Who Brings Forth the Wind Page 6

  Tanner's face immediately popped into Stacy's mind, but

  she did her best to push it away, smile at her aunt, and give her

  one final hug.

  Three weeks later Roddy, Lucinda, and Stacy went shopping.

  Stacy thought Lucinda amazing as she careered her way

  through the day, never seeming to tire or grow too warm. At

  the last shop, Stacy had to beg off.

  "If I'm going to have any energy left for the Royal Gardens,

  I'm going to have to rest."

  "I quite agree. Cinda, you're on your own for this one."

  Lucinda regarded her companions with a raised brow and

  condescending look before sweeping out of the open carriage

  and into the shop. Roddy chuckled at her departure and

  then looked up to see Stacy studying him.

  "That's certainly a serious face," he said with a smile.

  Stacy didn't smile. In fact she looked so hesitant that

  Roddy sobered.

  "What is it, Stacy?"

  "It's something that's none of my business."

  "Concerning me?"

  "Yes," Stacy answered and studied him some more. His

  look was so open that she felt emboldened. "Why have you

  and Lucinda never married?"

  58

  57

  Roddy nodded and regarded her seriously. When he

  spoke, Stacy could tell he'd given the matter great thought.

  "I value Lucinda's friendship above all else in the world

  Were I to introduce romance between us when she did not

  share my feelings, I would ruin everything we have. I simply

  can't take that chance."

  "But you must know she loves you," Stacy reasoned

  "Yes, she does love me, but she isn't in love with me. There

  is a difference, you know. I'm her best friend, just as she is

  mine. I can go on living with the knowledge that she will

  continue to be."

  "She is in love with you, Roddy," Stacy told him softly.

  Roddy didn't go so far as to shake his head, but his look was

  more than a little dubious.

  "She's loved you for years. She told me herself."

  Roddy stared at Stacy. The intensity in his eyes frightened

  her a little. She had started something here, and as much as

  she might regret it, she decided to see it through.

  "When I first came to London, we talked of it. I asked her

  why she wasn't married to you, and she said it was because

  you'd never asked."

  Stacy watched Roddy's eyes slide shut and felt as if her

  insides were being torn in two. She was not easily given to

  tears, but this was almost enough to make her sob.

  Roddy's gaze turned beyond the carriage then, and Stacy

  left him to his thoughts. She knewLucinda would be returning

  soon and wondered if she should apologize. As it was, Roddy

  quietly thanked her just before Lucinda emerged from the

  shop.

  Stacy, feeling very much that Roddy and Lucinda needed a

  few moments alone, slowed her pace and let them move

  ahead. A lovely bloom caught her attention as the path wound

  its way back to the carriage, and Stacy stopped to take in its

  fragrance. When she looked up, Tanner stood some ten feet

  away.

  His look was rather stern, but Stacy couldn't mask the

  softening of her eyes at just seeing him again. He scared her a

  little, and she knew he was not the man for her, but her heart

  turned over every time she thought of him.

  "Stacy," Roddy's voice suddenly called to her from beyond

  the shrubs.

  "I'm coming, Roddy," Stacy answered immediately before

  looking back at Tanner and a woman beyond him. Even at a

  distance and standing in profile, the woman looked lovely.

  Stacy met Tanner's eyes as she spoke. "I'm glad you found

  someone to go on that stroll with you, Lord Richardson." Stacy

  dropped her eyes then and moved away. Tanner did not try to

  follow.

  The Royal Botanic Gardens were riotous with color during

  midsummer. The day was a bit warm for a long stroll, but

  they walked leisurely along until Roddy proclaimed that he

  would die if they didn't stop for tea.

  59

  "I will not allow you to see her." Lucinda's tone was calm,

  but her insides were trembling. "She doesn't want to see you."

  "I would like to hear that from Stacy," Tanner challenged,

  much as he had been doing for the last half hour.

  "There is no need," Lucinda insisted. "As I've said before,

  she cannot see you."

  "Why?" Growing perilously close to the end of his patience,

  Tanner fired the single word at her.

  "I'll tell you why, because I know you're not here to ask for

  her hand in marriage, and I will not allow you to play games

  with my niece's life.

  "If in fact I have misread your intent, please correct me,

  but unless your intentions toward Stacy are honorable, you

  will not socialize with her."

  Tanner stood silent, his anger at a boiling point just beneath

  the surface. After a moment, Lucinda's brows raised and

  her shoulders lifted in a shrug. Her voice was void of accusation

  when she spoke.

  "Your silence has answered my question, your Grace."

  Tanner continued to stand quiet. He grudgingly admired

  Lady Warbrook for the way she stood up to him, but he did not

  care to be thwarted. He wanted Anastasia Daniels, and Lucinda

  had made it very clear that the only way he could have

  58

  1

  her was in marriage. He'd been married once, and he was not

  going to fall into that trap again.

  If he and Stacy were to form a relationship that was

  mutually beneficial to both of them, fine. They didn't need the

  confines of marriage to do it. Lucinda had said his intentions

  were not honorable, but to him they were. Tanner had never

  had a mistress before, but he knew when he finally made

  Stacy his own, he would treat her like a queen. He would be

  faithful to her, and she would know no humiliation at his

  hands. He was one of the wealthiest men in England and well

  able to care for her in any style she desired.

  And when it was time to end their relationship, not that he

  believed there would be a need for many years, there would

  be no messy scenes. He would tell her goodbye and give her

  enough money to do anything she pleased for the rest of her

  life. There was simply no need to marry.

  Lucinda watched as Tanner leaned down and picked up

  the riding gloves he'd dropped on the table. He turned toward

  the door without a word, and Lucinda did not try to speak to

  him. His pride had obviously been wounded, and she had no

  desire to rub salt in the wound. It was relief enough to see him

  go. He must realize now that she meant business concerning

  Stacy. Stacy, she reminded herself, must not know that he'd

  even been to call.

  Across the foyer in the library Stacy chose the book she

  desired and moved back toward the door. She hadn't even

  bothered to close it, since she'd known just what she was

  looking for. Halfway across the carpet, however, she was so

  startled that she dropped the
book and simply stared.

  Tanner stood in the doorway, his eyes hooded and almost

  angry. Unlike the day before in the park, Stacy's gaze didn't

  soften; this time his look was too foreboding, and she was too

  surprised to find him in Aunt Lucinda's home.

  60

  61

  Stacy watched as his eyes traveled over her dress. It was

  the red velvet she'd brought from home. Without moving from

  the doorway, he spoke.

  "That color is dreadful on you."

  Stacy shrugged apologetically and glanced down at the

  skirt. "Aunt Lucinda doesn't care for it either."

  At the sound of her voice Tanner had to draw nearer; it was

  as though he had no choice. He stopped a foot away from her

  and, feeling mesmerized, just stared into her wide, blue eyes.

  Every woman who's ever meant anything to me has been

  full of lies and deceit, he thought. Can this sweetness in her be

  real, or does it only last as long as she gets her way?

  "I'm not the marrying kind, Stacy," Tanner told her without

  preamble.

  He spoke the words as though they'd been discussing the

  matter, but as abrupt as they seemed, Stacy wasn't surprised to

  hear them. She nodded, her eyes regretful but understanding.

  It was almost more than Tanner could take. He wanted her

  to show her true self, to yell at him or lash out, but instead she

  continued to offer him only sweet sensitivity.

  Suddenly his hands grasped her upper arms in a grip that

  was firm but not bruising. It was as if he needed to be touching

  her to make his point.

  "I'm not the marrying kind, Stacy, and your aunt is completely

  unreasonable."

  His grasp had brought her so close that Stacy could feel his

  breath. She should have felt frightened, but instead her heart

  turned over with love for him. Her voice told him as much.

  "I'm not sure what you want of me, but I must do as

  Lucinda asks. It's what my grandfather would wish." Stacy

  paused before going on, almost talking to herself. "July is

  already here. Just a few weeks now, and it will be time for me

  to go home. It will be easier then."

  Defeat Washed over Tanner. He hadn't really expected her

  to leave with him on the spot, but he had halfway hoped she

  would at least be open to some discussion. It never once

  occurred to him that she didn't even realize he wanted her for

  a mistress.

  Tanner didn't speak again. He felt he had said it all. As his

  hands slowly released her, his eyes moved slowly over her

  face, as if to memorize every detail of her lovely features.

  When his inspection was complete, he brushed a soft kiss

  across her lips, moved to the door without looking back, and

  walked away.

  Stacy found a chair and sat down hard Her eyes focused

  unseeingly on the book she'd dropped on the floor. She sat for

  the next hour and stared at it, wondering how she was ever

  going to get over Lord Tanner Richardson.

  Just four days before Stacy was to leave for Middlesbrough,

  she and Roddy took a long ride in the park. As they

  rode, Stacy would fall into moments of quiet contemplation.

  Roddy knew she was thinking of Tanner. He alone knew that

  she'd seen him in Lucinda's library. What Stacy didn't know

  was that Tanner had not given up that day. He'd been to see

  Lucinda twice more in an attempt to reason with her, explaining

  what a wonderful life he could offer Stacy.

  Amazingly, Lucinda had not been offended. She had confided

  in Roddy that she'd seen a certain vulnerability in

  Tanner, one that touched her heart and caused her to put aside

  her reservations. It was as though she understood him, when

  in fact, she should have been insulted that the man wanted

  Stacy for a mistress and not a wife. Roddy knew that she

  struggled with how closely he resembled Aubrey, but she had

  also admitted that although Aubrey was a rake, Tanner had

  shown no such signs.

  Roddy .knew her heart was softening, and he was rather

  fascinated by her handling of the whole affair. However, he

  also knew Lucinda would never settle for less than a proposal

  of marriage.

  62

  63

  Roddy's musings were cut off suddenly when a stray dog

  rushed from the bushes and snapped at the heels of Stacy's

  mount. Roddy called for her to watch herself, but Stacy was

  obviously too preoccupied.

  Taken unawares, her horse pranced suddenly. Stacy lost

  the reins. She was groping frantically for control when the dog

  dashed forward again and the horse reared.

  Roddy watched in horror as Stacy was thrown. She landed

  hard on the grassy turf and lay still even as Roddy jumped

  from the back of his mount and rushed to her side. He heard

  the pounding of hooves, the rush of feet, and the sound of

  someone coming to subdue the dog and catch Stacy's horse,

  but Roddy's eyes never left her white face.

  "Stacy," he called urgently and placed a hand on her pale

  cheek. Roddy's heart pounded in fear when she did not respond

  The same heart leaped in relief when someone's hands

  joined his own. He watched as they probed gently about her

  head and neck.

  "We'll take her to Lady Brent's."

  Upon hearing that stern voice, Roddy's eyes snapped up.

  He shouldn't have been surprised. The Duke of Cambridge

  managed to appear wherever Stacy went. There was no thought

  of arguing with the younger man; all thoughts were for Stacy's

  welfare. And if Tanner's concerned face was any indication-- it looked carved from stone--she would receive the best of

  care.

  The next minutes passed in a flurry of activity as Tanner

  ordered a gawking youth to Featherstone to warn Andrea of

  their arrival. Roddy remounted and captured the reins of

  Stacy's horse while Tanner lifted Stacy in his arms and swung

  abroad his own horse. Featherstone was just moments away,

  but it felt like forever to Roddy.

  Stacy was unconscious through the transport and the summoning

  of the doctor and Aunt Lucinda. In fact nearly 30

  minutes passed before she opened painful eyes to find Tanner

  bending over her, Roddy hovering in the background

  I

  Lady Andrea was also in attendance, but Stacy did not notice

  her.

  "What's happened?" she whispered, her eyes on Tanner's

  face.

  "You were thrown from your horse. How do you feel?"

  She felt horrible but didn't answer. Her head was pounding

  and it hurt to blink, but Tanner was there and for the

  moment the pain didn't matter. He looked tired to her. Without

  thought of place or circumstances Stacy reached and

  tenderly brushed the dark hair from his brow.

  Tanner caught her hand and held it as though he were

  drowning. Roddy's gentle clearing of his throat reminded him

  they were not alone. After returning Stacy's hand to the coverlet,

  he stood and moved from her side. All of this was accomplished

  just before Lucinda swept into the room.

  T
anner had little choice in the next minutes but to stand

  back and watch as Lucinda talked with Roddy, Andrea, and

  then the doctor when he arrived. Stacy lay silent during the

  proceedings, and when the doctor said she could be moved,

  Tanner held his place as Roddy saw her to Lucinda's waiting

  coach. Lucinda was on her way out when she stopped and

  turned back to the room. Andrea was by the sofa Stacy had just

  vacated, and Tanner was by the mantel, his look guarded

  "Thank you for seeing to Stacy," she began to Tanner, but

  had to stop and clear her throat. "She means more to me than I

  can say, and I am grateful for your assistance.

  "I am concerned, however, that she was seen on your

  horse. The gossip concerning your visits to the house has

  been swiftly escalating. As relieved as I am that she is going to

  be fine, I fear this latest incident will destroy what is left of

  Stacy's reputation.

  "Given a choice I would want you to repeat your actions in

  order to ensure her safety, but I find myself rather thankful

  that she is scheduled to leave for home in four days' time. She

  will be free from the gossiping tongues of London and hopefully

  put this painful time behind her."

  66

  The room was utterly silent when Lucinda left, Andrea was

  uncertain what she should do or say, and Tanner's face, although

  impassive, had drained of color during Lucinda's

  speech.

  Andrea knew all the signs--Tanner and Stacy were in love.

  Tanner, however, had worked at his reputation as a confirmed

  bachelor, and Stacy was as guileless a girl as Andrea had ever

  met. It wasn't very hard to see why Lucinda was worried about

  the relationship.

  Andrea searched for some words to take the pain from the

  young duke's eyes. When none came, she prayed. She was still

  praying when he thanked her kindly for her assistance and

  made his way for the door.

  65

  of London, he let down the wall for a brief look back and was

  stunned that the anguish of their affair could still cut so

  deeply.

  But in the midst of this agony he was amazed to see

  someone else's pain. He saw Stacy as she thudded to the

  ground from atop her horse, and then her eyes when they

  opened as she lay so pale on the couch at Featherstone. He'd

  known that her head hurt. Yet she made no word of complaint,

  only looked at him in tenderness before brushing the hair

  from his brow.

  Tanner's chest rose with a deep sigh. He was ready to