Page 61 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice echoing in the grand hall, “today marks not just one but two happy occasions. Today, I am blessed to welcome a new sister into our family, and doubly blessed to have wed the woman who has captured my heart.”
He turned to look at Lily, a warm smile gracing his features. “To my dear sister, Lily,” he said, raising his glass in her direction, “you’ve faced trials that would have felled many, but you’ve emerged stronger, and you’ve found a love that is true and unwavering. I couldn’t be happier for you and Cassian.”
Then, his gaze found Eris’, their connection sending a thrill through her. His eyes twinkled, reflecting the glow of the candlelight. “And to my beautiful wife, Eris,” he continued, his voice imbued with deep affection, “you’ve brought joy to my life that I didn’t know I was missing. I am honored to call you my wife and look forward to a future filled with shared laughter, shared dreams, and shared love.”
With that, he lifted his glass higher, his voice booming across the grand hall. “To Lily and Eris, may your lives be filled with boundless love, endless happiness, and countless blessings.”
The hall rang with the echo of his words, followed by the cheerful clinking of glasses and a rousing chorus of “To Lily and Eris!” A warm flush colored Eris’ cheeks, her heart pounding with elation at the heartfelt toast. She couldn’t have hoped for a more perfect start to their shared life.
The celebration carried on in a grand fashion, befitting the dual nuptials of the Hudson brothers. Laughter and conversation filled the air, punctuated by the clinking of cutlery against fine china and the soft strains of music played by a quartet in the corner. Guests mingled, their colorful ensembles a visual symphony against the elegance of the Thornhill Estate. Servants moved like well-rehearsed dancers, ensuring glasses were never empty and plates were always filled.
Eris conversed with various guests, each interaction highlighting her new status as the Countess of Thornhill. Her sisters-in-law, Rose, Jasmine, and Daphne, all shared stories of their own wedding days, their husbands chiming in with their perspectives, causing ripples of laughter around the table.
Later, William led her to the ballroom for their first dance together as husband and wife. Their bodies swayed to the soft music; their gazes locked. The world seemed to shrink around them, the hum of the celebration fading into a distant whisper.
“Is this real?” Eris asked, a note of wonder tingeing her words.
William’s response was a gentle kiss on her forehead. “It’s as real as my love for you, Eris. Welcome to our new life together.”
As the night deepened, the celebration slowly wound down. The last of the guests finally retired, leaving the newlyweds to their own devices. Arm in arm, Eris and William ascended the grand staircase, making their way to their shared bedchamber.
Once inside, William turned to Eris, his eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight. “Finally, we’re alone,” he said softly, a hint of anticipation in his voice. “My beautiful wife.”
He reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Eris felt her heart flutter at his touch and his words. William’s touch was tender, his fingers tracing a path from her cheek down to her neck. Her breath hitched, the intensity of his gaze sending a shiver down her spine. His hands continued their gentle exploration, undoing the fastenings of her gown and letting it pool at her feet. Her heart pounded, her nerves tingling in anticipation.
“Are you all right?” William’s voice was soft, full of concern, his eyes searching hers for any signs of discomfort.
Eris nodded, a shy smile curving her lips. “I am,” she whispered, reaching up to trace the contour of his jaw. “I love you, William.”
A smile graced William’s features, his eyes lighting up at her words. He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. “And I love you, Eris.”
His lips met hers in a slow, deliberate kiss, their bodies drawing closer. His hands roamed her back, pulling her close. The world seemed to fade away as they lost themselves in the moment, the newness of their marriage adding an intoxicating mix of trepidation and excitement.
Eris pressed herself against him, the love she felt for him radiating from her core. This was a love she knew would only grow, a love she would cherish and nurture. Tonight was the first of many, a symbol of their shared commitment and love for each other.
The night was only beginning, and there was no other place Eris would rather be than here in William’s arms as his wife. The joy in her heart was overwhelming, her happiness seeping into every fiber of her being. She was ready for whatever their future together would bring, ready to face it with William by her side.
Together, they moved toward the bed, their movements slow and deliberate. Tonight, they would fully become husband and wife, sealing their vows with the intimacy only shared between two souls deeply in love. The room was filled with a warm glow, a mirror of the love that radiated from them. Tonight, they would begin their journey as a married couple, a journey that held infinite possibilities. And Eris was ready to explore each one with William. After all, she was now Lady Eris Hudson, Countess of Thornhill.
As he eased her down on the bed, Eris looked up at him from beneath her lashes. Suddenly, she felt shy. He lifted her chin until her eyes met his. Slowly, William lowered his head and kissed her. Eris responded to the sensation of his lips on hers and his hands on her face. Their tongues met and danced together, deepening their kiss even more, and Eris felt like her body was on fire. Eris sighed against him then ran her hands up his chest and slowly unbuttoned his shirt.
William kissed down her neck and licked the hollow at the base of her neck. She moaned in response and reciprocated. He bent his head further to take her nipple into his mouth, and she arched against him. Every nerve ending was on fire, and the warmth spread low inside of her. Her hands clutched his arms as he continued to kiss her chest and neck before dipping down low to tease her breasts again. She could scarcely bear the pleasure, and she wanted more. She wanted his hands and mouth to touch her lower in her more secret places.
Eris wrestled the shirt from his trousers and pulled it off of him. She nipped his shoulder gently and then eased her hands down his torso until she found the trail of hair that led to the top bottom of his trousers. She tugged them open, and she reached in to touch him.
“Yes,” William groaned.
Eris wriggled against him and released him from his trousers. She pushed them down, and finally, he lay naked against her. He lowered his head again, and this time, the kiss was gentle and deep while he explored her body with his hands. Eris ached with her desire to feel him inside of her. To finally taste what had been promised in the rain-soaked hut weeks ago.
His fingers touched her between her thighs, and she felt herself soar to the heights of pleasure as they thrummed against her aroused pleasure. She spread her thighs wider and gasped against him. “Please, William. I want to feel you. All of you.”
“Not yet, my love,” William whispered. He slid his fingers into her moist cleft, and she felt her excitement grow as his fingers glided in and out of her. She mimicked his own movements with her own as she grasped his hardened girth.
William shifted and used his knee to spread her legs wide. He gazed down at her, his eyes full of want and desire. At her nod, he slowly pushed the length of him inside of her. For a moment, there was a sharp pain that caused her to gasp. William stopped. “It will only hurt for a moment.” He lay still against her until she began to move once more against him. William began to thrust inside of her, and her body soared to the sky in pleasure. She was lost in the pleasure of him inside of her. It was beyond her wildest dreams and far more than she could have ever hoped for. She screamed out his name as she reached the apex of pleasure.
His own cries joined hers, and he shuddered. In a low voice, he whispered, “You are perfection, Eris Hudson. I love you.”
He collapsed next to her and gathered her body next to his. “I love you, too, William. That was not was I was expecting.”
