Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) (16 page)

described how she and Tanner met and her honeymoon trip

The next two hours flew by, and Stacy couldn't believe how

much she was enjoying herself.

Ktooksometime,butStacysuddenlyrealiZedhowclosely

Sin 611 Werel Udy Andrca' Aunt Lucinda's

"You haven't met my brother, have you?" Chelsea asked at

one point.

"No."

"Well, where was Brandon that day we met in London?"

Sunny interjected with a frown.

^!lthink!?uCaTjUSt as Ur Carria8e w*s leaving," Stacy t0ld^m,andt^ ^ned hf*lf. "Brandon is your brothel ^ That s right," Chelsea told her.

"Then Lady Andrea is your mother."

Chelsea smiled as she made the connection

ofypuS5^miSSedthatWillyOUtellmeabouttherest

^tJ^rMinly- *?y,

y UngeSt br ther is De er. He's married wuh children. Miles and Holly are my own children. They're

both grown and married, and they've made Rand and me

grandparents three times over."

"You can't be a grandmother," Stacy interrupted

i, ^ % ?nd S^y exchanged a look, and then both

laughed. Chelsea heard this comment often, and it was always

a source of great amusement to her. She told Stacy that some

days she felt like a graw-grandmother.

114

The women did not stay much longer. Stacy walked them

out to their carriage when they took their leave. Tanner suddenly

appeared at her side to assist both ladies inside the

coach.

"We would love to have you over for dinner in a few

weeks," Sunny told the newlyweds.

Tanner glanced at Stacy for approval before turning back

to the Duchess of Briscoe.

"We'll plan on it," he told her.

"Goodbye until then," Sunny called out the window as the

carriage pulled away. When she set'tled back inside, Chelsea

spoke.

"He's in love with her, Sunny. I wouldn't have believed it if

I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."

"They seem very happy," Sunny agreed.

"But you're concerned about something," Chelsea interjected,

watching the younger woman carefully.

"Oh, you'll only say I'm full of doom and gloom if I say it,

but they are still newlyweds, and I know that Tanner's had

some deep hurts. Brandon didn't go into detail, but he intimated

that things have been pretty rough. Stacy couldn't be

sweeter, but I can't help wondering whether Stacy will be able

to stand the blow if Tanner's hurts do surface."

"We'll keep praying," Chelsea told her, and in fact they

took time right then to lift the young couple to the Lord.

Two days after Chelsea's and Sunny's visit, Tanner made a

fast trip into London. He spent more time in the carriage than

tending his business, but he had several important matters to

care for. One was a visit to his Uncle Edmond; the other was

made with Stacy in mind. Both were attended to as swiftly as

possible, but the day was long and he missed Stacy terribly.

Not for one moment, not even when he met with his uncle,

could he dispel her from his thoughts. He wondered briefly if

115

[he was becoming obsessed but dismissed the thought immediately.

He had no more determined to put her from his mind

' when he found himself wondering what she was doing right

then.

Tanner would have been pleased and surprised to find

that Stacy was digging in the garden just as Tanner had told

her she could do. Not all of Tanner's staff was as friendly as

Stacy would have liked, and there were times when she preferred

to be out-of-doors and away from their watchful eyes.

Even though Joffrey was head of housekeeping, things

seemed to be a little more finely tuned when Price was in

attendance. Stacy couldn't help but wonder if Joffrey was

rather remiss in his duties. It didn't seem possible, since even

when in good humor Tanner was a demanding lord. But as Stacy thought about her weeks at Winslow, she realized the

staff was not lax when he was present but only with her.

The thought caused her to frown, and she sat back on her

heels. She didn't know what to do about the situation. Stacy

knew that if it came to an out-and-out battle, she would wash

her own clothes and get her own meals before she would

confront anyone. Just the thought of confrontation made her

stomach ache.

Stacy went back to her weeding, but her stomachache did

not go away. It was then that she realized the sun had dropped

low in the sky. It was dinnertime, and she was famished

Pushing herself off the ground, she moved toward the house.

Rayna was there to meet her, and Stacy, hungry as she was,

enjoyed a leisurely bath. She knew the evening was going to

drag with Tanner away, and a long soak in a tub filled with

scented salts was just what she needed

Supper was delicious, but by the time Stacy finished, she

missed Tanner so much she didn't know how she would pass

the evening. She opted for a book from the library and was

headed that way when he came in the front door. Not caring in

the least if the servants were watching, Stacy flew into his

arms.

118

"I missed you," she told him as he bent so she could put

her arms around his neck, pressing her soft cheek to his. It

took Stacy a moment to realize she was not being hugged in

return. He dropped a kiss on her nose before she moved back

in order to stare up at him. She stood back and looked at her

husband, whose arms were behind his back.

"I miSsed you too," Tanner told her as he straightened, but

Stacy's mind was now on his arms.

"You're hiding something."

"Indeed I am."

Stacy tried to move around him, but Tanner simply moved

with her and kept his secret concealed. Stacy finally stood s till

again and faced him.

"Is it for me?" she asked with a smile.

"Quite possibly," Tanner answered and Stacy saw how

much he was enjoying this. She put her own hands behind her

back and simply stared at him.

"Did you stay busy today?" Tanner asked.

"Yes," Stacy said simply, but couldn't stand the .suspense

any longer. "Do I get to see what it is?"

"Are your hands clean?" Tanner asked, sounding much

like a parent. He ruined the effect, however, when his eyes lit

with suppressed laughter.

Stacy, like an obedient child, brought her hands forward

for his inspection.

"You've been digging in the dirt, haven't you?"

"Guilty as charged," she told him and joined his inspection

of her chipped nails.

Tanner gave a deep, mock sigh and brought a large box out

from behind his back

"I'm not sure this is fitting for an urchin like yourself, but

here it is."

Stacy's eyes widened in a way that Tanner loved, and he

held the bottom of the parcel while she removed the lid and

drew forth an exquisite gown.

"Oh, Tanner," Stacy breathed. "It's lovely."

"This is to replace the one you don't like."

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Stacy held the dress out in front of her and stared The

ss was a very pale pink silk with snow-white lace. The skirt

multiple gathers at the waist before falling straight to the

)r without ruffle or layer. The bodice and sleeves were

jjboth of bertha styling, and Stacy did not have another dress

j Jlke it in her wardrobe. It was the most wonderful gown she'd

i ever seen.

Gently hugging it to her, she spoke. "I'm going to save this I for something very special."

"Anything you wish," Tanner told her, feeling inordinately

pleased at her response. He really had thought about her way

too much, but she was obviously worth every reflection.

The evening turned out to be a wonderful surprise for

Stacy since Tanner was home early and wanted to eat in the

privacy of his sitting room. Stacy sat with him through the

meal, and they talked of their day apart. When Tanner finished

his meal, he dismissed the servants early and they were

left alone until morning.

119

: trip the next morning. In fact, we'll take the day off. We'll

fsleep late and be very lazy all day and do anything you want."

Tanner kissed her cheek and moved toward the door,

I telling her over his shoulder that he had some work to do in

his study. Stacy lifted her coffee cup very slowly to her lips. She

simply didn't know how to tell her husband that his business

trip was going to keep him away for her birthday, October 3.

september was drawing to a close when Tanner told Stacy

he was going to have to be away for a few days. Stacy listened

in silent dismay as he told her casually that he would have to

leave on the second of October and would not return until late

on the third

"Edmond insists that we go and see some breeding stock. I

don't know why he doesn't want to part with his own brass for

such nonsense, but he assures me this is an investment I can't

pass up."

"Did you want me to come with you?" Stacy offered,

hoping her voice sounded normal.

"Thank you for offering, my sweet, but I can assure you

this trip will be dry-as-dust--strictly business. It's also going

to be rather rushed because I want to be back home as soon as

I can."

"I'll ask cook to prepare something special," Stacy said, a

sudden idea springing to mind, "and we'll dine together when

you return."

Tanner stood from his place at the breakfast table and

came toward her.

"I love the idea, sweetheart," he told her as he stood by her

place, "but I'll be very late that night. Hopefully I can slip into

bed without disturbing you, and then I can tell you all about

"He's planning a surprise party," Stacy spoke out loud,

causing Rayna to come back into the dressing room.

"Did you call me, my lady?"

"No, Rayna," Stacy told her with a smile. "I was just talking

to myself."

Rayna nodded and Stacy settled back in the tub, a huge

smile of contentment covering her face.

Two slow days had passed since Tanner had announced

his plans to be gone. He had been busy and didn't notice

anything out of the usual in his wife, but Stacy had agonized

over whether or not to tell him.

Now there was no need. It was all a ploy to throw her off

guard. Tanner was simply pretending not to be aware of her

birthday so he could come home early and surprise her. Stacy

lay back in the tub until her water grew cold. All she could

think about was the wonderful man she had married

"If I didn't know better, I would think you're glad to see

me go," Tanner commented the morning he was scheduled to

leave.

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Stacy chuckled softly. "Don't be silly," she told him, straightening

his cravat. "I even offered to go with you, remember?"

Tanner studied her soft, mischievous eyes and felt fear

spiral through him. Leslie had never been sorry to see him