by Lori Wick
was over, but if he could only tell her he was available, she
would certainly jump at the chance to meet him later. He
knew very well how busy most dukes were. It was just a matter
of time before Tanner began to neglect his bride, and when
Stacy began to look for attention elsewhere, Nigel determined
that he would be in view.
With a move as casual as he could manage, Nigel rose from
the table. He would go right now and find Stacy in order to tell
her of his feelings. As Nigel made his way toward the door, he
deliberately pushed away all he'd seen of Stacy and her husband
over the weekend--every tender glance and every
157
touch. He staunchly refused to believe that the duke
achess might genuinely care for one another.
Stacy walked slowly through the glass building, amazed at
much she'd missed the day before. She thought she'd
someone come in the door just a moment past, but no
j called out and Stacy didn't even look. Whoever it was, she
sew the structure was big enough so that they could stay out
f each other's way. It only took a moment before Stacy had
impletely forgotten that anyone had come in, making it all
: more startling when Nigel suddenly appeared at her side.
"I was hoping I'd find you here."
"Oh!" Stacy gasped, her hand flying to her throat. "You
f startled me."
"I'm sorry," Nigel's voice was tender. "I wanted to talk with
you."
"Oh." Stacy smiled now. "What did you need?"
Now that he had her full attention, Nigel found himself
tongue-tied She was so lovely and tall. He could just imagine
how well she would fit in his arms.
Nigel stood mute for so long, his eyes glazed over with
passion, that Stacy's smile turned into a confused frown.
Seeing that frown, Nigel thought she might be thinking of
leaving. He acted in haste and grabbed her hand. When Stacy
gave her hand a tug, Nigel would not release her.
"Lord Stanley," Stacy began, "please let go of me."
"No."
Stacy's breath caught. "I'm a married woman," she said on
a gasp.
"That's all right," he declared fervently. "I need to touch
you, and now that I have I know nothing matters except the
two of us."
160
Stacy's eyes grew round at this announcement, and j
tried in earnest to regain her hand. Nigel only transferred
hold to her wrist. Stacy began to panic.
"Please, Lord Stanley--"
"Call me Nigel. I'll call you Stacy, and you can call
Nigel."
Stacy shook her head and tried to move away, but wit
Nigel holding her wrist, it was impossible.j
"Please," Stacy tried again, fear now pounding in her)
chest. "You're hurting me."i
Nigel dropped her wrist immediately. Stacy reached for'
and rubbed the offended member, and then turned to run for
the door.
"Please don't go!" Nigel's voice, now strangely high-pitched,
stopped her. Stacy turned to him and began to back away,
suddenly afraid to take her eyes from him.
"Stay away from me," she spoke with more calm then she
felt, glancing behind her to see that the door was in sight. "I'm
sorry if I gave you an impression to the contrary, but I am
happy in my marriage."
"I love you," Nigel told her, "and I know that you love me
too."
"No, Lord Stanley." Stacy's calm was deserting her, and she
knew she was going to make a run for the door any moment.
Nigel knew it too. The next time Stacy glanced to the exit, he
grabbed for her.
Stunned to be grasped and pulled against this stranger's
chest, Stacy did not immediately react. But only seconds
passed before she put her hands against his chest in order to
push him away. Stacy, no weak thing, did manage to put some
space between them, but when she threw her head back in
order to gain more leverage, Nigel put his lips against her
neck.
Stacy begged him to release her and struggled in earnest,
but he was too strong. The blood was just beginning to pound
in her ears when she heard Tanner's voice. At least she thought
it was Tanner's voice--she'd never heard him so angry.
159
"Get your hands off my wife!"
Nigel released her, and Stacy half-fell against one of the
Ives. She righted herself and looked up to see a Tanner so
ious, he terrified her. He had come at Nigel and was now
Iding him by the lapels. As upset as Stacy was over the
:k, she suddenly feared Tanner's actions more, feared he
ild kill this man in anger.
"Tanner, please, don't."
He spun on her, still gripping the other man and pinning
:y to the floor with his gaze.
"Protecting your lover?" he snarled.
"No!" Stacy denied breathlessly, aghast that Tanner could
ask such a thing.
"Your wife and I are in love."
Both Tanner and Stacy turned to look at Nigel. Stacy
couldn't believe her ears. Tanner had dropped Nigel's coat-front,
but he truly looked capable of homicide.
Stacy opened her mouth to say something, but Tanner cut
her off.
"Get out of my sight, Stanley. If I ever see you again, I'll kill
you."
For the first time since he entered the conservatory, Nigel
pulled himself out of his dreamlike haze. He looked at the fury
in the duke's eyes and actually feared for his life. He ran for
the door without a backward glance.
Wanting desperately to be taken into Tanner's arms, Stacy
was jolted to the core when he turned his icy gaze on her.
"Get to the house and have Rayna pack your things. You
have 15 minutes to be in the coach, or I'll leave without you."
Stacy could only stare at him. She saw the clenching of his
jaw, a sign of pure fury, but seemed unable to move or speak.
"Did you hear me, Anastasia?"
His voice was calm now, deadly calm. Fear spiraled through
Stacy as she ran for the door herself.
161
;ar. It was well after midnight before exhaustion claimed
?, and even then it was not a relaxing night.
the 90-MiNUTE ride home to WiNSLOw was the longest of
Stacy's young life. Tanner was on his horse and she was alone
in the carriage with her own torturous thoughts. Shudders ran
over her frame repeatedly as she thought of the way Nigel had
grabbed her in the conservatory.
At one moment Stacy glanced down to see a ring of dark
bruises around her wrist. It was almost more than she could
take. She had been bruised and manhandled, and Tanner
obviously thought she'd welcomed Lord Stanley's attention.
Stacy finally curled into a ball on the seat and tried not to think
about anything the rest of the way home.
Two hours after they'd arrived at Winslow, Stacy lay in a
steaming tub. She had searched for Tanner for over an hour,
but he was not to be found. There was no doubt in Stacy's mind
that this was deliberate.
The servants, never
very congenial to Stacy, were extremely
remote, and after an hour of their cold treatment, Stacy had
sought out Rayna and a hot bath. She was not the least bit
hungry for the food Rayna brought on a tray, so Stacy soon
climbed into bed. ft was early, but she was feeling so weak she
was not even certain she could sit up in a chair.
Sleep did not come swiftly, but even as the time stretched
into hours of restless tossing and turning, Tanner did not
160
Stacy did not know until morning that Tanner had not
* been to bed all night. Feeling more tired than she'd ever been sjn her life, she dragged herself from beneath the covers and
moved to her dressing room. Once over the threshold, Stacy I saw something that stopped her in her tracks.
"Rayna?"
"I'm sorry, my lady." There were tears in the servant's
voice. "Lord Richardson said I was to pack all of your things."
Stacy's hand came to her mouth. The action was almost
too much for Rayna.
"Would you like some tea, my lady?" The servant's voice
broke.
"No, Rayna, thank you. Please just help me dress."
This task was accomplished in some haste, and without a
word to her maid, Stacy went in search of her husband. Her
legs felt weighted, as did her heart, but she had to find out
what was going on.
Stacy found Tanner in his study. There had been no answer
when she knocked so she was surprised to find him at his desk
when she opened the door and peeked inside.
"Tanner?" Stacy spoke softly, but he did not raise his head
from the papers he was studying.
Stacy was trembling, but she entered the room anyway.
After closing the door she stayed by the portal, hoping he
would speak or at least look up. He did neither.
"Tanner, may I speak with you?"
"Has Rayna finished with your packing?" Tanner finally
looked up, but his voice was so detached that Stacy found
herself preferring his anger.
"I'm not sure. Where are we going?"
162
"We are not going anywhere. You are leaving."
"Where am I going?" Stacy's voice shook, but she som
how managed the words.
"I don't care where you go."
Stacy could not believe her ears. She knew that Tanner was?!
upset with her, but nothing could have prepared her for this.
"Tanner," Stacy's voice spoke of her hurt and bewilder-i
ment. "Can we talk?"
"There's nothing to talk about," he stated. Some anger had
entered his tone now, but his voice was controlled as he went
on.
"I've been a fool to actually believe you were different, but
you're not. You're as faithless as other women. You're better
than most with your innocent eyes and sweet smile, but you
couldn't keep the pretense up forever--the very reason I
never wanted another wife."
"You didn't want a wife?"
"No." Tanner had finally stood, but his voice was still calm
and cold. "Lucinda would never listen to reason. I never
wanted you for a wife, only for a mistress. I was a fool to have
agreed. Were you only my mistress, your little meeting with
Stanley wouldn't have made a bit of difference."
"Tanner, I didn't meet Lord Stanley in the conservatory. I
didn't ask him to kiss me or touch me."
It was the worst thing she could have said. Mentioning
what Nigel Stanley had done turned Tanner's face a dull red
He was so furious that Stacy would have fled the room, but she
couldn't make her feet move.
"Get out," his voice was low with fury.
Stacy managed to turn then. Her hands were trembling on
the knob, attempting to open the door, when Jeffrey pushed it
toward her from the other side. Stacy stepped back and stood
in surprise, but Jeffrey barely glanced at her as he entered the
room and spoke.
"Lady Richardson's bags are ready, my lord."
"Load them in the coach." This said, Tanner returned to
his desk.
163
fstacy stared again at Tanner's bent head.
rTlease, Tanner," she whispered, knowing he heard her.
__se let me stay so we can talk about this."
He never looked in her direction. Knowing that she could ,l take his disapproval any longer, Stacy waited only a moment.
Ith her stomach churning so that she feared she might be
, Stacy walked out of the study, leaving the door open
ind her. The front door was open as well, and Price stood
r. Rayna appeared out of nowhere with Stacy's cloak and
lered her outside; Price followed.
"The coachman will take you wherever you wish, my lady,"
ice informed Stacy.
"But I can't stay here." It was more of a statement than a
jestion.
. She sounded so much like a pitiful child being driven away
from home that Price had to clear his throat before answering.
"No, my lady."
"The London town house?" Stacy asked, not thinking
where else to go.
"No, my lady. I'm sorry."
"I don't know where to go." Stacy knew it was not normal
to discuss this with a servant, but she had no one else.
"If I might make a suggestion," Price hesitated, but Stacy
only looked at,him. He went on gently, "I'm sure your Aunt
Lucinda would welcome you."
"Aunt Lucinda? I don't think she and Roddy are back yet."
"I'm sure their staff would make you comfortable."
Stacy looked to Rayna, who nodded, certain of their welcome.
"Come into the coach, my lady. We'll go to London and
see your aunt."
Stacy had no idea how she looked There was no color in
her face, and the servants had watched her sway on her feet
several times. If they didn't act quickly, they'd be forced to lift
her unconscious body into the coach. Price knew that even if
she did faint, it would not soften the master's heart.
Stacy finally nodded. She walked down the steps and
turned to look back at the home she loved. She'd never seen
164
brief look, and hoping against hope that she would see it agai
some day, Stacy turned back, allowing Price to assist her int**
the coach. Moments later they were on their way to London!
"Stacy," Lucinda called to her great-niece from the edge of
the bed, waiting for her to awaken. Stacy did stir, but very
slowly. Luanda's heart broke as she watched her smile, eyes
still closed, clearly having forgotten the events of the last
three weeks. Lucinda wanted to break down when the smile
abruptly died and her eyes opened.
"I'm sorry to wake you, dear/' she spoke quickly to cover
her emotions. "I thought you would want to know that Tanner
is in London." Lucinda knew this was abrupt, but believed it to
be best.
Stacy pushed herself into a sitting position, her eyes intent
on her aunt's face.
"Did he come here?" Stacy tried to keep her voice neutral,
but Lucinda caught the note of hope.
"No, dear. Roddy was out last night and saw him at their
club. You were asleep when he came in, and we thought it best
> not to wake you."
Stacy nodded, her gaze going to a distant point across the
room. Prior to the last three weeks Stacy had never known the true meaning of pain. The coach ride from Winslow to Brentood
was made in a fog of disillusionment and hurt. The
honeymooners had not arrived, but just as Price had predicted,
the staff welcomed Stacy and made her comfortable.
A week had passed before Roddy and Lucinda made an
appearance, and although they were upset over the fact that
Tanner had sent her away, they were not at all upset that she
had come to them.
The entire story emerged from both sides in the days that
165
red. Stacy told Lucinda and Roddy everything that tran-_
and then asked Lucinda point-blank what Tanner had wit when he said he'd never wanted to marry her. The
ing had been hard, but Lucinda started with all she knew of
.mer's first wife, including her infidelity and death. She
n told of Tanner's offer for Stacy.
It had been the hardest thing Stacy had ever faced. For
nths, even before she and Tanner married, Stacy had con-iced
herself that this man loved her but just couldn't say the
rds. Now she knew that the words would never come
:ause he didn't feel them.
"What are you going to do?" Lucinda broke into her reverie.
, Stacy took a deep breath. "I've decided to return to
I Middlesbrough. I was going to tell you today. I'd planned to f write Tanner about my decision, but now that he's in town, I'll
try to see him."
"Are you sure you want to go all the way to Middles-p1 brough, dear?" Lucinda couldn't hide the pain in her voice.
"What if you had a place of your own? I haven't done anything
with my house, and Roddy still has his town house."
Lucinda would have gone on, but Stacy's sweet voice
stopped her. "I can't take London, Aunt Lucinda. The gossip
kills me. I don't feel I can even show my face. And there is
something else."
Stacy hesitated, and Lucinda stared at her.
"I think I might be pregnant."
The older woman's heart sank in her chest. "Will you tell
Tanner?"
"No" was Stacy's soft but immediate reply. "I have found
that I don't really know Tanner at all, but I do know that
even though we've been apart, he still won't want anything
to do with me. There is a remote chance that by telling him
I'm pregnant I might change his mind, but knowing that he
wanted me back only for the baby would put me in agony for
