Madison's Gift

by Marie Higgins

  “Have a good day, Miss Haywood.”

  “And you, as well.”

  He stood and strode toward the door, and just as he opened it, Inspector Johnson rushed inside, carrying a little boy. Hitching a breath, Cameron jumped aside to let the inspector, Mr. Clarkston, and his son, pass. The boy in the inspector’s arms was scratched up and dirty, but at least he was alive.

  “Kearns,” the inspector snapped at the officer sitting at the nearest desk, “fetch a blanket...and some food for Judge Gruber’s grandson.”

  Happiness danced on Miss Haywood’s face as she hurried to the inspector and aided him with the boy. Cameron stood frozen in shock as he watched the inspector gush over Miss Haywood’s gift. Even Mr. Clarkston, and his arrogant son, Harry, offered gracious words of thanks.

  She moved her gaze to Cameron. Her smile widened, and her blue eyes sparkled. He didn’t like the way she silently communicated I told you so.

  Did she really have a gift?

  Confusion throbbed in his head, and he rubbed his skull. He’d think more about this tomorrow. But for now, he needed to have a talk with his sister and get her home. She’d be delighted when he told her that he was giving Miss Haywood a try.

  He still didn’t know if getting Miss Haywood involved was a good thing. He feared the worst from his wayward sister. Rosie had wanted her freedom for far too long, especially once she began noticing men—and since they began noticing her. If she had brought shame to the family, he needed to quickly stop the rumors before they started.

  Sighing, he exited the building and walked toward the buggy. There’d be no winning arguments with Alice, either. If she thought he’d succumbed to the very charming Miss Haywood, he had no choice but to let her believe it. He only hoped he’d be able to convince the woman that they didn’t need her kind of help at all.

  As he approached the vehicle, he noticed a man leaning his shoulder against the side, holding onto his hat as he conversed with Alice. Cameron fisted his hands. He prayed he didn’t have to worry about his sister saying any more about their missing sister. But the closer Cameron came to the buggy, the man’s appearance struck a familiar chord inside of him.

  He hurried his step until he stood beside one of his favorite cousins. Cameron slapped his hand on Tristan Worthington’s shoulder. “What in the devil are you doing here?”

  The tall, broad shouldered man with dark hair, swung his blue-eyed gaze at Cameron and displayed his white toothy-grin. “Westland, old man. I am glad you decided to come join us.”

  Cameron scrunched his forehead. “Join you? You make it sound as though I have been inside the station for a while. I assure you, I haven’t.”

  “But cousin Alice told me you were talking with a lovely lady.” Tristan wagged his eyebrows. “I thought you would have had the smarts to linger longer and get to know her better.”

  What exactly had his sister told Tristan? Cameron threw a quick scowl at his sister before returning his gaze to Tristan. “Believe me, dear cousin, it’s not like that with this woman.”

  Tristan cocked his head. “And why not?”

  Cameron flipped a dismissive wave. “That’s not worth discussing.” He took a deep breath and smiled at his cousin. “How long are you going to be in town? Would you like to drop by the house for dinner?”

  “Absolutely.” A twinkle lit Tristan’s eyes. “My lovely wife is here visiting an old friend. Diana promised she would only be at her friends for a few hours. I left her there while I ran some errands myself.”

  Alice leaned forward and placed her hand on Tristan’s arm. “Then you must come for dinner. We haven’t yet met your wife.”

  “I would be very happy to introduce you.” Tristan glanced around them before looking at Cameron. “Where is cousin Rosie?”

  Alice sucked in a quick breath before covering her fingers over her mouth. Her wide eyes were laced with panic as she stared at Cameron. Inwardly, he groaned. Although he wanted Rosie’s disappearance kept in the family, he didn’t think he should tell Tristan what was going on. Knowing his cousin, he’d want to help. All the Worthington brothers were like that. In fact, sometimes, they helped too much.

  Cameron cleared his throat. “Tristan, I’ll let you finish your errands now. We can talk about Rosie tonight at dinner.”

  Tristan nodded and placed his hat on his head. “I’ll look forward to the conversation, then.”

  As Cameron watched his cousin leave, his gut twisted. He wasn’t looking forward to the conversation at all, especially the part when he would beg his cousin not to help.

  MADISON PERCHED ON the edge of the seat inside the hackney carriage and wrung her hands on her lap. Fright was an emotion she hadn’t felt for so long. But as she entered Illford, she couldn’t stop the fear rippling through her.

  Since she was six years old and was sent to live with her aunt and uncle after her parents’ death, the word Illford had been taboo. Nobody talked about the town where she’d lived when her parents were killed at a furniture shop when the building caught on fire. All Madison knew was that the very mention of the word Illford would set off her aunt and uncle. If they had any idea what she was doing now, it would send her uncle into another drunken spree and give her aunt melancholy for at least a week.

  Taking an uneasy breath, she tried to relax against the seat of the hackney. Memories of those hard years growing up with such unstable relatives swirled through her head. Madison had to grow up faster than most girls, mainly because she couldn’t rely on her guardians to do anything for her. They were off in their own little world—her uncle with his whiskey, and her aunt who was always in her bedchamber with her smelling salts nearby, blaming her constant despondency.

  They had never believed in Madison’s gift. Several times her uncle had brought in a priest to try to rid her of evil spirits. If not for the love and acceptance from her friend, Josephine, Madison wasn’t sure where she would be today.

  As the hackney drove up the main street, she studied each house, each shop, and each farm. It surprised Madison how lovely the town appeared. Doom and gloom were not the colors that decorated each house, as her aunt had described it. Instead, flowers adorned the well-kept yards, and the shops looked freshly painted. The people on the street seemed cheerful and offered smiles of greetings as Madison rode past.

  Each time the hackney moved by a shop, she studied it carefully, wondering if that was where her parents had worked—and died. And yet, none of the shops sold furniture. She was almost disappointed when she didn’t see a place like that. Then again, she was so young when they’d passed. She had very little memory of them. Sadly enough, her aunt and uncle didn’t talk about her parents, either. Just like the word Illford was taboo, so was the subject of her parents.

  The hackney left the center of town and traveled toward the River Avon. The houses weren’t as close out this way, and the houses seemed much larger, and certainly lovelier. When the vehicle finally stopped in front of a house, she sucked in a breath. Never had she seen anything so grand. Obviously, Alice and her brother were wealthy.

  The two-story, gray and white house, had an arched walkway over the steps leading to the front door. The pointed roofs on the three separate sections of the house reminded her of something out of a gothic novel. One very distinguishing feature was the overhanging, second-story porch. Although it seemed out of place, Madison still liked it. The manicured lawns and tended flower gardens were magnificent and gave a welcoming feel to the place.

  “Here ye are, Miss.”

  The driver jumped down from his seat in back of the hackney, and offered Madison his hand. She took it and climbed out of the vehicle. She dug inside of her wrist-purse to pay the man, but before she could take out her coins, she heard a man’s deep voice behind her.

  “I’ll pay the fare.”

  Startled, she jumped and looked over her shoulder. Mr. Westland strode toward her, his hand outstretched with coins. When he stopped in front of the driver, he dropped the money in the
man’s palm.

  “Thank ye, gov’na.” The driver nodded. “Will ye be needin’ me to wait, sir?”

  “No.” Mr. Westland motioned his hand toward the road. “You can be on your way now.”

  Madison smiled at Alice’s brother. “I thank you, but you didn’t have to do that. I had some money.”

  He shook his head. “Since it was my sister’s idea to have you come here, it’s only right that we pay.”

  An awkward silence passed between them as Mr. Westland’s gaze moved over her. She’d worn one of her newer day dresses today. The velvet blue color had a way of enhancing her dark brown hair, and bringing out the blue in her eyes. For some reason, she felt more of a need to impress Mr. Westland. Of course, it should really be her gift that impressed him, not her attire.

  As he was looking her over, she couldn’t stop from doing some observing, herself. He was dressed vastly different this morning. He wasn’t wearing his uniform today, which made him seem less intimidating. Instead, he looked quite handsome in coffee brown riding trousers and knee-high boots. He wore a dark maroon jacket over a midnight black vest and matching cravat. There was no hat covering his head today, which led her to believe he’d already gone riding. And yet, his brownish-blonde waves appeared not to have been touched by the wind. Standing this close, she detected his masculine scent of spice and leather—the same scent she’d noticed yesterday.

  He cleared his throat, and the sudden noise brought her more alert. “Before we go in,” he began, “I need to explain about Rosie’s disappearance...something that Alice isn’t aware of.”

  Madison nodded. She’d wondered if something was off with this particular disappearance. “Go ahead.”

  “Rosie just turned sixteen. Our mother delivered Rosie two months early while visiting relatives in Scotland. Because of an early birth, Rosie was a sickly child, and so for the first five or six years, my parents kept Rosie living in Scotland as she was cared for by a nurse, and of course, my mother. When my mother died, Rosie was finally brought home. It was left up to the rest of us to try and raise her properly. When Rosie was twelve-years-old, our father died.” He took a deep breath and expelled it slowly. “Needless to say, Rosie didn’t get the attention she needed when she was a sick child, and we spoiled her when she came to live with us. We had a cook who took Rosie under her wing, but Mrs. Trumble wasn’t a replacement for a mother.”

  “I understand.” Madison nodded.

  “Over the last few years, Rosie’s temperament became uncontrollable. We shouldn’t have spoiled her, but now it’s too late for regrets.” Licking his lips, he shifted in his stance. “She figured that she was a mature woman and that we should treat her as such. She began doing things Alice was doing, and Rosie kept trying to push to do more. I just could not control her.”

  Nervously, Madison flexed her hands. She figured she knew where he was going with this story, but she kept quiet and waited for him to finish.

  “Not too long ago, Rosie met a man...” he trailed off and his jaw hardened.

  This was exactly what Madison had suspected.

  “He was older than Rosie by nineteen years. Of course, there was no way I would give permission for him to court my sister. She was far too young.” Mr. Westland scratched his neck as if he tried to loosen an invisible noose. “She had begged, pleaded, thrown tantrums, but naturally, I didn’t change my mind.”

  “Naturally,” Madison agreed.

  “Exactly one week later, she disappeared.”

  Madison nodded. “Do you think she ran off with this man?”

  “I do,” Mr. Westland said softly. “My first thought was that they eloped to Gretna Greene.”

  “Yes, I would have wondered that, as well.”

  “I went there straightway, but I discovered they had never arrived. When I returned, I searched for the man who had wanted to court her, only to find that he hadn’t seen Rosie in five days. Now, as each day passes, I fear that something might be wrong and that she is hurt or suffering.”

  “Of course you would feel that way.” She moved her hand out to touch his arm, but quickly stopped herself before she made contact. She certainly didn’t know him well enough to be so personal.

  “I hesitate to tell Alice. If Rosie has run off with a man, a scandal will undoubtedly follow.”

  “Alice doesn’t suspect at all?” Madison tilted her head, studying him closer. “Your sister seems like a woman who would figure that out for herself.”

  He shrugged. “I suppose so. It was no secret that Rosie was an accomplished flirt, but I don’t want to worry Alice needlessly.”

  “Forgive me, Mr. Westland, but wouldn’t it be worse wondering if someone has killed one’s sister rather than knowing the sister actually ran off with a man?”

  “You do have a point.” He rubbed his forehead. “But I cannot have a scandal starting on speculation. I won’t let it happen to my family again.”

  Perhaps it was none of her business, but she couldn’t stop herself from asking. “Again?”

  “Yes. The last year of my father’s life, he caused quite a lot of gossip in town. He had completely lost his mind, and no matter what we did to keep him home, he always crept out of the house. Needless to say, everyone for miles around knew about our father.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t want another scandal to land on our doorstep.”

  “I understand.”

  “So, Miss Haywood,” he said and cleared his throat again, “shall we proceed inside?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  She walked next to him. Thankfully, he wasn’t three inches closer or her arm would have bumped into his. She didn’t want to soften her mind toward him. After all, he was the one who thought that just because she was a woman that she wouldn’t be able to help. Men who couldn’t open their minds were not worth her time.

  “How was your journey?” he asked.

  “Fine.” She swallowed hard. “I haven’t been to Illford since I was a very young girl.”

  He glanced at her and arched an eyebrow. “Really? How old were you?”

  “Six.”

  He narrowed his gaze on her. “You look to be older than Alice.”

  She chuckled as heat rose to her cheeks. “I’m actually the same age.”

  His eyes widened in surprise. “Well...um, the town has had many changes since then.”

  She shrugged. “I’m certain it has, but I honestly have no recollection of what it looked like when I was here.”

  “That is a young age, so it’s only natural that you cannot remember.” They reached the front door and he opened it for her. “But I hope you enjoy your stay.”

  Me, too. She especially hoped that she—and her gift—could help them.

  When she stepped inside, she gasped in awe. The interior was just as breathtaking as the exterior. Colorful decorations beyond her imagination were in this room, and the furniture didn’t even look as if it had been used. A grand staircase was against the far side of the entryway, stained with dark wood.

  “My sister is waiting for you in the sitting room.”

  Madison nodded, but didn’t speak as she followed him. How could she talk when her eyes were getting their fill of these fine furnishings? No intelligent thoughts could enter her head,

  When she stepped into the sitting room, Alice jumped up from the sofa and hurried to her. She clasped hands with Madison as if they were long-lost friends.

  “I’m so thrilled you could come.” Alice smiled as unshed tears swam in her eyes.

  “And I’m also happy your brother allowed my visit.” Madison peeked at Mr. Westland. “I thank you both for your warm welcome.”

  “Please,” Alice tugged on Madison’s hand, “sit with me on the sofa.”

  Madison followed and sat beside Alice.

  “What a lovely day dress,” the other woman exclaimed. “And this color of blue brings out your eyes beautifully.” She swung her head toward her brother. “Don’t you think so, Cam?”

  “Uh,
well...” He shuffled his feet. His stare didn’t stay on Madison for very long. “Yes, Miss Haywood looks very lovely.”

  Warmth crept up Madison’s neck, and she quickly shook off the awkward moment. She wasn’t lovely in the least, and her eyes were certainly not beautiful. Because she rarely received compliments like this, she was willing to accept the fact that she was not an attractive woman. But really, that suited her just fine since she didn’t want to stand out, anyway. It was bad enough that her gift made people gawk at her.

  She shifted and focused back on the reason she was here. “Shall we get started in finding your sister?”

  Alice nodded.

  “Good. Then I’ll need you to bring me an object that was personal in some way to Rosie. Maybe a brush or a shawl, or even her pillow.”

  “I’ll fetch something for you.” Alice flew from the sofa and rushed out of the room.

  Mr. Westland stayed near the hearth, leaning against the wall. “I want to thank you for being so sweet with Alice. She has been through a lot lately, and she’s one very emotional woman.”

  “Yes, I understand completely.”

  He moved toward her and stopped when he reached the sofa, but he didn’t sit. “Please don’t let her know what I think really happened to Rosie,” he said in hushed tones.

  “I will, but I honestly wonder if she suspects already. She’s a bright woman.” Madison glanced toward the doorway. “Perhaps that is why she has allowed this to affect her so deeply. What if she knows what happened, but is afraid to admit it?”

  A light chuckle rumbled in his throat. “Then she would share my fears more than I realized.”

  She met his sad eyes. Her heart wrenched. She’d dealt with many types of people over the years who’d accepted her gift, and although she sympathized with them, she could still share their pain.

  Madison stood and faced Mr. Westland. He didn’t move, even though they were only a mere few inches away. The urge to touch him become more than she could bear, so she gently placed her hand on his muscular arm, mainly to offer support.