Loving Madison

Six

Confusion swept over Cameron immediately after Miss Haywood grabbed his arm. Her wide-eyed gaze wasn't on him directly but off in the distance somewhere behind him. His pulse jumped as he found himself trapped in her hazy blue eyes. What was she looking at? Was she as crazed as some of the inspectors from Metropolitan Police had suggested?

After he'd taken Alice home last evening, he returned to the station to speak with some of the officers about why she was there. Inspector Johnson raved about the amazing talents of Miss Haywood, while a few others remained skeptical. One man believed her talents must be the work of the devil. As it turned out, more officers thought her to be a step away from insanity. Later that evening, when cousin Tristan and his wife had come for dinner, Cameron told them about Miss Haywood and her unbelievable gift. Tristan's wife, Diana, had mentioned hearing amazing things about the woman, and Tristan admitted to hearing nothing but negativity.

Who could Cameron believe?

Caring for a father who had lost his mind and his soul to melancholy, Cameron didn't want to be burdened with that responsibility again. Alice shouldn't have to suffer the consequences, either. He needed to discover if Miss Haywood was in her right mind or not.

Suddenly, her face drained of color, and she jumped back as though burned. She blinked as if in a daze, but a moment later, her gaze flew up to his, fully cognizant. She rubbed her fingers as though they were sore.

"Are you quite well, Miss Haywood?"

"I-I believe so, yes."

Shaking her head, she slowly sank back into the sofa's cushions. Her attention was on the floor, which he thought was odd. Gradually, the color seeped back into her face. She took in a deep breath before releasing it. He moved to stand by the hearth once more, her nearness unnerving him.

Footfalls thundered in the main hall announcing Alice mere seconds before she rushed into the room. In her hands, she held Rosie's hairbrush. Taking quick breaths, she handed it to Miss Haywood.

"I hope this works." Alice's smile quivered.

"As do I," their visitor whispered.

Miss Haywood hesitated in taking the object as her gaze roamed toward Cameron. The way she looked at him was most disturbing, as though she could read his thoughts. Confusion creased her forehead, and she frowned as she grasped the hairbrush.

When Miss Haywood closed her eyes, a hush fell over the room. Cameron found himself breathing slower as he watched the woman carefully to see what she would do next. Some of the other officers told him about the strange things she did during her visions—eyes fluttering, or sudden weakness, or becoming disoriented. He was anxious to see if she did them now. And, what would Alice think of Miss Haywood after she witnessed those behaviors?

As the seconds turned into minutes—several of them, in fact—Miss Haywood did nothing. Her eyes twitched underneath closed lids, and her mouth tightened a few times, but that was all. At times she breathed deeper, but then she'd even stopped doing that.

Her shoulders drooped, and she released a heavy breath. When she opened her eyes and looked at Alice, Miss Haywood frowned.

"I fear this object isn't working," she said in a tight voice as she handed it back to the sister. "I can't see anything."

"Do you want me to fetch another object from her room?" Alice asked.

"Yes. I'm sure something from her room will open up my visions."

"Instead of doing that," Cameron cut in before Alice could leave again, "why don't we all go upstairs to Rosie's room? That way, Alice won't have to keep traveling back and forth until Miss Haywood finds the right...object."