Cameron gently tapped the reins, urging the horse to pull the small carriage that carted Madison and him—dressed as Uncle Henry—toward their destination. Slightly cooler than yesterday, today's weather held a light wind that blew from the east. Madison sat next to him, clutching the shawl draped over her shoulders as she stared straight ahead. He enjoyed the way the lavender color of her dress brought out her lovely blue eyes and highlighted her deep brown hair.

Of course, after their encounter in the attic, he'd probably like her no matter what dress she wore.

"I thank you for agreeing to go with me," he began after a few minutes of silence.

She tilted her head and peered at him. Her eyes reminded him of blue iris flowers. He'd always liked that flower, but it had been years since he'd seen one—or even presented one—to a girl. And why did Madison's dark eyelashes seem longer today?

Had she been thinking about him this morning? He didn't dare ask her. Although he wanted to bring up the subject, he wasn't certain quite how to do it.

"I hope I'll be able to see something that will help with your investigation." She casually moved her gaze back toward the road.

"That's my plan, too."

She met his gaze again. "So tell me, what had delayed you for so long last night? I waited for you to return, but I knew I had to get home before it became dark."

"You see, I first went to Miss Trent's house to spy on her, but as the day wore into the evening, I realized the woman wasn't going to give anything away during that time. That's why I left." He chuckled. "I wondered at first if she knew I was watching her, but then, knowing Miss Trent as I do, I'm sure she would have come out to greet me, believing I was calling on her."

Madison laughed. "True. The woman seems quite taken with you."

He rolled his eyes and looked back toward the road. "That's putting it mildly. I suspect the only reason she became friends with Rosie over a year ago was to put herself in my path so I'd notice her."

"Did it work? Have you noticed her more?" Madison nudged his arm with hers and raised her eyebrows.

He laughed. "Not at all. She is looking for a husband, and I'm definitely not that man."

"Have you told her?"

He shook his head. "Not outright. I'm trying to tell her by my actions."

"Hmm..." She studied him through a narrowed gaze. "I honestly don't think it's working the way you want it to."

"Oh, don't discourage me like that, because that means I'll have to try harder."

Madison threw back her head and laughed. He couldn't stop from admiring the smooth curve of her neck, and especially hearing the musical lift of her voice. She hadn't laughed like this before, and he rather enjoyed the magical sound—like angels in play.

His heart warmed, just as it had done before whenever they were this close. Of course, he'd felt some strange kind of spark after meeting her that first time. At least now he was glad to know they were finally comfortable around each other. So maybe he'd get another chance to kiss her.

"Yes, Cameron, I believe you will have to try a lot harder. Women like Miss Trent don't take subtle hints well."

"Are you jesting? Do you believe Miss Trent is really that way?"

Madison nodded. "Oh, I'm certain of it. I've known many women like her."

"I'm in deep trouble, then." Sighing, he scrubbed his chin.

She chuckled again. "Enough about Miss Trent. I believe you were going to tell me about what you did after you left her house last night."

"Indeed, I was." He tried to keep his eyes on the road, but the beautiful woman sitting beside him made it very difficult to concentrate. And whenever the buggy hit a bump in the road, she gently fell against him, but quickly righted herself. Would it be improper if he told her to just relax against his body and enjoy the duration of the ride? He'd certainly like it better that way.

He explained to her what had happened last night when he asked the other men who worked at night in the office. Of course, he left out the bit of conversation between Flannery and Garrick in regards to Rosie.

Madison seemed enthralled, and she kept her stare on him while he explained what had happened. It was rather nice to have a woman take interest in his work.

"Have you talked with Mr. McGreer, yet?" she asked.

"No. By the time I left the station, it was too late."

"Hmm..." She tapped her finger on her chin. "It does sound rather odd that a man with a broken leg would want to venture down the stairs—any stairs—into the cell block."

"It does, but you know what else caught my attention?"

"What?" she asked with wide eyes.

He could stare into her mesmerizing eyes all day and never become bored. However, he still needed to watch the road. "It got me thinking... Mr. Bailey died because of a blow to his head. If Douglass McGreer had a crutch with him when he visited Mr. Bailey, that crutch just might be the murder weapon if it struck against his skull hard enough."

Her perfectly shaped lips parted as she gasped. Different expressions played on her face, and he smiled as her interest grew. She was indeed, very lovely.

"Cameron, that's brilliant."

He shrugged one shoulder and looked toward the road again. "But then there is still the matter of how he would have walked down those stairs with a broken leg."

"Very carefully, that's for sure."

Her comment caught him off guard, and he laughed. "Yes, he would have to be careful, wouldn't he?"

Suddenly, her eyes grew large and her mouth shaped into an O. "Cameron. I just had a thought. Why don't you take me to Mr. Bailey's house? I might get one of my visions in that environment, especially if Rosie was involved. If I don't see anything in regards to Rosie, then perhaps I'll have a vision that might help you solve his murder."

Realization washed over him and he released his grip on the reins, which slowed the horse. Why hadn't he thought of that? But it didn't matter. He loved it. He would take her there today.

"Madison," he grasped her shoulders and pulled her closer. "That is an excellent idea."

She sucked in a quick breath and placed the palms of her hands against his chest as though she was going to push him away...but she didn't. Instead, she stared into his eyes. Her breathing turned uneven, but then, so did his. Up this close her flowery fragrance wafted around him, clouding his head of everything else but her.

His mind drew a blank. What should he say now? He hadn't really meant to pull her up against his body in such an intimate position...or had he? Now that she was this close, should he make the best out of the situation and do the one thing he'd thought about since the attic—stealing a kiss?

He licked his lips. Immediately, her gaze dropped to his mouth. Her tongue darted out between her lips and swept quickly before going back into hiding. Anticipation thumped in his chest. Would she allow him to kiss her?

"Madison? Are...are you having any visions now?" he asked softly.

Her gaze jumped up and met his eyes. "No, why?"

"Because I was wondering if you could see me kissing you."

Her face flamed red and she shyly lowered her gaze as she tried pulling back. "Actually, I don't think—"

She's going to turn you down! Panicked at being rejected, he wrapped his arms around her and gently encouraged her back against his chest. "The reason I ask is because I can see it happening very soon." He lowered his mouth. "And it looks to be sweet and extremely enjoyable."

The moment he pressed his mouth against hers, a deep sigh rattled through her throat and her whole body relaxed into his embrace. Fireworks exploded in his head. Euphoria rushed through him, knowing she had wanted this kiss just as much as he. Whether it was wrong or right, at this point, it didn't matter. He was going to allow the elation filling his very being to take over his mind and his actions.

His hands wandered along her back as he pulled her closer. Within seconds, she moved her arms around his neck. Their chests touched, and the erratic rhythm of her heartbeat knocked in the same sequence as his. This was so much better than the dreams he'd had last night.

Madison's lips tasted like honey...and strawberries. Whatever she had for breakfast still lingered in her mouth, and he wanted to devour it fully. At this moment, he didn't want to kiss anyone else but Madison Haywood ever again.

The neigh of the horse and the jerk of the buggy snapped Cameron out of his passionate state. Apparently, it had the same effect on Madison, because she jumped out of his arms and scooted away from him on the seat. Grumbling under his breath for having their special moment ruined, he took the reins back in his hands and steadied the horse.

She fidgeted in her seat and ran the palms of her hands down the dress. Her gaze stayed on her hands. Silently, he urged her to look at him, but apparently, she couldn't read minds like she could see visions. It was up to him to break the awkward stillness between them.

"I, um..." he cleared his throat, not really knowing what to say. "I suppose the horse wanted some attention, too."

Shyly, she peeked at him from under her long eyelashes. A small grin touched her lips, still swollen from his ardent kisses.

"Is that what happened?" she asked meekly.

He shrugged. "That's what I'm thinking."

She faced forward and was quiet again. He wished she would have at least said something about the kiss. Was she repulsed by it? Of course she wasn't. By the way she responded let him know she was eager for the kiss just as much as he was. Perhaps that was why she didn't say anything. Was she embarrassed because most women didn't act like that when a man kissed them? Did she think she was too bold? Yet, her response was just perfect.

After a few minutes without them talking, he cleared his throat again, and looked at her. She sat with her back straight and her gaze forward. "Madison, I hope you don't expect me to apologize for that kiss. I'm not sorry it happened."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly and she peered at him briefly. "I was hoping you weren't going to apologize."

Chuckling softly, his chest burst with happiness. "Then we agree that what happened between us just now was long awaited and worth the wait."

Her smile stretched, but she switched her attention toward the road again. "Yes, we can agree on that."

"It could have happened this morning in the attic, you know," he added.

She nodded and peeked at him under her lashes. "Yes."

Silence passed between them again, but this time it wasn't so uncomfortable. His mind scrambled to remember what they had been discussing right before the explosive kiss, but he couldn't think of anything besides the way she cuddled against him and the way her sultry lips caressed with his. Oh, good grief! He wouldn't be able to go very much longer before kissing her again. He had to see if she was as good as she was the first time.

"So, Cameron?" she asked sweetly. "You were going to take me to Mr. Bailey's house, correct?"

It was as if an invisible brick fell on his head, waking him up out of his passionate stupor. Yes, that's what they'd been discussing her brilliant idea. "Indeed, I am."

"Does he live alone, or does he have family?"

Cameron thought back to the time he went to visit him, right after Rosie went missing. He'd hated that man with every fiber of his being, and had wanted nothing more than to wrap his fingers around the rotten man's neck for even thinking about wanting to court Rosie. The man was so much older, for heaven's sake! And yet now, Cameron discovered from Miss Trent, that wasn't the case at all and Rosie hadn't wanted him to court her. Did he believe the flighty Miss Trent? If what she said was true, then why didn't Mr. Bailey set Cameron straight when he'd talked to him? Bailey had every chance in the world, yet he said nothing.

Very odd.

"If I recall, I think he lived by himself. I remember he had a few servants, but that was all. I had asked around about him at the station, and a few men knew of him. Apparently, he was related to a wealthy earl. From what the officers told me, the earl has only one daughter and no sons. So why wouldn't the title and lands pass to the older male heir?"

"Maybe because his uncle doesn't want it to go to the oldest."

"You are probably correct." He shook his head. "All of this sounds like a messed up family to me."

"Cameron? Is the wealthy uncle still healthy?"

Cameron shrugged. "I don't know. Why?"

"I just wondered if this was motivation for Mr. Bailey's death. Was he next to inherit?"

He studied her, once more, amazed at her insight. Why weren't more women this intelligent? "That's definitely something I should consider."

"It won't hurt." Madison turned toward him. "Do you think his house will be empty when we arrive?"

"I'm not certain. His servants might be there, but I think by now, they would have gotten word of the man's death. Perhaps even his family has been told."

"Did Mr. Bailey have family around these parts?"

"That, I couldn't say." Cameron frowned. "I honestly didn't know the man very well. In fact, before Rosie, I didn't even know he existed."

She tilted her head. "You haven't seen him around town or at society functions?"

"Actually," he laughed softly, more out of embarrassment, "I'm not involved much with society, unless of course, it pertains to my employment."

She folded her hands in her lap. "Yes, Alice mentioned something like that. Why is that?"

He arched an eyebrow. "Why I've been reclusive?"

"Yes. You're a very handsome man, and from what Alice has told me about you, you are one of Metropolitan Police's best officers. I'm surprised you haven't found a suitable woman to marry by now."

Sadness grew heavy in his chest. Should he share with her his worries and heartache? Would she understand at all? Yet, as he stared deep into her azure eyes, his heart melted, and once again, he felt as though he could confide anything with her and not be a lesser man for it.

"Has my sister told you about our father?"

"A little, yes."

He nodded. Memories from yesteryear filled his head, and the pain in his heart he'd tried to hide resurfaced. "As my father started losing his mind, I became ashamed of him. I didn't want anyone—especially women—to know I was related to him. My father started gambling, and he lost both Rosie's and Alice's dowry and some of their inheritance. Rumors circulated through the community, and it seemed nobody wanted to associate with us. After he died, I realized I shouldn't have acted in such a manner. Guilt overwhelmed me, and I mentally berated myself for years afterwards. I stopped attending functions where there were large crowds. I didn't feel worthy to be there." He shrugged. "I knew others looked down on me for being my father's son. Some people are unforgiving. But of course, I'm my worst judge because I can't forgive myself for the way I'd acted out of embarrassment while my father was alive."

She reached her hand over and laid it on top of his. His heartbeat quickened, but it wasn't from the warmth of her touch this time. Instead, it was from the understanding coating her amazing eyes.

"Tell me, Cameron. If your father was here with you now, and in his right mind, would he forgive you?"

He chuckled. "Yes. My dad was that kind of man. He cared about his children and loved us unconditionally."

"If you knew your father was watching you from Heaven, do you think he'd be happy that you are condemning yourself in such a way?"

Her words impacted him, and the guilt weighing on his chest became heavier, and he muttered, "No, he wouldn't be happy."

"Then forgive yourself, Cameron, and move on with your life. You cannot live a life for someone else, especially if they are deceased. You cannot erase the past; however, you can repair the damage by doing good deeds in your life and trying to make others happy...as well as yourself."

An awareness for this beautiful woman spread through him like new blood flowing through his veins. Once again, he wanted to take her in his arms and show her with his lips just how much her words soothed his soul. But now wasn't the time to be passionate. "When did you become so knowledgeable on the subject, my dear?"

Her smile waned as she removed her hand and placed it alongside the other which was still in her lap. "I lived for many years trying to please my aunt and uncle. I was miserable because I knew my gift was an embarrassment to them. Finally, a very good friend of mine told me to stop living my life for them, and start living it for me." Shrugging, she looked at him again. "That's when I realized how I could help other people with my gift, and in doing so it made them happy. In return, it made me happy."

"What you say makes sense."

Her full smile returned. "I'm glad you think so."

"I'm sorry you had such a miserable childhood," he said meaningfully.

She arched an eyebrow. "Sometimes I wonder if things would have been different if my parents hadn't died. Or if I hadn't been given this gift."

"Possibly." He paused, realizing he didn't know much about her life. "How did your parents die?"

"They were in a shop in town that sold furniture. It burned down."

He thought back to that time in his life. He would have been thirteen or fourteen. However, he couldn't recall a store burning down. Then again, he wasn't involved that much with society since he was trying to help his father raise Alice. Mother was still in Scotland with Rosie.

"Do you remember anything about them?"

Madison's expression became wistful and her shoulders slumped. "I only recall a few things. I remember that my mother used to sing to me, and I loved hearing her voice. And I remember how kind my father was—even to strangers."

"At least you know your parents were very loving."

Her full smile returned and she nodded. "Indeed, I do. That helps me get through the bad days."

"You know, I believe you inherited your kindness from your father."

She chuckled. "Well, I'm glad for that. Too bad I didn't inherit a pleasant singing voice, too."

He laughed. "Oh, I'm sure you sing beautifully."

"No, I don't. I scare away animals when I sing."

He loved seeing her so relaxed this way. "Madison, I would very much like to get to know you better."

"Perhaps."

He glanced ahead of them again. "However, we'll have to put that on hold for now, because up the road is Mr. Bailey's house."