Loving Madison

Eleven

It was hard not to laugh.

Madison would just have to keep from looking at Cameron. Tall, broad-shouldered men like this man riding beside her in the hackney should never look like an old man. Although, she wondered when he finally reached his senior years, if he would be this robust.

She slapped a hand over her mouth to keep the grin stretching her mouth wide, and glanced out the window. She couldn't have him noticing her reaction to his costume. This really wasn't a laughing matter. But seeing Cameron wearing a gray wig, and an over-sized blue greatcoat, silver pants that were too high above his ankle, and scuffed brown boots, while holding a cane...how could Madison keep a straight face? He'd even gone a step further and stuffed something in the belly of his shirt to make him appear like he had a flabby gut.

A giggle jumped to her throat, so she bit her lip, trying anything she could not to laugh.

"This is not going to work," he grumbled as he plopped on the farmer's hat over his wig.

"Of course not," she said with laughter in her voice, "especially when you speak with your normal voice. You need to make your voice a little shakier and old."

He scowled and bumped his shoulder into hers. This time, she didn't care if she laughed. "Oh, Mr. Westland. You know I'm only trying to help." Although he was upset, she still detected a sparkle in his eyes.

"You honestly couldn't find any pants to fit my long legs?" He pointed to his ankles.

"No. There wasn't much of a selection to choose from today."

Her mind flashed with an image of him standing in her room earlier today, looking handsome in his clothes. He was so very different from when she saw him in his uniform. "Besides, it was either purchase these trousers—or an old woman's dress. Believe me, I was tempted to go with the dress." He threw her a wide-eyed stare, and she laughed. "Aren't you glad I went with the short trousers?"

"You are impossible. Do you know that?"

His teasing tone made her grin.

"Oh, I forgot one more thing." She opened her reticule and pulled out a pair of spectacles. As she slid them on his face, he glared at her...but it was a teasing sort of glare. His mouth twisted, holding back a laugh. While adjusting them on his nose, she kept bumping against him. Her heart raced with an unknown feeling that warmed her whole body completely. Slowly, his expression softened and his gaze dropped to her lips.

Suddenly, her mouth turned dry. She wasn't certain she wanted them to be this close, so she slowly moved back to her side of the vehicle. "There," her voice squeaked, so she swallowed, "I think that's better."

He chuckled. "Actually, I still don't think I look like an old man." He stretched out his hand. "I don't even have wrinkles."

"Well, no...so you'll have to hide your hands the best you can." She sighed and relaxed back against the seat. "What worries me is how Alice is going to react when she sees you."

He nodded. "I thought of that, but what if Officer Barton or Captain Orwood are there waiting for me to return? I'm sure my sister will give away my disguise."

"Hopefully, I can get to her before she says anything to give your identity away."

"I just hope this works."

He stretched his neck to peer out the window. She couldn't stop from running her gaze over his rugged features. Cameron Westland was really an impressive man. His square jaw appeared hard, and yet, her fingers itched to run across his skin to see what it felt like. Although she enjoyed gazing into his green eyes, the sensations running through her tickled her stomach and brought a foreign feeling she wasn't sure she wanted to dwell on.