Mrs. Meek stepped closer and lowered her voice. “I have heard Lord Hilgrove is rather handsome.”
Edwina resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Not this again. Why was everyone so fixated on how handsome Lord Hilgrove was? It was maddening.
With a shrug, Edwina said, “I suppose he is tolerable.”
“Tolerable?” Mrs. Meek questioned, clearly not impressed with her response. “That is not how the maids describe him.”
Knowing she was going to come to regret this, Edwina asked, “Dare I even ask how they are describing Lord Hilgrove?”
Mrs. Meek grinned. “The general consensus is that he is handsome beyond all measure.”
And she already regretted asking the question.
Edwina held up her arm that held the basket. “As riveting as this conversation is, I really must deliver this basket before breakfast.”
“Very well,” Mrs. Meek said with a wave of her hand. “But I must say, your handsome meter is broken.”
Taken aback by this odd comment, Edwina asked, “My ‘handsome meter’?”
A look of amusement played on Mrs. Meek’s face as she responded, “Lord Hilgrove is clearly a very handsome man, but you only find him ‘tolerable’? Either your handsome meter is broken or you are lying to yourself. Which one is it?”
Giving a resigned sigh, Edwina replied, “Neither, I assure you. I really must be going now.”
Mrs. Meek tipped her head. “Good day to you, my lady.”
After she murmured her goodbyes, Edwina departed from the servants’ entrance and looked up at the sky. Why was everyone so insistent on discussing Lord Hilgrove with her?They were merely acquaintances, not even friends, although that line was beginning to blur.
She started walking down the path leading towards the Warrens’ cottage and saw a horse approaching in the distance. It only took her a moment to recognize the rider.
Lord Hilgrove.
Panicking slightly and looking for a place to hide, Edwina realized she was too far from the safety of the woodlands to make a quick escape. Her heart raced as he drew nearer, and she tried to pretend he didn’t cut a dashing figure on his horse.
Lord Hilgrove reined in his horse and raised his hand in greeting. “Lady Edwina, what a pleasant surprise.”
“Yes, it is,” Edwina said. “How was your ride?”
“Delightful. Did you not ride this morning?” he inquired, dismounting his horse.
Edwina nodded. “I went at dawn,” she informed him. “I find it is the most peaceful time to sit and reflect.”
Lord Hilgrove grew thoughtful. “I must admit that our conversation from last night has been weighing heavily on my mind.”
“You mean when Bennett thought he was his mother’s favorite?” Edwina asked, attempting to lighten the mood.
He chuckled. “No, but that conversation was rather entertaining.”
Edwina smiled. “I have long suspected Winston is my aunt’s favorite since he is a barrister. He can out-argue anyone and it can be quite frustrating to be in a debate with him, even if you have right on your side.”
“I can only imagine,” Lord Hilgrove said, returning her smile.
As they stood there, smiling at one another, Edwina couldn’t help but admire the chiseled features of Lord Hilgrove’s face. His strong jawline and piercing blue eyes were enough to make any woman swoon, but she shouldn’t be noticing such things about her cousin’s guest. Lord Hilgrovewas here for Bennett, not her. And she needed to be mindful of that. He would leave soon and she had no desire to pine after him.
Her smile faltered as she raised the basket in her hand. “If you will excuse me, I must deliver this basket to the Warrens.”
“If memory serves me right, Mr. Warren used to be your father’s butler,” Lord Hilgrove remarked.
“Yes, and Mrs. Warren was our housekeeper,” Edwina shared. She was rather impressed that he remembered their conversation.
