Page 9 of Trapped with the Earl of Sin

“I am even finding it impossible not to warm up to Luke. He really does seem to be a truly great match for you.”

Mary blushed. “I just knew that you would like him. He really is lovely, I cannot wait to marry him and spend the rest of my life with him. What do you think of his friend?”

“Lord St. Clair?” Susanna glowered. “He is the only person I do not like as much as the others.”

“Really?” Mary seemed surprised. “I thought he was a lot of fun. What is it about him that you do not like?”

“He is… rude,” Susanna finally declared, deciding on the right word for him. “It does not matter what I say, he is always challenging it.”

“Do you not think that he is just joking around with you and having fun?” Mary asked. “That is how it seems to me.”

Sometimes it did feel a little like that, but deep down, Susanna was sure that Martin simply did not like her at all.

“I am not too sure about that…”

“You must come with me anyway,” Mary said decisively. “We are going for a walk in the gardens.”

“We are?” Susanna did not mind, but she had to admit this had come as a bit of a surprise. “Any reason?”

“Do not look behind you,” Mary continued through gritted teeth. “But Edwin is behind us. He has been following us for a little while now—he is always trying to get me to go for a walk with him. He does not even seem to care that I am about to marry his cousin. He is still determined to continue his pursuit, it seems. I do not think anything will ever stop him. Even months of rejection…”

Susanna pursed her lips angrily. “I cannot believe that he is here. I did not know that Edwin was related to Luke.”

“Me neither,” Mary hissed back. “And I cannot seem to avoid him wherever I go. That loud, distinctive voice of his seems to follow me everywhere. I have never met a man like him before. One that simply cannot take no for an answer. I honestly wish that I had never turned to him for help in the first place back then. But I really did think that he wanted to assist me in getting answers…”

“Do not fret sister, you were only trying to find out more about your late betrothed. And he was the only one who could help you in your grief.”

It was not until they were out in the sunshine that Susanna finally risked looking over her shoulder. Much to her relief, there was no sign of them being followed by anyone. With a bit of luck, as soon as Mary had grabbed her arm, Edwin had backed off.

Not that he was one to take a well-executed hint. Susanna had seen him ignore many clear messages that were designed just for him. Lord Edwin only seemed to see what he wanted to see.

If only he could leave.

Everything would be so much easier if he was not here.

“I think we are safe now,” Susanna whispered. “But I suggest we take a good long walk anyway.” She liked the idea of havinga moment alone with her sister, so she could check in on Mary again and change the subject before her sister worried about Edwin and his intentions. “So, how are the wedding plans coming along?”

With Mary and Luke’s mothers so heavily involved with wedding planning, and Martin’s mother offering her assistance as well, there was not much need for Susanna to help out. She thought it more important to keep an eye on the bride anyway.

“I think everything is going to be quite lovely,” Mary declared excitedly. “I cannot wait. I am sure you can see why I have fallen for Luke now—he is quite the gentleman. I might not have planned on falling for him, but he made it impossible not to.”

“Yes, I can see why,” Susanna replied cautiously.

Much as she truly did like Luke, she still worried for her sister. It absolutely terrified her to imagine her sister’s heart being broken again. Susanna did not think that Mary would be able to survive another heartbreak. But she could not say any of that, not without raining on Mary’s parade.

“I am sure he is looking forward to being your husband as well.”

“I keep thinking about our children, and what they will look like.” Mary giggled. “Is that a little wild?”

Susanna resisted the urge to recoil. She had never considered what her children might look like, but then again, she was not in love and about to get married. Perhaps that changed things.

Not that she would ever find out.

Susanna was still staunch in her plan not to fall in love after what happened to her sister. Even seeing Mary now with Luke had not changed her mind.

But again, it was not appropriate for her to say as much to a very loved-up Mary.

“I am sure it is very normal, considering you will be married soon,” she declared instead. “I am certain that most brides spend a lot of time thinking about their wedding night…”

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