Page 56 of Trapped with the Earl of Sin

Edwin let out a roar of frustration and threw a wild punch at Martin, catching him in the jaw. Martin staggered back butkept his footing, returning the blow with a punch to Edwin’s midsection. Luke joined in, and together they overpowered Edwin, forcing him to the ground.

Breathing heavily, Martin pinned Edwin’s arms while Luke retrieved the gun.

“It is over, Edwin,” Martin said, his voice firm. “You are not going to hurt anyone else. Finally, you are going to listen to me, and you are going to hear what I have to say. You cannot do this any longer. Mary willneverbe yours.”

The sound of approaching footsteps signaled the arrival of the others. Within moments, several of Luke’s house guests appeared, helping to secure Edwin and ensure he could not escape. Martin stood up, his body aching from the struggle, but relief flooding through him.

“We did it,” he said, looking at Luke. “It really is over.”

Luke nodded, his expression grim but determined. “We are going to have to get the constables here, after what he has done. He needs to be arrested.”

Martin stood in the doorway of the shed, catching his breath after the fight with Edwin. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off, leaving him exhausted and aching. Beside him, Luke held the gun they had wrestled from Edwin’s hand and had Mary tucked under his other arm, his expression grim but resolute.

“We will wait here for the chief constable,” Luke said, glancing at Martin. “You go check on Susanna. She needs you.”

Martin hesitated for a moment, torn between his duty to ensure Edwin was properly dealt with and his overwhelming concern for Susanna. But Luke’s steady gaze reassured him.

“Go,” Luke repeated firmly. “We’ve got this.”

“We do,” Mary agreed with a grateful whisper. “There is nothing that man can do to me now. The constable will take him away, and I willfinallybe able to live my life without him.”

Martin smiled and nodded once before turning and making his way back to the manor house. It was a relief to know that Edwin was captured and no longer going to cause any trouble, but the relief could not come for him fully just yet.

As he hurried through the hallways, his mind raced with thoughts of Susanna. The image of her throwing herself in front of him to take the bullet was seared into his memory. He needed to see her, to make sure she was truly alright. He still could not believe that she had done such a thing. He was truly in shock and awe of what a wonderful person she was.

The emotions that he had been trying his hardest to push down came barreling to the surface.

He could not contain himself any longer.

He reached Susanna’s room and gently pushed the door open. The soft light of a bedside lamp cast a warm glow over the room. The physician was just finishing checking her bandages and nodded to Martin as he entered.

“She is stable,” the physician said quietly. “The wound is not serious, but she needs rest. I have talked to her sister about this, but it is best that everyone knows.”

Martin thanked the physician, who then excused himself, leaving the room in a hushed silence. He approached the bed, his heart aching at the sight of Susanna lying there, her face pale and drawn, her arm wrapped in clean white bandages. She was muttering softly in her sleep, and as he leaned closer, he realized she was saying his name.

“Martin,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Martin…”

Another surge of emotion welled up in him, a mix of relief, gratitude, and something deeper that he could not quite name. He reached out and gently took her hand, careful not to disturb her rest. Her fingers instinctively curled around his, and he felt a warmth spread through him at the simple touch.

“Susanna,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I am here. You are safe.” He was not sure that she could hear him, but he continued to explain nonetheless. “Edwin has been caught. There is nothing to worry about any longer. He will not cause us any more issues. We are all safe now. The wedding can still go ahead tomorrow… if everyone is not too tired for that. I mean, it has certainly been a very long night.”

She shifted slightly, her brow furrowing as if she was struggling against the remnants of a nightmare. “Martin,” she repeated, a hint of distress in her tone.

He squeezed her hand gently, hoping to soothe her. “It is alright, Susanna. I am here. Edwin will not hurt you anymore. I can promise you that much.”

Her face relaxed a little, and she seemed to settle into a deeper, more peaceful sleep. Martin sat by her side, his eyes never leaving her face. He could still hear the echo of Edwin’s words, the madness in his eyes, but those thoughts were drowned out by the sight of Susanna safe and alive.

Time seemed to stand still as he sat there, the world outside fading away. All that mattered was Susanna and the quiet connection between them. He thought about everything they had been through, the danger they had faced, and the bond that had grown stronger because of it. He knew that his heart had been opening up to Susanna, that he had been feeling all kinds of things for her, but that had never been as apparent as it was right now.

He truly was falling for her.

He did not want the wedding to be the last time that he saw her.

He wanted their connection to continue to bloom and grow forever.

Much to his surprise, he wanted love.

He gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his touch light and tender. “I will be right here when you wake up,” he murmured. “I promise. I am not going anywhere.”

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