Loving Madison

Thirty-Four

"Madison? Why were you at the millinery shop? I have never seen you wear a bonnet."

She laughed uneasily. "I was going in there to talk to the owner, Gretchen."

"Do you know her?"

"No. Do you?"

He chuckled. "I have two sisters who adore bonnets. So yes, I know the shop's owner. The place has been around for years."

"Well, did you know that's the same shop where Lord Hanover's daughter disappeared?"

His smile left his face. "No, I didn't know that."

She nodded. "I chatted with the woman who owns the clothing store across the street, and she said Gretchen is her sister. She was the one who directed me to the millinery."

Cameron expelled a breath and his shoulders drooped as he leaned back in the seat. "Madison, I'm worried about you working on this case."

"Why?"

"Because Lord Hanover specifically told you to let it rest."

She folded her hands in her lap and leaned back in her seat, staring straight ahead at the road. "Yes, I'm aware of that, but I doubt your father wants me to let it rest, and I'm sure the missing girl doesn't want me to ignore her case, either."

"Madison," he placed his hand on her arm. "Everyone believes the girl is dead. It's been too many years. If the girl was alive, don't you think someone would have found out by now? Don't you think the girl would have tried to contact her parents? After all, she would be an adult now."

Clenching her teeth, Madison tried not to become upset. Cameron was probably just trying to keep her from becoming discouraged like his father had. But she had something the elder Mr. Westland didn't have. The gift of second sight. How could she give up when there was something telling her to find this girl? Why else would she have experienced what she did while inside Cameron's house? And when she touched Lord Hanover and saw him and his wife grieving, Madison's heart twisted in agony. No, Madison could not let this rest.

"I'm sorry, Cameron." She turned toward him and pleaded into his green eyes. "I understand what you're trying to do, but I feel that I need find out what happened. Maybe your father is talking to me from Heaven...or perhaps it's the girl herself who is trying to communicate with me through my visions. Regardless of who it is, I need answers. That's what I'm all about. Haven't you realized that about me yet?"

He nodded. "I have."

"Then allow me to do this. In fact, I would like your help. Then, if I get discouraged and need a shoulder to cry on, you will be there for me."

He stroked her cheek again as a slight smile curved on his mouth. "I shall always be here for you. If you haven't noticed yet, I have wide shoulders. They are yours to use whenever you wish."

Madison's heart melted that much more. He was such a kindhearted man. How could she not want to love someone like him? "Thank you for understanding."

He sat back against the seat again. "What if we start looking for that girl first thing in the morning? I won't have to worry about Rosie, and especially not about Gaynor, and I can focus solely on you."

"Yes, I think that sounds wonderful. Have you been able to find your father's notes yet?"

"No, but only because I was busy catching a killer." He winked. "However, tomorrow, you can come with me to the station and we shall search together."

She lifted an eyebrow. "Together? I won't embarrass you in front of your colleagues?"

He shook his head. "No. In fact, I'm quite certain Captain Orwood would like to thank you personally for assisting me with Mr. Bailey's case."

She gasped and placed her hand on her throat. "You...told him about me?"

He grinned wide. "Indeed, I did, and I think we have made a believer out of him."

Madison's heart soared and tears stung her eyes. If they weren't out in public, she'd throw her arms around him and show him her appreciation.

"Oh, thank you," she whispered in a tight voice. "You have no idea what that means to me."

"I think I do." He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. "And I want to thank you for convincing me to talk to Captain Orwood. Because of the evidence we found, he has taken me off his suspects' list."

"I'm so very happy for you." She smiled as her heart softened. Things were falling into place quite nicely...especially their relationship.

All thoughts in her head told her to ignore propriety's rules and kiss him. But because he loathed scandals, she wouldn't be the reason he was in another one. She glanced at the road, mainly to get her mind away from showing her affections. They were close to his house, anyway. Pretty soon they'd be alone...

Then again, they had to talk to Rosie. The sister's feelings came first, and Madison didn't think Rosie was going to take kindly to her brother arresting the man she loved.