Page 5 of Trapped with the Earl of Sin

She shot him a surprised glance. “Yes, it is quite lovely. I did not know that you were the host.”

Luckily, it seemed that everyone else was so intrigued by their own conversations that no one could hear her barbs.

“Well, Luke is my best friend and a wonderful man, as I am sure you have seen by now. But he is very wrapped up in your sister and his upcoming marriage, so I am simply checking on his behalf.”

Susanna glanced over at her sister, and Martin followed her gaze. There was no way of getting either of their attention right now, they truly were wrapped up in one another, displaying their love.

Since Martin thought it was utter madness for his friend, Luke, to get married, risking his heart and his livelihood, it was fun to have a distraction in the form of someone else. After all, he could not just tell Luke that he was about to make a fool of himself, so it was a good idea to concentrate on someone else.

“Well, you can tell Lord Standen that I am having a lovely time, thank you.”

Her icy shoulder made Martin smile. It was like she was challenging him, and he did not mind rising to the challenge.

“I am also having a nice stay.” Martin chuckled. “Thank you for asking.”

“Well, you are the one talking on behalf of the host, are you not?” Susanna cocked a knowing eyebrow. “So it is not necessary for me to ask you.”

Martin leaned back in his chair and smirked. “You do not seem to have much time for me, Lady Susanna. Pray tell, have I done something to offend you?”

“Oh, you do not need to worry, Lord St. Clair, I do not think enough about you to have an opinion either way.”

Ooh, that was meant to sting, but Martin enjoyed it. She was giving him what she was giving him. It was fun. Ladies did not normally act this way. Especially when they came across as proper at first glance.

“That might be because we have not spent anywhere near enough time together. We could always change that.”

Susanna’s eyebrows rose in horror. “Oh, I do not think that is necessary.”

“Well, we are going to be spending a lot more time together, during all the wedding planning, and during thebig day.”

“The way you talk about the wedding…” Susanna commented. “It is almost as if you do not think it is a good idea. Is it my sister that you do not like?”

Ooh, now that was a joke that Martin would not jump on. He sensed how protective Susanna was of Mary. She would not talk about this as a bit of fun.

“I think Mary is lovely.”

“But not good enough for your friend?”

“Well, you are keeping an eye on Luke, are you not?”

“Yes,” she agreed. “But that is not because I would ever assume him not to begood enough. I just want to be certain that Mary will have a nice life. Is that not what you want for Luke as well? To be married and happy?”

Martin decided to be honest here before Susanna truly got the wrong idea. “I do not think it is a good idea foranyoneto get married. I cannot see any reason to get married at all. It is a waste of time.”

“Love?” Susanna gasped, stunned by his words. “Many people get married for love.”

Martin grinned, loving the debate. “Are you going to get married for love? When are you planning to do that?”

As she fell silent, Martin sensed that she might share some of his opinions. She simply did not want to let it out because it was not the right thing to do.

That only made Martin even more determined to find out the truth about her, to get her to admit how she really felt about everything.

“I have never seen any evidence of true love, so I cannot say I believe in it,” he said with a one-shouldered shrug. “Maybe this wedding will change my mind.”

Susanna glowered. “Do you know how jaded you sound when you say that? I do not think I can have a conversation with a man so against love when he is faced with it himself.”

“Yet, here you are, talking with me.”

As he laughed, he saw Susanna wrestle with herself. It seemed like she wanted to join in his laughter, but she refused to give him the satisfaction. Which, of course, only satisfied Martin more.

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