by Lori Wick
dresses but quickly spotted a thick, white robe and took hold
of it. He was on his way out when he spotted an envelope. He
would normally have given little notice to such a thing, but it
was addressed to him.
Tanner set the lantern down and looked at the front of the
letter. "Lord Tanner Richardson" was written out in Stacy's
hand. Tanner removed the folded letter without a moment's
hesitation.
"Dear Tanner," it began. "I'm not sure if you knew I was
back in London, but I arrived just this week. I am staying at
Brentwood with Roddy and Lucinda. I would like to see you. I
know I told you I would not return unless you sent for me, but
my grandfather has died and I've come at Lucinda's bidding.
"I would like to see you, Tanner. I would like to talk about
the Cradwell party and explain about Nigel Stanley. I made a
terrible mistake, and if we could only talk, I feel we might
resolve this painful thing between us."
There was more, but Tanner stopped reading. He had
been ready to believe it had all been a mistake--that he had
misunderstood. This was harder to take than Leslie's betrayal.
Stacy's sweetness wove its way into his heart until he felt like a
snared bird. He had loved that snare when they had first
married, but after Stacy's betrayal, he'd felt like it was strangling
him.
Tanner threw both the letter and Stacy's robe to the floor
and exited the wardrobe and bedroom with long, angry
266
strides. He dressed with Price's help, giving terse orders
the while.1
"Pack my bag; I'm leaving. See to it that my wife"--it cost)
him just to say the word--"does not get too comfortable in my]
bed."
"You do not want me to accompany you, my lord?"
"No. I shall be gone at least a week, but that's no one's
business. Handle my correspondence as best you can. No
social engagements at all."
"Yes, my lord."
Just 20 minutes later Tanner was in the coach and headed
to London. He was not entirely certain what he needed to do
there, but he had to put some space between himself and his
adulterous wife. He thought he could put it behind him, but
right now that didn't seem possible--the letter had finally
told him that what he'd believed all along was true.
The night they had spent together ran through his mind,
and Tanner knew he would always desire his wife. His next
thoughts were of his son, the precious little boy he was just
getting to know. Tanner's h^aH f*i i k ~i --
267
him from the pillow, even though she was somewhat embarrassed,
but her smile slowly faded at Price's serious face.
"Is Lord Richardson dressing, Price?"
"I'm sorry, my lady, but Lord Richardson is not here."
"By not here, do you mean not upstairs?" Her tone was
almost too much for the man.
"No, my lady."
"He's left Winslow?"
"Yes, my lady. Would you like me to send Hettie to you?"
"No, Price, that's all right. I'll get up as soon as you go."
Price bowed his way out, and Stacy lay still for a moment.
If he had left money on the pillow beside her, she couldn't
have felt any cheaper.
Five minutes later Stacy was standing in her dressing
room. She bent slowly and picked up the robe and crumpled
letter. It didn't take long to figure what had happened. Stacy's
eyes closed in agony.
"Oh, Tanner," she whispered. "What have you done?"
Stacy woke slowly and smiled. Surprisingly, she didn't feel
any disorientation waking up in the master bedroom. She
knew exactly where she was and, with the smile still on her
face, rolled toward Tanner's side of the bed. A lopsided frown
replaced the smile when she found the bed empty.
"Tanner," Stacy called softly, hoping he was in his dressing
room.
"Tanner," she tried again and sat up when the door opened
She lay down swiftly however, quickly covering herself with
the bedclothes when Price appeared instead. She grinned at
270
stacy was sorry she confided in her aunt. Lucinda was so
angry she could hardly see straight. Tanner had been gone
three days now, and her aunt and uncle had arrived that
morning. They were in the large salon at Winslow. Drew was
on the huge Persian carpet that covered the floor, but Roddy
had brought him a toy and he was not listening to the adults.
"First he takes you from us," she raved, her voice soft but
venomous. "And then leaves you here like so much excess
baggage. He's an absolute beast. I want you to pack your things
immediately. You and Drew are returning with us."
Stacy only shook her head, calm in the face of her aunt's
ire.
"How can you stay here?" Lucinda was incredulous.
"Because I want my marriage to work Running away will
accomplish nothing."
Lucinda sat back in utter defeat. Roddy studied his wife
and then commented.
"Unless you fear for your safety, I think you're wise, Stacy.
What you've told us is heartbreaking, but I think Tanner is
confused."
"Confused!" Lucinda snorted scornfully, but a look from
Roddy silenced her.
"If he is confused," Roddy continued, "then maybe you
can work it out when he returns."
269
"I thank you for the vote of confidence, Roddy, but he'll
f probably be angry when he returns. And as you know, Tanner's ' anger has a way of intimidating me."
"But you don't fear he'll harm you?"
"At times I feel emotionally spent, but no, I don't fear
Tanner that way. I think Tanner is wrong to react as he does,
but part of the problem is mine because I'm not bolder when I
know I'm supposed to be. I decided a few days ago that leaving
cannot be an option, or every time I'm upset I'll want to run."
"So you'll stay here no matter what?" Stacy could hear
tears in Lucinda's voice.
"I won't go so far as to say that, but I will stay on just as long
as I can and hope that means I'll be here for the next 60 years."
It was not what Lucinda wanted to hear, but Stacy believed
she was making the right choice. The first time Tanner growled
at her she knew she'd be tempted to hide, but for now, for her
sake as well as Drew's, she must stay.
The subject was dropped when Drew wanted to go upstairs.
Stacy rose to accompany him, but Lucinda, her eyes
alight with adoration for Drew, offered to go instead. Stacy
was happy to agree. Not until after they'd gone did Stacy take
her seat and notice a very thoughtful look on Roddy's face.
"My, but you look serious," Stacy commented lightly. To
her surprise Roddy did not laugh at his own somber demeanor.
"How did you come to this decision, Stacy? I mean, to stay
here with Tanner?" Roddy asked.
"I believe it's what God wants me to do," she answered
simply.
"But how do you know?" Roddy's face was filled with
yearning. "Has God spoken to you i
n some way?"
"Through His Word, yes. I believe God speaks to His
children through the Bible. I've matured through my study; in
fact, I'm a different person now, Roddy, and that's because of
the time I've spent in God's Word"
"And you really believe that the Bible is the inspired Word
of God?"
"Yes, I do, Roddy."
271
270
"But what if you simply can't find the answer you're k
ing for? Then what do you do?"
Stacy smiled. "God has never let me down, Roddy. If 11.
need to know something, He shows me. I don't mean going oi
on some tangent in order to disprove whether or not Jonah
really was swallowed by a fish and lived to tell about it. I'm
talking about real-life issues that apply directly to my heart
and change me forever."
Roddy nodded slowly and admitted softly, "I'm still working
through the cross."
Stacy's smile was tender. She wasn't exactly sure what he
meant, but she could hear Drew and Lucinda coming back to
join them. "I'll be praying for you, Roddy, and if there is
anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask,"
Roddy thanked her and then spoke softly before they were
interrupted. "Do you believe that Jonah was literally swallowed
by a huge fish?"
Again Stacy smiled. "With all my heart."
i
Stacy was ready to change her resolve over staying almost
as soon as Tanner came back a week later. She knew he would
not seek her out, and she had no intention of mentioning the
letter, but Stacy forced herself to see him in order to know
where she stood.
"Welcome back, Tanner," Stacy ventured hesitantly from
her place just inside the study door, glad to have even gained
entrance. "Did your trip go well?"
"Sufferably," Tanner answered without ever looking up
from his desk.
"How was your birthday?"
This got the duke's attention. His head came up, and he
looked at her in surprise. Stacy began thinking she'd mistaken
the date all these years.
"It was your birthday two days ago, wasn't it?"
| "Yes." Tanner's voice was cold He seemed to be angry that
[ he remembered when he had not.
"It doesn't sound like you celebrated" Stacy tried to be
cheerful. "Shall I ask cook for something special for lunch?"
'Til be busy."
"Dinner then?1'
"No. I have work to do, Stacy."
She watched his head go back down and knew she had to
ask the next question if it killed her.
"Tanner, would you rather we leave?"
Brown eyes burned into blue, and Stacy held her breath.
"Do as you like." Again the head went back down.
"So we can stay?"
"I don't--" Tanner stood and began to shout, but cut off
when he saw his wife blanch.
He was still angry enough to throw her out, but thinking
about it andactually doing it while looking into Stacy's vulnerable,
strained features were far different.
"You're welcome to stay." Tanner's was calmer now. "But
I am a busy man, so I would appreciate being left alone."
Stacy nodded and turned to the door. Her hand shook as
she tried to open it, forcing her to try again. She exited the
room without once glancing back to see her husband watching
her, an unreadable expression on his face.
-Here we go." Stacy swung Drew back up onto the bank
and they started their ttek homeq TaMer .n the
J^'S^^iT^'"*11 ^^-^rSbearupunderthe
strain, the Lord used Drew to rescue her.
272
"Mumma, can we fish?"
It was on Stacy's lips to say no because there was no wat
but she suddenly remembered a creek that she and Tanc
had passed years ago while out riding. It would take soi
legwork, but Stacy was sure they could walk it.
Today was their sixth trip. Stacy did not say yes every day,
but in truth she needed the outings as much as Drew did. The
servants, with the exception of Price, were more unpleasant
than ever, and Winslow had become an oppressive place for
Stacy. Hettie had come down with a summer cold that went
straight into her chest, so Stacy and Drew were on their own
much of the time.
"I'll carry the fish," Drew now said, and Stacy gave him the I
string. She knew he wouldn't last long with the heavy line, but 1
she let him try. They were both tiring as they neared the rear of 1
the Winslow stables, but Drew still had energy to chatter. He
made Stacy laugh on several occasions, and she was still
laughing when Drew cried out.
"Oh, look, Mumma, it's Lord Richardson. We can show him
our catch."
This was the last thing Stacy wanted to do, but Tanner was
standing ahead of them in the path, watching their approach.
The twosome had no choice but to walk right past him.
"We fished," Drew said as soon as he was in close proximity.
"See our catch, Lord Richardson!"
Stacy had stopped, and Drew now took the fish and ran
from his mother's side to hold up the string of trophies.
Tanner moved toward his son and hunkered down to Drew's
level.
"It looks as if you've been busy."
"Mumma caught them, and I helped. Someday I can fish
with a hook too."
"I'm sure you'll do very well."
Drew chattered on, and Tanner paid close attention. Stacy
would have been surprised to know that he was watching her
as much as listening to Drew.
273
She was dressed in a worn day-dress, looking more like a
^scullery maid than a duchess. Not that it mattered; Tanner
[found her lovely whatever her attire. Her face was flushed and
} her hair a mess, and Tanner suddenly realized they had come
from behind the stables and not through them.
"Where did you fish?" He stood in one easy movement, his
voice nonchalant.
"At the creek."
"Did you walk?"
"Yes," Stacy answered slowly, sensing for the first time thar
he might not be too happy about that. "It really isn't far, and we
needed to get out."
"I don't want--" Tanner began, his tone severe.
"Mumma?"
"Andrew," Stacy turned to her son when he cut in, "Lord
Richardson is talking. Do not interrupt." Stacy turned back to
Tanner, but he was staring down at Drew. Stacy followed his
gaze to find her son standing with his legs close together and a
look of near panic on his face.
Oh my, Stacy thought, thinking that if she took care of
Drew's needs, Tanner would be angry. To her surprise, Tanner
stepped in. He swiftly scooped Drew into his arms and headed
into the bush off the path.
Stacy heard low voices beyond the shrubs and shook her
head in wonder. One moment her husband was completely
unapproachable and then next he was taking his son into the
bushes. Although, if Stacy thought about it, Tanner was always
kind to Drew. It was to her that he was unapproachable. He
didn't seek Drew ou
t very often, but his face and voice were
very gentle when they were together.
Drew marched out of the bushes then, Tanner on his
heels.
"Mumma, can Lord Richardson eat our fish too?"
"Of course, darling; we have plenty."
"I'll tell cook," Drew stated and started toward the mansion
once again. Stacy thanked Tanner for seeing to Drew's
needs and moved along the path. She wasn't certain if Tanner
274
followed or not, but right then she couldn't make herself sta
and be scolded over the fishing trip. Feeling every inch
coward, she rushed along behind Drew to the kitchen.
Three hours later Tanner came from his study in time to
see a maid taking a tray upstairs. The unmistakable smell of
fish wafted through the air. Tanner frowned at the woman's
back. Hadn't Drew wanted to eat with him, and hadn't Stacy
agreed?
"Did you need something, my lord?"
Tanner turned to find Price in attendance.
"When is dinner?"
"Seven o'clock, unless of course you wish to change the
time?"
Tanner knew it was just now six.
"And what is cook serving?"
"I believe Lord Drew requested that you enjoy some of his
fish."
Tanner nodded. He'd assumed that they would be eating
together and realized then that he should assume nothing. His
disappointment was keen. He had looked forward to eating
with his son and seeing Stacy. His anger was wearing off, and
even though he was in no mood to allow her any foothold in
his life, she was still a delight to the eyes, and because she
didn't chatter constantly, a very restful person to be with.
"Please tell cook that I wish my dinner now, and served
with my wife and son."
Price bowed and left to change the arrangements. Tanner,
not bothering with a coat, took the stairs two at a time to find
Stacy and Drew.
275
Stacy had just seated Drew at the table in her sitting room
id was about to serve him when Tanner knocked on the
p^or. Stacy stared up at him, uncertain about his presence
luntil Tanner's brows rose almost mockingly.
"Come in," Stacy quickly invited, feeling flustered.
Tanner spoke once he was inside.
"I thought I'd been invited to eat fish with you."
"Oh!" Stacy said. "I'm sorry, Tanner, I didn't realize. Please
sit down."
She rushed to pull up another chair to the small table and
serve him. Tanner frowned at her actions, looking around for
