Sarah approached him, coming to a stop in front of him, her eyes imploring his. “I know you are thinking you are doing what is best, but you do not know Isaac like I do. I do believe he is capable of killing Miss Bawden and anyone else that gets in his way.”
Winston clenched his jaw. “Then we must stop him.”
“How?” Sarah asked.
Melody stepped into the room. “I have an idea,” she said.
With a shake of his head, Winston remarked, “I know you mean well, Sister, but this is not the time.”
Undeterred by his lackluster response, Melody continued, “We set a trap for Isaac.”
His father turned towards Melody, his voice stern. “This does not involve you, young lady.”
Melody tilted her chin stubbornly. “I can do more than what is expected of me. I am an excellent shot and?—”
“No!” his father shouted, his face reddening with anger. “Go to your bedchamber.”
Rather than move, Melody held her father’s gaze, the silence palpable. Winston had always known that Melody was strong, but he had never seen this determined side of her. It was unnerving, yet he had never been more proud of his sister.
White stepped into the room and held up a piece of paper. “A letter was just delivered to the servants’ entrance.”
Winston stepped forward and retrieved the note, his heart pounding in his chest. He read it quickly before crumpling the paper in his hand. “Isaac wants to trade Miss Bawden for Sarah and Matthew at the Wilsons’ barn in one hour. He told us to come alone or else he will kill Miss Bawden,” he revealed.
Jasper took a step forward, his expression serious. “We need to devise a plan, and quickly,” he said. “And I think Lady Melody is right, we should set a trap.”
His father pointed his finger at Jasper. “You keep my daughter out of this.” He turned back to Melody. “It is time for you to leave.”
“Why?” Melody asked defiantly. “I will just remain outside the door and eavesdrop, just as Elodie is doing.”
His mother approached Melody and gave her a weak smile. “I know you are doing what you think is best, but I can’t risk anything happening to you.”
Melody met Winston’s gaze, and her eyes flashed with a fierce determination, making him know that this wasn’t over. “Very well,” she conceded.
After his sister left the room, Jasper and Grady approached one another and started speaking in hushed tones. Their conversation, too quiet for anyone else to hear, only served to heighten Winston’s irritation.
“Do you mind telling us what you two are planning?” Winston demanded, his voice tight withannoyance.
Jasper turned to the group and said, “It appears that Isaac has at least two other men working for him. We outnumber him, especially if we include Lady Melody.”
His mother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “You cannot be in earnest.”
Grady interjected, his tone calm but firm. “I have seen Lady Melody shoot, and she is an excellent shot.”
“At targets!” his father shouted, tossing his hands up in the air in exasperation. “She shoots at targets, not at people. Find another way.”
Jasper tipped his head. “Yes, my lord,” he said. “Give Grady and me a moment to discuss another option.”
As the two Bow Street Runners resumed their strategizing in low voices, his mother approached Winston and asked, “How are you faring?”
Winston huffed. “How do you think I am faring?” he asked. “The woman that I love is being held hostage.”
“You love her?” his mother asked.
“Yes,” Winston replied.
A smile spread across his mother’s face, despite the gravity of the situation. “I am glad that you have finally come to terms with what we already know.”
Winston ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t lose her. Not now,” he said, his voice breaking slightly.
