“You are trespassing,” Winston growled, his voice low and threatening.
Isaac feigned innocence, a mocking gleam in his eyes. “Am I? I suppose I just came in for a closer look at Miss Bawden. She is a beautiful young woman, is she not?”
Winston took a commanding step closer to Isaac. “You leave Miss Bawden out of this,” he ordered.
“I’m afraid I cannot,” Isaac responded. “You have made her a part of this. But if you return my wife and son to me, I will be able to depart, leaving you and Miss Bawden alone.”
“I don’t have your wife,” Winston stated.
Isaac narrowed his eyes. “We both know that is a lie,” he spat out. “I was able to confirm that Sarah is not residing at Brockhall Manor.”
“And how did you discover that?” Winston demanded.
Isaac grinned, a smug satisfaction radiating from him. “Your servants are not as loyal to you as you believe. A few coins can make any servant talk.”
Winston pursed his lips together, his temper barely in check. “I don’t know what you intend to do, but you will lose. My advice to you is to leave before it is too late.”
Isaac put his hands out wide. “And miss these pleasant chats? Besides, I am not leaving here without my wife and son.”
“Then you shall be sorely disappointed,” Winston replied, his voice firm and unyielding.
Isaac’s expression turned almost gleeful. “I read the most interesting article in the newssheets this morning. A traveler from London gave me his paper at the boarding house when I was dining.”
“I do not care…” Winston began, his patience fraying.
Isaac spoke over him. “It was about a boy named Johnny that died in a workhouse. A tragic ending, considering his mother was hung right in front of him.”
Winston clenched his jaw. “What do you know about that?”
“Only that you were the reason why Johnny’s mother was killed and why he was sent to that workhouse. Alone. Without anyone to care for him,” Isaac said. “Can you imagine how lonely he must have felt?”
“You are lying,” Winston shot back. “Johnny was sent to live with his aunt.”
Isaac’s eyes turned cold. “His aunt couldn’t care for him and sent him to the workhouse. It is all in the article. I would be happy to show you.”
Winston’s hands balled into fists, his struggle to control his anger evident in every taut muscle.
“You are upset,” Isaac remarked, his smile growing. “I am not quite sure why you care so much, especially since you represented the lord that brought the charges against Johnny’s mother. If it wasn’t for you, Johnny might still have a mother.”
With a steely gaze, Winston said, “You know not what you are talking about.”
“I know only what has been reported in the newssheets,” Isaac responded. “You have quite the reputation for winning. How fortunate for you.”
Winston knew that Isaac was trying to goad him, and the worst part was that it was working. How did Isaac know exactly what to say or do to provoke such a reaction? Winston’s mind whirled, trying to process the information and control his mounting anger. It would be best to walk away and take a moment to clear his head.
Without another word, Winston turned on his heel and started to walk away, his shoulders tense with suppressed rage.
“Enjoy your evening, my lord,” Isaac called out jovially.
Winston’s steps faltered. He should keep walking and put distance between him and Isaac. But his anger boiled over, clouding his judgment. Spinning around, he strode back to Isaac, his movements purposeful and commanding. “I want you to leave and never come back.”
Isaac stood his ground, looking thoroughly amused. “Give me my family back and I will be able to.”
“I will never give you what you want,” Winston stated.
“Then we are at a stalemate, my lord,” Isaac said. “And I have all the time in the world. Unlike Johnny or his mother.”
The taunt was too much. Unable to control his anger any longer, Winston reared back and punched Isaac square in the jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground.
