“We did,” Winston lied, putting his hands out.
“And what of that guard that followed Miss Bawden around like a puppy?” Isaac asked, his gaze darting suspiciously around the field. “Do you expect me to believe that he isn’t hiding somewhere, just waiting for a chance to shoot me?”
Aunt Sarah interjected, her voice cutting through thetension. “This is between you and me. Let Miss Bawden go and I will come with you willingly.”
“And what of Matthew?” Isaac asked.
“Let his uncle raise him,” Aunt Sarah said. “Give him a chance to rise above his station and make something of himself.”
Isaac pursed his lips together, his expression calculating. “With your inheritance, I can give him a better life.”
“Not like my brother can,” Aunt Sarah countered. “Lionel has promised to educate him and give him opportunities that you can only dream of.”
“But not you?” Isaac scoffed.
Aunt Sarah shrugged. “As the daughter of a marquess, I was given those same opportunities, but I squandered them by marrying you.”
Isaac’s nostrils flared. “If your father had just released your dowry, then we would have been happy.”
“Would we have?” Aunt Sarah asked, her voice tinged with sadness. “I truly doubt that.”
Winston knew this conversation was going in circles, and he needed to ensure that Mattie hadn’t been harmed. “Bring out Miss Bawden,” he ordered.
“Or what?” Isaac mocked, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
Reaching into the waistband of his trousers, he removed a pistol and pointed it at Isaac. “I wasn’t asking.”
Isaac chuckled dryly, his amusement evident. “You may as well put your pistol away. I have men surrounding us,” he said. “You didn’t think I came here alone, did you?” He tsked, shaking his head. “You clearly have not done this type of thing before.”
Winston’s eyes roamed over the trees, hoping Jasper and Grady were safe. He kept his pistol aimed at Isaac. “I could shoot you,” he stated, his voice unwavering.
“You could, but then you would be killed,as would Miss Bawden,” Isaac said, his smile widening. “Do you truly want to die this way?”
He lowered his pistol to the side, knowing he couldn’t risk Mattie’s life. “Give me Miss Bawden.”
“You haven’t said ‘please’ yet,” Isaac jeered.
Aunt Sarah frowned. “This is ridiculous,” she said. “Lord Winston and I will leave if you do not produce Miss Bawden.”
Isaac’s smile fell, replaced by a dark scowl. “You do not tell me what to do,” he snapped.
“It is about time that I did,” Aunt Sarah retorted.
Isaac glared at his wife for a moment before he turned back towards the barn. He disappeared inside of it for a moment and returned with Mattie. He was clutching her arm tightly, keeping her tucked next to him. Her face was pale, eyes wide with fear, but she was alive. And that was good enough for him.
“Are you happy now?” Isaac asked.
Aunt Sarah didn’t respond to Isaac, but instead turned her attention towards Mattie. “Are you well?” she asked gently, her voice full of concern.
Mattie nodded, her eyes darting nervously between Isaac and Winston. “I am.”
“Did Isaac hurt you?” Aunt Sarah pressed.
Mattie hesitated, then raised her hand to her bruised cheek and winced. “He did,” she responded.
Winston tightened his hold on his pistol, fury boiling within him. The sight of Mattie’s bruised cheek made him want to shoot Isaac on the spot, but he knew he couldn’t risk Mattie’s safety. He needed to be strategic, not impulsive.
“Release Miss Bawden,” Aunt Sarah ordered.
