Who Brings Forth the Wind

by Lori Wick

  brushed the hair over his forehead. Drew's grin broadened,

  although Stacy wasn't certain he actually understood. Stacy

  doubted that Tanner was as calm outside as he appeared, but

  she was thrilled with the way it had gone.

  Conversation started up again among the three of them,

  and whenever Drew started to call Tanner sir or lord, someone

  would gently correct him. Stacy wasn't certain as to how

  much he was beginning to understand until it was bedtime.

  "Would you like Papa to carry you to bed?" she asked.

  Drew's eyes flew to Tanner's, and Stacy's smile was huge

  as he swung his small son up into his arms.

  "Off we go, son." It was as if it happened all the time.

  Stacy nearly floated into Drew's bedroom. They were

  going to be a family! Tanner was not what you'd call warm to

  her, but he didn't seem quite so angry.

  Thank You, Lord, Stacy silently prayed. Thank You for

  giving us another chance. Please help us to make the best of it.

  287*eim

  madame angelica, london's premier dressmaker, rattled

  off a string of sentences in rapid French to Tanner, Stacy had

  to hold her mouth shut as Tanner replied back in French.

  When pleasure and something akin to greed lit the woman's

  eyes, it wasn't hard to figure out that Tanner had told her what

  he sought.

  "Come in, my lady," Angelica nearly cooed She had dozens

  of seamstresses and assistants, but this was a duchess, and for

  this reason Angelica would see to the fittings herself.

  "Thank you."

  Stacy and Tanner followed her, Stacy noticing as they

  walked that she had the disconcerting habit of muttering to

  herself in French. Stacy wondered what the dressmaker was

  saying as they were led into the private dressing room.

  "I need my tape," Madame Angelica explained briskly and

  rushed off still muttering to herself. Stacy looked to Tanner.

  "She's quite taken with your figure, but she says your

  dress, one of her own magnificent creations, is sadly out of

  date." Tanner's voice was so bored as he recited this that Stacy

  blushed.

  She found herself wishing that Sunny had never mentioned

  Tanner's pride. He was only doing this for himself,

  because it was shaming his reputation to have his wife seen in

  outdated clothes. Stacy felt resentment rising within her.

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  "Now then." The dressmaker was back. "I will help you out

  of this gown," she began, and then the rest was in French. Just

  moments passed before Stacy found herself in her underclothes,

  being measured from head to foot.

  "Now, I have a dress, the latest style and almost complete,

  but the fabric, you see, is flawed. I would like you to try it just

  for fit."

  Stacy agreed with a nod of her head, and the older woman

  was gone and back in record time, carrying a gold creation

  over her arm. The dress was slipped over Stacy's shoulders,

  settled around her hips, and buttoned up the back. Madame

  Angelica had forgotten yet one more thing, and as she rushed

  off, Stacy was given her first full look in the mirror. She was

  horrified by what she saw... why not even her shift was that

  low!

  Stacy told herself not to overreact; maybe there hadbeen a

  mistake. But as she studied herself in the mirror, she knew

  there had been no error. Her hand came slowly to her mouth

  as her stomach churned

  Oh please, Stacy silently begged her husband. Please don't

  make me go into public this way.

  Stacy was so shaken that tears filled her eyes. Knowing

  that Tanner was somewhere behind and to the side of her,

  Stacy carefully moved her face away from him as well as her

  own image in the mirror. She racked her brain for a solution,

  but she was too much in a panic and none came. Tanner would

  be furious if she made a scene in the dress shop.

  A chance glance in the mirror told her that Tanner had

  moved until he could study her face in the reflection. Stacy

  swiftly turned her tear-filled eyes away, but the hand she'd

  placed over the missing material told Tanner all he needed to

  know.

  "Now then." Angelica was back.

  "The dress is too low," Tanner interrupted before she

  could say another word.

  "But Lord Richardson," Madame Angelica replied, clearly

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  shocked, "it is the latest style, and your wife's figure, ooh la

  la--it is perfection. How can--"

  "It's too low," Tanner stated again, and this time his voice

  did not invite Angelica to argue.

  With a heartfelt sigh, she asked, "What is it you wish?"

  "Lady Richardson will show you."

  Stacy was still shaking, but she managed to show Angelica

  what she had in mind. The plump dressmaker was not at all

  happy, but she gave no further argument.

  Just a short time later Stacy was back in her own dress, and

  the process of choosing patterns and fabrics began. She

  learned that Tanner had magnificent taste, and Stacy had to

  do little more than nod while he, Angelica, and all her helpers

  sorted their way through patterns and bolts of cloth.

  It wasn't until they were back in the carriage that Stacy was

  given a chance to thank Tanner. He frowned at her as though

  the words were not necessary, so Stacy let the subject drop as

  well as her eyes.

  289

  Middlesbrough, which is where I suspect Stacy will go if

  Tanner ever sends her away again."

  Luanda's brow furrowed. She had thought of this, but it

  was not something of which she approved. Roddy saw the

  stubborn look on her face and frowned in concern. Lucinda

  had been running people's lives for years, and even though

  she said little to Stacy, Roddy knew she still wanted to run hers

  as well.

  From time to time Roddy had worried over his wife's

  busyness, but never like he did now. When it came to Stacy,

  and most especially Drew, she was like a woman possessed.

  Roddy had tried to talk with her on a number of occasions, but

  she always grew very agitated and he would let the matter

  drop.

  He contemplated bringing it up now but hesitated, feeling

  a coward Another hour passed. Just as he was finally ready to

  say something, Tanner and Stacy arrived. Even though he was

  grateful, he felt cowardly for his relief.

  "I've never been tempted toward criminal actions before,"

  Lucinda told her husband. "But I want to steal this child."

  Roddy laughed. He certainly knew how she felt. Drew had

  been spending the day with them, and even though they had

  known he should have a nap, the time had just flown. Now he

  was asleep in Roddy's lap, and the two adults present could

  not keep their eyes off of him.

  "I love the way his face flushes when he sleeps," Roddy

  murmured.

  "I've missed him so much. I was even hoping things

  wouldn't work out between Stacy and Tanner so he could

  come back here."

  "Cinda." Roddy's voice was a soft rebuke. "That's
a horrible

  way to think, and besides, Winslow is closer to us than

  The day after the dress fitting, a Richardson carriage

  pulled up in front of Featherstone. Stacy glanced out the

  carriage window to see Lady Andrea waiting for her. The first

  day in town, after Price had given Stacy the itinerary, she had

  been on the verge of sending her note to Lucinda and Roddy

  suggesting they have tea. However, a note arrived from Brandon's

  mother before Stacy could do anything.

  How she had known that Stacy was in London, Stacy could

  not imagine, but she was thrilled to be able to accept. The

  note she had finally sent to Lucinda and Roddy asked them if

  they would like to have Drew while she was at the dressmaker's

  and with Lady Andrea. Stacy felt a twinge of guilt at

  not spending the following day with them, but wanted very

  much to see Lady Andrea and felt her family would understand

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  "My dear," Andrea said warmly as she came forward .

  embraced Stacy. "I'm so glad you came. Come inside. I've.

  splendid tea laid out. Is Drew with you?"a

  "He came to London with us, yes, but right now he's atl

  Brentwood."

  Andrea smiled. "Lucinda must be thrilled"

  Stacy moved inside with her hostess and when she'd laid

  off her things, she asked Lady Andrea how she'd known of her

  presence.

  "I was in need of some papers from Bracken," the older J

  woman told her. "Brandon sent them by coach yesterday, and

  when they arrived I found that Sunny had added a letter

  telling of your visit."

  "I'm so glad she did. I don't care for London all that much,

  and it's nice to come here where I can forget the gossips and

  even the dressmaker."

  "Was it so bad?"

  Stacy pulled a face. "I hadn't realized the necklines had

  gone so low."

  Andrea nodded understandingly. "I'm afraid they become

  barer every year. Is that what Tanner wanted for you?"

  Stacy sighed gently, still feeling very thankful. "No, he

  didn't. I was quite nearly in tears in the dressing room, and he

  didn't push me. I know Madame Angelica thought we were

  mad, but at least my dresses will be modest."

  "It's amazing isn't it? I mean, the little ways God takes care

  of us?"

  "Oh, my," Stacy agreed fervently, "I certainly found that

  out this last year."

  Andrea poured the tea then, and Stacy shared some of the

  ways God had worked in her heart and at Winslow. Andrea's

  eyes filled with tears as Stacy shared how thankful she was for

  the little things, like being moved from the north wing. Then

  she told of the great things, such as Tanner's wanting Drew to

  know of his parentage.

  Andrea's handkerchief was in her hand when she told

  Stacy she would be praying that Tanner would continue to

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  grow closer to her and Drew. They fell silent for a time, and

  then Stacy spoke thoughtfully.

  "I could have a better attitude about the fittings. Lucinda

  adores shopping and fittings, and when I lived with her she

  finally despaired of ever changing me."

  "Sunny positively hates shopping, so do you know what

  she does?"

  "No,"

  "She sends her measurements to Madame Angelica. She's

  been doing it for years. When the wardrobe is completed, it's

  all sent to Bracken. When the gowns arrive she needs an

  occasional tuck here and there, but she has a marvelous maid

  who can do that for her. She dresses in the latest with none of

  the pains of fittings."

  "What a marvelous idea! I might ask her about that when I

  return. Of course I won't need anything for a time, but it's

  certainly a handy idea."

  The next two hours flew by as the two women shared

  about everything under the sun. Stacy had a few questions

  about the passage of Scripture she was studying in Romans 12.

  Lady Andrea proved a great help. Stacy's own words to Roddy

  came to mind as the coach moved toward Tanner's town

  house.

  God bos never let me down. When I truly need to know

  something, He always shows me.

  293

  mer is so difficult to live with, but I don't have to answer for

  actions, only for my own response.

  "I'm afraid to tell Tanner, Lord. Please be with me. Please

  jve me boldness. Please use this to soften his heart, and if it

  fdoesn't, give me the right words."

  by the time tanner, stacy, hettie, and drew arrived back

  at Winslow, Stacy was so tired she could hardly move. The ride

  seemed to lengthen every time she made it. She let Hettie feed

  Drew while she bathed, and as soon as she'd read to him and

  tucked him in, she took herself off to bed. She slept dreamessly

  all through the night but woke earlier than she would

  have liked.

  Stacy rolled to her stomach, determined to go back to

  sleep, but a sudden tenderness in her breasts caused her to

  open her eyes. She lay for some time thinking on the fact that

  this tenderness wasn't so sudden; she just hadn't given it any

  heed. It had been this way with Drew also. Long after Stacy

  should have given attention to the other signs, she would not

  let her heart face the evidence before her. Stacy sat up slowly.

  She and Tanner had only shared one night. Was it possible?

  "Of course it's possible."

  Stacy reached for her Bible. She read about Sarah, Abraham's

  wife, and how she had a child when she was 90. Sarah

  wasn't perfect, but she had faith in God. Stacy turned to

  Hebrews 11:11 and read that Sarah found God faithful to the

  promise He made to give her a child.

  "You've given me no such promise, Lord, but You have said

  that You will never leave me or forsake me. If there is to be

  another child, help me to see Your sovereignty in its conception.

  Stacy waited three more days before approaching Tanner,

  carefully monitoring the condition of her body. He was in his

  study as usual, and Stacy could see that he was not happy to be

  disturbed. She'd prayed long and hard about this conversation,

  however, so she stepped forward with more boldness

  than she ever had before to take a chair in front of his desk.

  "I'm sorry to disturb you, Tanner, but I need to speak with

  you."

  Tanner placed his papers back on the desk and sat back in

  his chair; his face a study in indifference. Stacy cleared her

  throat.

  "I'm pregnant, Tanner. I must be some weeks along, but I

  just now realized it."

  Nothing. She was met with absolute silence; his face never

  changed expression.

  "Tanner, did you hear me?"

  "Yes, I heard you."

  Stacy sat nonplussed.

  "Are you worried the child isn't yours?" she asked, desperately

  trying to gauge his true feelings.

  "Is it mine?" Tanner's voice was still unresponsive.

  "Yes."

  The duke shrugged, and Stacy realized she had been prepared

  for anything but his indifference. She stood slowly,

 
thinking that if she stayed in the room she might break down,

  but something stopped her from exiting. At the door, Stacy

  turned and faced her husband again. He had not gone back to

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  his papers, so Stacy was able to speak with her eyes holding

  his,

  "When you came for me atlucinda and Roddy's, I came

  back to you because I was afraid to say no, but there was more,

  Tanner. I also came because I believed it might be God's way

  of repairing my marriage.

  "I've never stopped loving you. When you wanted me

  back, even before you knew that Drew was yours, I took that as

  a good sign. But it hasn't been good. You despise me, and the

  staff takes their cue from you. I would love to stay right now

  and work on our marriage, but I must think of our unborn

  baby. Drew and I will be leaving for Lucinda and Roddy's as

  soon as we're packed" Stacy paused, seemingly out of energy,

  but an unprecedented boldness came over her.

  "I never really stood a chance, did I, Tanner? Leslie saw to

  that. Well, I'm not Leslie. I'm Stacy The letter is still in my

  dressing room, Tanner. You're welcome to go and get it. This

  time I hope you read the whole thing."

  Tanner never moved from his chair as the door closed. He

  knew Stacy would actually leave, and because he thought the

  distance might do them some good, he did not try to stop her.

  He was surprised, however, when she left without seeking

  him out again. Two hours later the carriage pulled away, and

  she hadn't even brought Drew in to say goodbye.

  You just want her because she's not here. All this time she

  was right beneath your roof, and you ignored her. Now that

  she's gone you want to talk to her. The feeling will pass.

  Tanner knew he was lying to himself. He had said all of

  this to himself and more, but Stacy had only been gone one

  week and he had never known such loneliness. Tanner had

  held himself in check most of the time Stacy had been there,

  watching her from down the hall or from a window when she

  295

  wasn't aware. To let her know that he thought of her and Drew

  constantly would not do. If he became vulnerable to her, she

  would only hurt him again. Or would she? Tanner was beginning

  to doubt his own sanity.

  Almost of their own volition, Tanner's feet moved toward

  Stacy's bedroom. Her dressing room was nearly empty, but

  just as she'd said, the letter was there. Tanner started at the

  beginning again.

  Dear Tanner,