Anne Steele knew about Lucy and Edward, but how much can we suppose that she knew about what Lucy meant to do at Barton?

Elinor has this much put together by Ch. 23:

That Lucy was disposed to be jealous of her, appeared very probable; it was plain that Edward had always spoken highly in her praise, not merely from Lucy's assertion, but from her venturing to trust her on so short a personal acquaintance, with a secret so confessedly and evidently important. And even Sir John's joking intelligence must have had some weight. But indeed, while Elinor remained so well assured within herself of being really beloved by Edward, it required no other consideration of probabilities to make it natural that Lucy should be jealous; and that she was so, her very confidence was a proof. What other reason for the disclosure of the affair could there be, but that Elinor might be informed by it of Lucy's superior claims on Edward, and be taught to avoid him in future?

But, if we look back at the events leading up to Elinor drawing this conclusion:

Anne remarks that Elinor must have been sorry to leave Sussex and Norland must be a prodigious beautiful place----Lucy thinks an apology is necessary.

Anne wonders whether Elinor had a 'great many smart beaux' back at Norland---Lucy looks 'ashamed' and changes the subject to admire the furniture at Barton.

And on it goes with Miss Steele (apparently) blundering from one tactless remark to another as Lucy looks angrily at her, makes amendments to her remarks, and exclaims 'Lord, Anne!'

So, here's what I am wondering--was Anne Steele really that dense, or is there a possibility that Lucy wanted her to help extract information and get some kind of an admission from Elinor without looking suspicious herself, kind of like a 'good cop, bad cop' routine.