeks heating. She shook her head to refute Jasmine’s claim, but her heart betrayed her, beating loudly in her chest.
Seeing Eris’ reaction, Daphne chimed in, her voice melodic yet teasing. “It seems our dear brother, William, has been remiss in his duties, ignoring such a beautiful lady.”
“I believe we ought to rectify this situation,” Rose proposed, a conspiratorial glint in her eye.
Eris blinked, taken aback. “What do you mean?”
Rose leaned in, her voice a hushed whisper. “We simply must ensure that our dear brother gets to spend more time with you. He must attend the Duchess of Hartville’s ball.”
Jasmine and Daphne nodded, a shared excitement in their eyes. As Eris looked at the three of them, the realization of what they were implying left her speechless.
“But —” Eris began, only to be cut off by Jasmine’s animated chatter.
“We could also arrange a private dinner at our manor house in London. Just a family gathering and you, of course,” Jasmine suggested, her hands clasped together in delight.
“Or perhaps a more informal setting might be better,” Daphne considered, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “A trip to the park or a visit to the museum would do just nicely.”
“And we mustn’t forget about the Hartville ball!” Rose exclaimed. Her eyes were bright with excitement. “Imagine a dance with William in that grand ballroom!”
Eris held up a hand, her head spinning. “Wait, wait. This is too much.”
But the sisters seemed deaf to her protests, already engrossed in their elaborate planning. They traded ideas, their laughter and spirited debate a dizzying whirlwind that left Eris overwhelmed.
Feeling her head throb, she excused herself, stating the need to pack for their imminent journey to London. As she left the room, the sisters’ plans echoed in her ears, their excited voices painting a future filled with encounters she was unsure she was ready for.
Yet as she ascended the staircase, she couldn’t shake off a tiny, fluttering hope. A hope that maybe, just maybe, the sisters’ scheming could lead to something wonderful. Something that made her heart flutter in anticipation.
ChapterTwenty-Two
“The sun barely graces the sky, and already you wish to torment me?” William asked his sisters, a wry smile playing on his lips. He was standing on the front steps of Thornhill, the early morning mist wrapping the world in a soft, ethereal blanket. The crunch of gravel beneath carriage wheels was the only sound to break the peaceful silence.
Rose stepped forward, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “It is not torment, dear brother, but concern for your wellbeing.”
“And your marital status,” Jasmine added, unable to contain her grin.
Daphne nudged her sister playfully before turning back to William, her face serious. “We received our invitations for the Duchess of Hartville’s ball. You must attend, William.”
William’s brows furrowed. “A ball? You know I detest such events.”
Rose folded her arms, her expression stern. “And we detest Mother’s persistent matchmaking. If you do not take action, William, we will be left with no choice but to assist her.”
“And by ‘take action’,” Jasmine clarified, “we mean to say that you should seriously consider courting Miss Eris. It is clear as day how fond you are of her, despite your denial.”
Daphne chimed in, “We’ve also decided to host a small dinner in our London manor, and we’d love it if you invited Miss Eris. It would be an excellent opportunity for you two to spend more time together.”
William sighed, running a hand through his hair. He looked at each of his sisters in turn, their faces filled with concern and a hint of sisterly mischief. He knew there was no use arguing; they were as stubborn as he was, perhaps even more. “Very well,” he conceded. “I shall attend the ball. And the dinner, I suppose.”
There was a moment of silence as the women exchanged knowing glances, their shared victory painting joyous streaks on their faces. William couldn’t help but shake his head at their audacity, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Their meddling, as exasperating as it was, held a strange sort of comfort, reminding him of their shared childhood filled with harmless conspiracies and carefree laughter. He found himself unexpectedly moved, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
