Loving Madison

Thirty-Seven

Madison left her room at the Inn where she'd checked into last evening. She'd waited a little while for Cameron to return, and when the sun dipped in the horizon, she knew she should find her a place to sleep before Alice invited her to stay there. Madison didn't want to impose, and returning back to the boarding house would take a few hours.

Another reason she didn't want to stay the night at the Westland estate was because she feared she'd be tempted to confide in Alice. Cameron's sister wouldn't understand how Madison had given her heart to Cameron after only knowing him a week, only to stick her foot in her mouth and have him hate her.

Once again, she'd allowed her visions to chase a man out of her life. Would she ever learn?

She must not think about Cameron. Instead, she had a case to solve. Her questions to Cameron last night had only been thoughts jumping out of her head. She didn't know if it was true. Hopefully, she'd discover that today.

The closer she walked toward the middle of town, the more her palms moistened. Would she discover anything today? And at what cost?

Her chest ached with sorrow when she thought about Cameron and what pain and confusion he must be experiencing right now. Perhaps she shouldn't have said anything to him last night about her vision and what thoughts had lingered inside her head. But that wasn't her nature. If she had kept her mouth closed all these years, she would definitely be locked away in a mental institution. For years, she had to keep reminding herself that she was not insane.

Finally, she arrived at the shop. Nervously, she wrung her hands against her waist as she hastily stepped toward the building. When she reached the door, she released the gush of air before opening the door and walking inside.

Only one other patron was shopping today. An older woman, perhaps in her sixtieth year, stood next to the middle-aged lady as she pointed at the items on a shelf holding bonnet accessories. A bell over the door chimed loudly as the door closed, which made the women turn and look at Madison. The woman with the silver black hair whispered something to the patron before she turned and headed toward Madison.

"Good morning. How are you this fine day?" the older woman greeted with a smile.

"I'm very well, thank you."

"Is there something I can help you with?" Her gaze lifted to the top of Madison's head and her smile wavered. "Do you need a bonnet?"

Most older ladies frowned upon Madison's choice of not wearing a bonnet, and it appeared this particular woman was part of that disapproving group.

"Actually no," Madison replied nicely. "I'm looking for Gretchen."

She fluttered a thin, wrinkled hand to her bosom, resting it against the shiny silver and green fabric of the gown she wore. "I'm Gretchen."

"I'm Miss Haywood. I hope you don't mind if I take a few minutes out of your time. I need to talk to you about something that happened in this shop a long time ago." Madison glanced out the window to the shop across the street. "Your sister told me that you would be able to help me."

She tilted her head slightly to the side. "Are you the one who asked Martha about Lord Hanover's daughter who was kidnapped?"

"Is Martha your sister who owns the clothing shop?"

"Yes."

Madison sighed with relief. "Then yes, I had asked about that. If you don't mind, I just need to ask a few questions about that day."

She shrugged her thin shoulders. "I don't have much to tell since I've told the officers at Scotland Yard everything I know all those years ago."

"I understand," Madison quickly added, "but I'm doing this as a favor to Lord Hanover, and so the police will not be involved." She took a quick breath. "If you could tell me what happened that day, I would appreciate any help you could give me."