Who Brings Forth the Wind

by Lori Wick

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  noticed her discomfort, but he'd opted to start the journey on

  horseback.

  Drew had fallen asleep almost as soon as they had left, and

  even though Stacy had shifted his head from her abdomen for

  some relief, she was now growing desperate. Suddenly Drew

  stirred.

  "Mumma," he said in a sleepy voice. "Mumma, I need to be

  excused."

  Stacy's fist flew to the top of the carriage, and seconds

  later the coach slowed to a stop. When the door opened,

  Tanner stood there.

  "Drew needs to be excused."

  "All right." Tanner's voice was calm. "I'll see to him."

  "I'll take care of him!" Stacy nearly shouted in his face.

  Tanner blinked at her tone before stepping back quickly when

  she barged her way from the carriage. Understanding was

  only seconds in coming, and he was calling himself every kind

  of fool as he followed her into the privacy of the woods.

  "Here, Stacy, I'll see to Drew."

  Tanner didn't give Stacy time to argue as he lifted Drew in

  his arms and went in the opposite direction. Stacy wasted no

  time but shot behind some bushes to see to her own needs.

  Some minutes later she made her way comfortably back to the

  carriage. Tanner and Drew were already there, and Stacy saw

  instantly that Tanner's horse was tied to the rear of the carriage.

  "Lady Blackwell sent a large hamper along. Would you like

  to stop now?"

  "I'm really not hungry," Stacy told him. "Would you like to

  stop?"

  "No, we can wait." Tanner's voice was cordial as he ushered

  her and Drew into the carriage. Drew sat in his father's

  lap then and entertained the older lord for the next two hours.

  Stacy lasted only 20 minutes before she let her head fall

  against the side of the coach and went to sleep.

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  I

  "The White Stag" was the sign above the inn door as

  Tanner saw his family into the public room that evening. The

  great room was clean and sparsely occupied, making the duke

  and his party all the more conspicuous.

  Stacy stood holding Drew's hand as Tanner had a few J

  words with Price. Every head in the place was turned in their

  direction, but Stacy kept her eyes on Tanner. Some minutes

  passed before the innkeeper led the way upstairs.

  The room the man opened for them was clean, but small.

  It sported one full bed, and Stacy wondered about the sleeping

  arrangement. She didn't wonder long, however. As soon as the

  innkeeper left them, Tanner explained in a soft voice while

  Drew stared at his reflection in the glass of the window.

  "We'll have our dinner up here, probably delivered in a

  few minutes. Price is going to be across the hall, and Drew will

  sleep with him."

  "I thought Drew would be in here with us."

  "There really isn't room. And," Tanner went on when Stacy

  opened her mouth, "do not even suggest that the two of you

  stay alone because I won't allow it. Price has one of my pistols,

  and I have the other. This is the safest arrangement."

  "If the inn is not safe, why are we staying here?"

  Stacy's voice was as low as Tanner's, but he could read the

  panic in her eyes. His hand came up to touch her cheek as he

  answered.

  "The White Stag is one of the more reputable roadside

  inns, but since our clothing and coaches spell money, they all

  carry a measure of risk. I assure you, no harm will come to

  Drew when he's with Price, and any man coming to this door

  will have to go through me."

  Stacy had little choice but to agree. She wondered if they

  should have stayed on the road When she said as much to

  Tanner, he adamantly shook his head.

  "You are nearly out on your feet, and we all need to eat."

  "I need to eat." Drew had left the window and now stood

  looking a bit anxious at his father's side; it had been a long day.

  Tanner lifted him into his arms.

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  "Our food will be here at any time, and then you're going

  to spend the night with Price."

  Drew's eyes rounded "Price?"

  "That's right, and then in the morning you'll come back in

  here for breakfast and we'll head home."

  "To Roddy's?"

  "No, my darling," Stacy interjected, her heart turning over

  for him. "We're going to Winslow."

  Drew looked uncertain.

  "You know Winslow," his father said. "Your room is brown

  and gold and you have a huge nursery to play in."

  Now it was time for Stacy to share Drew's confusion.

  Mother and son stared at Tanner until he frowned fiercely.

  "You were never shown the nursery, were you?" Tanner's

  voice was tight, but Stacy could see that he was trying to

  control his anger and that it was not directed at her.

  In answer to his question, she only shook her head and

  tried not to think about going back to Tanner's difficult staff.

  More might have been said on the subject, because Stacy truly

  believed it needed to be discussed, but there was no more

  opportunity. Someone knocked then, and their food was

  delivered

  Because they left the inn early and the roads were fairly

  dry, they made good time going home. The coaches pulled up

  just after noon, and Tanner held Stacy's elbow as they went

  inside. Standing ready to greet them was a man Stacy had

  never seen before.

  "This is Reece," Tanner explained "He is the new head of

  housekeeping. He will introduce you to the rest of the staff as

  needed."

  "Hello, Reece," Stacy, in a state of shock, spoke to the kind-looking

  man.

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  319

  Reece bowed low, his posture and very expression begging

  to serve her. "Welcome home, my lady. I hope we

  can serve you well. This is Juliet." Reece brought forth a young maid. "She will be your personal maid until you wish

  to choose another. Would you like Juliet to go with you

  now?"

  "No," Tanner answered for her. "I'll see my wife upstairs

  and will send for you later."

  "Yes, my lord." Reece bowed again and backed away so

  they could pass. Several other staff members were present, all

  complete strangers to Stacy. Their faces were all wreathed in

  smiles, however, and the young duchess had the impression

  that any one of them would hand her the shirt off his back.

  Once Tanner and Stacy gained the upper floor, Stacy

  questioned her husband.

  "I take it you've replaced some of the staff?"

  "Not some of them, but the whole."

  Stacy stopped in the hall. "Even cook?"

  Tanner gently shook his head. "Let me amend that, I've

  dismissed everyone but Price and cook."

  Stacy just stood and stared at him. She would have continued

  to do so, but he reached for her hand and led her through

  a door. Not until that moment did Stacy realize it was the

  master bedroom suite. With a heart pounding with unidentified

  emotion, Stacy allowed herself to be led through her old

  sitting room, past the dressing room, and into Win
slow's

  spectacular master bedroom. Tanner brought them to a halt

  but didn't turn to Stacy or even look at her. Stacy hated to

  question him and break the sweet communion that had existed

  between them since he came for her, but she had to know.

  "Tanner, if you're going to change your mind about my

  being in here with you, I'd rather start down the hall."

  "We've slept in the same bed for the last two nights."

  Tanner's voice betrayed none of his feelings.

  "I realize that," Stacy spoke evenly. "But you didn't really

  have much choice."

  This time Tanner didn't answer. He reached for the small

  satchel in Stacy's other hand and tossed it onto the bed. Stacy

  knew that would have to be answer enough.

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  the fork in stacy's hand felt weighted as she tried to eat

  the lunch set before her. She had been quite weary for several

  days before Tanner came for her, and frankly she was tired of

  being tired. But what could she do? It must be the pregnancy.

  A glance at Drew told her he was equally exhausted, and

  Stacy knew it was also the carriage ride home. She was looking

  forward to putting him to bed and climbing in herself.

  However, it wasn't that simple.

  At Roddy and Lucinda's or at the Blackwells', she would

  have taken Drew right into bed with her, but she didn't feel as

  free to do that here. Her bed now was also Tanner's, and she

  didn't know if he approved of such a thing.

  At the moment, Stacy missed Hettie terribly. Irrepressible

  Hettie, with her sharp tongue and stubborn ways, would have

  taken Drew off to his bed, put herself in the fireside chair in

  his room to sleep, and allowed Stacy to find her own rest.

  Stacy had just about decided to go to Drew's room with him

  when Tanner came to her rescue. He entered the small dining

  room and bent to speak closely into her ear.

  "I've asked Price to put Drew down for his nap so you can

  rest."

  "Oh." Stacy was surprised and uncertain, "I don't mind

  putting him down."

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  "I know you don't, but he and Price are getting along well,

  and Drew will do well with him until other arrangements can

  be made."

  This statement sounded somewhat cryptic to Stacy, but she

  was too tired to argue. She watched her son carefully as

  Tanner broke the news to him, waiting for him to cry for her or

  complain. Once his face and hands were clean, however, he

  kissed his mother and skipped off with Tanner's man as if it

  were an everyday occurrence.

  Juliet was waiting for her in her sitting room, and although

  Stacy felt a bit awkward in her presence, Juliet's manner was

  kind and matter-of-fact. Within minutes Stacy was down to

  her shift and tucked into bed. The sheets were cold at first and

  caused her to become quite wide awake for a moment, but it

  didn't last. Very soon, while praising God for bringing her

  home and for Tanner's efforts to take care of her, Stacy fell

  sound asleep.

  Two hours later, she was just beginning to stir. She rolled

  to her back, feeling fully refreshed and contemplating rising

  when Tanner came in from his dressing room. He sat down on

  the edge of the bed and leaned over her. Stacy stared up into

  his face, wishing again that she knew his thoughts.

  "I'm glad to see you looking so rested. When I came into

  the dining room I thought I might need to carry you upstairs."

  "I doubt if you could lift me at this point."

  One of Tanner's brows flew upward "Your face is just

  starting to fill out so you look like the girl I married, Stacy."

  Stacy's eyes widened, and Tanner shook his head.

  "I suppose you've got some silly notion that I find you

  repulsive while in your present state."

  Stacy blushed at his perception. "The thought did cross my

  mind"

  "Oh, Anastasia." Tanner's voice was low. "Nothing could

  be further from the truth."

  Stacy watched his eyes move warmly over her, his scrutiny

  ending with her stomach and the way it rounded the blankets.

  For the first time, he touched her. Stacy lay still as he placed

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  his hand gently on her distended abdomen and splayed his

  long fingers wide.

  "You might get kicked," Stacy whispered, as if a louder

  voice might break the spell.

  The baby moved as though on cue. Stacy watched her

  husband's face as he moved his other hand to his wife's

  stomach and stared in wonder.

  "Will you be cold if I draw the covers back?"

  "No."

  Tanner did so, anxious to feel the baby through just the

  light fabric of her shift, but it seemed that the little person

  inside had settled once again.

  "Does he move often?"

  "All day."

  "Does it bother you?"

  "Only when I'm trying to sleep."

  "Your stomach is hard." Tanner's hands were still spanning

  her middle.

  "Harder sometimes than others."

  "Am I hurting you?"

  "No," Stacy chuckled. "Drew climbs all over me. Speaking

  of Drew, I should get up and check on him."

  "He's been up a few minutes, and he's still with Price.

  Before you go to him, I want to talk to you about something."

  Tanner's hands came away from her now, and after he

  replaced the covers, Stacy lay watching him.

  "I've hired a nanny."

  Stacy's entire frame stiffened. Alarm covered her face as

  she half sat up.

  "Tanner, I--"

  "Just a minute," he cut her off, but there was nothing

  dictatorial in his tone. "Let me explain."

  "Hettie--" Stacy started again.

  "Will come back as ornery as ever, I have no doubts about

  that." Tanner's voice was dry. "But her recovery will not erase

  the years. She's getting too old to be shadowing a boy as active

  as Drew."

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  The words so echoed Stacy's thoughts of late that she lay

  back to hear him out.

  "The nanny's name is Mrs. Maxwell, and she was recommended

  to me by Sunny." Tanner let that sink in a moment

  before going on. "She is not here to take yours or Hettie's job,

  but to give you both a hand. She will have no other responsibilities

  here at Winslow other than to see to Drew. She will

  be free to help at a moment's notice."

  "Is Drew with her now?" Stacy's voice was accusing, but

  Tanner did not take offense.

  "No, as I said, he's with Price. I honestly think he will fall

  for her as soon as they meet, but I didn't want that to happen

  without talking to you."

  "How old a woman is she?"

  "Mid-fifties."

  "Where is her husband?"

  "She's a widow. Her children are all grown. She has two

  grandchildren, who, I have assured her, would be welcome to

  visit here if you approve her staying."

  Stacy took a deep breath. She was a little surprised that

  Tanner had done this after he'd gone to so much trouble to fire

  and rehire the staff for her. Stacy hated to admit it to herself
,

  but Tanner's hiring a nanny without first talking to her felt just

  a little sneaky. Such thoughts flew out of Stacy's mind, however,

  on Tanner's next sentence.

  "She shares your beliefs."

  "She what?" Stacy could hardly believe her ears.

  "Mrs. Maxwell believes as you do, that you can have a

  personal relationship with God. I think if you meet her, you'll

  find her most suitable for Drew's needs."

  Stacy momentarily found herself without words. With the

  exception of Price, Tanner was not in the habit of becoming

  well acquainted with any of his servants. Stacy couldn't help

  wondering how he'd come by this knowledge.

  "Will you meet her?" Tanner pressed, his expression giving

  nothing away as he watched Stacy's face.

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  'Yes, I will. IVe been concerned about Hettie for

  time. She's been with me for so long she seems more liki

  mother than a servant. I know you balk at our familiarity, but]

  can't cast her aside."L

  "I think I understand I have a feeling that Hettie will dol

  some balking herself over any changes we make, but on thtfl

  inside she's bound to be relieved."., 1

  Stacy could hardly argue with that. And who know, Stacy 1

  thought to herself. If Mrs. Maxwell is a sister in Christ, maybe 1 she'll have some positive impact on Hettie.

  Mrs. Maxwell was all Stacy could have prayed for. She was

  gentle-mannered and soft-spoken, and her humble willingness

  to please put Stacy immediately at ease with her. Stacy

  was present when she met Drew, and just as Tanner had

  predicted, he took to her right away.

  It took a number of days for Stacy to recover from the long

  carriage ride, and during that time Mrs. Maxwell was invaluable.

  She seemed highly sensitive to Stacy's fatigue and would,

  with the most gentle of urgings, distract Drew from talking

  overly much or making unreasonable demands.

  Stacy couldn't have been more grateful, as word came to

  them just a few weeks after they'd arrived home that Hettie

  would need to stay where she was. Lady Blackwell assured

  Stacy that Hettie was not on her deathbed, but that she was

  still very ill. Stacy wanted to go to her, but in her condition

  Tanner had to refuse.

  To relieve Stacy's mind, however, Tanner sent a servant to

  check on Hettie and return with a report. It was just as Lady

  Blackwell had said She was not dying, but neither was she

  ready for the long journey home to Winslow.

  Drew cried when he learned that she would not be home