“Many of those wins are contested,” Miss Bawden remarked.
Miles lifted his brow. “Contested wins?” he asked.
“You shouldn’t have asked,” Winston muttered.
Miss Bawden tilted her chin. “Lord Winston has been known to move his ball to line up a better shot.”
Winston scoffed. “That was one time, and it was just a practice game,” he defended with a slight rise in his voice.
“So you say, but no one else moved their balls. Just you,” Miss Bawden remarked.
Looking heavenward, Winston insisted, “It was a practice game.”
Miss Bawden shrugged. “I suppose everyone else wanted a challenge by keeping their balls where they landed.”
Winston narrowed his eyes at Miss Bawden, but before he could respond, Bennett interrupted, “As fun as this conversation is, we should probably go find Mother now.”
“Yes, let’s,” Edwina said in agreement, no doubt sensing the tension between Winston and Miss Bawden.
Miss Bawden offered a polite smile to the rest of the group. “I look forward to finishing the game.” Her smile disappeared when it landed on Winston. “Lord Winston, as always, a pleasure.” Her words lacked any sincerity.
As Miss Bawden walked towards her coach, Winston placed his hand on Edwina’s shoulder and said, “I don’t know why you insist on spending your time with Miss Bawden.”
Edwina laughed. “You are the only one that seems to have an issue with her. Everyone else seems to adore Miss Bawden.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Winston said.
Bennett chimed in “It is true. I find Miss Bawden to be quite delightful.”
Winston dropped his hand from Edwina’s shoulder and turned to Miles. “What say you?” he asked. “Is Miss Bawden diabolical or a delight?”
Miles put his hand up. “I take no issue with Miss Bawden since she has been nothing but kind to me.”
“Traitors,” Winston muttered.
Edwina linked her arm with Winston and led him towards the manor. “Your mother will be thrilled to see you since we don’t see very much of you now that you are a barrister.”
As the group made their way inside, Miles trailed behind and saw how Edwina’s face lit up as she talked to her cousins. Did she smile that way when she was with him? He hoped so. Her happiness was starting to become very important to him.
Winston glanced back at Miles and asked, “How long do you intend on staying here?”
“About another week or so. I need to return to my estate to ensure everything is in order before I travel to London for the Season,” Miles replied.
“Well, it seems that wonders never cease,” Winston remarked. “I didn’t think we would see you participate in the Season.”
“It is time I take up my seat in the House of Lords,” Miles explained.
Winston arched an eyebrow. “And you will be attending all the social events that come with it?”
“I intend to,” Miles responded.
Edwina came to a stop in the entry hall and dropped her arm. “Lord Hilgrove has even offered to help ease me into Society.”
“Did he now?” Winston’s critical gaze swept over Miles, his lips pursed in disapproval. “How thoughtful of him.”
“Isn’t it, though?” Edwina responded.
Winston directed his attention towards Miles, his jaw set and his words taking on a sharp tone. “It would appear that you have been rather attentive to my cousin.”
