Page 7 of Trapped with the Earl of Sin

“Mary, have you met my best friend, Lord St. Clair, yet?”

“Oh, I think so,” Mary replied with a girlish giggle. “I was introduced to a few people last night. But it is nice to meet you again.”

“Yes, you too,” Martin replied, trying his hardest to take his eyes off Susanna for just a moment. “I am looking forward to getting to know you better.”

“And this is Lady Susanna, Mary’s sister.”

Martin’s smile widened. “Yes, I remember. Good to see you again, my lady.”

Everyone sat down as the maids brought in the tea for everyone. Luke thanked the staff profusely, which made Mary smile with sheer joy. It was nice to see the way that she looked at his friend, like he was special to her and the love of her life.

It was a little sickeningly sweet, he supposed.

“How has your morning been?” Susanna asked as they sipped their tea. “My lord?”

Luke furrowed his brow as he looked between Martin and Susanna, clearly having no idea what was going on.

But Martin knew. She was getting revenge for his comments at breakfast.

“I have had a lovely morning, thank you very much,” Martin replied with a smile. “I had an enlightening breakfast, before my mother dragged me into a conversation about wedding planning.”

“I am sure she thought that you had a lot to bring to the conversation for a man who does not believe in love.”

Luke gasped in shock. “You told Lady Susanna that you do not believe in love? How could you say that on my wedding weekend?”

“I think my comments have been taken out of context,” Martin said, trying to reassure his panicked friend, but it seemed that Susanna had it out for him.

She smirked as she cocked her head to one side. “Oh, I do apologize. I never meant to take your comments out of context, please explain.”

Mary laughed a little too loudly, trying to draw attention back to her. “I do not think anyone needs to explain anything. I am sure it was meant as a joke.”

Martin saw her give Susanna a warning look. It seemed like they were going to have to curtail their banter for a while.

It was a shame, but Martin respected the bride. He did not want to upset her.

“Anyway, there is a lot that we need to talk about when it comes to the wedding,” Mary continued happily. “Because I am sure we will have good enough weather for our ceremony to take place very soon, and I am excited about it. I cannot wait to wear my dress.”

“Everyone is going to love your dress,” Susanna reassured her, clearly feeling guilty over the banter as well. “You will be the most beautiful bride anyone has ever seen.”

Her protective nature came flying out again.

Martin did not have a sibling, so he was not sure where this came from, but he found it incredibly interesting. It was another layer of Susanna that he wanted to unravel.

“I cannot wait to see you in your dress,” Luke agreed with a love-struck smile. Honestly, it was unnerving for Martin. He had never seen his friend so entranced by anyone before. “I am sure you will be radiant. My mother is excited as well. She is looking forward to seeing my bride.”

“My mother too,” Martin shot back dryly. “But we all know how she loves weddings.”

“Your mother seems very lovely, my lord,” Susanna declared, jumping on Martin’s throwaway comment, in a pointed toneas they all sipped their tea. “I actually just had a very lovely intellectual talk with her.”

“Oh, I am sure she thinks the same about you., my lady.”

She certainly seemed to thrive on sniping back at him, which was what kept him going. The next statement that came out of her mouth certainly suggested as much.

She rose to the challenge easily, jutting her chin confidently. “I have always found it strange how such wonderful women can have terrible children.”

Luke sucked in a sharp breath, but Martin chuckled. “Oh, I know,” he agreed. “It is rather curious, I have always thought the same thing.”

He was not offended. He knew that Susanna only said these things to get under his skin, and he would not let that happen. This was exactly what he wanted to happen, as soon as Luke mentioned the conversation over tea.

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