by Lori Wick
from his brow.
Tanner's chest rose with a deep sigh. He was ready to
return home, slowly now, but with a solid purpose in his heart.
He wasn't certain he could live with his decision concerning
Stacy, but the thought of her leaving London was simply not to
be entertained.
Tanner pushed his mount until the horse was blown and
lathered. He'd sought out one of London's largest parks in an
effort to ride and think. It would have been an ideal time to
return to his estate in the country, but putting that many miles
between him and Stacy was more than he could take right
now.
If he couldn't take the miles between London and Winsow,
what he would do in four days' time when Stacy went
home for good? Tanner's torturous thoughts plagued him.
When had Stacy Daniels gotten so deeply under his skin? And
why? What was it about the girl that was causing him to
consider marriage, something he vowed would never happen
again?
His faithless wife came to mind then, as did his brother,
William, along with all the pain he had experienced in the
first months after their deaths. The betrayal and anger and
then the cold bitterness that ate at him for more than a year
before he determined not to give them another moment of
thought. Now, sitting alone on horseback in a remote section
67
lucinda regarded tanner with serious eyes as he stood
across the library from her the morning after the accident. He
had quietly and with surprising humbleness asked for Stacy's
hand in marriage. It was what Lucinda had been hoping for.
With this commitment, she now believed he would make
Stacy a fine husband, but it suddenly occurred to her that she
didn't know Stacy's heart.
Roddy had assured her that Stacy loved Tanner, but Lucinda
had never heard this from Stacy's lips or really seen
anything to confirm it. Luanda's guilt over all her niece had
been through weighed heavily upon her. The last thing she
would do was force Stacy into a union she did not desire.
"I find your offer quite satisfactory, but I will not accept
until I've spoken with Stacy."
"Are you worried that she won't agree?" One of Tanner's
brows rose in what Lucinda could only label a sinister fashion.
"Exactly," Lucinda told him. "I realize it's not the custom
to consult the woman, but Stacy is not some bubble-headed
girl who cannot be trusted to know her own mind. I will speak
to her and let you know."
Tanner's look was full of amusement now. "You'll be wasting
your breath, Lucinda." He called her by name for the first
time. "I assure you, Stacy will accept."
66
I
"Nevertheless," the older woman stated firmly, "I will find
for myself."
"On three conditions," Tanner told her. Lucinda knew she
now seeing the man, the duke, who always had his own
/. "You must find out within the hour how she feels, and you
lust do so without telling her of my offer."
"And the third condition?"
**You will allow me to ask her for her hand in marriage."
Lucinda looked perplexed It was happening a little too
Swiftly for her comfort, but she didn't know how to slow the
process.
"Yesterday I watched Stacy fall from a horse and lie unconscious
in the park," Tanner said when Lucinda remained
itilent. "I want the right as her intended to visit her and see for
myself that she is well. I want this settled today"
Lucinda felt she had no choice. She had managed to hold
him off for many weeks now and knew it was not wise to push
f$" her advantage. She would never have given into Tanner's request for a mistress, but now that he'd made a legitimate
offer of marriage, Lucinda felt she needed to go along with his
desires as much as she was able.
"As you wish. I will send word to you as soon as I know.
And," Lucinda paused, "you may plan on joining us for dinner.
Come early, and I will see to it that you have a few minutes
alone with Stacy. And I do mean a few minutes."
Tanner nodded and replaced his hat. "Until 7:30?"
"Seven-thirty," Lucinda confirmed and stood quietly as he
left.
"Another pillow, Lady Stacy?"
"No, Rayna, I'm fine. You don't need to stay. I'm going to sit
here very quietly. I promise to ring if I need something."
The maid looked uncertain, but Stacy put her head back
against the settee and shut her eyes until she knew she was
68
alone. She smiled and opened her eyes when the door closed
They were all like a bunch of mother hens.
Most of Lucinda's staff were beyond their fortieth year, and
they had all adopted Stacy when she moved in. She was
surprised she had put on only a few pounds since coming-- they were forever sneaking things into her room. They showed
Stacy repeatedly how much they cared
Up to now all the pampering had been fun, but after Stacy
had been brought home yesterday, they'd all been frantic. She
did have a concussion, but she was not dying as Rayna and
Craig both seemed to think. It would be wonderful to walk in
the garden, but knowing it would stop the hearts of half the
staff, Stacy resigned herself to staying in her room.
When Lucinda knocked on the door, Stacy nearly lay back
and pretended to be sleeping. But she had never been good at
deception and simply waited for the entrance of the next
anxious servant. To her surprise it was Lucinda.
"How are you, dear?" Lucinda asked after placing a kiss on
her cheek.
"I'm fine. A little tired perhaps, but I'm doing well."
Lucinda smiled, seeing that it was true. Stacy's color was
good, and she had already learned from Rayna that she'd had a
good night's sleep. They talked on for a time, and Lucinda
asked to see Stacy's needlework. It was in a basket by the
settee, and in a moment Stacy had retrieved it to proudly
display her art.
"It's beautiful, dear. I especially love the use of the blues."
Stacy smiled her thanks and gazed on as Lucinda continued
to study the intricate needlepoint. When Lucinda spoke,
her voice was so casual that Stacy was taken unaware.
"It was very kind of Lord Richardson to take you to Lady
Brent's yesterday."
Lucinda watched surreptitiously as the color crept into
Stacy's cheeks and her eyes slid shut with remembrance.
Lucinda's own eyes closed for a moment as well, and when she
looked at Stacy again, the younger woman's gaze was distant
69
I soft. Lucinda would have felt stunned had she known that
_/s mind was reliving Tanner's gentle kiss in the library.
'You're looking a bit flushed, my dear," Lucinda said softly
icn she could "Maybe you should sleep for a time."
"Maybe I will." Stacy grasped at the chance to be alone
ith her thoughts. "Thank you for coming up to see me, Aunt
icinda."
Lucinda's hand gently patted Stacy's cheek. Once out in ithe hall,
Lucinda found that her hands were shaking. She
|>colded herself and tried to calm down before she was forced ' to dictate her note to Tanner.
Ten minutes later, back in her room, she was able to write it herself. It said simply that they would discuss the terms of
the betrothal immediately following dinner.
Had Tanner not insisted, Lucinda would have kept Stacy in
her room for yet another night. It helped to remind herself
that Stacy had looked very well that afternoon.
"You look lovely," Lucinda told Stacy as she met her outside
her bedroom door.
"Thank you," Stacy said simply and stared down at the
cream-colored gown that hung with lace. Rayna had brushed
her hair out long and straight, and beyond a simple comb at
the crown of her head which pulled the hair from her face, she
was unadorned.
"I really wanted you to stay one more night in your room,"
Lucinda said as she hooked her arm through Stacy's. "But you
have a visitor."
Stacy glanced with surprise at her aunt, but didn't question;
she simply walked along as Lucinda led her to the upstairs
salon. Lucinda stopped outside the door and turned to
face Stacy.
"Tanner Richardson is waiting for you. I'll give you a few
72
minutes alone before Roddy and I come to collect you both
for dinner."
Stacy's eyes had grown large on this announcement, but
she had no time to reply. Lucinda turned on her heel and
marched back down the hall. Stacy looked at the back of her
aunt and then at the doorknob for only a moment before
turning it and stepping quietly inside.
Nearly the entire expanse of carpet separated them as
Stacy closed the door and stood just inside. Tanner was by the
window, looking incredibly handsome and larger than ever in
formal black evening clothes, with a white shirt and black tie.
He stared at Stacy before stepping to the fireplace and speaking.
"Come over here, Stacy."
Stacy obeyed without question, moving with natural grace
to stand some two feet away. The distance was too far for
Tanner's taste, and with a gentle touch he reached for her
hand and drew her closer.
Tanner looked into her wide, trusting eyes and knew
frustration. Without a doubt Lucinda would hold to her word
of coming back in a few minutes, and there was so much he
wanted to say to this woman.
"I have asked Lucinda for your hand, and she has agreed to
my proposal," Tanner began, hearing the tick of the clock so
near his ear on the mantel. "Now I wish to ask you, Anastasia.
Will you be my wife?"
Stacy's breath left her in a rush. Her face flushed and her
mouth dropped open. 'You wish to marry me?"
For some reason her reaction amused Tanner, and a huge
smile broke across his face. "Yes, I do, and if you don't answer
me quickly I won't even have time to kiss you before we gain
an audience."
Suddenly Stacy's smile matched his own. "You kissed me
in the library. Do you remember? I thought I would have to be
content with that for the rest of my life."
"Oh, sweetheart," Tanner said softly before pulling her
into his arms. She was a perfect fit.
71
Stacy didn't think she would ever breathe again. Tanner's
>ld felt like a walk through paradise. She wanted his kiss to
on and on.
Fortunately Tanner's head was more level. He broke the
and stepped away from her just before the door opened
admit Roddy and Lucinda.
Stacy spent the rest of the evening floating on a cloud. She
ildn't have told anyone what was served for dinner or who
Iked at the table. She was so happy that she didn't even mind
^feeing sent upstairs early so the others could talk business.
Her cocoon of joy lasted until right before she fell asleep;
right up to the moment when she realized she wouldn't be
seeing her grandfather in a few days as planned, and she
would probably never live in his home in Middlesbrough
again.
73
the next morning, before the wedding agreement could
be drawn up and signed or the banns posted for the coming
wedding, Stacy went in to see Aunt Lucinda. Lucinda was at
her writing desk in her bedroom, already making a list for
Madame Angelica concerning Stacy's wedding trousseau. She
had been half-expecting her niece, so as soon as Stacy appeared,
Lucinda put her task aside.
"Aunt Lucinda, may I speak with you?"
"Of course, my dear."
Both women made themselves comfortable in chairs by
the window.
"I'm trying to write to Papa, but I just can't find the words,"
Stacy began. "I love Tanner, but I feel as though I've betrayed
the man who has loved and taken care of me since I was a
child"
Lucinda rose and went back to her writing desk. She
opened the top drawer and withdrew a letter. Returning to
Stacy, she opened it and began to share.
"This arrived just a week after you did, my dear, but there
has never been a reason, until now, for you to see it. I shall
read it to you.
Dear Lucinda,
I know that Stacy must be well ensconced in
your care by now, and I wish you both a wonderful
io
summer. As you may or may not realize, Stacy is the type of girl who would gladly lay down her life for
someone she loves. There have been times over the
years when this has not been an asset; now is just
such a time.
I told Stacy that no one would push her into a
marriage and I meant it, but I also fear that Stacy
might deny her heart if she fears hurting me or
missing Morgan. I want Stacy to follow her heart. I
trust you to judge the type of man who might show
interest, and if you find him worthy of my precious
girl, then act in wisdom.
Stacy works hard to see that those around her
are happy. Above all else, Lucy, see to Stacy's happiness,
for there are times when she does not look
after it herself. Give her my love and to you also.
Andrew
Stacy was not a woman given to tears, and in fact none
filled her eyes, but her heart was so full she could not speak.
"I will ask you what your grandfather would at this moment."
Lucinda gazed at her tenderly.
"Are you happy, my dear?"
Stacy could only nod.
"Then I will write Andrew and tell him all that has transpired.
I will also say that you will be writing soon to give him
the wedding date and details."
Stacy's answer to this was to throw her arms around her
aunt. Lucinda laughed as she embraced her, thinking she
would topple a smaller woman.
"You run along now, dear; I've got things to do."
Stacy was more than ready to comply now that her mind
was set to rest. Returning to her room she sat down at the table
by the window, now knowing that she could write that letter. It
wasn't as easy as she believed, however. Before she'd written
>
two words, her mind began to wander. The quill was set aside
and soon forgotten. Stacy never even noticed the cool breeze
74
75
coming in the window and moving her hair. Her mind was
wholly taken up with Tanner and what he might be doing at
the moment.
'Price," Tanner bellowed The servant appeared at the top
'the stairs as if by magic.
"Yes, your Grace."
"Riding clothes. And order my horse saddled." His reply
curt, but he simply had no time to be civil. He had to see
icy, and now. There was no other help for it.
Stacy might have been pleased to know that Tanner was
thinking of her, except that his thoughts were turning rather
pensive. His breakfast sat growing cold as he let his mind
dwell on the night before.
Dinner had been a delight, and Lucinda, with a few suggestions
from Roddy, had been more than reasonable concerning
the marriage contract. Not that Stacy's dowry mattered to
Tanner in the least. She could come to him with nothing more
than the clothes on her back, and he would still many her.
The now-familiar tightening in his chest that happened
every time he thought of her was coming on again. She was so
precious. Tanner's eyes closed when he remembered the way
she felt in his arms and the way she had shyly returned his kiss.
Without warning, the face of his first wife, Leslie, swam
before his mind's eye, her expression very soft and open as it
had been when they'd first met. She too had been sweet and
seemingly innocent, promising to love and honor him for all
of her days.
With an abrupt gesture Tanner rose from the table, his
breakfast completely forgotten. It isn't too late to back out, he
told himself. The papers have not been signed or the newspapers
notified.
"Ifear ibis latest incident tvill destroy what is left of Stacy's
reputation."
Luanda's words suddenly sounded in Tanner's ears, and
he stopped dead on his way into his study. The way Stacy's
eyes had looked last night, so full of trust, caused Tanner to
shake his head as if to clear it. Still, the black cloud of his past
still lingered. With a decisive turn he moved for the stairs.
^'-"I
wish you could have seen her face when I read that
letter. She was so relieved, but I worry a little that Tanner likes
to have his own way and will run right over the top of her if she
stands in his way."
