Loving Madison

Fifteen

Madison hoped he would say something to rectify the awkward situation with his sister. Unfortunately, his gaze was directed solely on Miss Trent.

Miss Trent arched an eyebrow as her expression changed to one of haughtiness. "Well, Mr. Westland," Miss Trent snipped, "it's not what you are thinking."

He cocked his head to the side. "Pray, Miss Trent, tell me what my old mind is thinking."

Miss Trent adjusted on the couch, sitting forward a little more. "Rosie was not in love with Mr. Bailey."

Cameron's jaw tightened. "Then why did my niece tell me and her brother that she was?"

"I don't know." Miss Trent shook her head. "But Rosie told me herself she wished Mr. Bailey would leave her be. Rosie considered him to be an annoying man and that he was too old for her. Whenever she spoke of him, she shivered in disgust."

Cameron kept his eyes on Miss Trent for a few unsettling moments before he grumbled something under his breath and stood. He paced the floor, thankfully, keeping in his old man character. Madison remained quiet, as did the other women in the room. During this time, Madison studied Miss Trent for any signs that she was lying to Cameron, but so far Madison found her sincere. The younger woman kept her hands placed on her lap and her expression didn't waver.

Finally, Cameron's pacing came to a halt when he stood by the window and peered outside. Gripping the handle of the cane with both hands, he rocked gently on his heels. Madison could only imagine what questions swam in his head at this moment.

"Miss Trent?" Alice's voice squeaked when she captured everyone's attention. "By chance, do you know if Rosie held another man's favor?"

The younger woman's face turned turnip red. The answer was even revealed in the way Miss Trent's amber eyes sparkled.

"Yes. Rosie did mention another man."

Cameron's head jerked around. "What was his name?" he growled.

Madison held her breath. His tone was absolutely fearsome, and she didn't know how anyone could not cower to that demanding request, but what worried her more was that he'd somehow slipped out of character. Instead of hearing the old man's voice, it was Cameron's.

"Your sister did not wish me to know his name. She kept it a secret, even from me." Miss Trent's expression changed ever-so-slightly. The woman appeared hurt by her friend's refusal to share that bit of information.

Something didn't sit right with Madison. She and Josephine had shared many things over the years. They'd told each other their secrets, dreams, and they especially talked about the boys they wanted to fall in love with. It would shatter Madison's heart if she had discovered Josephine had withheld something so important. So then why did Rosie keep that particular topic from Miss Trent?

"Not anything at all?" Alice wondered, her voice tight.

"I fear, Rosie had not shared that with me." Miss Trent frowned.

Something deep inside Madison told her that now, Miss Trent was lying. If the girls were as close as Miss Trent had hinted, then Rosie would have mentioned something to her friend. Rosie would have wanted to share something so personal with a friend.

Hopefully, Cameron wouldn't scold Madison for being so bold in a conversation that she really shouldn't be having with them, but she just couldn't help it. Swallowing hard, she turned toward Miss Trent. "Please try to remember. I'm certain Rosie would have said something about another man. After all, that is what best friends do."

Gingerly, she placed her hand on Miss Trent's arm as Madison pleaded. Immediately, her mind whisked her away, and she pictured Rosie again. The girl was lying on the floor, underneath something large, and yet there was enough space to crawl. Perhaps she was under the bed. Madison couldn't tell exactly.