Madison fidgeted in her seat and nervously tapped her foot on the floor of the carriage. Meeting her parents after sixteen years was more frightening than she thought it would be.

Cameron—that wonderful man—promised he'd go with her and support her. Sitting next to her on the ride to Lord Hanover's estate, the man she loved held her hand and reassured her constantly that everything would turn out well. It was hard for her to believe, since most of her life things hadn't turned out well at all.

Would her parents be happy to see her after all of these years? They'd thought she was dead, so she was sure it would be a complete shock to both of them. But she wanted them to love her for the woman she'd become. She wanted that unconditional love she remembered having when she was a child.

For three days now, she'd been recovering from the shock of her past, and her voice had been recovering from her near-strangulation. Cameron was by her side every step of her healing process. He'd held her so tenderly as she'd cried on his chest. He'd kissed her so passionately and made her realize how much he loved her regardless of her past. He'd made her laugh and smile, and especially, he made her feel loved.

She, in turn, had tried to console him and convince him not to choke Gaynor, especially once the man was released from jail and came to call upon Rosie. Gaynor had inherited Mr. Bailey's estate and money, and so the pitiful man could now court Rosie properly. Cameron was hard-set against letting his sister be with the irresponsible Gaynor, but Madison explained that when two people were in love, nothing could tear them apart. Madison only hoped that Rosie loved Gaynor as much as he proclaimed to love her.

Only time would tell. And speaking of time...

Madison peeked out the window—again—watching for the Hanover estate. Within minutes, the large house loomed bigger than she could ever imagine. They were coming upon it quickly. Her heartbeat beat wildly in anticipation.

And fear.

She'd been nothing but a barrel of mixed emotions since she was kidnapped by Heath. Hopefully, she'd forget all about this crazy week and begin to look forward to her future with Cameron by her side.

Cameron squeezed her hand and gazed into her eyes. "Did I tell you what Captain Orwood said to me this morning?"

She snapped out of her thoughts and tried to concentrate on Cameron. Had he said anything before this? If so, she hadn't heard a word. "I don't believe you have."

He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Well, it seems you have impressed the captain so much, that he is now considering having you help the Metropolitan Police indefinitely. He wants you and I to work together for a while first." He winked. "I can't think of anything I'd want more."

"Indeed? He said that?" She looked at him warily. "Are you certain you didn't misunderstand him?"

Cameron chuckled. "I'm certain. I was surprised at his complete attitude change, but I'm not going to question him about it. I'll let him think he believed in your gift all this time."

She laughed. "As long as we made a believer out of him, that's all I care about."

"Yes. Him and most of the others at the station are firm believers of your gift."

Sighing, she laid her head against his strong shoulder. "All I wanted was your approval, you know."

"Well, you have it. I'll be your number one supporter."

When the carriage slowed down, her heart jumped to her throat and she glanced out the window again. We're here!

"Remember my love," Cameron said, "everything is going to be all right."

"I worry that they'll think I'm a fake."

"They won't. You just need to tell them things that only they would know about you."

She laughed uncomfortably. "It sounds so easy, doesn't it? But after sixteen years, I only remember bits and pieces of my life. I don't know how it happened, but the Haywoods somehow erased my memories of when I was young."

"Your memories will return. I know it." He kissed her forehead.

Once the vehicle stopped, a footman opened the door. Cameron climbed out first, and then assisted Madison down. Her limbs shook and her teeth chattered nervously. She must appear strong. How else would she be able to make it through this meeting otherwise?

She wore the prettiest gown she owned, a short-sleeve, dark forest green velvet sensation trimmed in black lace that she'd had for a few years and saved for special occasions. The high collar pinned with a cameo helped to hide the bruises still on her throat. She'd actually pulled her hair back in a loose coil, only because she didn't want to shock her parents by leaving it long. She wore black gloves, which was a good thing since her hands were cold.

If Cameron said anything to her, her mind didn't register it, only because she concentrated on moving her legs as gracefully as she could into the manor and into the parlor. Cameron had previously arranged a meeting with Lord and Lady Hanover. They sat on their large cushioned blue chairs, waiting for Madison and Cameron.

When she looked at her mother for the first time in sixteen years, she wanted to bawl like a baby. Memories from when she was young breezed through her mind, picturing this very woman. Lady Hanover's brown hair was the same shade as Madison's, except touched with streaks of gray. Her mother's eyes were the same sky-blue color as Madison's, except wrinkles creased the corners. The older woman was strikingly handsome and complimented her husband well.

Tears pricked Madison's eyes, so she quickly blinked them away. She must stay strong until she convinced them of her identity.

"Inspector Westland. Miss Haywood. May I present my wife, Lady Hanover." Lord Hanover greeted them and then nodded. "It's good to see the two of you again."

Cameron bowed and she curtsied. "Thank you for taking this appointment," Cameron began. "I'm assuming you have Mr. Bailey's estate settled now?"

"Yes. I've appointed my nephew, Gaynor Brailsford, whom I've heard, is pursuing his interest in your sister."

"He is." Cameron nodded.

"Splendid." Lord Hanover smiled.

Madison kept switching her gaze back and forth between her mother and father, hoping...praying they would see some resemblance in her from the girl they once knew, and make the first move to question her about it. But so far, there was no kind of recognition. It was up to her to start the conversation.

Cameron glanced at her and gave her a small nod. It was now or never!

She swallowed hard, took a deep breath for courage, and stepped forward. "Lord Hanover, forgive me for bringing this conversation up again, but do you recall the last time I talked to you? I asked if I could look into the case of your missing daughter."

Both her parents stiffened and their expressions hardened. She must continue quickly before they throw her out of the house.

"Before you say anything," she quickly added, "I want you to know I found her." She took a fast breath. "I found Madeline Dixon."

Lord Hanover arched a bushy eyebrow. "I don't see how you could find her when the police investigators and all the people I'd hired couldn't find my daughter."

"I actually stumbled upon it while helping Inspector Westland find Mr. Bailey's murderer. You see, Mr. Langston kidnapped me for a few hours, and during that time, I discovered what he'd done."

"Heath Langston, you say?" Lord Hanover cocked his head. "My nephew kidnapped you?"

"Yes."

"And, what did you find?" Lady Hanover asked.

"When Heath was sixteen years of age, he owed money to a boy named Spencer Watkins."

Lord Hanover rolled his eyes and snickered. "Heath always owed people money. That's public knowledge."

She held up her hand, hoping to keep him from making any more comments. She stepped closer to them. "I found out that Heath was the one who kidnapped Madeline from Gretchen Watkins' back bedroom. Heath had the key, which he borrowed from Spencer. They meant to seek a ransom from you."

Both pairs of eyes were on her, and thankfully, by their wide-eyed expressions, she could tell they believed her. "Madeline was able to break away from Heath, and she ran toward Main Street. There she saw a woman with tattered clothes. Madeline had captured the woman's attention before the boys could catch up." She moistened her throat with a quick swallow before she continued. "The woman promised Madeline she'd help find her parents. However, Madeline was afraid to tell them who her parents were because she worried that the woman would try to seek a ransom as Heath had wanted to do. The woman took Madeline far away, and they raised her as their niece. They convinced Madeline that her parents had died in a fire." She took a breath. "That is how she was raised."

"Raised?" Lady Hanover asked. "D-do you mean she's still alive?"

Madison's heart melted from the look of hope in their eyes. She nodded. "She's still alive, and until three days ago, she couldn't remember what had really happened to her. But she knows now."

Simultaneously, her parents jumped to their feet.

"You've talked to her?" Her father's voice cracked.

"How is she?" Her mother held her clutched hands to her bosom as liquid swam in her eyes.

"I-I...um, she is fine."

"Bring her to us," Lord Hanover demanded. "Let us decide if she is our daughter."

Cameron stepped up beside Madison. "We have brought her, my lord."

Lady Hanover gasped. "You did?"

"And she's as anxious to meet you," Cameron added.

Madison nodded, wringing her hands against her waist. How could she tell them? Would blurting out I'm right here be the way to deliver the good news?

Slowly her mother's expression changed and the woman narrowed her eyes on Madison. The woman slowly closed the space between her and Madison. Her heartbeat quickened. She held her breath as the older woman studied Madison's face.

Tears filled Lady Hanover's eyes as her mouth stretched into a wobbly smile. "M-Madeline? Is that you?"

Madison's throat tightened and her vision blurred with tears. "Yes, Mother. It's me."

Lady Hanover hitched a breath and covered her hand over her mouth. Her tears fell faster down her cheeks.

"No!" Lord Hanover pulled his wife's arm to move her away from Madison. "I'm sorry, but I just cannot believe this. I need proof."

Madison swiped her fingers underneath her wet eyes and looked at Cameron. He gave her a nod of assurance. Now, she just needed to make her parents believe she was who she said.

Taking a deep breath, she met her mother's stare again. "My mother used to call me Maddie-girl."

Lady Hanover nodded as she sobbed into her hands.

"And my father used to call me..." The memory was at the tip of her mind. If only she could get it to open.

It appeared as if her mother and father were also holding their breaths. If she couldn't remember this, would her parents believe her at all?

Sighing, Madison leaned against a side table holding a glass vase with an arrangement of purple tulips and yellow daisies. As soon as her fingers slid across the table, her mind opened up and a memory broke through. As the memory played out, she explained what she was seeing.

"I had just returned home from shopping with mother. She bought me a green bonnet to match my newest dress. The moment I walked into the house, I broke into a run. I giggled as I went from one room to the next as fast as I could. My father's voice rang through the air, getting closer by the minute. Finally, I found a place to hide behind the harpsichord near Mother's favorite potted plant."

She paused as the memory continued. "I kept silent as Father tried to find me. All down the long hall, he opened and closed doors. The sound drew nearer by the minute. Father's soothing voice floated through the air and comforted me. With him around, I knew nothing bad would ever happen."

Madison wiped more tears off her cheek. "Finally, Father came into the room, pretending as though he couldn't see me, but I knew he could. I loved it when he played this game with me." She smiled. "He came to the harpsichord and swept me in his arms and said, I found you...my little pink Maddie." Her voice broke. "Because he knew pink was my favorite color."

When she ended, she focused back on her parents. Both had eyes full of tears, and welcoming smiles. Madison's heart leapt. Her arms ached to hug them the way she used to, but now as an adult, she wondered what would be permissible.

Finally, her father stepped closer, opening his arms wide. "My little pink Maddie is home, at last."

Madison didn't remember commanding her feet to move, but they did. She dashed into his waiting arms. Sobbing, her mother wrapped her arms around her, as well. Madison cried with happiness. Her heart burst with the closure she needed from her past and opened with the hope of a brighter future.

How many minutes passed, she didn't know, but soon the crying subsided and the kissing began. Her mother couldn't stop placing kisses on her cheeks, and her father placed them on her hair.

Her mother pulled back slightly, smiled, and caressed Madison's cheek. "You are so beautiful, my Maddie-girl."

"Oh, Ma," her voice cracked. "I missed you so much. Part of me died when I thought you both had died. And then another part of me died when I realized I lived with two people who could never love me the way my parents had."

Her father's expression hardened and he turned to Cameron. "Inspector? Is there not something the police can do to arrest these people? Although they were not the first to take my girl, they still lied to her and kept her hostage with them."

Hostage? Immediately, she recalled when they locked her in the small, dark room that was her bedroom. She cried, and Giles had yelled at her to be quiet. The older she grew, the more times she tried to escape. Back then she thought her parents were dead, but she wanted out of that room because the walls closed in around her and she couldn't breathe. So yes, she was their hostage.

"Cameron," she said reaching her hand out for him to take, which he did. "I want them arrested, as well."

He nodded and squeezed her hand tenderly. "I'll get some men on it straightway. I'd do it myself, but I fear they might not like my treatment of them as I drag them into jail."

She sighed. This perfect man was her hero in every way. If she hadn't met him, she doubted she would have ever remembered her past because it was his house that first brought out her memories.

She sucked in a quick breath and looked back at her parents. Would they understand her gift or act like the rest of England's population and think she was insane? She shook her head. What a silly notion! These were her parents and they loved her unconditionally. She knew she could trust them to stand by her and believe.

* * * *

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The clergyman beamed as he sealed Cameron and Madison's love in holy matrimony.

Cameron laughed happily and gathered Madison in his arms while the crowd in the chapel watched. He'd never seen her look so lovely as she did this afternoon. Dressed all in white, she was literally an angel, and yet the heart-shaped bodice fit her bosom snugly, proving that there might be a little devil in her somewhere. She fixed her silky dark-brown hair just the way he liked it—long and flowing ringlets over her shoulders and back.

"You may kiss the bride if you like," the clergyman whispered with laughter in his voice.

"Yes, I know." Cameron cupped Madison's cheek and stared deep into her ocean-blue eyes...eyes he looked forward to gazing in to for the rest of his life.

He'd changed so much since meeting her. No longer was he a lonely, reclusive man who didn't have time for love. Now he was a happy-go-lucky chap who wanted to show his new wife just how much he loved her.

Madison closed the space between them as she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed against his body. He captured her mouth with his for a long-awaited kiss as husband and wife. He didn't care who watched him show such open affection. After all, he loved her completely, and he wasn't ashamed of his feelings.

Applause rose up from inside the church as well as cheers. He didn't know if this was how people should act at a wedding, but he enjoyed the attention, nonetheless.

Madison was the first one to break the kiss. Laughing she pressed the side of her head against his chest. Cameron shook hands with the clergyman before leading his beautiful wife down the center aisle. Two boys stood at the double-doors and opened them for Cameron and Madison.

The crowd poured out of the church, cheering and throwing rice on them. Taking her hand, Cameron rushed them away from everyone and to a carriage decorated with white streamers and ribbons.

All three of his cousins stood by with their wives—all with wide smiles and happy waves; Trevor Worthington, the duke of Kenbridge, and Tristan who was only a few years younger, and then finally Trey, the youngest. It made Cameron happy to know that his extended family would have stood beside him through thick and thin. He needed to remember that next time he was in a pickle.

Once they reached the vehicle, Madison's parents both gave her tight hugs. Tears glistened in their eyes as their smiles stretched wide across their faces.

Cameron helped Madison into the vehicle first before climbing up beside her. They waved to their family and friends. Rosie stood by Gaynor, appearing happy. Cameron would certainly keep an eye on them.

When he looked for Alice, he couldn't see her. But then something odd caught his attention. Standing at the back of the crowd, Alice chatted with three men. The wide grin on his sister's face let him know that she no longer felt like a spinster.

"What are you smiling at?" Madison asked.

He turned back to his wife and wrapped her in his arms. "I'm smiling at my life—something I never thought I'd do."

"I've also been smiling at the life I didn't think I'd ever have."

He kissed her briefly on the lips. "Will every day of our lives be this happy?"

Sighing, she relaxed in his arms as the driver of the carriage began their journey to their honeymoon destination—Scotland.

"I'm certain we'll have good days and bad days, but we need to remember one thing. As long as we love each other—and communicate—there's nothing we can't live through."

He nodded. "That's definitely the theme to our new life."

"And as long as we do it together, we will always be happy."

As the crowd slowly disappeared out the window, Cameron leaned Madison back against the seat to continue their wedding kiss...that would probably last until they reached Scotland.

THE END