Page 16 of Trapped with the Earl of Sin

She nodded reluctantly. “Very well, Martin. But promise me you will at least think about it. I just want you to keep an open mind for this wedding. It is going to be a lovely event, with an expansive guest list. I am sure there will be some incredibly interesting people there who you should take the time to talk to.” She cocked her head. “Promise me that you will at least try?”

“I promise I will, Mother,” Martin replied, hoping to placate her for the time being.

Satisfied, his mother gave him a small smile and patted his cheek affectionately. “Good. Now, let us go enjoy dinner. And do try to have a pleasant evening with the guests. They are all very pleasant people.”

With that, she left his chambers, leaving him to his thoughts. He adjusted his bow tie once more, his mind wandering back to Susanna. The mere idea of her sneaking away to see him made his heart race. He could not deny the growing attraction that he had for her, and the knowledge that she might feel the same was exhilarating.

But of course, he had to ensure that his mother never found out how he was feeling, or she would force something to happen between him and Susanna. Which was the last thing he wanted.

It was lust, desire, and the fun of arguing.

He did not want to overcomplicate things, and he was sure that she felt the same way. They both had enough to worry about,especially now after what they had heard Edwin say. That was likely to plague the both of them for a very long time.

CHAPTER FIVE

Susanna felt like she was an actress in a movie, simply playing a role, as she sat at the dinner table, eating with her family and all the guests at Standen Abbey. It was hard for her to focus and engage with the inane chatter going on around her, when she had so much on her mind. She did not know how to behave properly when her brain was so messy.

She kept trying to eat, but every time she brought food to her mouth, a queasiness overcame her, and she could not eat a thing. The more time that she had spent thinking about Edwin and his friend’s comment while she was alone, the worse she felt about it.

“Lady Mary most certainly does seem to have the worst luck with her betrothed, does she not?”

“Hopefully, this one has a better fate.”

“Maybe it is not luck, but deserved punishment. Fate is only cruel to those who deserve it, am I right?”

Why say those things? Were they just idle comments or something much more sinister? Knowing how fascinated Edwin seemed to be with Mary, Susanna could not be sure.

She could not allow Edwin to do anything to upset Mary.

She would stop at nothing to ensure he behaved himself.

Like there was a magnet drawing her eyes towards him, Susanna found herself meeting Martin’s gaze. The only other person who had heard the same thing as her.

She hoped for some sympathy from him or something, but that was not what she got.

Martin shocked her by making a strange half-nodding gesture, angling his head towards the door as if he wanted her to leave the room.

Her heart began to thunder in her throat as she sat up a little straighter in her seat.

Now?

She furrowed her brow in confusion. Somehow, Martin seemed to sense what she was thinking because he nodded once.

Knowing that she would not be able to leave the table and return as if nothing had happened, she leaned in and whispered to her mother, “I am not feeling very well, Mother. I have a terrible headache, and it is making me feel very sick. Do you mind if I am excused? I think it best for me to return to my bedchambers.”

“Are you alright?” her mother asked, looking very concerned. She pressed her hand to her forehead to see how much she was burning up. “Yes, you do feel a little hot.”

“I will rest,” Susanna replied with a thin smile. “I am sure I will feel better in the morning.”

“Of course, dear,” her mother said softly, her concern evident. “Go and rest. I will check on you later.”

Susanna nodded, her heart still pounding. She rose from the table, feeling the weight of several pairs of eyes on her as she made her way towards the door. Her steps were steady, but inside she felt like she was walking on a tightrope.

She could not bring herself to look at Martin as she left the room because she was so fearful of being caught out. Sneaking away to spend a moment with him alone, however innocent it might be, could be catastrophic for the pair of them. Yet, for some reason, she was willing to risk it.

It is for my sister.

Susanna tried to tell herself that she was making this dangerous move for Mary. She wanted to talk to Martin about what they had listened to earlier, because their conversation got interrupted, but deep down Susanna knew that there was more to it.

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