Trapped with the Earl of Sin

Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

K nock, knock.

The light tapping on the door to her bedchambers right after breakfast the following morning had Susanna’s pulse racing. She did not know who it was going to be, and that had her worried.

Trying to seek out information about Edwin really did put her on edge. The more she had to think about him, the more nervous she became.

Martin had put a bee in her bonnet about the murder, and she had spent far too long trying to work out if Edwin was really capable of that.

Knock, knock.

Now, she was thoroughly concerned that he had heard about her questions, and had come to her door. She was too scared to open the door. Her hand was actually shaking as she reached for the doorknob.

If there was any way that she could avoid opening this door, she would, but she knew he would just bash down the door if he wanted to.

Knock, knock.

Relief absolutely cascaded through her the moment she peeked out the door and found Mary standing on the other side.

“Oh, hello,” Susanna declared as she swung open the door fully. “Is everything alright?”

“Luke has just suggested that we go horse riding. Is that something you would like to do?”

Susanna pondered on this for only a moment. She was not sure she was in the mood to go horse riding, but she also did not want to be left alone in the house, with her sister gone. Truth be told, she knew that chances were Martin would also be riding, and she wanted to see him again. She wanted to see if he had made good on his promise and had discovered anything about Edwin through his own investigation.

She also wanted to see him because he was the only person she could talk to about any of this. He ensured that she felt so much less alone in this mess.

Their walk in town had solidified just how comfortable she felt discussing everything with him. When he was not teasing her and acting obnoxious as he tried to get under her skin, he was actually nice to talk to.

Although she had been on edge the whole time, expecting one of his sarcastic comments. A little part of her might have even been a little disappointed that she had not received anything like that from him. There were times when it was a little bit fun arguing with him.

The sizzling tension was unlike anything she had ever experienced before, and a part of her missed that…

“Sure, a ride around the estate sounds nice. I will have to put on my riding habit though…”

She suddenly noticed that Mary was already dressed for the activity and clearly raring to go. The smile plastered on her face was just another reminder that there was a lot riding on this investigation, and if anything went wrong, everything could be destroyed.

Mary could be destroyed.

It was a lot of pressure on Susanna’s shoulders. She was grateful not to be in this alone.

“Give me a moment,” she told her sister with a thin-lipped smile. “And I will meet you downstairs. I will be quick.”

Once Mary was gone, Susanna closed the door to her bedchambers and rested her head wearily against the wood, trying to catch her breath once more. This was so hard, harder than she thought it was going to be. Her time at Standen Abbey had started to mess with her mind, the moment she saw Edwin appear.

Just because he had not caused any trouble yet, did not mean he would behave the whole time. Susanna was certain of that.

Susanna took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead. She changed into her riding attire, a simple but elegant outfit that allowed for both comfort and mobility.

As she laced up her boots, her thoughts kept drifting back to Martin and their shared determination to uncover the truth about Edwin. Thank goodness he cared about Luke just as much as she did Mary.

As Susanna descended the stairs, she sought out Mary. Luke was standing right beside her, of course. They had almost been inseparable in the run-up to the wedding. But he was not the only one waiting in riding gear. Martin was there too, as was Edwin.

Was this really happening?

Was Edwin about to come riding with them?

Susanna was not sure if she should be worried about this or pleased because it was an opportunity to see where his head was. She might be given a better chance to understand what his plan was— if there was anything to worry about, of course…

Susanna caught Martin’s eye and spotted the same bubble of confusion flowing through his gaze.

What on earth were they going to do?

“Ah, there you are,” Luke declared, looking blissfully happy. “I like your riding gear, Susanna. Shall we go to the stables?”

Susanna nodded and followed the crowd. Martin was close to her, but she could not speak to him. There were many things she wanted to say to him, but she was afraid of being overheard.

Especially because Edwin seemed far too close to the pair of them for her liking. His presence felt creepy, he was causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on edge.

“I cannot recall the last time I went riding with you, my lord.” Edwin chuckled as he tried to act overly friendly. “It must have been while we were children.”

“Hmm, perhaps,” Martin agreed. Somehow, he managed to sound like he was not irritated by Edwin’s presence, which surprised Susanna. “I cannot remember myself.”

“You are just so very busy these days, from what I hear. Too busy to even participate in the Seasons and Society events.”

Martin gritted his teeth. Susanna was starting to see what he looked like when he was actually annoyed. “That is simply not my scene.”

“And how do you think you will ever find a lady to marry with that attitude?”

“Have you managed to find someone yet?”

Uh oh.

Panic seized Susanna in a vice-like grip.

She did not think it was the best idea for Martin to outright challenge Edwin like that. They had not even climbed onto the horses yet.

Edwin frowned. A redness stained his cheeks as he automatically glanced Mary’s way. It seemed like he could not even hide his feelings when he had to.

“I have not yet been lucky enough to find a lady I find captivating enough to marry,” Edwin admitted in a self-pitying manner that disgusted Susanna. She was not buying it at all. “But I am sure it will not take me long to find the one. Especially if I attend all the dances that I am expected to. If I continue to accept every invite that comes my way, I am sure to find her.”

Not long… I am sure it will not take me long…

What was that supposed to mean?

It was not the most incriminating comment he could have made, but it certainly put Susanna on edge. It seemed like he was trying to get a rise out of Martin, but it was her skin he had managed to get under. She did not like this. Not one bit.

“I am sure whoever you find will be a very lucky lady,” Martin responded. It seemed like he had decided against getting into this battle of wills with Edwin. Arguing with him was only going to push him further away and perhaps prevent them from talking again. “Especially if she sees your dance moves.”

“Hey! My dance teacher used to tell me that I was the best in the class.” Edwin chuckled good-naturedly. “I am the perfect gentleman on the dance floor. Just ask Mary, I have danced with her a number of times over the years.”

Thankfully, Martin did not bring Mary into the conversation, which came as a big relief to Susanna. Since she was clearly having a nice time with Luke, there was no need to distract them. Especially because it would be giving Edwin exactly what he seemed to want… Mary’s attention.

Susanna could not tell if Edwin was upset or annoyed by this. He hid his expressions well, which was not helpful for Susanna. She wanted him to give her something .

“Well, it seems that it is time to choose our horses,” Martin declared, changing the subject rapidly. “This should be a lot of fun.”

“Oh my!” Susanna mouthed to Martin as soon as Edwin took a step ahead of them. He seemed just as alarmed as she was.

“I know,” he agreed. “What was that about?”

Unfortunately, they could not take the time to dissect everything that had just been said, because Luke was already showing his guests the horses and asking which one they wanted to ride.

Susanna made sure to choose the friendliest-looking white horse, which Luke informed her was named Snowflake. She was a good rider, on horses she knew well, but she was always a little uncertain with new creatures. She feared being thrown off and injured.

But with her sister and Martin around her, even Luke, she knew that she would be cared for if the worst happened. Although, of course, she hoped it would not. That would not be helpful in the lead-up to her sister’s wedding.

It did not take long for Susanna to start to relax on the horse. She had chosen well, this was a beast that she could get along well with. But her horse was not as fast as everyone else’s. She could not seem to keep up with Mary and Luke, and it seemed like Edwin was absolutely determined to stay at their side.

She did not know if it was a good thing that Martin stayed back with her. She did not want to be alone, but she was also worried about leaving Edwin like that. Especially after he had just made such odd comments.

“What do you think about that?” Martin asked her as they trotted. “That was a little strange, do you not think?”

“It most certainly makes me want to investigate him further,” Susanna admitted. “But I do not know how.”

“Do you think perhaps we should try and find out what he might be hiding… in his bedchambers or something?”

Susanna stared at him in shock. “Are you suggesting that we really spy on him like that? What if we get caught?”

He gave her a knowing smirk, as if he was used to breaking the rules like that. She knew that her heart should not skip a few beats, but it did regardless. “I will ensure that we do not get caught, no matter what.”

She cocked an eyebrow. Perhaps she should be happier with the calmer talk that they were having, but that small part of her wanted to ignite that cheeky flame in him again. “Are you telling me that you are a master criminal?”

“Have you not heard of my reputation?” He chuckled. “I am a bad man.”

“Well, I suppose we need you to be a bad man,” she responded. “If we are going to find out what Edwin is up to. If he is up to anything at all… I do have to keep reminding myself that he might not be. It is hard not to let my imagination get the better of me.”

“Ooh, how I would love to see inside your imagination.” Martin laughed. “I bet it is very fun inside your mind.”

What did he mean by that?

Susanna wanted to ask him about that, but she was not sure she was quite ready for the answer. Martin often liked to knock her off kilter, and she did not need that when she was already doing her best to keep her balance on this horse.

One thing at a time.

That was the only way to take this…

The ride continued, the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves and the gentle sway of the horses providing a semblance of calm. The group moved along a scenic path that wound through the estate’s lush grounds.

Mary and Luke rode ahead, their laughter floating back to Susanna and Martin, who followed at a more leisurely pace. Edwin’s presence loomed just ahead, his gaze occasionally flicking back towards them, his expression inscrutable.

As they approached a clearing, Luke called out, “Let’s take a break here. The view is quite lovely, and we can let the horses rest for a bit.”

They all dismounted, the horses whickering softly as they were led to graze nearby. The clearing offered a panoramic view of the estate, the rolling hills and manicured gardens stretching out before them. It was a picturesque scene, but Susanna’s mind was too preoccupied to fully appreciate it.

Martin sidled up to her as they stood at the edge of the clearing, his voice low. “As soon as we get a chance to, we shall search Edwin’s quarters. I will keep an eye out for the perfect moment.”

Susanna nodded, her heart thudding in her chest. “Alright. But we have to be extremely careful.”

“We will be,” Martin assured her. His eyes held a seriousness that was both reassuring and unsettling. “If he is hiding something, then we need to find it before the wedding. We cannot leave this for too much longer.”

All of a sudden, their conversation was interrupted by Luke, who had wandered over with Mary. “What are you two conspiring about over here?” he asked with a grin.

“Just admiring the view,” Martin replied smoothly, his demeanor shifting back to one of casual friendliness.

Luke chuckled. “It is a fine view, indeed.” He glanced at Mary, who was busily arranging the wildflowers they had picked earlier. Did he even notice Edwin standing far too close to her? “Shall we head back soon? We have a full day ahead of us.”

“Yes, I think we should.”

As they prepared to mount their horses again, Edwin approached Susanna, his expression disarmingly friendly. “You seem quite the accomplished rider, Lady Susanna. Do you often go riding?”

Susanna forced a polite smile, her nerves tingling at his proximity. “Whenever I get the chance. It is a wonderful way to clear one’s mind.”

What was happening here? Edwin never bothered to talk to her, even when he was pursuing Mary. It put her on edge.

But as she glanced at Martin, he nodded encouragingly.

“Indeed,” Edwin agreed, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. “There is something about the open air and the freedom of riding that allows one to think more clearly.”

There was nothing directly threatening about the way he spoke to her, but she most certainly felt uncomfortable in his presence.

Thankfully, that was all Edwin had to say. He turned away from Susanna. Leaving her stewing in a pit of confusion.

What on earth was going on? This situation only seemed to get weirder by the minute, and the wedding had not even taken place yet. There was still so much to do.