Page 47 of Trapped with the Earl of Sin

Mary chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Yes, she does tend to wax poetic about those things. Did she mention how she met Martin’s father at a ball and knew instantly he was the one?”

Susanna smiled, feeling a bit lighter. “No, she did not get to that part. But she did say something about how weddings bring out feelings of romance in the air.”

“They certainly do,” Mary agreed, her smile widening. “I think that is why everyone loves them so much.”

Susanna paused for a moment before she asked a dangerous question. “Is that how you felt about Luke when you first saw him? Was it love at first sight?”

Mary shook her head. “Oh no, because I was not planning on falling in love again. But I did think that he was very handsome.”

Susanna smiled at Mary’s candid response. “Handsome enough to make you reconsider?”

Mary laughed, a melodic sound that seemed to brighten the room. “Exactly. I did not want to admit it at first, but he grew on me quickly. It was his kindness and his way of making me feel special that won me over.”

Susanna nodded, understanding more than she let on. “It is amazing how love can sneak up on you like that.”

“Indeed,” Mary agreed, her eyes softening with affection as she glanced at Luke, who was still busy with some final wedding details. “I am grateful every day for the chance to be with him.”

Susanna’s heart warmed at her sister’s happiness. If only she could find such certainty in her own feelings.

“Right, let us get these seating arrangements completed,” she declared, determined to change the subject before she got caught up in her emotions. “And whatever else you need help with. We can talk about fate and destiny once you have said those vows and committed yourself to Luke forever.”

In the hustle of wedding preparations, Susanna tried to push the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. But as she helped Mary with the seating arrangements, her mind kept drifting back to Martin, and the complex tangle of emotions that surrounded him. No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, the feeling that something significant was looming on the horizon persisted.

After all, she could not ignore these intense, overwhelming feelings forever.

She could not deny the truth to herself any longer. She had feelings for Martin, feelings that scared her because they were so unexpected and so intense. And the more she tried to suppress them, the stronger they seemed to grow. The more they seemed to consume her whole.

Everyone was right, she did need to talk with him to straighten this all out. But how could she do that? Where would she begin? Could she really afford to open her heart, knowing the risks involved? Or was it safer to keep her distance, to protect herself from the potential heartache? Could she live with herself if she did not do a thing?

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Martin could not shake off this terrible dejected feeling. It had been consuming him for days now, ever since he said the silly words that sent Susanna spiraling. She had hardly even looked his way since. It was as if she could not stand to meet his eyes, even for a second.

In fact, darling Susanna, one might even dare to say that I am falling for you.

He might have meant it in the heat of the moment, and truth be told, he was quite sure that he truly did feel that way for Susanna. But he never would have said it if he knew that she would basically vanish from his life.

They might have still been staying under the same roof, but they might as well have been on other sides of the country for all the good it was doing them.

It did not help that time was running out. Once the wedding was over, there would be no reason for them to spend time together any longer. There would be no need for them to converse. It would all be over.

But what could Martin do without pushing Susanna further away?

“I am so thrilled,” Luke declared, pulling Martin from his morose thoughts. “Tomorrow is the day I shall become a husband at long last.”

As he clinked his glass in a cheers gesture with everyone in the group, Martin forced himself to join in. But it was terribly challenging for him to get in the party spirit. If it were not for Edwin, and his need to keep an eye on him, he might have made an excuse to avoid these impromptu drinks. Just to give himself the much-needed time to get his head in order for the following day.

He and Susanna would not be able to avoid one another at the wedding ceremony, so he was going to have to keep his feelings locked away then. The last thing he wanted to do was cause a scene at Luke and Mary’s wedding.

“Are you not thinking about running?” Edwin teased in a tone of voice that Martin could only deem nasty. Although he seemed to be the only one because Luke laughed with intense mirth. “I have a carriage waiting outside if you wish to disappear into the sunset. I am sure Lady Mary will be fine without you…”

“Oh, you are so silly, Edwin.” Luke chuckled while patting his cousin on the back. “You always find a way to make me laugh, but I can assure you that I do not need a carriage. I will not be running anywhere. I cannot wait to be a married man, and even if Mary will be alright without me, I will certainly not be alright without her.”

How did Luke not notice the way that Edwin shot him a glare? He really was not looking for the warning signs as Martin was.

“In fact, Edwin, I think it is time we all get a drink so we can celebrate what will happen tomorrow. It is going to be amazing.”

“I will get the drinks,” Martin cut in quickly. “I will sort out beverages for all of us, so we can celebrate. Do not worry, Luke.”

---