“I did,” Edwina replied.
Miss Bawden came to sit across from her. “Are you ready for a rousing game of pall-mall?” she asked, excitement evident in her voice.
Edwina leaned forward and placed her needlework onto the table. “I am,” she replied.
With a glance at the empty doorway, Miss Bawden lowered her voice and asked, “Where do you stand with Lord Hilgrove?”
Edwina was taken aback by the sudden change in topic. “Pardon?”
Miss Bawden’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Do we like him or should I accidently hit him with my mallet in passing?”
“You should never hit someone with a mallet,” Edwina chided lightly.
“That is why it would be an ‘accident,’” Miss Bawden said with a sly grin.
A laugh escaped Edwina’s lips. “You are truly awful.”
Miss Bawden settled back into her seat, her expression softening. “You are one of my dearest friends, and I don’t want to see you get hurt,” she said. “An accidental mallet attack is the least I can do for you.”
“There is no need to hit Lord Hilgrove with a mallet. We have come to an understanding,” Edwina remarked.
Miss Bawden’s brow flew up. “Oh?”
Edwina quickly clarified before any misunderstandingcould arise. “Not that type of understanding. We are simply friends, and he is helping me with a delicate matter.”
Leaning forward in her seat, Miss Bawden’s voice was laced with curiosity as she asked, “Which is?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you just yet,” Edwina replied. “But I promise to tell you soon enough.”
Miss Bawden let out a dramatic sigh. “I am not quite sure if I should be insulted or not. You are putting your trust into a man that you hardly know instead of your favorite friend.”
“Please do not take offense,” Edwina said. “There are some things that are at play that will hurt my family when the truth comes out.”
Miss Bawden’s lips quirked. “You didn’t deny that I am your favorite friend.”
“That is what you took away from all of this?” Edwina asked incredulously.
“I trust that you know what you are doing, and I am glad that Lord Hilgrove is helping you,” Miss Bawden said. “Besides, I saw the way you looked at him in the coach yesterday.”
Edwina gave her a baffled look. “Whatever do you mean?”
“You clearly have feelings for Lord Hilgrove,” Miss Bawden said matter-of-factly.
With a shake of her head, she replied, “You are mistaken. We are just friends.”
A playful gleam shone in Miss Bawden’s eyes. “If you say so.”
“I do,” Edwina insisted. “Can we drop this now?”
“As you wish,” Miss Bawden conceded.
Having an immense desire to change the subject, Edwina gestured towards the teapot on the table. “Would you care for a cup of tea?”
“No, thank you,” Miss Bawden replied. “The last time I indulged in tea before a game of pall-mall, I ended up losing.”
“And you believe it was because of the tea?” Edwina asked skeptically.
“I cannot take any chances,” Miss Bawden replied. “After all, I am here to win.”
