Page 63 of A Virgin to Trap the Earl of Thornhill
Closing her book, Eris silently got up, her heart brimming with newfound respect for the Dowager Countess. Making her way toward the main house, she soon found the Dowager Countess in the orangery, her fingers delicately arranging an array of blooming flowers into a beautiful bouquet. The setting sun streamed through the glass windows, illuminating her figure.
“May I help?” Eris asked, breaking the silence.
The Dowager Countess turned, a warm smile lighting her face. “Of course, Eris. I would appreciate that.”
They worked in companionable silence, the rustle of leaves and the soft snip of the clippers the only sounds. The Dowager Countess was the first to break the silence.
“I take it you heard my conversation with Sir Percival,” she said, not as an accusation but as a mere statement.
Eris nodded, her eyes never leaving the flowers she was handling. “Yes, I did. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“No, no, dear. It wasn’t your fault. It was an open garden after all,” she replied, her voice brimming with kindness.
She paused, looking at the flowers in her hands before she continued. “I loved my husband dearly, Eris. We shared a bond that was deep, profound. He wasn’t just my husband; he was my confidant, my best friend. His death left a void in my heart that no one can ever fill.”
Eris looked at the Dowager Countess, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She reached out and gave her a comforting squeeze.
“I believe that you and William share the same bond. I see the same love in his eyes that I saw in his father’s. And I know he sees the same in yours.”
Eris was speechless, her heart touched by the older woman’s words. A lump formed in her throat as she nodded, tears of happiness welling in her eyes.
“I am glad he found you, Eris,” the Dowager Countess said, her voice choked with emotion. “And I am delighted to have you as my daughter-in-law.”
The sun had set, and the orangery was awash in the soft glow of twilight. Yet, for Eris, it felt as if the sun was rising, illuminating a new chapter in her life. She finally felt a sense of acceptance and belonging, the warmth of which outshone any sunbeam.
Eris was in the drawing room later when she heard the distant echo of the front door closing. A moment later, she looked up from her embroidery to see William entering, his cheeks flushed from the brisk ride and his hair ruffled by the wind.
“William,” she greeted, setting aside her needlework to rise and meet him. She moved into his open arms, her heart fluttering at the sight of him. His hands, large and calloused from years of horse riding and fencing, wrapped around her waist, pulling her close.
“My beautiful countess,” he murmured into her hair, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. She sighed contentedly, allowing herself to melt into his embrace. They stood like that for a moment, holding each other, their hearts beating in sync.
“Eris,” he whispered, his voice rich with affection, “there is something I want to tell you.”
“Oh?” she queried, tilting her head to look up at him.
“I love you,” he said, his green eyes glistening with intensity, “and every day I spend with you, I find myself falling deeper.”
Eris smiled, her heart fluttering. “I love you too, William,” she responded, her voice filled with emotion. She hesitated for a moment before adding, “and I think our family might be growing.”
His eyebrows rose, surprise flashing in his eyes. But before he could respond, she placed a hand gently on her stomach, her eyes meeting his with unspoken understanding.
“Do you mean…” he began, his voice trailing off as realization dawned on him.
She nodded, unable to hold back her joyous smile.
The room filled with silence as William processed her words. Then, a wide grin broke across his face, his eyes welling up with emotion. He pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her protectively. He bent down, capturing her lips in a deep, lingering kiss that made her toes curl.
“Is this true, Eris?” he asked when they finally broke apart, his eyes searching hers for confirmation. “Are we really going to have a child?”
“I believe so,” she answered, her voice barely a whisper.
A breathless laugh escaped him, and he swooped her into his arms, spinning her around in joy. The room seemed to fill with their laughter, their love, their happiness. And as they held each other, celebrating their impending parenthood, they knew that they had everything they could ever want. Love, acceptance, family — and a future filled with endless possibilities.
As the night fell around them, they basked in the warmth of their love, their world limited to just the two of them. In the quiet of the evening, in the comfort of their home, they had found their happily ever after.
The End?