Martha seemed like she wanted to delve into the topic further, but thankfully chose to leave well enough alone. “We should hurry if you want to be on time for breakfast,” she suggested.
Edwina had no desire to talk about Lord Hilgrove. He was a nice enough man, but that is all it was. In a fortnight, he would go his way and she would go her way. He was just a guest in their home, and her politeness was solely for Bennett’s sake. Nothing more.
Once she was dressed, Edwina departed from her bedchamber and hurried towards the dining room. She stepped into the room and saw Bennett and Lord Hilgrove sitting at the long rectangular table. They both stood as she entered, and she waved them back down.
“Good morning, Cousin,” Bennett greeted. “You are remarkably punctual for breakfast today.” His words carried a hint of playfulness.
As a footman pulled out a chair for her, Edwina sat down. “I deemed it prudent to be on time since we have a guest.”
Bennett shifted in his seat, turning towards Lord Hilgrove. “Edwina has a tendency to be fashionably late for breakfast due to her morning rides in the woodlands. She always seems to lose track of time.”
“Is that so?” Lord Hilgrove inquired, his gaze fixed on Edwina.
Edwina leaned slightly as a footman placed a plate of food before her. “Bennett is prone to exaggeration.”
“That he is,” Lord Hilgrove agreed.
Bennett smirked. “But in this case, I do not exaggerate,” he said with a hint of amusement. “There is a stream deep within the woodlands that Edwina loves to escape to. She will just sit on a large rock and retreat to her own thoughts for what feels like hours.”
“Perhaps Lady Edwina is attempting to ignore you, but you aren’t clever enough to take the hint?” Lord Hilgrove suggested.
Edwina grinned, her hand instinctively covering her mouth.
Bennett chuckled. “Who wouldn’t relish in my company?”
“Lots of people,” Lord Hilgrove promptly replied, raising an eyebrow. “I am sure our teacher from Eton, Mr. Maddocks, would agree.”
“That is because he couldn’t take a joke,” Bennett defended himself.
“Or it had something to do with the fact that you put a hedgehog into his bed and laughed when the headmaster informed you that Mr. Maddock had been attacked,” Lord Hilgrove retorted dryly.
Bennett merely shrugged, a glint of mischief still present in his eyes. “Exactly,hecouldn’t take a joke.”
Lord Hilgrove looked heavenward. “My friend is an idiot.”
“You choose to associate with me. What does that say about you?” Bennett joked. “Besides, Edwina loves my company, don’t you?”
Edwina lowered her hand to her lap. “I do.” Her voice held a hint of teasing before adding hesitantly, “Some of the time.”
With a shake of his head, Bennett feigned hurt. “You have betrayed me, Cousin.”
Lord Hilgrove gave her an approving nod. “Well done, my lady,” he praised. “You have managed to knock Bennett down a peg or two.”
Edwina resisted the urge to smile at Lord Hilgrove. Instead, she masked her amusement with a demure sip of her tea. She reached for her fork and began to eat her breakfast.
“Will Miss Bawden be joining us on the lawn today for our game of pall-mall?” Bennett inquired.
She swallowed the bite of food before replying, “Yes, I received word early this morning.”
“Wonderful,” Bennett said with enthusiasm. “I have played with Miss Bawden before and she isn’t completely incompetent at pall-mall.”
“That is quite the compliment coming from you,” Lord Hilgrove quipped.
Bennett nodded. “Unfortunately, you are easily the worst player of the group and you will no doubt embarrass yourself in front of the ladies.”
Lord Hilgrove’s brow furrowed in annoyance. “I doubt that.”
“No, it is true,” Bennett insisted. “I suspect you haven’t picked up a mallet since your interests have been elsewhere.”
