Chapter 48

"What made you think I'd be interested in that bland girl?" he asked, referring to Paul's sister. "Besides, I don't give up Louisa, Mr. Dankworth. She is mine."

"She's just a lower-class woman. Beautiful, but you may have others. I have an older connection with her."

"I'm not going to argue with you, Mr. Dankworth. But keep this in mind: Louisa Dubois is much more than you think of her. She is perfect. She is mine. And if I hear you're trying to make any indecent proposals to her, I'm not just going to talk. Trust me, no one will even find your body."

"Are you threatening me?" Benjamin asked.

"It's a warning. I do not threaten. Louisa is not an easy woman. I'm surprised how someone who says he's known her for years can think that of her. Is this all because two women of dubious character raise the hypothesis, based on their envy and pettiness? You don't know Louisa, you don't deserve her. You are not even worthy to breathe the same air as her."