But not before saying a few more things to alert her to real life.
He walked in front of her and stopped, looking into her eyes. “So you truly want to marry Gaynor even though he’s penniless?”
She nodded and stared at him with wide brown eyes. “I love him, Cam. And I believe he’ll find a way to provide for me.”
“Rosie, I can tell you now that if you marry Gaynor, you will be the one trying to make a living for your family. If Gaynor hasn’t found employment by this point in his life, he’s never going to.”
“But...he is next in line for Mr. Bailey’s inheritance. Will you change your mind about him if he gets it?”
Chills ran up Cameron’s spine. He narrowed his gaze on his sister as suspicion arose inside of him. “What do you know about Mr. Bailey’s inheritance?”
She flipped her hand as she moved toward the window. “Gaynor mentioned that he was next in line to inherit Mr. Bailey’s land. Well, now that Mr. Bailey is dead, I’m thinking Gaynor will get that.” She drew her finger along the window pane.
Anger flared through him, and in three wide steps he stood by his sister, grasping her arm. “Has it occurred to you that Gaynor may have been involved with his cousin’s death?”
Her face paled when she stared up into his eyes. “Gaynor would never do that. He and Jacob were very close. There’s no possible way—”
“I said he might be involved. I know Heath Langston was involved as well.”
She shook her head and turned back toward the window. “I refuse to believe the man I love had anything to do with a murder.”
Cameron resumed his pacing as his confused mind tried to place the puzzle pieces together. “So you said that once you got to Mr. Bailey’s house to meet Gaynor, he wasn’t there. And he never visited you at all during those days you were missing.”
She frowned as she focused on something out of the window. “Not once. I asked Heath where Gaynor was and he just yelled at me.”
“I met Gaynor two days ago at Mr. Bailey’s home. Heath Langston was also there.”
She swung around and faced him. “Was that the day some of his family came?”
Cameron nodded. “Yes. Miss Haywood and I dropped in to see if anything was suspicious.”
She clutched his sleeve. “How was Gaynor?”
Cameron groaned inwardly. “He was angry that his cousin’s murder wasn’t solved. He also snapped at his mother for trying to serve us tea.”
Rosie scowled. “Gaynor wouldn’t do that. He loves his mother...he dotes on her, in fact.”
“Well, that’s what happened.” He shrugged. “He had definitely gotten mine and Madison’s attention.”
Within seconds the lines of frustration smoothed out on Rosie’s face. “Madison? Is that her first name?” A small grin tugged on her mouth. “Cameron, if I didn’t know you better, I would think you had feelings for Miss Haywood.”
He tried to remain upset with his sister. She was purposely trying to change the subject, and he wouldn’t allow it. “That’s neither here nor there. We are talking about Gaynor, remember?”
Sighing, she leaned her back against the window. “Cameron, you are the investigator. If you think Gaynor had something to do with Mr. Bailey’s death, then why are you standing here chatting with me? Why don’t you ask Gaynor himself?”
“Oh, believe me, I will.”
He moved away from her, heading toward the door. As he reached it, he stopped and placed his hand on the knob. “Rosie, you will tell no one about secretly meetings with Gaynor, and especially about being kidnapped by Heath.”
“Why?”
He glanced at her over his shoulder. “I cannot believe it has slipped your mind, but our family doesn’t need another scandal.”
“What if people see my bruised eye?” She lifted her hand and brushed her finger over the discoloration.
“You shall stay inside the house until it disappears. If anyone asks where you have been for the past few days, we’ll tell them that you and I had an argument, and you left to visit our aunt in Stratford.”
“But Cam, we don’t have an aunt in Strat—”
“Nobody knows that except us,” he told her quickly. “We shall stick with that story. Understand?”
She nodded and looked at the floor again. Inwardly, he growled. She was giving him that look again...that pity me expression. He couldn’t take anymore of her childish tactics.
“Rosie, I’m being harsh with you to try and help you. Maybe one day you’ll understand.”
Lifting her head, she threw a glare at him. “I’ll go along with this story, but I’m warning you, Cam...I’m not a child any longer, and I’m tired of you making all my decisions.”
“I understand. But can you let this incident calm down before you do anything rash? And next time you want to create a family scandal, please tell me about it first.” He marched out of the room before giving her time to answer.
He clenched and unclenched his fists. That particular sister would shorten his life, he just knew it. Why was she so difficult? And why couldn’t he understand her at all? If their father was still alive, would the old man understand Rosie’s mind? Unlikely.
He walked outside, trying to breathe in the fresh air in hopes of it clearing his head and cooling his temper. Immediately, a movement from the drive captured his interest. A man was dismounting from his horse.
Cameron’s heart raced with worry...until he realized the man was his cousin, Tristan. Cameron breathed a sigh of relief.
When Tristan saw him, he stopped and his eyes widened. “Are you not in hiding?”
Cameron shrugged. “Yes and no. I’m hiding here at the house.”
“I dropped by to see if Alice had heard any word about Rosie, or about your situation.”
Nodding, Cameron motioned his cousin inside the house. “Come, and I’ll fix you a drink and tell you the whole sordid tale.”
They walked into the study and Cameron closed the door. He fixed a drink for him and Tristan. As he explained what had happened to his cousin, Tristan sipped his drink of whiskey, keeping his eyes on him. He finished his glass before Cameron had finished the story. Tristan sat back in his chair and linked his fingers around the empty glass.
“What an amazing life you lead, dear cousin.”
Cameron laughed over his cousin’s remark. “Amazing? Wherever did you get an idea like that?”
Tristan arched an eyebrow. “You have tasted the excitement of adventure, felt the fear of mystery, and most importantly, your heart has been softened so that love can enter your life.”
Cameron had just taken a swallow of whiskey, but choked on the strong drink. Either that or it was his cousin’s words. Indeed, it was what Tristan had said. “Love? You think I’m in love?”
One side of Tristan’s mouth lifted higher than the other as he presented a wide grin. “I suppose the question should be...why don’t you think you’re in love? After all, you speak of Miss Haywood with such endearment in your voice, and you admit how much you admire her. Let me also point out the twinkle in your eyes whenever you mention her name.” He shrugged. “It appears to me that you are head over heels, dear cousin.”
Rubbing his forehead, Cameron stared out the window. Love? Could he truly have this feeling? And yet, what his cousin had said made sense. Cameron’s heart melted every time he thought about her, and yet, at the same time, his gut twisted for knowing he had upset her. He missed her greatly. Could his stubborn pride admit that he was lost without her?
“I’ll let you ponder that for a little while.” Tristan stood and placed his empty glass on the liquor tray. He moved to leave, but quickly turned toward Cameron and placed his hand on his shoulder. “Tell her your feelings. I promise you, you’ll feel better.”
“Feel better?” Cameron blurted a laugh. “Does it show how miserable I am?”
“It does.” Tristan grinned. “I was in your shoes once. I know what agony a man goes through until he confesses his love.”
>
Tristan walked to the door and opened it, but before leaving, glanced over his shoulder. “I come to tell you that the rumors I heard about Miss Haywood were wrong. People who don’t understand her gift are quick to judge. Don’t make the mistake of being one of those people.”
“I can promise you that I’m not. I’m a believer.”
“Good man.” Tristan walked out of the room.
As Cameron listened to the fading footsteps, he pondered over his cousin’s words. Perhaps it was time to pay Madison a visit, especially if it would ease his frame of mind.
MADISON CURLED ON HER bed, with her knees pulled up as she stared at the wall. She hadn’t been able to get Cameron off her mind since last night. Why had he been so obstinate? And pray, why couldn’t she stop thinking about him? Mixed emotions had filled her after seeing him again. One minute she wanted to scream and shake some sense into him, and the next minute she wanted to sigh with pleasure as she cuddled in his arms...only to have her want to weep with dejection a minute later.
Would he ever believe in her? Obviously, he had believed enough to be spying on Mr. Bailey’s house just as she’d done. So why couldn’t he admit it to others? Was she that much of an embarrassment to him?
Her mind moved back to the moment she’d found the cane, and the vision she’d had. Madison fisted her hands. She told Cameron that was the murder weapon, so then why didn’t he act upon it? Cameron had wanted proof. Wasn’t the cane proof enough? Why did he continue to doubt her when she’d found his sister?
Her eyes hurt the longer she looked at the wall, so she blinked. Once she arrived home last night, her mind refused to sleep, which ruined her day for any sort of activity. She didn’t feel like strolling through the park, or going shopping. She didn’t even feel like venturing downstairs to chat with Ethel.
Frustrated with the sadness filling her, Madison climbed off the bed and stood. She pushed her fingers through her long locks of hair. Staying in this room was not good for her sanity. She needed to get outside and help people. That was her purpose in life, and she couldn’t let unbelievers like Cameron stop her.
Immediately, she thought of Lord Hanover. She could help him find his missing child. From her visions, something in the Westland’s house was telling her to help the kind lord. Why else would she have seen and heard what she had? Why else would she have felt so eager to solve the case from years past? There must be something in the Westland’s house that was the key to solving this mystery.
Of course, that meant she’d have to force herself to talk to Cameron. Or maybe Alice would allow her inside. If only she could skip that part and go directly to Lord Hanover, but he’d specifically told her he didn’t want her help.
Sighing heavily, she relaxed her stiff shoulders. She’d have to beg help from the Metropolitan Police. Cameron’s father had been working on the case, and he would have kept some notes. Could she persuade Inspector Johnson to get them for her? And if he wouldn’t... No, Cameron wouldn’t be able to do it. Not until he talked with his captain and presented the evidence against Gaynor and Heath.
She really wanted to see Cameron again, only to give him the opportunity to apologize to her. However, maybe if she did that it would only make it worse on her broken heart. She had already decided she wouldn’t fall in love with a man who refused to believe in her special gift. It hurt too much.
Madison left her room and proceeded down the stairs. Voices drifted up from the corridor. Ethel was speaking with someone. A man. The farther Madison moved down the stairs, the clearer the voices become.
Her heartbeat quickened with excitement. Cameron was here?
Without wanting to, her feet quickened their steps until she was practically rushing down the stairs. When she reached the bottom, she stopped and mentally prepared herself to see him. Although it was hard not to be excited, she must remember he’d broken her heart before...he would do it again if she let him. She must not let him!
Madison smoothed a palm over her hair to make sure it wasn’t flying about. Taking a deep breath, she then proceeded to enter the corridor. Her gaze fell upon Cameron. He wore his uniform, but held his hat in one arm. He looked so handsome.
Stop that, Madison! Stay focused...
His eyes locked on hers, and even this far away, she could see the excitement illuminating from them. His gaze slid over her briefly, making his smile widen. Her heart fluttered, and she wished it hadn’t.
“Oh, there she is,” Ethel said as she faced Madison. A teasing grin stole across the older woman’s face, and her brown eyes twinkled. “I’m glad to see you’ve finally decided to leave your room.”
Madison boiled inwardly, but hoped their visitor couldn’t tell. Why would Ethel say that? Now Cameron was going to think she was sulking in her room because of him.
She put on her best smile. “Yes, my headache has disappeared, thankfully. I didn’t think I’d see you again.”
He moved closer to her and stopped. “I just had to come talk to you.”
Madison couldn’t stop the elation filling her chest, and at the same time, wondered how she could squash it. “Would you like to step into the sitting room with me so we can talk?”
“Yes. I would like that very much.”
Madison glanced at Ethel one last time before showing Cameron into the room, and the landlord gave her a wink. Silently, she groaned. Madison didn’t want Ethel to become hopeful from this meeting. She was not going to let Cameron sweet talk her this time.
SIXTEEN
Madison’s heart raced. She hoped Cameron didn’t notice.
She settled on one of the single chairs in the room, only because she didn’t want him next to her. He chose the closest chair to sit.
“I hope you aren’t upset that I dropped in unannounced.”
She shrugged. “I suppose it doesn’t matter now. In fact, I was preparing to come see you, anyway.”
Both of his eyebrows lifted. “You were?”
“Yes. I wanted to tell you something I remembered about the cane we found last night.”
“From your vision?”
“Actually, no. You see, last night I recall seeing that the wolf’s head on the handle was chipped—a large chip, in fact—right off the top of the silver head.”
He looked at her through a narrowed gaze. “Does this mean something of importance?”
“It does if you happen to find the chipped piece in the cell where Mr. Bailey died.”
Slowly, he nodded. “Captain Orwood had a few men go through that cell and check for evidence right after I’d found Mr. Bailey’s dead body. I’ll see if these other officers found a chipped piece on the floor.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Does that mean you are going to talk to your superior and explain that you didn’t kill Mr. Bailey?” She ran her gaze over his uniform. “Is that why you’re dressed this way?”
“Yes. I’ve decided not to run any longer. I shall try to convince him that I’m not the criminal, and I pray he believes me.”
“Good.” She sighed. “I honestly believe this will be the way to convince the man. And don’t forget about telling him about the chipped cane. This might just be the very thing needed to solve this case.”
He sat forward and linked his fingers over his knees. “But who is the murderer? Heath or Gaynor?”
“I wish I knew.”
“I had a long talk with Rosie this morning. Heath was the one who’d kept her prisoner. She had gone to the house to be with Gaynor. However, they both have reason to be suspects. Heath was violent toward her, and even threatened to kill her family if Rosie didn’t go along with his plans—which of course, we have yet to learn. Gaynor has motive because he’s penniless and knew he would inherit Jacob Bailey’s estate once the man died.”
Surprise washed through her and she gasped. “He knew that...and actually told Rosie?”
“Yes.”
Madison shook her head. “He’s not very smart, is he?”
“No. And I hope he’s no
t smart when I go talk to him today...that is as long as I don’t get arrested.”
“You want Gaynor to slip up and say something that will help your case.”
“Exactly.” Cameron’s smile widened.
Madison breathed easier now and relaxed back in her chair. “How is your sister faring now that’s she’s home?”
“Better. I restricted her to the house until her bruise heals. And, if anyone asks why she was missing, the story we will tell them is that Rosie and I had an argument, and she left the house to visit our aunt in Stratford.”
“That’s a plausible story.”
“If Rosie keeps her mouth shut and doesn’t try to cause any more scandals, people might actually believe the story.”
“I pray everything goes smoothly.”
“As do I.”
Silence stretched between them as the seconds ticked by. Madison had to tear her gaze away from his disturbingly, gorgeous green eyes for fear she’d get lost in them and forget how he’d hurt her. She needed to somehow bring up the subject of Lord Hanover’s missing child case without upsetting him, especially when she asks if Cameron could get his father’s notes for her.
“So, Madison.”
His deep voice interrupted her thoughts. “Yes?”
“The reason I came to see you was to apologize. I shouldn’t have said what I did. I wasn’t thinking straight, and—”
“No, you shouldn’t have said you thought I was crazy.” She stiffened in her chair. “I’m not certain about other women, but I don’t take kindly to people thinking that way about me.”
Sadness creased his expression. He moved from his chair and knelt in front of her, taking her hand in his.
“Forgive me. I knew I’d spoken out of turn the moment it exited my mouth, and I’ve been berating myself ever since. The day is not the same without being with you and seeing your lovely smile and hearing your angelic laugh.”
His words were beginning to soften her heart, but she couldn’t be a ninny about this. She must stay strong instead of melting in his arms again. She swallowed down the emotional knot forming in her throat.
Madison's Gift Page 18