Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles)

by Lori Wick

  be there for you if you return,

  "I certainly can't predict what Tanner will say, but knowing

  that Sunny will be there, a sister in Christ, comforts me

  over your leaving,"

  "In all the uproar, I'd forgotten about Sunny and Brandon,"

  Stacy admitted. "It does make it easier to go, knowing

  how close they live."

  "So you think you'll be back at Winslow?"

  Stacy nodded. "I don't know why, and I don't think it will

  be easy, but, yes, I think I will end up back at Winslow. The

  only thing that would stop me is if Tanner refuses to let Drew

  come with me. If that happens I'll return here."

  196

  "Drew is the image of his father. How could he turn him

  away?"

  Stacy's smile was sad. "By not seeing him at all. You don't

  know Tanner, Elena. He can be very hard. He thinks I've

  deceived him, so I dare not hope that he will even want to see

  Drew."

  Elena could only stare at her. This had never occurred to

  her. Stacy didn't notice her look. Her mind was running from

  one person to the next. First she saw Drew, and then she saw

  Tanner.

  If it comes down to proving Drew's parentage, Stacy

  thought, / won't need to say a word. Tanner need only see his

  son'sface.

  "I won't let her tell me no, do you hear me, Roddy? I tell

  you I won't leave here without them."

  Roddy did not answer from his place in the bed, but

  continued to lean against the headboard and watch his wife's

  agitated movements. Her voice wobbled with unshed tears.

  "I had no idea they had so little. Did you see the furniture

  in the salon? It's a mess. All this time they've been living like

  paupers, and I've had so much." Lucinda broke down then just

  as she'd been doing for days.

  "Come on, Cmda," Roddy called to her and pulled the

  covers back on her side of the bed Lucinda moved with leaden

  steps and climbed in, sobbing all the while.

  "Did you see Stacy's dress?" Lucinda wailed as Roddy

  pulled the covers around her. "It's one from her wedding

  trousseau. She hasn't had anything new in all this time. I just

  can't stand it." The tears increased for a time before subsiding

  into huge shuddering breaths. Roddy waited for just such a

  time to speak.

  "I think Stacy will come with us."

  197

  "You do?" Lucinda's voice held hope.

  "Yes, especially if you let me handle it. Now, don't be hurt,"

  Roddy added when he felt her stiffen in his arms. "Stacy and I

  have always been able to talk, and I think she will be honest

  with me. If you really want her and Drew to come home with

  us, you'll let me handle it."

  "I do, Roddy. I desperately want them to come." All anger

  had drained from Lucinda in the light of wanting Stacy and

  Drew with them. Lucinda was willing to try anything.

  "I do also, but there are some things we need to talk

  about." Roddy paused before going on firmly. "Lucinda, you

  must let Stacy mourn as she wishes."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean, no balls, no teas, and no shopping unless she

  wishes to do so. This will be nothing whatsoever like her first

  visit. She's been married and now has a child. The growing up

  she's done in the last three and a half years is remarkable.

  "Since we've arrived, I've watched how she handles Drew.

  A more devoted mother I've yet to see. Carlson has talked to

  the servants here at Morgan and tells me that motherhood is

  what it took to make Stacy bold. She will brook no interference

  with the way she raises her son, and from what I can

  see she needs no outside help.

  "Cinda, you must examine why you want them to come

  with us. If it's to play mother to that boy, then it won't work;

  he's already got a mother. If it's to mother Stacy or run her life,

  then it still won't work. She doesn't need a mother or anyone

  to tell her what to do. She needs a friend with a listening ear,

  even if you don't agree with all her decisions."

  Lucinda stared up into her husband's face. He knew her so

  well. She did like to run other people's lives and took it for

  granted that they wanted her to, but Roddy was right about

  Stacy. She was a different person now. She'd even gone to

  calling them by their Christian names without using aunt or

  uncle. It was yet another sign of her maturity.

  Lucinda suddenly realized that it had been Stacy who had

  been the pillar of strength for everyone at the funeral and

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  199

  then downstairs in the large salon. This young woman, who only parent-figure had just died, was the one to see that a]

  were taken care of and comforted in this time of loss. She hat

  become an independent and capable woman in her own right

  Lucinda wasn't certain that she was even needed, but she still

  wanted Stacy and Drew with them more than she could say,|

  "What if Tanner wants her back?" Lucinda voiced the]

  thought as soon as it surfaced.

  "Then that will be her decision." Roddy returned log'

  ically. "It doesn't seem likely. They've had no contact and he

  hasn't even asked about her in all these years, but nevertheess,

  Stacy will make her own choice and we will support her

  no matter what."

  Lucinda sighed. Again he was right.

  "Will you speak with her in the morning?"

  "Yes, as soon as I'm able."

  Lucinda was quiet for a time. "Is my face all puffy?"

  "It's just terrible. I can barely stand to look at you."

  Lucinda tried not to smile, but it didn't work. "I love you,

  Roddy"

  "I know," he said with a wide, cheeky grin. "And you know

  the feeling is quite mutual."

  Hearing those words, Lucinda sighed again, this time with

  pure contentment.

  "Uncle Roddy and I would like to talk. Can you find Mercy

  and see if she needs some help?"

  "I want to stay here," Drew told his mother.

  Stacy glanced over his head at Roddy, who was sitting

  patiently across from her in the library. She didn't want to send

  Drew away because he wouldn't understand and he'd been

  rather clingy that morning. Stacy understood completely; still,

  she did want to speak with Roddy.

  "Why don't you see what Aunty Lucinda is doing?"

  "Aunty Lucinda cried"

  "Yes, she did. But she's not crying now. She would be very

  y to see you."

  "You can ask to see her jewelry. It's very pretty," Roddy put

  i. Even though Drew was considering the idea, he was clearly

  t convinced. To Stacy's relief, Mercy chose that moment to

  Drew to test some cookies in the kitchen.

  "Can I bring some in here?" Drew wanted to know before

  left.

  "In a while," Mercy told him while Stacy was still trying to

  | frame a reply.

  "All right," he said, but he didn't look very happy. Stacy

  gave him a silly smile on his way out the door that wrung a

  small laugh from him just before he disappeared from view.

  "He's a fine boy, Stacy."

  ' "Yes
, he is," she agreed, her eyes still on the closed portal.

  "He's more precious to me than I can say."

  "You've done a good job with him."

  "It's a lot of work, but he's a delight to be with."

  They fell silent for just a moment, Stacy wanting to tell

  Roddy that she and Drew would come to London but waiting

  in case he and Lucinda had changed their minds about the

  offer.

  "I think you know what I want to ask you, since we've

  already talked of it," Roddy began, "but before you give an

  answer, I want to tell you a few things. I've reminded Lucinda

  that this will not be like your first visit. We are not going to

  take over your life or Drew's life. We want you to come and

  stay as long as you like, but we aren't going to parent you; we

  realize you don't need that."

  Stacy smiled so widely that Roddy stopped.

  "What are you thinking?" Roddy's eyes widened comically

  in mock anticipation.

  "I was going to tell you, yes, I would like to come, but then

  I was going to ask you if Lucinda realized that it would be

  200

  different this time." Stacy's voice was so relieved that Roddy

  laughed.

  "She'll be thrilled with your answer, Stacy, as I am."

  "I appreciate the offer, Roddy. It feels as though we've

  been thrown a lifeline." Stacy paused then and went on slowly.

  "But there is something you should know. I'm hoping above all

  hope that if I return to London, Tanner will be willing to see

  me. He certainly hasn't been an exemplary husband, but if there is hope for my marriage, I'm willing to try. I would also

  like Drew to know his papa."

  "Have you ever told Tanner about him?"

  "No. I'm sure you understand why."

  "Indeed, I do. It doesn't matter to us why you're coming;

  we just want you there." Roddy stopped for a moment and

  looked unsure. Stacy understood his expression when he

  continued.

  "I see Tanner now and then, and I'm sorry to say that he's

  never asked about you. Please don't get your hopes too high,

  my dear."

  Stacy sighed deeply, but it was no more than she expected.

  "Thank you, Roddy. If the truth be known, I'm feeling rather

  pessimistic about the whole thing. If at any time I feel there is

  any threat to Drew, I'll leave immediately, but I must try. For

  the sake of Drew and my marriage, I must try."

  "Lucinda won't be thrilled, but I know she'll stand by you."

  Stacy thanked Roddy, but beyond that she didn't reply. She

  knew that should they disagree on some issue, she was finally

  ready to face her aunt without fear, but she wasn't so confident

  about her husband. The thought of his anger was still enough

  to make her physically ill.

  Q/wenfoQlw

  london

  "IVE got no business running halfway across the country

  at my age."

  Stacy ignored Hettie's grumbling just as she'd done for the

  last hour. They were all exhausted from the train ride and

  even though Stacy had told Hettie to leave the unpacking for

  the next day, she refused. Stacy was going to give the other

  woman just a few minutes more, and then she would shoo her

  out so Drew could sleep.

  The train ride had seemed endless. Saying goodbye to

  Elena and the staff at Morgan had been a draining experience.

  Stacy half-believed that she would be with them again soon,

  but leaving the security of their love and heading into a future

  that was all a mystery had hurt.

  At least Stacy had Hettie along. Hettie was not the easiest

  person to live with, but she loved Stacy and Drew to distraction,

  and she never said a critical word concerning Stacy's

  faith in Christ. This had not been the case with Peters or

  Mercy. Both of them had struggled with the change in her. It

  had taken Stacy quite some time to finger the reason, but she

  eventually deduced that her conversion was threatening to

  them. Things eased after a time, but neither one was open to

  the gospel.

  202

  Now she was in London. No real doors, not even on the

  train, had opened up for Stacy to talk with Roddy or Lucinda, I

  but Stacy hoped that even if they disagreed, they would take i

  on Hettie's attitude and not Mercy's.'

  Thinking of Mercy right then made Stacy want to weep, a

  sure sign that she was too tired. Drew had eaten and was now

  playing with his train, but she could see that he was drooping.

  Fighting the urge to bathe him, she decided to put him to bed

  immediately. With surprisingly little fuss she convinced Het-tie

  to abandon her unpacking, and within minutes Drew was

  tucked up for the night, with Hettie going to bed as well.

  Stacy bathed herself, pleased to have Rayna assisting her

  after three and a half years apart. In a reasonably short time,

  Stacy was ready for her own bed She'd made one final check

  on Drew and wasn't at all surprised to find Hettie on the sofa

  in his room She had a room of her own, but old habits die

  hard, and Hettie was used to guarding over Drew like a

  mother bear with a cub.

  It was with a smile that Stacy finally placed her head on

  her own pillow, able to hear the old woman snoring all the

  way from Drew's room. Just before sleep came, however,

  Stacy's thoughts turned to Tanner. She tried to push them

  away, but didn't succeed In her dreams she was almost certain

  that she could feel his arms surrounding her.

  "Andrew Tanner Richardson, what are you doing?" Stacy

  asked her son two mornings later.

  "Sliding. Aunty Lucinda said I could"

  Stacy turned unbelieving eyes to her aunt, who was standing

  nearby. "Did you really give him permission to slide down

  the banister?"

  "Yes," Lucinda answered meekly and then hurried on

  excitedly, "It really is all right. There aren't many things for

  Drew to play with here, and I really don't mind."

  203

  "Lucinda." Stacy's voice had turned patient. "The buttons

  on some of his trousers will scratch the handrail."

  Lucinda shrugged helplessly, looking much like a child

  caught in the act. "I want him to have fun, Stacy, and that's

  difficult in a houseful of adults."

  "He has never known anything but a houseful of adults,"

  Stacy reminded her aunt, and stared at her until she nodded.

  She then turned to Drew.

  "You may slide down the banister. But," Stacy added when

  his face lit and he started toward the stairs, "an adult must be

  with you, and you must be wearing the right pants."

  "Are these?" Drew shoved his stomach out until it seemed

  he would topple. Stacy hid a smile.

  "Yes."

  The word was no more out of Stacy's mouth when Drew

  went charging for the top of the stairs. Both she and Lucinda

  watched as he slid down the banister, giggling all the while.

  He was allowed to slide four more times, and then it was time

  for breakfast.

  Roddy, Lucinda, Stacy, and Drew all ate together in the

  small dining room. The day before, thei
r first real day at

  Brentwood, had been very low-key with meals taken in their

  rooms. This was the first meal where Drew had eaten with his

  elders. Roddy and Lucinda were so fascinated by Drew's manners

  and eating habits that they barely talked to Stacy.

  It was at this time that Stacy realized they would never

  have grandchildren; Drew was as close as they would ever

  come. She suddenly saw her son through their eyes. He was

  immeasurably precious to her, but in the eyes of a "grandmother,"

  he was a treasure without equal. A treasure who

  could slide down the banister and even scratch it, play in her

  expensive jewels, or eat chocolates for breakfast. A treasure

  who never really did anything wrong, at least not intentionally.

  "Aunty Lucinda."

  "Yes, my darling."

  "I don't like red grapes."

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  205

  Stacy was proud of the way Lucinda opened her mouth,

  closed it, and looked to her without answering.

  "I want you to eat your grapes, Drew," his mother intervened.

  "I like green grapes," he told her.

  The table was silent as Stacy reached for Drew's plate and

  swiftly cut some of his grapes in half.

  "See. They're a little green inside. Now try one and if you

  still don't like them, you only need to eat the grapes I've cut in

  half."

  Drew did as he was told and ended up eating them all.

  Lucinda was finishing her coffee when the little boy wanted to

  get down, so she gently washed his hands, making a great

  game of it, and took him away to see the garden.

  More coffee was poured for both Roddy and Stacy, and

  they began to talk with the ease of old friends. Roddy shared

  some London events, what the Queen and Prince Albert had

  been doing and the latest battle in Parliament, but for some

  reason Stacy's mind strayed to the last time she was in this

  home.

  Lucinda and Roddy were just married, and she had just

  been sent away from Winslow. Suddenly Stacy pictured Nigel

  Stanley's face and asked a question that had long been on her

  mind.

  "Has anyone heard from Nigel Stanley in all of this time, Roddy?"

  "No, actually. There were various rumors after you left.

  Some said he sailed for America, wanting only to escape with

  his life. Some say that Tanner tracked him down and had it out

  with the man, and that's why he's not been seen again."

  Roddy's last statement so alarmed Stacy that she paled

  "Stacy," Roddy admonished her softly. "The gossip mongers