Page 49 of Trapped with the Earl of Sin

Martin exhaled, forcing himself to relax. “It is fine,” he said, though his voice was tight. “Just… be careful.”

“Do you need anything?” she asked him cautiously. “Perhaps guidance to your bedchambers?”

Martin gritted his teeth. “I do not need a thing,” he practically growled. “Thank you very much.”

The servant nodded and hurried past him, disappearing into one of the adjacent rooms. Martin resumed his pacing, his thoughts now racing even faster. Half of him hoped that he was just being paranoid and that this would turn out to be nothing. But the other half of him just wanted Edwin to do whatever it was he had planned, so he did not need to remain in this horrible anticipation any longer.

What was that?

This sound was different.

Martin could not put his finger on what had troubled him, but his heart began to race. It sped so quickly all the tiredness that had been fogging up his brain. He felt more alert than he had ever been before.

Those footsteps were hard and heavy. It seemed like they belonged to someone who had spent the evening getting intoxicated. Martin’s heart raced in his throat as he stood to attention, trying to see who this person was before anything else could happen.

Is it…?

It was pitch black, but this was definitely the silhouette of a tall gentleman, one who needed to lean against the wall to keephimself standing upright. Martin tried his hardest to swallow back all his fear as the person, who was clearly unaware that he was being watched, continued to stumble towards him.

The man was mumbling as well. Talking under his breath. While Martin could not pick out any of the words the man was saying, he knew that voice all too well.

The moment was here.

“Edwin?”

The man’s head snapped up, blinking furiously as he tried to work out who was in front of him.

“M-Martin, what are you doing?” Edwin stammered. “I am just…”

But it did not matter what he was about to say. Martin’s eyes darted downwards, and he saw the item clutched tightly between Edwin’s fingers.

The gun.

“What are you doing with that?” Martin demanded, fury lacing his tone. “Why are you here near Luke’s bedchambers?”

Edwin did his best to tuck the gun behind his back and to hide the weapon as if that was going to make it any better. But Martindid not care, it was far too late for that now. Edwin’s intentions were clear, and there was no way that he could wriggle his way out of this.

Hopefully, Edwin understood that, and he would not do anything stupid.

Martin’s heart pounded as he took a step closer, his eyes locked on Edwin. The dim moonlight from a nearby window cast an eerie glow, highlighting the tension in Edwin’s face. Edwin’s hand trembled as he tried to hide the gun, but Martin’s unwavering gaze made it clear that the attempt was futile.

“Answer me, Edwin,” Martin pressed, his voice low and controlled. “What are you planning to do with that gun?”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“I… I am just taking a walk,” Edwin stammered, causing Martin to roll his eyes in frustration. “I am a little drunk. I had far too much to drink tonight, and I am trying to sober up. You know, because the wedding is tomorrow morning.”

“And you need a gun for that?”

“I am just carrying this for my own protection. You never know what nefarious people might be loitering around at night.”

“Well, you are the only person I can see walking around with a weapon,” Martin snapped. He was tired and impatient with this man, and could not stand his disgusting attitude. “So I do not think that there is anything I need to worry about aside from you.”

“Well… well…” Edwin staggered backwards, but Martin was not going to let him go anywhere. “You are also loitering around. Isthat not suspicious? Should I not be worried about whateveryouare here to do to Luke? Are you jealous of him? Do you want to harm him? Perhaps you do not wish to see him married because you are worried about losing your drinking buddy. Yeah, I bet that is it…”

If Edwin wanted to try and prod Martin, then he could certainly do the same thing. Maybe if he irritated Edwin enough, he could force him to confess. He was going to have to let all his suspicions out to see how Edwin reacted. Luckily, his eyes had adjusted to the darkness now, so he could see much more of the man’s expression.

“I am not the one who is clearly in love with Mary,” he growled. “I am not the one who has shown to everyone around him that he has an utter obsession with the bride-to-be. That is you, Edwin. It is utterly pathetic to see you trailing after her like a little, lost puppy.”

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