Led astray by a short-term worker named Edward? (7)
I believe the answer is:
tempted
'led astray' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'by a short-term worker named edward?' is the wordplay.
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'a short-term worker' becomes 'temp' (I've seen this before).
'named edward?' becomes 'ted' (I am not sure about the 'named' bit.).
'temp'+'ted' is 'TEMPTED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tempted that I've seen before include "having been whistled at?" , "Invited" , "captivated" , "Decoyed" , "Enticed" .)