Who Brings Forth the Wind

by Lori Wick

  part of the city and stopped before a grand mansion.

  "Why, Roddy," Lucinda spoke with surprise. "This is the

  old Wood mansion."

  "Come along, my dear" was his only reply as he stepped

  from the carriage and held out his hand for her. He led her to

  the front door. Lucinda paused in indecision when Roddy

  opened it without knocking and stepped inside.

  "Come along," he turned back to say to her. "It's all right."

  Lucinda followed him uncertainly and gaped at the interior.

  Not only was no one there to greet them, but Lucinda

  could not see a stick of furniture in any direction.

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  97

  "Well, what do you think?" Roddy wished to know.

  "Of what?" Lucinda asked, feeling more confused than

  ever.

  "This home."

  Lucinda looked around. "Roddy, it's beautiful, but I'm still

  not sure what--"

  "Have I ever told you that I love you, Lucinda? I mean,

  really told you how I felt? I'm not sure that I have."

  Lucinda was so dumbfounded by his words that she could

  only stare at him while he paced around and spoke.

  "It's taken me forever to gain the courage to ask you about

  us, and I'm still nervous. It helped to buy this place, but I'm still

  uncertain."

  "Uncertain over what?" Lucinda asked, wondering if she

  had heard him correctly about the purchase of the mansion.

  "Uncertain if you'll take me seriously when I ask you... to

  be my wife. I'm sure you've noticed a change in me. That was

  to help you see where my intentions were headed. Then I

  found this house and thought it would be the clincher.

  "Now, I still have time to back out of the deal, but if you like

  it, it will be ours after we're married."

  Roddy stopped then. Lucinda's eyes were swimming with

  tears.

  "I've loved you for so long, Roddy," she whispered

  "As I have you." His voice was just as soft. "Now, what's

  it to be, Cinda. You have two questions to answer--yes or

  no to my proposal, sloppy as it was, and yes or no to the

  house?"

  Roddy paused then and took a deep breath. "Please let the

  first one be yes, Cinda."

  "Oh, Roddy. I don't care where we live."

  Roddy's chest heaved with relief for just an instant, and

  then he was there, standing before her, his arms reaching to

  hold her close. Lucinda's eyes closed when she felt his arms,

  and then his lips pressed against her cheek before they met

  ; own. Lucinda's heart pounded. She was going to marry her

  st friend; she was going to be Roddy's wife.

  Stacy's second train ride was vastly different from her I first. Then she'd ridden in crowded conditions with the Binks

  'and ate the food Hettie had sent with her. Now she was

  experiencing a whole new world with her husband They ate

  in a private car, had a private sleeping compartment, and not

  once did she grow cold or have to clean up after herself. It was

  her first taste of life as a duchess, and although Stacy tried to

  take it in stride, she knew that she often looked like a child at a

  circus.

  Tanner seemed greatly amused by her response, but also

  touched. He was as tender a husband as Stacy could have

  dreamed of, and it seemed that she loved him a little more

  with each passing hour. By the time they arrived at the train

  station in Middlesbrough, Stacy was floating on a cloud of

  adoration.

  i Price hired a coach as soon as they disembarked. Within

  minutes they were on their way to Morgan.

  "Tanner," Stacy spoke when the coach was underway. "My

  grandfather is not a wealthy man.",

  Tanner looked at his wife's face and felt the familiar

  squeezing sensation around his heart. She was infinitely precious

  to him. He knew very well that Andrew Daniels was

  without substantial means and had already spoken with Price

  on the matter. All concerned were to see to it that Stacy was

  not made uncomfortable in any way.

  "Tanner, did you hear me?" Stacy spoke again when he

  remained silent for so long.

  "Yes. Does it bother you that your grandfather isn't a

  wealthy man?"

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  "It doesn't bother me; I grew up that way. I just don't want

  you to be, well, inconvenienced"

  "Will we have a bed?"

  "Of course." Stacy blinked at him in surprise.

  "And food to eat?"

  "Yes."

  "Then I shall be quite comfortable."

  Stacy nodded, tucked her arm within Tanner's, and laid

  her head on his shoulder with a sigh of contentment--a

  contentment that wavered as soon as Stacy and Tanner were

  alone in her bedroom. She watched him take in their modest

  surroundings, finishing with the small bed.

  "I'm sorry, Tanner. I wish the bed were bigger."

  "Oh, I don't know," Tanner said calmly. "It means I'll need

  to snuggle very close to my wife tonight."

  "You mean you really don't mind?"

  "Will you mind my snuggling close?" Tanner asked with a

  raised brow.

  Stacy laughed She darted around a chair and pointed at

  him.

  "That was not a challenge."

  "Challenge or not, this should be an interesting game,"

  Tanner countered as he began to stalk her. Just as Tanner was

  about to catch Stacy, a knock sounded on the door.

  Tanner looked rather perturbed over the disturbance, but

  Stacy claimed victory as she ran to answer it.

  "Your grandfather is awake now and would like to see

  you," Peters told her as soon as she opened the door.

  Stacy's heart swelled with pleasure. She had felt crushed

  an hour ago when they'd arrived and been told that her

  grandfather was sleeping. She had begged them not to disturb

  him, but her desire to see him now was so intense that she

  ached inside. Unfortunately, Tanner wanted her attention

  right now also. Hesitantly she answered, unaware of Tanner's

  approach from behind her.

  "Peters, please tell my grandfather that I'll be down in a

  short while."

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  "Make that a few moments," Tanner cut in. Stacy swung

  around in surprise. "Lady Stacy and I will be down in a few

  minutes."

  Peters nodded, and Tanner shut the door on his departure.

  "Are you certain, Tanner?" Stacy immediately began. "I

  can tell Peters that--"

  Tanner silenced her with a kiss.

  "We'll go downstairs and see your grandfather. I'm looking

  forward to meeting him."

  Stacy sighed, and her hand came up to stroke his cheek.

  "Thank you, Tanner."

  Tanner sighed also, but for another reason. He was not

  used to putting his wants aside for others, but the look on

  Stacy's face when she'd found her grandfather asleep caused

  him to feel unusual compassion.

  Tanner kissed Stacy again before taking her hand and

  holding it all the way downstairs, releasing her only when

  Stacy saw her grandfather and moved to hug him.

  "Oh, Papa," was all Stacy could say as he held her. She

  always tho
ught him a big man, and he was tall, but after

  Tanner'ssolid strength he seemed very thin, almost gaunt. Not

  that this mattered to Stacy. She was so content to be with her

  grandfather for the first time in months that for the moment

  nothing else really mattered.

  "Good morning, your Grace," Peters greeted Tanner the

  next morning.

  "Good morning. Have you seen my wife?" Tanner had

  wakened to an empty bed and no sign of Stacy or Rayna. Price

  had no information as he dressed, so as soon as he was decent,

  he'd made his way downstairs.

  "Yes, my lord," Peters answered. "Lady Stacy and her

  grandfather have gone fishing. Would you like your breakfast

  now, my lord, or directions to the pond?"

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  Tanner, an expert at hiding his feelings, was struggling for

  the first time in years to keep his mouth closed The man said

  his wife had gone fishing. Fishing. His statuesque, lovely bride

  was sitting on the banks of a pond, fishing. The idea was

  inconceivable.

  These riotous thoughts invaded Tanner's mind for only

  seconds before he noticed Peters' patient stance, reminding

  him that he'd been offered breakfast. He was hungry, but his

  curiosity over his wife's fishing won the battle.

  "I'll take those directions to the pond," Tanner said softly

  and listened intently as Peters spoke. Feeling like a vagabond,

  Tanner reached for several biscuits, eating as he walked

  toward the pond He believed that his wife really was fishing,

  but the novelty of the idea forced a need in him to see for

  himself.

  "Now that's five to my one," Stacy said with a sigh as

  Andrew brought in another fish. "I must have lost my touch."

  "Indeed. It's the life of the idle rich that you now lead"

  Stacy laughed in delight at the image his words portrayed,

  but then she grew very serious.

  "It does take a little getting used to."

  "I imagine it does. It must also make it hard to come here

  with all of our worn surroundings."

  "Now that's where you're wrong," Stacy told him sweetly.

  "Morgan will always be in my heart, old furniture and all."

  "I'm thinking of leaving it to Noel and Elena."

  "I think that's very wise, but I hope you're not in any big

  hurry to leave us." Stacy's voice had been light, but Andrew did

  not reply.

  "Is there something you're not telling me?" Stacy asked

  now, her voice fearful.

  "It's nothing you don't already know. I just don't know

  what I'll have to live for if I lose my eyes completely."

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  "Oh, Papa," Stacy's voice was soft with pain. "I won't tell

  you I understand because I'm sure I don't, but please know

  how much I need you. If you can't keep going for yourself,

  then keep going for me. I can't stand the thought of your being

  gone."

  Andrew took his gaze from the pond and stared intently at

  'Stacy's tear-filled eyes. He was surprised to see those tears; he

  could hardly remember her ever crying. In fact the tears did

  I not spill but sat pooled in her great blue eyes. Only one

  thought came to the old man. Was there a sweeter woman in

  all of England? Andrew was sure there was not. After a moment

  he reached and patted the hand she'd lain on his arm.

  "Worry not, my dear. I shall keep on, if for no one else,

  | then for you."

  Stacy hugged his arm and brushed a quick hand across her

  eyes. They fished in silence until Stacy felt a mighty tug on her

  line. She stood with a shout, as did Andrew to watch as she

  worked the line and brought in the biggest catch of the day.

  This was the scene upon which Tanner walked. He stood

  transfixed as he watched his wife laugh and unhook a good-sized

  trout from her line. Before he was noticed, he had time

  to take in the whole scene.

  Andrew was bundled from head to foot, but Stacy was

  wearing only a dress, a dress that had been patched many

  times over and was too tight across her bosom. He wondered

  how many years she'd had it. Her hair was also coming down

  around her face, and there was a smear of mud under one eye.

  "Oh, Tanner," Stacy suddenly spoke, and Andrew turned.

  'I didn't hear you come up."

  Tanner hated the uncertainty he heard in her voice. His

  own voice was meant to soothe as he smiled and came forward

  "So when do we eat this catch, for breakfast or lunch?"

  "Well..." Stacy began, still looking uncomfortable with a

  fish in her hand and a look of stark vulnerability on her face.

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  "We'll eat them for lunch," Andrew interjected, not noticing

  Stacy's hesitancy, or choosing to ignore it. "Why don't you

  run ahead to the kitchen, Stacy, and see that Mercy gets these."

  "Yes, Papa," Stacy answered and moved to obey him, but

  Tanner caught her hand when she would have passed by him

  in silent embarrassment. He stood staring into her eyes. Stacy

  glanced over to see that her grandfather had begun to fish

  again, his back to them, so she spoke softly for Tanner's ears

  alone.

  "You must be wondering what kind of woman you married"

  "As a matter of fact I am."

  Stacy looked crushed.

  "I'm probably going to need the next 50 years to decide

  which woman I like better--the woman who has a wardrobe

  full of silks and satins and usually smells of flowers, or the

  adorable urchin before me, whose cotton dress looks like a

  rag and who smells of fish."

  "You're really not angry or ashamed of me?"

  "I'm furious and my reputation is shot." Tanner's tone was

  dry.

  Stacy chuckled low in her throat and went on her way.

  Tanner sent her off with a smack to her backside and then

  joined the older man on the banks. Stacy's pole was nearby,

  but Tanner did not reach for it. Fishing held no interest for

  him.

  "You don't fish?" It was the first time Andrew had talked

  with Tanner alone. Tanner genuinely liked his wife's grandfather

  and answered easily.

  "No, sir, I don't."

  "How about hunting?"

  "Yes, I hunt. Do you?"

  "Not with my eyes growing so unpredictable. My younger

  cousin, Noel, hunts. If you've a mind to be here awhile, you

  could go with him. He'd know all the best areas."

  They were silent as Andrew pulled in another fish. Tanner

  watched him for a time, but then his gaze strayed across the

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  pond to the beautiful area beyond. While Tanner studied the

  scape, Andrew, whose eyes were clear that day, studied Tanner.

  There was plenty of temptation at a time like this to give

  speeches, but Andrew knew they would do no good. Either

  Tanner was going to take good care of Stacy or he wasn't, and

  Andrew sincerely doubted that anything he said would make a

  difference.

  What he'd seen so far looked good, but Stacy had been

  raised in a different world, and her level of trust was very high,

  even when it ought not to be. As a duke, Tanner was certainly

 
used to having his own way, and Stacy was a people pleaser.

  The old man shrugged mentally. It was out of his hands. As

  much as he'd like to wring a promise out of this young duke

  that his granddaughter would be well cared for, he knew

  better than to even try.

  As it was, Tanner began to speak, cutting into Andrew's

  musings. He extended an invitation to Winslow, if ever Andrew

  wanted to make the trip, and then proceeded to tell him of the

  house and grounds. By the time they returned to Morgan for

  breakfast the older man was feeling much better about this

  young man.

  In the next ten days that they visited, Andrew was given a

  measure of peace concerning Stacy's happiness. It wasn't

  anything specific, but Tanner proved repeatedly in the little

  things he said and did that he cared deeply for his new wife.

  Because Andrew didn't know when Stacy would come

  again, the goodbyes at the end of their visit were harder than

  the ones in the spring had been. But from what he could tell,

  he believed Tanner was going to do right by Stacy. Beyond that

  Andrew could only hope.

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  standing in the doorway of the master bedroom, Stacy

  was pleased that Tanner had warned her before they arrived.

  This room, the suite actually, was as massive as everything

  else at Winslow.

  On one end were Stacy's spacious sitting room and large

  dressing room. From Stacy's tour, she knew that Tanner's

  sitting and dressing rooms were of the same size. Centered

  between these four smaller rooms was the bedroom itself.

  The master bedroom was a room in which all the furniture

  played court to the huge bed that stood against the main

  wall. The headboard was over six feet high with pillared

  columns on the two corners. It was ornately carved in a rich

  cherry wood and inlaid with mahogany and ash. Large windows

  with beautiful smokey-gray hangings looked out over

  the perfectly manicured acres of Winslow.

  If she leaned very close to the glass she could see the other

  wings, which housed dozens of rooms: bedrooms, private

  sitting rooms, small dining areas, a multitiered library, a music

  room, studies, lovely galleries, servants' quarters, and more

  than Stacy could keep track of.

  The kitchen was at the rear of Winslow, off the first floor.

  Although Stacy had only gained a peek, her impression of hundreds

  of square feet of floor space and gleaming pots hanging