Who Brings Forth the Wind

by Lori Wick

  room, but Roddy found Lucinda in a fury. Now he was in the

  parlor with his hostess and friend, making an attempt to calm

  her.

  "Cinda," his voice was gentle, "wait to send for her. If she

  comes in now you'll terrify her."

  "I don't care," Lucinda told him, although she did. "I've

  already sent Craig for her. I intend to have some answers now!"

  Roddy sat down. When Lucinda was in high dudgeon there

  was simply no reasoning with her. If only she would settle

  down before Stacy arrived. But it was not to be. The moment

  she stepped into the room, Lucinda attacked

  "Where did you meet him?"

  "Meet who?" Stacy asked. Her expression had gone from

  open friendliness to guarded fear upon seeing her aunt's ire.

  "The Duke of Cambridge."

  "I--" Stacy began to say that she hadn't met him, but

  Lucinda cut her off and began to pace.

  46

  47

  "I warned you last night when I found you staring at him,

  but I can see my wishes mean little to you." She continued to

  rant and rave, but Stacy couldn't get beyond the fact that she

  didn't remember meeting a single duke the night before.

  "I'm waiting for an answer, Stacy Daniels," Lucinda suddenly

  stopped and demanded. "When did you meet Lord

  Richardson?"

  "Lord Richardson? You mean Tanner Richardson? He's the

  Duke of Cambridge?"

  "Do not playgames with me." Lucinda moved toward her,

  having completely lost her head.

  "Lucinda!" Roddy's voice, sounding unlike Lucinda had

  ever heard it, checked her stride. She turned to find angry fire

  in his eyes, his face flushed. She was so startled by the change

  in him that she calmed slightly before turning back to Stacy.

  What she saw washed her in shame. All color had drained

  from Stacy's face, and she was staring at her aunt in stark fear.

  "Sit down, Cinda." Roddy's voice had returned to normal,

  and Lucinda did as he commanded. She watched as Roddy

  approached Stacy and led her gently to a chair. Stacy kept her

  eyes on Roddy once he had seated himself, her eyes begging

  him to tell her what she had done. He did not disappoint her.

  "The flowers on the table are for you," Roddy told her

  gently. He waited until Stacy noticed the huge bouquet of red

  roses before going on. "They are from Lord Richardson and

  came with a note telling you how much he enjoyed meeting

  you last night."

  "Which is just ridiculous," Lucinda cut in angrily. "All you

  did was see him across the room. Isn't that right, Stacy? He's

  got more cheek than any ten men I know."

  A short silence ensued before Roddy asked, "Did you see

  more of him, Stacy?"

  Stacy nodded in misery, her eyes on her aunt, who suddenly

  looked crestfallen.

  "I'm sorry, Aunt Lucinda. It was so warm in the ballroom,

  and I needed some air. I didn't know he was on the balcony. I

  -F

  *^

  didn't know he was the man from inside, and he never said he

  vas a duke. I'm so sorry, Aunt Lucinda."

  Stacy's face was so full of anguish that the last vestiges of

  anger drained completely out of Lucinda. The room had been

  like a furnace last night, and it was all so innocent on Stacy's

  part.

  On the other hand, Lucinda was convinced that Tanner

  Richardson didn't have an innocent or honorable bone in his

  body. She was going to have to keep her head about this or lose

  control of the entire situation.

  "Don't be upset anymore, my dear," Lucinda finally told

  her. "It wasn't your fault, and it's going to be fine. Did Tanner

  touch you in any way?"

  "No," Stacy told her, and then her eyes grew huge. "I

  almost forgot. He did touch my nose with his finger."

  Lucinda's eyes slid shut momentarily. When she regained

  control she asked, "Did he say anything improper?"

  "No."

  "You're certain?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  Lucinda nodded. "Stacy, Tanner is not for you. He's young

  and titled, but he's also very cynical, and that is not the type of

  man for you." Lucinda looked at Roddy and gained his approving

  nod

  By unspoken agreement, however, neither Roddy nor

  Stacy's aunt went on to tell her that Lord Richardson's interest

  in her would not lead to marriage. Stacy was upset enough as

  it was, and they now knew how closely she would need

  chaperoning. Her trusting and innocent nature made her a

  possible prey to any and all disreputable men of title.

  The three of them talked for a while longer before Lucinda

  suggested that Stacy check on preparations for lunch. Roddy

  and Lucinda continued to talk after she'd left.

  "You can control Stacy's actions, Cinda, but you have little

  to say over Lord Richardson's."

  "True," Lucinda said regretfully. "But if he tries anything

  with Stacy, he'll have to go through me."

  48

  "Well, you're certainly his match, Cinda, but have you

  considered the possibility of Stacy falling for him?"

  The eyes Lucinda turned to him were dim with pain.

  Roddy moved close enough to slip an arm around her. Lucinda

  let her head fall against his shoulder, her heart silently contemplating

  how many years she'd begged Andrew to allow

  Stacy to come to London. Lucinda wondered that she could

  have been so unsuspecting of all that would entail.

  tanner swept into the ballroom, completely unconscious

  of the picture he presented The black pants and coat

  hung on his muscular frame without wrinkle or gap, and the

  white cravat at his throat only heightened the deep tan of his

  face.

  He nodded to several greetings of "Good evening, your

  Grace," but beyond that he was left alone. His eyes scanned

  the crowded dance floor for a sign of Stacy. This was the third

  dance he'd attended this week in order to speak with her, and

  she hadn't been present at the first two. Tanner told himself

  if she wasn't here tonight, he would go directly to Lucinda

  Warbrook's and demand to see her.

  The incongruity of the situation began to dawn on Tanner.

  He hadn't been involved with a woman since Leslie died. So

  why now? Tanner had no answer. He had met Leslie the same

  way, spotted her at a ball and then sought her out. Of course at

  the time he didn't know how self-seeking she was or how

  desirable the title of duke was to her, the title that his brother

  had held at the time.

  Suddenly Stacy came into view. Just the sight of her caused

  Tanner's doubts to fly. He didn't know much about her, didn't

  know if his being a duke would matter to her or not> but he

  knew this--he found her unforgettable. For the moment Tanner

  believed this to be enough.

  50

  51

  In order to be more discreet, Tanner moved from the edge

  of the dance floor and began to patiently watch her and wait

  for his chance to approach.

  As unkind as it seemed, Aubrey Warbrook's death had

  come a
s a relief to Lucinda. He had killed the love she had for

  him while she was still a bride. Lucinda wanted so much more

  for Stacy.

  f

  "He's danced with you twice, Stacy," the younger girl said

  with wide eyes. "I hope you're ready for a proposal."

  "Oh, Liz," Stacy shook her head at a friend she'd come to

  know through her weeks in London. "I think he's only being

  kind"

  Liz exchanged a glance with the two other girls of the

  group, Barbara and Annemarie, and all three giggled. Stacy

  laughed at their teasing and shook her head again. They all

  wanted to be married so badly, and now a man at the ball, one

  who seemed to be two feet shorter than Stacy, had danced

  with her twice and given them all reason to think they would

  be bridesmaids.

  "I need to go to the retiring room," Barbara said in a

  sudden whisper, and Stacy, with a swift glance at Lucinda who

  was standing nearby, moved off with the other three.

  Lucinda held her place and watched them go, finally feeling

  at ease over letting Stacy out of her sight. The flowers had

  arrived over a week ago, and Lucinda had been ready for a

  battle that never materialized She mentally shook her head

  over her own reaction. She should have known young Richardson

  would never follow through. He was the type of man

  who wouldn't commit himself to anything.

  Lucinda frowned at her own uncharitable thoughts. Why

  was she so adamant against the man? She knew him to be a

  skeptic. She also knew he'd had a terrible childhood and first

  marriage, but that didn't make him a brute. It was just that his

  looks so reminded her of her husband, dead many years now.

  He had not been an easy man. Never faithful for more than a

  month, he had been two-faced about his infidelity to boot.

  "I know I'll end up right back in here," Liz was saying as

  the four young ladies exited the retiring room, "but I must

  have something to drink."

  "Good evening, Stacy." Tanner's low-pitched voice brought

  all four of them about, but his eyes were for Stacy alone.

  "Hello," Stacy returned softly, forgetting for the moment

  who he was and thinking he was even more good-looking

  than she remembered. She glanced at her companions and

  found them staring at her with eyes like saucers. Their looks

  reminded her of Lucinda's reaction to her speaking with this

  man.

  Stacy curtsied suddenly and turned to go back to the

  dance. The other girls had already done the same, so when

  Tanner moved to fall in step beside her, they ended up a little

  behind the rest. Not that the girls missed anything; they

  turned constantly to look at their companion and the duke.

  As they neared the dance floor, Stacy began to panic. If

  Lucinda saw her with Lord Richardson, she would be very

  upset. With a move born of desperation, Stacy stopped, thinking

  she could bid this man goodbye and go back with the

  others. To her horror they did not stop, and she found herself

  alone with Tanner.

  She glanced at the floor in misery, not wanting to offend

  him but knowing Lucinda would be outraged. When she

  looked up it was to find herself under Tanner's close scrutiny,

  a small smile playing around his firm mouth.

  "You look lovely this evening, Stacy."

  "Thank you, Lord Richardson," she answered, finally

  allowing herself to meet his eyes.

  52

  "So it's Lord Richardson now. On the balcony it was Tanner."

  Stacy's hand came to her mouth in humiliation. "I'm so

  sorry, your Grace. I had no idea. It won't happen again."

  His low chuckle sent a chill down Stacy's spine.

  "On the contrary, Anastasia, I hope I hear it often." There

  it was again--the soft, warm sound of her name. Stacy felt lost

  and breathless. She stood looking at him as though she'd

  taken leave of her senses. Not until he repeated the action of

  touching her nose, ever so tenderly did she realize where she

  was and to whom she was speaking.

  "My aunt," Stacy nearly stuttered and took a step back.

  "She will wonder where I've gone."

  Tanner nodded wisely, knowing that now was not the time

  to try to talk with her.

  "Go ahead, Stacy. I'll see you later."

  Stacy didn't stay to question him about his words, but

  turned and nearly ran. Her heart, pounding from her encounter

  with the duke, slowed with relief when she spotted Roddy

  as soon as she returned to the floor. She stepped to his side,

  and he turned to her with a smile which died when he saw her

  flushed face.

  "Is he here?" he asked after just a moment.

  Stacy nodded.

  "And you spoke to him?"

  "Yes. I'm sorry, Roddy. He just appeared, and I didn't know

  what to do."

  Roddy took her hand in his and led her onto the dance

  floor. As they danced he spoke softly--words to calm her,

  words to let her know she hadn't erred

  "I don't know how to tell Aunt Lucinda," Stacy admitted.

  "Let me handle it, dear." His voice was paternal. "You just

  enjoy the remainder of the evening, and I'll be close by."

  Stacy nodded gratefully and went from Roddy's arms to

  those of an older gentleman whom she'd met earlier. He and

  his wife had been friends of her aunt's for years, and Stacy

  53

  looked forward to a relaxed dance and visit. Tanner, however,

  had other ideas.

  The music had barely begun when he stepped forward

  and cut in. Stacy looked at her partner, but he didn't seem the

  least put out. He smiled in a grandfatherly fashion and turned

  her over without a backward glance.

  Stacy held herself stiffly in Tanner's arms and for a long

  time never looked higher than his cravat.

  "I'd like to see more of you, Stacy," Tanner said when they

  had danced for a time.,

  "You would?" Stacy asked, finally looking up at him.

  "Yes. In fact, I'd like you to meet me tonight."

  Stacy wasn't even aware of her feet as she stared into his

  eyes and listened to him. "Meet you where?"

  "In your aunt's garden. I'll be there at 1:00."

  "I'll have to ask Aunt Lucinda."

  Tanner smiled, willing to go along with her innocent act

  just to be with her. "Oh, but I want it to be a secret, just

  between the two of us."

  His voice and eyes made it seem special and wonderful,

  but as dreamy as Stacy felt she still answered immediately. "I

  couldn't do that. I couldn't leave the house at night without

  telling Aunt Lucinda."

  The smile left Tanner's face abruptly. She was taking this

  too far.

  Stacy had no idea what caused the change in him, but she

  saw it in his face and felt it in the arm that held her.

  "I really hoped you would agree." Tanner's voice was

  clipped now. "Maybe one of the other women here would be

  interested in a moonlight stroll with me, since you are obviously

  not."

  "I'm sorry I can't go with you," Stacy told him. Her bubble

  had abru
ptly burst, and hurt etched every word "I hope you

  have a nice time with...with whoever accompanies you."

  Stacy's voice had grown softer with every syllable until the last

  word was little more than a whisper.

  54

  Tanner stared at her in amazement. He couldn't believe

  she was actually turning him down. They finished the dance

  in silence. Tanner was coldly angry, and Stacy had no idea

  what she'd done wrong. When the dance ended, it was a relief

  to be led off the floor.

  "I can't believe you didn't go out there," Lucinda said to

  Roddy before Stacy returned to their side.

  Roddy sighed. "I never dreamed he would go that far. The

  damage was done the moment he took her in his arms. It

  would have brought nothing but humiliation to stalk out there

  and demand her return."

  Lucinda nodded unhappily and watched anxiously as Tanner

  returned Stacy to their side. She glared at Tanner upon

  seeing Stacy's pale features, but the young duke seemed

  totally unaware of anyone's presence.

  Without a word, Stacy's confused face caused Roddy to

  suggest an early evening. Stacy looked so relieved at the

  suggestion that the three of them left immediately.

  Stacy worked very hard over the next two days to put

  Tanner from her mind. She and Lucinda had talked, calmly this

  time, and Lucinda had told Stacy that considering all the

  circumstances, she had done well. Lucinda surprised her

  speechless by apologizing for underestimating Tanner's boldness

  and for taking her out and not staying with her.

  "I've decided that we need to slow down a bit. It's always

  been more my desire than yours to attend a different ball

  every week, and now I think that for your sake, Stacy, we'll stay

  in for a time."

  "I'm sorry, Aunt Lucinda."

  "No, child, it is I who am sorry. You've gone along to please

  me and been hurt because of it... and after I told Andrew I

  would take such good care of you."

  55

  Lucinda did nothing this time to disguise the tears in her

  eyes. Stacy rose and went to put her arms around her aunt.

  "I've had a wonderful time, Aunt Lucinda. Please don't

  think I'm disappointed or unhappy. It's too bad that I'm not

  more experienced in social settings or with men, but--"

  "No, dear," Lucinda cut her off. "Never be sorry for your

  innocence. Your trusting nature is a precious gift. Someday

  someone very special will come along and treasure you and

  that gift for all of his life."