Madison walked beside Alice as they entered the sitting room. Unease settled in Madison's chest, and she wondered if she really should be visiting with the Westland's friend. And yet Cameron didn't bat an eye when he asked her to help his sister keep Miss Trent entertained. Had he finally started to trust her? She wanted so badly to believe him. Still, something in the back of her mind nagged at her to be cautious. Throughout the years, men had led her to believe they cared, and the end result was her suffering with a broken heart.

Men didn't last very long in her life. She must remember that God had given her this gift to help others. Obviously, she was not put on this earth to marry and have children like most women.

When they entered the sitting room and Madison received her first look at Miss Trent, she was in awe of the young woman's stunning beauty. Madison had always been jealous of girls with long, blonde hair that curled skillfully around their heads, making them look like China dolls. Miss Trent's hair was styled with long, thick ringlets that nearly brushed the top of the girl's shoulders. Thick lashes surrounded her vivid amber eyes.

Miss Trent wore a gown and boots of the finest quality. The older lady accompanying Miss Trent didn't speak much, and she certainly didn't look at anyone in the room. Madison assumed this was the young woman's guardian or companion. Glancing down at Miss Trent's ungloved left hand, she didn't see a wedding ring. Immediately, Madison's gut twisted. Had Miss Trent already sunk her claws into Cameron, claiming him as her future husband?

"Miss Trent," Alice began, "what a pleasure it is that you came to visit us." She motioned toward Madison. "May I introduce you to a family friend, Miss Madison Haywood?"

Madison sucked in a quick breath. Family friend? Her heart softened. For years she'd longed for a loving family. And yet, she hadn't known Alice very long, and already her heart warmed toward the girl who had become like a sister to her.

"Miss Haywood," Alice continued, "may I present Miss Trent, Rosie's very good friend."

Madison curtsied just as the younger lady had curtsied.

Alice motioned to the pink and white colored sofa. "Please, sit and tell us why we are privileged to have you come calling today."

Miss Trent sat in the middle of the sofa and her companion settled next to her. Madison lowered herself on the other side of the Westland's visitor. Alice took a seat on the coffee-colored leather cushioned chair.

The younger woman eyed Madison warily through a narrowed gaze. "I, um..." She switched her attention to Alice. "I was hoping to talk to your brother. Is he home?"

Madison's gut twisted again. Her instincts were correct. Miss Trent had an alternative motive for coming here.

"Oh, my brother isn't here now," Alice said, keeping a pleasant look on her face. "He's...um, he's..."

"He's in Sevenoaks," Madison finished for the other woman. "Remember? He went there looking for a suspect."

"That is right, Miss Haywood." Alice sighed and her body didn't appear as stiff as before. "He's in Sevanoaks."

Miss Trent moved her curious gaze back to Madison. "And who did you say you were?"

Madison tightened her hands into fists. She did not like this woman. "I'm a friend of the family."

Slowly, Miss Trent shook her head. "I don't believe I've ever heard Rosie speak of you. Are you a close friend?"

"Indeed, she is," Alice quickly said. "She's my very good friend, and just recently, my brother has become close to Miss Haywood, as well."

Madison held her breath, waiting for the younger woman's reaction. Within seconds Miss Trent's expression hardened. Even the color of her amber eyes turned darker.

"You don't say." Miss Trent's mouth thinned.

"So tell me," Alice quickly continued, "what is new with you, Miss Trent? You haven't graced our doorstep for at least a fortnight."

The other woman lifted a haughty chin and turned a cold shoulder to Madison as she peered at Alice. "I came to inquire about Rosie. A few days ago, your brother visited me, asking such peculiar questions about Rosie. By chance, is she still missing?"

Alice took a fast intake of breath and her face slowly lost color. "I fear, my brother still cannot locate her."

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Miss Trent lifted her chin a notch higher in arrogance. "However, I have thought of something since I last spoke with your brother, and I would like to tell."

From down the hall came the oddest noise. Thump...scrape. Thump...scrape. Madison jerked her attention to the doorway just as a stooped old man with a cane entered. Dressed the same way he'd been in the carriage—men's clothes that appeared to be at least ten years out of fashion—Cameron looked much older than he had earlier. Even the gray wig looked whiter as if it had been powdered slightly. His eyebrows appeared powered, as well. And he still wore the spectacles. He wore a blue and green flannel lap quilt over his shoulders as he limped inside the room.

"Uncle Henry." Alice jumped up and hurried to his side. "What are you doing out of your room? You are supposed to be napping."

"Nonsense," he snapped in a gruff voice. "Napping is for babies and old people."

Madison tried not to grin. Cameron certainly had a bit of acting ability, and he definitely had some humor.

"I heard voices," he said, keeping the aged tone in his voice. "Do we have visitors?"

"It's only Miss Trent. And of course, you remember Miss Haywood."

Cameron glanced at Miss Trent before resting his gaze on Madison. "Ah, what lovely ladies we have here. The room has been brightened considerably."

Madison caught her breath. Was he speaking directly to her? Or were her girlish fantasies running wild again?

"Miss Trent," Alice spoke. "This is my father's brother, Uncle Henry."

"Nice to meet you, sir." Miss Trent nodded. "And this is my companion, Mrs. Neddles."

Cameron nodded. "Likewise, I'm sure." He hobbled to the chair near Madison and sat. "Forgive me for interrupting. Please continue your chit-chat."

"Uncle Henry," Alice said, "Miss Trent came to talk to Cameron about Rosie."

"Eh?" Cameron snapped up his head and leaned his right ear closer. "Nosey? You think I'm being nosey?"

Madison couldn't stop the laugh coming to her throat, so she slapped a hand over her mouth. Beside her, Miss Trent actually did release a small laugh.

Alice smiled and shook her head. "No, Uncle Henry. I said," she lifted her voice, "that Miss Trent wanted to talk to Cameron about Rosie."

"Ah." He nodded. "Then proceed."

Alice's cheeks twitched as if she was trying to hold back a laugh. Madison knew she was struggling, herself. Cameron had better be careful if he didn't want to blow his cover.

"So, Miss Trent," Alice said with a little more composure, "would you mind telling me what information you were going to pass onto my brother?"

"Uh, well..." Miss Trent switched her gaze from Alice to Cameron, and then back to Alice. "I suppose I could. Are you certain he's not here?"

"Positive." Alice nodded. "Miss Haywood talked to him in town a few hours earlier, and he told her he was traveling to Sevenoaks, posthaste."

"Oh." Miss Trent frowned. "Well, I suppose I could tell you."

The young woman took a deep breath and lowered her gaze, appearing bashful. Madison snickered inwardly. That young woman didn't have a bashful bone in her body, so why was she suddenly acting like it?

"I haven't stopped thinking about Rosie since Cam...uh, Mr. Westland talked to me the other day," Miss Trent lifted her gaze to Alice. "I'd told your brother when we talked, that I didn't know where Rosie was. However, I do have a bit of information for you."

"Go on." Alice nodded.

"I'm sure you know how much time Rosie spent at my house this past year."

"Indeed." Alice's expression turned serious as she watched the other woman.

"Well, there is one thing I'm quite certain that Rosie never mentioned to you." Miss Trent softly cleared her throat. "You see, Rosie knew I had many men come to call on me each week, and your sister begged for introductions."

Just as before, the color in Alice's face began to fade. She glanced at Cameron. Although his face remained impassive, he clenched his fists.

"Actually, Miss Trent," Alice said in a tight voice, "I had suspected as much."

"As have I, my dearest Alice," Cameron added in his gruff, older voice as he looked at Miss Trent. "That would explain how Rosie met a man named Mr. Bailey that she confessed to having feelings for."

Alice gasped, and her face turned completely white. The poor girl's eyes were wide, and her mouth hung open. Madison cringed. Obviously, Cameron had forgotten that Alice didn't know about Mr. Bailey.