Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles)

by Lori Wick

  went into her dressing room. He paid little attention to her

  dresses but quickly spotted a thick, white robe and took hold

  of it. He was on his way out when he spotted an envelope. He

  would normally have given little notice to such a thing, but it

  was addressed to him.

  Tanner set the lantern down and looked at the front of the

  letter. "Lord Tanner Richardson" was written out in Stacy's

  hand. Tanner removed the folded letter without a moment's

  hesitation.

  "Dear Tanner," it began. "I'm not sure if you knew I was

  back in London, but I arrived just this week. I am staying at

  Brentwood with Roddy and Lucinda. I would like to see you. I

  know I told you I would not return unless you sent for me, but

  my grandfather has died and I've come at Lucinda's bidding.

  "I would like to see you, Tanner. I would like to talk about

  the Cradwell party and explain about Nigel Stanley. I made a

  terrible mistake, and if we could only talk, I feel we might

  resolve this painful thing between us."

  There was more, but Tanner stopped reading. He had

  been ready to believe it had all been a mistake--that he had

  misunderstood. This was harder to take than Leslie's betrayal.

  Stacy's sweetness wove its way into his heart until he felt like a

  snared bird. He had loved that snare when they had first

  married, but after Stacy's betrayal, he'd felt like it was strangling

  him.

  Tanner threw both the letter and Stacy's robe to the floor

  and exited the wardrobe and bedroom with long, angry

  266

  strides. He dressed with Price's help, giving terse orders

  the while.1

  "Pack my bag; I'm leaving. See to it that my wife"--it cost)

  him just to say the word--"does not get too comfortable in my]

  bed."

  "You do not want me to accompany you, my lord?"

  "No. I shall be gone at least a week, but that's no one's

  business. Handle my correspondence as best you can. No

  social engagements at all."

  "Yes, my lord."

  Just 20 minutes later Tanner was in the coach and headed

  to London. He was not entirely certain what he needed to do

  there, but he had to put some space between himself and his

  adulterous wife. He thought he could put it behind him, but

  right now that didn't seem possible--the letter had finally

  told him that what he'd believed all along was true.

  The night they had spent together ran through his mind,

  and Tanner knew he would always desire his wife. His next

  thoughts were of his son, the precious little boy he was just

  getting to know. Tanner's h^aH f*i i k ~i --

  267

  him from the pillow, even though she was somewhat embarrassed,

  but her smile slowly faded at Price's serious face.

  "Is Lord Richardson dressing, Price?"

  "I'm sorry, my lady, but Lord Richardson is not here."

  "By not here, do you mean not upstairs?" Her tone was

  almost too much for the man.

  "No, my lady."

  "He's left Winslow?"

  "Yes, my lady. Would you like me to send Hettie to you?"

  "No, Price, that's all right. I'll get up as soon as you go."

  Price bowed his way out, and Stacy lay still for a moment.

  If he had left money on the pillow beside her, she couldn't

  have felt any cheaper.

  Five minutes later Stacy was standing in her dressing

  room. She bent slowly and picked up the robe and crumpled

  letter. It didn't take long to figure what had happened. Stacy's

  eyes closed in agony.

  "Oh, Tanner," she whispered. "What have you done?"

  Stacy woke slowly and smiled. Surprisingly, she didn't feel

  any disorientation waking up in the master bedroom. She

  knew exactly where she was and, with the smile still on her

  face, rolled toward Tanner's side of the bed. A lopsided frown

  replaced the smile when she found the bed empty.

  "Tanner," Stacy called softly, hoping he was in his dressing

  room.

  "Tanner," she tried again and sat up when the door opened

  She lay down swiftly however, quickly covering herself with

  the bedclothes when Price appeared instead. She grinned at

  270

  stacy was sorry she confided in her aunt. Lucinda was so

  angry she could hardly see straight. Tanner had been gone

  three days now, and her aunt and uncle had arrived that

  morning. They were in the large salon at Winslow. Drew was

  on the huge Persian carpet that covered the floor, but Roddy

  had brought him a toy and he was not listening to the adults.

  "First he takes you from us," she raved, her voice soft but

  venomous. "And then leaves you here like so much excess

  baggage. He's an absolute beast. I want you to pack your things

  immediately. You and Drew are returning with us."

  Stacy only shook her head, calm in the face of her aunt's

  ire.

  "How can you stay here?" Lucinda was incredulous.

  "Because I want my marriage to work Running away will

  accomplish nothing."

  Lucinda sat back in utter defeat. Roddy studied his wife

  and then commented.

  "Unless you fear for your safety, I think you're wise, Stacy.

  What you've told us is heartbreaking, but I think Tanner is

  confused."

  "Confused!" Lucinda snorted scornfully, but a look from

  Roddy silenced her.

  "If he is confused," Roddy continued, "then maybe you

  can work it out when he returns."

  269

  "I thank you for the vote of confidence, Roddy, but he'll

  f probably be angry when he returns. And as you know, Tanner's ' anger has a way of intimidating me."

  "But you don't fear he'll harm you?"

  "At times I feel emotionally spent, but no, I don't fear

  Tanner that way. I think Tanner is wrong to react as he does,

  but part of the problem is mine because I'm not bolder when I

  know I'm supposed to be. I decided a few days ago that leaving

  cannot be an option, or every time I'm upset I'll want to run."

  "So you'll stay here no matter what?" Stacy could hear

  tears in Lucinda's voice.

  "I won't go so far as to say that, but I will stay on just as long

  as I can and hope that means I'll be here for the next 60 years."

  It was not what Lucinda wanted to hear, but Stacy believed

  she was making the right choice. The first time Tanner growled

  at her she knew she'd be tempted to hide, but for now, for her

  sake as well as Drew's, she must stay.

  The subject was dropped when Drew wanted to go upstairs.

  Stacy rose to accompany him, but Lucinda, her eyes

  alight with adoration for Drew, offered to go instead. Stacy

  was happy to agree. Not until after they'd gone did Stacy take

  her seat and notice a very thoughtful look on Roddy's face.

  "My, but you look serious," Stacy commented lightly. To

  her surprise Roddy did not laugh at his own somber demeanor.

  "How did you come to this decision, Stacy? I mean, to stay

  here with Tanner?" Roddy asked.

  "I believe it's what God wants me to do," she answered

  simply.

  "But how do you know?" Ro
ddy's face was filled with

  yearning. "Has God spoken to you in some way?"

  "Through His Word, yes. I believe God speaks to His

  children through the Bible. I've matured through my study; in

  fact, I'm a different person now, Roddy, and that's because of

  the time I've spent in God's Word"

  "And you really believe that the Bible is the inspired Word

  of God?"

  "Yes, I do, Roddy."

  271

  270

  "But what if you simply can't find the answer you're k

  ing for? Then what do you do?"

  Stacy smiled. "God has never let me down, Roddy. If 11.

  need to know something, He shows me. I don't mean going oi

  on some tangent in order to disprove whether or not Jonah

  really was swallowed by a fish and lived to tell about it. I'm

  talking about real-life issues that apply directly to my heart

  and change me forever."

  Roddy nodded slowly and admitted softly, "I'm still working

  through the cross."

  Stacy's smile was tender. She wasn't exactly sure what he

  meant, but she could hear Drew and Lucinda coming back to

  join them. "I'll be praying for you, Roddy, and if there is

  anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask,"

  Roddy thanked her and then spoke softly before they were

  interrupted. "Do you believe that Jonah was literally swallowed

  by a huge fish?"

  Again Stacy smiled. "With all my heart."

  i

  Stacy was ready to change her resolve over staying almost

  as soon as Tanner came back a week later. She knew he would

  not seek her out, and she had no intention of mentioning the

  letter, but Stacy forced herself to see him in order to know

  where she stood.

  "Welcome back, Tanner," Stacy ventured hesitantly from

  her place just inside the study door, glad to have even gained

  entrance. "Did your trip go well?"

  "Sufferably," Tanner answered without ever looking up

  from his desk.

  "How was your birthday?"

  This got the duke's attention. His head came up, and he

  looked at her in surprise. Stacy began thinking she'd mistaken

  the date all these years.

  "It was your birthday two days ago, wasn't it?"

  | "Yes." Tanner's voice was cold He seemed to be angry that

  [ he remembered when he had not.

  "It doesn't sound like you celebrated" Stacy tried to be

  cheerful. "Shall I ask cook for something special for lunch?"

  'Til be busy."

  "Dinner then?1'

  "No. I have work to do, Stacy."

  She watched his head go back down and knew she had to

  ask the next question if it killed her.

  "Tanner, would you rather we leave?"

  Brown eyes burned into blue, and Stacy held her breath.

  "Do as you like." Again the head went back down.

  "So we can stay?"

  "I don't--" Tanner stood and began to shout, but cut off

  when he saw his wife blanch.

  He was still angry enough to throw her out, but thinking

  about it andactually doing it while looking into Stacy's vulnerable,

  strained features were far different.

  "You're welcome to stay." Tanner's was calmer now. "But

  I am a busy man, so I would appreciate being left alone."

  Stacy nodded and turned to the door. Her hand shook as

  she tried to open it, forcing her to try again. She exited the

  room without once glancing back to see her husband watching

  her, an unreadable expression on his face.

  -Here we go." Stacy swung Drew back up onto the bank

  and they started their ttek homeq TaMer .n the

  J^'S^^iT^'"*11 ^^-^rSbearupunderthe

  strain, the Lord used Drew to rescue her.

  272

  "Mumma, can we fish?"

  It was on Stacy's lips to say no because there was no wat

  but she suddenly remembered a creek that she and Tanc

  had passed years ago while out riding. It would take soi

  legwork, but Stacy was sure they could walk it.

  Today was their sixth trip. Stacy did not say yes every day,

  but in truth she needed the outings as much as Drew did. The

  servants, with the exception of Price, were more unpleasant

  than ever, and Winslow had become an oppressive place for

  Stacy. Hettie had come down with a summer cold that went

  straight into her chest, so Stacy and Drew were on their own

  much of the time.

  "I'll carry the fish," Drew now said, and Stacy gave him the I

  string. She knew he wouldn't last long with the heavy line, but 1

  she let him try. They were both tiring as they neared the rear of 1

  the Winslow stables, but Drew still had energy to chatter. He

  made Stacy laugh on several occasions, and she was still

  laughing when Drew cried out.

  "Oh, look, Mumma, it's Lord Richardson. We can show him

  our catch."

  This was the last thing Stacy wanted to do, but Tanner was

  standing ahead of them in the path, watching their approach.

  The twosome had no choice but to walk right past him.

  "We fished," Drew said as soon as he was in close proximity.

  "See our catch, Lord Richardson!"

  Stacy had stopped, and Drew now took the fish and ran

  from his mother's side to hold up the string of trophies.

  Tanner moved toward his son and hunkered down to Drew's

  level.

  "It looks as if you've been busy."

  "Mumma caught them, and I helped. Someday I can fish

  with a hook too."

  "I'm sure you'll do very well."

  Drew chattered on, and Tanner paid close attention. Stacy

  would have been surprised to know that he was watching her

  as much as listening to Drew.

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  She was dressed in a worn day-dress, looking more like a

  ^scullery maid than a duchess. Not that it mattered; Tanner

  [found her lovely whatever her attire. Her face was flushed and

  } her hair a mess, and Tanner suddenly realized they had come

  from behind the stables and not through them.

  "Where did you fish?" He stood in one easy movement, his

  voice nonchalant.

  "At the creek."

  "Did you walk?"

  "Yes," Stacy answered slowly, sensing for the first time thar

  he might not be too happy about that. "It really isn't far, and we

  needed to get out."

  "I don't want--" Tanner began, his tone severe.

  "Mumma?"

  "Andrew," Stacy turned to her son when he cut in, "Lord

  Richardson is talking. Do not interrupt." Stacy turned back to

  Tanner, but he was staring down at Drew. Stacy followed his

  gaze to find her son standing with his legs close together and a

  look of near panic on his face.

  Oh my, Stacy thought, thinking that if she took care of

  Drew's needs, Tanner would be angry. To her surprise, Tanner

  stepped in. He swiftly scooped Drew into his arms and headed

  into the bush off the path.

  Stacy heard low voices beyond the shrubs and shook her

  head in wonder. One moment her husband was completely

  unapproachable and then next he was taking his son into the

  bushes. Although, if Stacy thought about it, Tanner was always

  kind to Drew. It
was to her that he was unapproachable. He

  didn't seek Drew out very often, but his face and voice were

  very gentle when they were together.

  Drew marched out of the bushes then, Tanner on his

  heels.

  "Mumma, can Lord Richardson eat our fish too?"

  "Of course, darling; we have plenty."

  "I'll tell cook," Drew stated and started toward the mansion

  once again. Stacy thanked Tanner for seeing to Drew's

  needs and moved along the path. She wasn't certain if Tanner

  274

  followed or not, but right then she couldn't make herself sta

  and be scolded over the fishing trip. Feeling every inch

  coward, she rushed along behind Drew to the kitchen.

  Three hours later Tanner came from his study in time to

  see a maid taking a tray upstairs. The unmistakable smell of

  fish wafted through the air. Tanner frowned at the woman's

  back. Hadn't Drew wanted to eat with him, and hadn't Stacy

  agreed?

  "Did you need something, my lord?"

  Tanner turned to find Price in attendance.

  "When is dinner?"

  "Seven o'clock, unless of course you wish to change the

  time?"

  Tanner knew it was just now six.

  "And what is cook serving?"

  "I believe Lord Drew requested that you enjoy some of his

  fish."

  Tanner nodded. He'd assumed that they would be eating

  together and realized then that he should assume nothing. His

  disappointment was keen. He had looked forward to eating

  with his son and seeing Stacy. His anger was wearing off, and

  even though he was in no mood to allow her any foothold in

  his life, she was still a delight to the eyes, and because she

  didn't chatter constantly, a very restful person to be with.

  "Please tell cook that I wish my dinner now, and served

  with my wife and son."

  Price bowed and left to change the arrangements. Tanner,

  not bothering with a coat, took the stairs two at a time to find

  Stacy and Drew.

  275

  Stacy had just seated Drew at the table in her sitting room

  id was about to serve him when Tanner knocked on the

  p^or. Stacy stared up at him, uncertain about his presence

  luntil Tanner's brows rose almost mockingly.

  "Come in," Stacy quickly invited, feeling flustered.

  Tanner spoke once he was inside.

  "I thought I'd been invited to eat fish with you."

  "Oh!" Stacy said. "I'm sorry, Tanner, I didn't realize. Please

  sit down."

  She rushed to pull up another chair to the small table and