“I did,” Grady replied unabashedly.
Winston saw the dried blood on Grady’s forehead and said, “You should have Doctor Anderson look at your wound.”
Grady reached up and touched the top of his head, wincing slightly. “It is nothing,” he said dismissively.
“It looks like more than nothing,” Winston countered.
A pensive look came to Grady’s expression. “This is just a reminder that I failed at my task, but I refuse to let Isaac win. He will pay for what he has done.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Winston responded, his resolve hardening.
His mother frowned. “What is it that you intend to do, Winston?” she asked, the worry evident in her voice. “You are a barrister after all. Not a Bow Street Runner.”
Winston approached his mother and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I understand your concern, but I will do whatever it takes to get Mattie back.”
“That is what concerns me the most,” his mother remarked, her voice trembling.
Doctor Anderson reached for his satchel and spoke up. “I will be at my home. Please send for me if you are in need of my services.”
Winston tipped his head. “Thank you, Doctor.”
After the doctor departed from the drawing room, Lord Dallington stepped into the room, his face etched with concern.
“What did the doctor say?” his father asked, his voice tense.
Winston moved to place his waistcoat on. “He said I would live.”
His father let out a sigh of relief. “What were you thinking?” he demanded. “You should never have aggravated Isaac.”
“Isaac abducted Mattie,” Winston stated, his voice rising with emotion. “I wasn’t about to stand back and let that happen.”
“You could have been killed,” his father said, his voice breaking slightly.
Winston’s jaw tightened as he fastened the last button on his waistcoat. “But I wasn’t,” he responded firmly.
Just as he uttered his words, a tall, slender woman with dark hair rushed into the room, her eyes wide with panic. Jasper followed closely behind her, his expression grim.
“Sarah!” his father shouted. “What in the blazes are you doing here?”
Her eyes were filled with desperation as she turned to Winston. “I had to come,” she said, her voice shaking. “I couldn’t stay hidden knowing what Isaac is capable of. He has gone too far, and I will not let him destroy more lives.”
Winston had never formally met his aunt, but now was not the time for pleasantries. “Whereis your son?”
“He is here, with me,” Sarah said. “I will turn myself over to Isaac and?—”
“Absolutely not!” his father shouted. “You will do no such thing. He will kill you, Sarah.”
She shook her head. “No, he needs me to claim my inheritance.”
“Is that any better?” his father asked.
With pained eyes, Sarah replied, “I can’t stand around and do nothing. Your family has already done so much to protect me, and Isaac has been relentless.”
Winston crossed his arms over his chest. “I agree with my father. We are not going to let you turn yourself over to Isaac.”
“Then how are you going to get Miss Bawden back?” Sarah asked.
“I don’t know,” Winston admitted painfully, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. “But there must be another way.”
