Lady Dallington didn’t quite look convinced, but thankfully she let it drop. “Shall we adjourn to the dining room?” she suggested.
“Yes, let us,” Miles replied, offering his arm to Edwina.
While they followed the group out of the drawing room, Edwina leaned in and whispered, “My uncle only just returned from the village.”
“Did he say what he was doing there?” Miles asked.
“Just that he had some meetings,” Edwina replied. “But I do not trust him farther than I could throw him.”
A burst of laughter unexpectedly escaped Miles’ lips, echoing through the marble floors of the entry hall. “You couldn’t even pick your uncle up, much less throw him.”
“It is an expression,” Edwina defended.
“In your case, it is a terrible one,” Miles joked.
Edwina rolled her eyes. “I had not taken you for being so literal.”
“At least I don’t make up words,” Miles retorted with a playful grin.
“Careful,” Edwina said with mirth in her eyes. “I might take back all the nice things I have said about you.”
“You wouldn’t do that,” Miles responded.
“And why not?”
Miles smiled. “You are too kindhearted to do such a thing.”
They entered the dining room and Miles pulled out a chair for Edwina. Once she was situated, all the men in the room sat down. Bennett and Winston sat across from them and Lord and Lady Dallington were on either end of the long table.
The footmen promptly placed bowls of soup in front of them and Miles reached for his spoon to begin eating.
Lord Dallington spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. “It is wonderful to have Winston back home where he belongs,” he said proudly.
Winston raised his glass in acknowledgement. “Thank you, Father.”
Turning towards him with a hopeful expression, Lord Dallington asked, “Have you considered my offer?”
“Yes, Father, I have, and I must decline it… again,” Winston replied. “I am content working as a barrister in London.”
Lord Dallington’s face fell into a frown. “But this village could use a barrister such as you.”
“I would be of no use here,” Winston insisted. “Besides, this will all be Bennett’s one day. I need to forge my own path.”
Lady Dallington suggested, “Perhaps you two could discuss this later over a glass of port?”
“Very well,” Lord Dallington reluctantly agreed.
After she smoothed her napkin over her lap, Lady Dallington asked, “May I inquire as to who emerged victorious in the pall-mall match?”
A low groan escaped Bennett’s lips. “Why must you bring that up?”
“I am simply curious,” Lady Dallington replied.
Miles took the opportunity to proudly announce, “Lady Edwina and I won the match. We soundly defeated Bennett and Miss Bawden.”
“You only beat us by one point,” Bennett argued.
Miles shrugged off his comment with a smug smile. “A win is a win, regardless of the margin.”
