Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Winston sat across from his Aunt Sarah in the rattling coach as it jostled towards the Wilsons’ barn. The old structure had been abandoned for many years, its once proud frame now shrouded in a tangle of weeds and overgrown bushes. Tall trees bordered the property, their branches looming over the dilapidated roof, threatening to further compromise its integrity.
Jasper and Grady had concocted a plan, but it was fraught with uncertainties and potential pitfalls. They had no clear idea of the number of men Isaac had under his command. Moreover, Isaac had made it clear that Winston was to bring only Aunt Sarah and Matthew. Any deviation, and Isaac would not hesitate to kill Mattie.
But Isaac had grossly underestimated Winston’s love for Mattie. He would sacrifice his own life if it meant she could live another day. He had been on the verge of confessing his feelings to her when Isaac had abducted her.
Winston adjusted the cravat around his neck, which suddenly felt as constricting as a noose. What if their plan failed? Panic surged through him, a stark departure from his usual composed demeanor. As a barrister, he was adept at projecting an air of confidence, even when chaos surrounded him. It was a mask he wore well.
His aunt’s voice pierced through the tense silence. “It will be all right.”
Winston met her gaze. “Yes, it will be,” he replied, attempting to muster his usual confident facade.
“I won’t let anything happen to Miss Bawden,” Aunt Sarah said firmly. “She is an innocent in all of this and it was terribly unfair of Isaac to drag her into his schemes.”
“Isaac is a blackguard.”
Aunt Sarah offered him a weak smile. “That he is,” she said. “He wasn’t always like this. I had once fancied myself in love with him.”
Winston huffed. “That must have been long ago.”
“It was,” Aunt Sarah replied, her voice tinged with melancholy. “I fell in love with him the moment I first saw him, but I knew my family would never accept him because of his lowly station. But I chose love…” Her voice trailed off.
“Do you regret that?” he prodded gently.
Aunt Sarah shook her head. “No, despite everything that has happened to me, I believe in love. But sometimes, people change. And Isaac changed. Perhaps I did, as well.” She sighed. “When my father wouldn’t release my dowry, Isaac became irate and I realized that he had married me for the money, not for who I was.”
“I’m sorry,” he murmured, feeling inadequate in his response.
She waved her hand dismissively. “It was my own fault. I believed the lies that Isaac told me, and I chose to elope with him,” she said. “I was complacent in all of it, and I understand why my father did what he did. But when my brothers turned their backs on me, especially Richard, I was devastated.”
Aunt Sarah continued, “When I received word that Richard died, I was heartbroken that I could never make amends with him. I was determined to salvage some kind of relationship with your father since he was the only family I had left.”
The coach hit a rut in the road, jolting to one side. Aunt Sarah steadied herself and shared, “When Isaac turned his heavy hand onto Matthew, I knew I had to flee and never look back. So I turned to Lionel for help.”
“My father cares for you,” Winston assured her.
“Lionel has been a godsend, and Matthew adores him,” Aunt Sarah said. “I just wish it hadn’t come to this.”
Winston leaned forward in his seat. “This plan will work. You will be safe and reunited with your son soon enough.”
Aunt Sarah didn’t look convinced. “If something does happen to me, please watch over Matthew. He has done nothing wrong.”
“I promise, but it won’t come to that,” Winston said.
“No, it won’t,” Aunt Sarah muttered. “Because I won’t go back to being under Isaac’s thumb. At any cost.”
Winston saw his aunt fidgeting with the reticule around her wrist and could only imagine how nervous she was. But her eyes told him a different story: they were determined, if not slightly resigned.
He turned his head towards the window and saw that they were almost there. The dilapidated barn loomed ahead, its weathered boards and sagging roof standing in contrast to the overgrown field surrounding it. Jasper and Grady should be in position, hidden among the trees and underbrush. This ordeal should be over soon enough. Mattie would be back in his arms—where she belonged.
Aunt Sarah eyed him curiously. “Do you love Miss Bawden?”
“I do,” Winston said, seeing no reason to deny it.
A small smile came to her lips. “I am happy for you. Love is a beautiful thing, especially with the right person.”
The coach jerked to a stop a short distance away from the barn. Winston exited the coach and reached back to assist his aunt out. Once her feet were on the ground, she withdrew her hand, her fingers trembling slightly.
Winston’s eyes roamed over the field in front of the barn and saw no sign of Isaac. The tall grass and weeds swayed gently in the breeze, but there was no movement near the barn. A moment later, the barn door creaked open, and Isaac stepped out with an irate look on his face. “Where is my son?” he demanded, his voice echoing across the open space.
Aunt Sarah tilted her chin defiantly. “I am here to trade places with Miss Bawden. Let’s leave Matthew out of this.”
“He is my son!” Isaac shouted, his face reddening with anger.
“You don’t treat him like it,” Aunt Sarah declared. “You hit him.”
Isaac took a commanding step towards her, his posture menacing. “It is my right to discipline him.”
“As you do to me?” Aunt Sarah asked, her voice steady despite the danger.
His eyes narrowed. “You have, and always will be, a disappointment to me,” he declared. “How else would I show you my displeasure?”
Winston spoke up. “Where is Miss Bawden?” he demanded.
Isaac smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. “You didn’t think I was just going to hand her over to you, did you?” he asked. “I need to ensure that you came alone.”
“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 the tension. “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.
Isaac balked, his grip on Mattie tightening. “And give away any leverage that I have?” he asked. “I think not. You come here first.”
Aunt Sarah took a step towards Isaac and Winston quickly put his hand out to stop her. “What are you doing?” he asked in a hushed voice. “This is not what we discussed.”
“It is the only way to free Miss Bawden,” Aunt Sarah responded, her resolve clear.
“How do we know he will do what he says?” Winston questioned.
Aunt Sarah gave him a sad look. “We don’t, but what choice do we have?” she asked softly before brushing past his hand.
As she approached Isaac, he dropped Miss Bawden’s arm and yanked his wife towards him. “You will pay for what you did!” he growled, his face contorted with rage.
Mattie rushed towards Winston, her eyes filled with relief and fear. He held his arms out to her and she ran into them, her body trembling. He embraced her warmly, murmuring, “You are safe.”
Shifting in his arms, she looked up at him with concerned eyes. “What about Lady Sarah?” she asked, her voice quivering.
“We have a plan,” he assured her, though he was certain his eyes betrayed the uncertainty he felt.
Isaac’s voice broke through their conversation. “You may go,” he said coldly. “And inform Lord Dallington that I will be back for my son.”
Winston moved to stand next to Mattie, their hands intertwined. “I’m afraid I can’t let you take my aunt.”
“And why not?” Isaac asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“I won’t let you hurt her, ever again,” Winston declared.
Isaac scoffed. “I didn’t want it to come to this, but so be it,” he said as he turned his head towards the trees. “ Kill them.”
Mattie couldn’t quite believe this was happening. Everything felt surreal and the tension in the air was palpable. Winston moved to stand in front of her, his broad shoulders shielding her from danger. Was this truly the end for her, for them?
Lady Sarah’s voice broke through the tense silence. “Let them go, Isaac!” she ordered, her voice steely and commanding.
Isaac’s cruel laugh echoed across the expansive field. “What do you think you are going to do with that?” he mocked.
Mattie moved out from behind Winston and saw that Lady Sarah had broken free from Isaac’s hold and was now pointing a pistol at him. “What I should have done long ago,” she retorted.
“Do you truly mean to kill me?” Isaac sneered.
“I do,” Lady Sarah responded. “I’m tired of the beatings and pretending all is well. I’m tired, Isaac. So tired.”
Isaac took a step closer, and she cocked her pistol, her finger hovering over the trigger. “If you kill me, then you are all dead,” he threatened, his voice low.
Winston spoke up, his voice calm and authoritative. “That is not quite true,” he said. “Two Bow Street Runners have accompanied me, and they have you surrounded.”
Isaac’s eyes flickered with uncertainty as he glanced at the nearby trees. “How do we know if my men haven’t taken out your Bow Street Runners?” he asked, his tone more cautious now.
“I guess there is only one way to find out,” Winston replied. “Jasper! Grady! Are you there?”
There came rustling in the trees before Grady stepped out into the field, his pistol drawn. “Isaac’s men have been subdued and Jasper is keeping watch over them,” he announced .
Winston smirked, a glimmer of triumph in his eyes. “Well, it appears that you lost, Isaac,” he said.
In a swift, desperate move, Isaac lunged towards Lady Sarah and grabbed the pistol from her hand. “You were saying, my lord?” he mocked, pointing it at his wife. “We can still both walk away with what is ours.”
Grady brought his pistol up and pointed it at Isaac. “Put the pistol down,” he ordered.
Isaac yanked Sarah towards him and slipped his arm around her waist, pressing the pistol against her side. “Sarah is mine!” he exclaimed. “Leave us be.”
Winston took a step forward, his eyes locked on Isaac. “No. I can’t do that.”
“You can’t do anything to stop me,” Isaac said. “You and I both know that in the eyes of the law, she belongs to me. And there is no way that Parliament will grant Sarah a divorce. She is nothing.”
“She is the daughter of a marquess,” Winston countered, his voice rising with indignation.
Isaac scoffed. “Who was publicly disowned by her own father,” he jeered. “Or did you forget that little detail?”
Winston put his hand up. “Do the right thing, Isaac,” he encouraged.
“And what is your definition of the ‘right thing’?” Isaac asked, his grip tightening on Lady Sarah.
“My aunt clearly doesn’t want to go with you,” Winston responded. “You must let her go.”
Isaac shook his head, his expression hard. “And should I also let my son go?” he asked. “Have him raised by a man who turned his back on his own sister?”
“My father is different now,” Winston asserted.
Mattie’s eyes caught some movement high in the trees near the barn, a flash of color. Someone was up there. Was it Jasper?
Isaac cocked the pistol, drawing back Mattie’ s attention. “Leave us be, my lord,” he mocked. “Sarah wants to be with me.”
In a defiant move, Lady Sarah said, “No, I don’t. And I suspect that you don’t want to be with me either.”
“I love you!” Isaac shouted.
Lady Sarah huffed. “I daresay you want my inheritance more than you want me.”
“Those go hand in hand,” Isaac responded.
“What if I give you the money?” Lady Sarah asked, desperation tinging in her voice. “And you just walk away from us.”
Isaac’s face grew hard. “No! I won’t give up on us.”
Lady Sarah shifted her head to meet Isaac’s gaze. “There is no ‘us.’ There never has been,” she stated, her voice cold. “You have despised me from the moment my father refused to release the dowry.”
“That isn’t true!” Isaac exclaimed. “You have just grown more disobedient with time, and you are teaching our son to disobey me now.”
“I am teaching Matthew nothing. He sees you for who you are,” Lady Sarah remarked. “A monster.”
Isaac’s eyes grew wide with fury. “I will show you a monster!” he shouted. He shoved the pistol into his wife’s side, causing her to cry out in pain.
A shot rang out, echoing throughout the field. Isaac fell to the ground, dead.
Mattie’s eyes turned towards Grady, but his pistol was still at his side. Her gaze immediately turned towards the trees and saw movement in them.
Winston put his hand out to shield Mattie. “Who goes there?” he demanded.
A few moments later, Melody stepped out from amongst the cover of the trees, a pistol in her hand.
“Melody?” Winston asked, his voice full of shock. “What did you do? ”
Melody held a pistol in her hand, her voice calm and collected. “I wasn’t about to let Isaac kill Aunt Sarah.”
“So you killed him?” Winston asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“It was either him or Aunt Sarah, and I made my choice,” Melody said firmly. “A simple thank you would suffice.”
Lady Sarah rushed over to Melody and threw her arms around her. “Thank you, Melody. You have freed me from my prison.”
Grady stepped over to Winston and remarked, “I told you that Lady Melody was a good shot.”
Mattie looked down at Isaac’s body, his face in the dirt, knowing that Melody shooting Isaac was the only way. Isaac wouldn’t have given up his wife at any cost, and he would have most likely killed her, given the chance.
Winston approached his sister and crossed his arms over his chest, his face a mixture of relief and exasperation. “What were you thinking?”
Melody stepped out of Lady Sarah’s embrace, her tone not the least bit repentant. “I was thinking that someone needed to save our aunt.”
“What is Father going to say?” Winston asked.
Melody gave him a stern look. “Nothing, because you are not going to say anything about what I did here.”
“Whyever not?” Winston pressed.
Taking a step closer to her brother, Melody replied, “We both know that Isaac needed to die but I was the only one that was able to do it.”
Grady, standing nearby, tipped his head in agreement. “She isn’t wrong, my lord.”
Winston frowned. “I don’t like this, not one bit.”
Mattie reached for Winston’s hand. “Melody is right. No one can know of what happened here today.”
“And what of Isaac?” Winston asked, glancing at the lifeless body on the ground. “How do we explain his death?”
Lady Sarah stepped forward, her face set in determination. “Tell everyone that I killed him.”
Grady stepped closer to Isaac’s body, crouching down to examine it. “In my report, I will confirm that it was self-defense. That part is at least true.”
“But what of your reputation?” Winston asked, concern for his aunt evident in his voice.
Lady Sarah huffed. “What reputation?” she asked. “I care little of what people think of me, especially now. It is not as if I will ever be welcomed back into Society.”
Melody placed a comforting hand on her aunt’s sleeve. “But you will always be welcomed in our family.”
“Thank you, Melody,” Lady Sarah murmured.
Winston glanced between his sister and aunt, his expression resigned. “Very well, I won’t say anything to Father about this.”
Melody beamed. “Thank you, Winston,” she said, dropping her hand to her side. “I should be heading back before anyone notices my absence.”
Gesturing towards the coach, Winston offered, “You can ride back with us.”
“I brought my own horse,” Melody responded. “But thank you.”
As Melody walked away, Winston turned to Mattie, his voice filled with a newfound respect. “I daresay I have underestimated my sister.”
“I think we both have,” Mattie remarked.
“But it ends now,” Winston said.
Mattie tightened her hold on Winston’s hand. “I should go home. I have no doubt that my family is worried about me.”
Winston nodded before leading her to the coach. Once she was situated inside, he assisted his aunt in, ensuring her comfort. Then he claimed the seat next to Mattie, his hand never leaving hers.
As the coach jerked forward, Lady Sarah broke the silence, her voice filled with sadness. “Is it sad that I only feel relief now that Isaac is dead?”
“No, I do not think so,” Winston responded gently.
Lady Sarah winced, her fingers nervously twisting in her lap. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that I brought a pistol, but I thought you would try to talk me out of it.”
Winston sighed, a heavy but understanding sound. “I probably would have, but everything worked out for the best.”
“Jasper taught me how to shoot when he watched over us at the cottage,” Lady Sarah admitted. “But do not get angry at him since I asked him to. I was tired of running from Isaac. I wanted to fight back, if I was given the chance.”
Winston glanced over at Mattie, his expression softening. “You are both safe, and that is all that matters.”
Mattie smiled at him. “Thank you for saving me,” she said, feeling immense gratitude for the man beside her.
He returned her smile, his eyes full of warmth. “I will always save you, Mattie, now and forever.”
She felt a blush creep up her neck as they stared at one another, the intensity of their connection making her heart race. This man was her future. She was sure of that.
Lady Sarah’s voice brought her back to the present. “I am worried how Matthew will react to the news that his father is dead.”
Winston met his aunt’s gaze with concern. “Would you like for me to be present when you tell him?”
“I would like that very much,” Lady Sarah replied, her words filled with relief. “Isaac was a monster, but he still was Matthew’s father.”
“My family will be there for you during this difficult time,” Winston remarked with determination in his voice.
Lady Sarah nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “I am pleased to get to know each one of you, especially Elodie,” she said. “Does she truly eavesdrop on every conversation?”
“Just about,” Winston responded with a chuckle.
“Lionel has told me about each one of you, and I can see why he is so proud of his children,” Lady Sarah remarked.
Winston shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I doubt he is very proud of me.”
Mattie could hear the pain in his words and she was about to respond, but Lady Sarah spoke first. “Why would you say that?”
With a shrug, Winston responded, “I am just a barrister.”
Lady Sarah’s brow lifted, her expression one of disbelief. “Just a barrister?” she asked. “You have quite the reputation in London, and I hear that you are a landowner as well.”
“Yes, but it is merely a sheep farm,” Winston said.
Leaning forward in her seat, Lady Sarah held Winston’s gaze, her eyes earnest. “For being such a clever man, you have failed to see what is right in front of you. Your father and mother are immensely proud of you, and the person that you have become. I can hear it in their voices and see it in their eyes.”
Mattie turned her head, watching as Winston’s eyes grow moist. She knew how he had fought for their approval, not realizing he had had it all along.
“Thank you, Aunt Sarah,” Winston said softly before turning his attention towards Mattie. “If you don’t mind, I think it is time that we finish that talk.”
“Now?” Mattie asked.
Winston reached up and pounded on the top of the coach. In response, the coach came to a stop on the side of the road. He reached for the door handle and opened it. Once he stepped out, he offered his hand to assist her out. “Mattie?”
Mattie slipped her hand into his and exited the coach, her heart pounding in anticipation. Winston took her hand and placed it into the crook of his arm, leading her towards the direction of her cottage.
“Now, where were we?” Winston asked, his voice tender and full of promise.