Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) (44 page)

should stay put. He had followed his wife to the older woman's

room and found her very ill indeed. Naturally, Stacy had

wanted to stay and nurse her, but Tanner had put his foot

down.

The next suggestion had been that they all simply stay

until Hettie could go with them. Tanner was gentle, but adamantly

against this also. With much talk between Stacy and

Lady Blackwell, it was finally decided that Tanner would take

his family home and send a carriage back for Hettie in two

weeks' time.

When Stacy and Drew were finally ready to go, Tanner

made one last trip to the sickroom. He could tell that Stacy was

still apprehensive, and he wanted to be able to reassure her

that he'd checked on Hettie again. To his surprise, Hettie had

gained enough strength to take him on.

"You will have excellent care. In two weeks," Tanner was

speaking from where he stood by the bed, "a Richardson

carriage will be here for you." Tanner did not go on to say that

he'd greased a few palms to see that she would be treated like

a queen while at the Blackwells'.

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"Who will see to Stacy and Drew?"

It irked Tanner that the old woman used their Christian

names, but he held his tongue.

"They'll be well taken care of."

"Like they were before--with not enough food and living

like prisoners? They couldn't even walk in the garden without

the gardeners coming out to glare."

This was the first Tanner had heard of the gardeners being

rude as well, but he continued to assure Hettie.

"All of that is changed now. My wife and son will have the

best of care."

"What if the baby comes?"

"The baby's not due for weeks."

"Drew was early. Stacy nearly died; did you know that?"

Tanner's heart slammed in his chest, and he could only

stare at the sick old woman.

"I've never liked you," Hettie went on, her voice growing

weak. "And I know that you think I'm out of line to be saying

this, but there's no one to care for Stacy without me."

The words completely taxed her. She lay, chest heaving,

her eyes angry, but also pleading with the duke. Tanner wanted

to go to Stacy on the spot, but something in Hettie's face

compelled him to console her one last time.

"It is as I've said." This time Tanner's voice did not allow

her to argue. "All that is changed now."

Tanner's intense gaze held Hettie's for just an instant, and

then he was gone.

Stacy squirmed in the seat and told herself to go to sleep,

pray, or do anything that would take her mind off of how badly

she needed to relieve herself. They had been traveling for over

two hours without a stop, and Stacy thought she might burst.

Had he been in the coach with them, Tanner might have

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noticed her discomfort, but he'd opted to start the journey on

horseback.

Drew had fallen asleep almost as soon as they had left, and

even though Stacy had shifted his head from her abdomen for

some relief, she was now growing desperate. Suddenly Drew

stirred.

"Mumma," he said in a sleepy voice. "Mumma, I need to be

excused."

Stacy's fist flew to the top of the carriage, and seconds

later the coach slowed to a stop. When the door opened,

Tanner stood there.

"Drew needs to be excused."

"All right." Tanner's voice was calm. "I'll see to him."

"I'll take care of him!" Stacy nearly shouted in his face.

Tanner blinked at her tone before stepping back quickly when

she barged her way from the carriage. Understanding was

only seconds in coming, and he was calling himself every kind

of fool as he followed her into the privacy of the woods.

"Here, Stacy, I'll see to Drew."

Tanner didn't give Stacy time to argue as he lifted Drew in

his arms and went in the opposite direction. Stacy wasted no

time but shot behind some bushes to see to her own needs.

Some minutes later she made her way comfortably back to the

carriage. Tanner and Drew were already there, and Stacy saw

instantly that Tanner's horse was tied to the rear of the carriage.

"Lady Blackwell sent a large hamper along. Would you like

to stop now?"

"I'm really not hungry," Stacy told him. "Would you like to

stop?"

"No, we can wait." Tanner's voice was cordial as he ushered

her and Drew into the carriage. Drew sat in his father's

lap then and entertained the older lord for the next two hours.

Stacy lasted only 20 minutes before she let her head fall

against the side of the coach and went to sleep.

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I

"The White Stag" was the sign above the inn door as

Tanner saw his family into the public room that evening. The

great room was clean and sparsely occupied, making the duke

and his party all the more conspicuous.

Stacy stood holding Drew's hand as Tanner had a few J

words with Price. Every head in the place was turned in their \

direction, but Stacy kept her eyes on Tanner. Some minutes

passed before the innkeeper led the way upstairs.

The room the man opened for them was clean, but small.

It sported one full bed, and Stacy wondered about the sleeping

arrangement. She didn't wonder long, however. As soon as the

innkeeper left them, Tanner explained in a soft voice while

Drew stared at his reflection in the glass of the window.

"We'll have our dinner up here, probably delivered in a

few minutes. Price is going to be across the hall, and Drew will

sleep with him."

"I thought Drew would be in here with us."

"There really isn't room. And," Tanner went on when Stacy

opened her mouth, "do not even suggest that the two of you

stay alone because I won't allow it. Price has one of my pistols,

and I have the other. This is the safest arrangement."

"If the inn is not safe, why are we staying here?"

Stacy's voice was as low as Tanner's, but he could read the

panic in her eyes. His hand came up to touch her cheek as he

answered.

"The White Stag is one of the more reputable roadside

inns, but since our clothing and coaches spell money, they all

carry a measure of risk. I assure you, no harm will come to

Drew when he's with Price, and any man coming to this door

will have to go through me."

Stacy had little choice but to agree. She wondered if they

should have stayed on the road When she said as much to

Tanner, he adamantly shook his head.

"You are nearly out on your feet, and we all need to eat."

"I need to eat." Drew had left the window and now stood

looking a bit anxious at his father's side; it had been a long day.

Tanner lifted him into his arms.

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"Our food will be here at any time, and then you're going

to spend the night with Price."

Drew's eyes rounded "Price?"

"That's right, and then in the morning you'll come back in

here for breakfast and we'll head home."

"To Roddy's?"

"No, my darling," Stacy interjected, her heart turning over

for him. "We're going to Winslow."

Drew looked uncertain.

"You know Winslow," his father said. "Your room is brown

and gold and you have a huge nursery to play in."

Now it was time for Stacy to share Drew's confusion.

Mother and son stared at Tanner until he frowned fiercely.

"You were never shown the nursery, were you?" Tanner's

voice was tight, but Stacy could see that he was trying to

control his anger and that it was not directed at her.

In answer to his question, she only shook her head and

tried not to think about going back to Tanner's difficult staff.

More might have been said on the subject, because Stacy truly

believed it needed to be discussed, but there was no more

opportunity. Someone knocked then, and their food was

delivered

Because they left the inn early and the roads were fairly

dry, they made good time going home. The coaches pulled up

just after noon, and Tanner held Stacy's elbow as they went

inside. Standing ready to greet them was a man Stacy had

never seen before.

"This is Reece," Tanner explained "He is the new head of

housekeeping. He will introduce you to the rest of the staff as

needed."

"Hello, Reece," Stacy, in a state of shock, spoke to the kind-looking

man.

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Reece bowed low, his posture and very expression begging

to serve her. "Welcome home, my lady. I hope we

can serve you well. This is Juliet." Reece brought forth a young maid. "She will be your personal maid until you wish

to choose another. Would you like Juliet to go with you

now?"

"No," Tanner answered for her. "I'll see my wife upstairs

and will send for you later."

"Yes, my lord." Reece bowed again and backed away so

they could pass. Several other staff members were present, all

complete strangers to Stacy. Their faces were all wreathed in

smiles, however, and the young duchess had the impression

that any one of them would hand her the shirt off his back.

Once Tanner and Stacy gained the upper floor, Stacy

questioned her husband.

"I take it you've replaced some of the staff?"

"Not some of them, but the whole."

Stacy stopped in the hall. "Even cook?"

Tanner gently shook his head. "Let me amend that, I've

dismissed everyone but Price and cook."

Stacy just stood and stared at him. She would have continued

to do so, but he reached for her hand and led her through

a door. Not until that moment did Stacy realize it was the

master bedroom suite. With a heart pounding with unidentified

emotion, Stacy allowed herself to be led through her old

sitting room, past the dressing room, and into Winslow's

spectacular master bedroom. Tanner brought them to a halt

but didn't turn to Stacy or even look at her. Stacy hated to

question him and break the sweet communion that had existed

between them since he came for her, but she had to know.

"Tanner, if you're going to change your mind about my

being in here with you, I'd rather start down the hall."

"We've slept in the same bed for the last two nights."

Tanner's voice betrayed none of his feelings.

"I realize that," Stacy spoke evenly. "But you didn't really

have much choice."

This time Tanner didn't answer. He reached for the small

satchel in Stacy's other hand and tossed it onto the bed. Stacy

knew that would have to be answer enough.

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the fork in stacy's hand felt weighted as she tried to eat

the lunch set before her. She had been quite weary for several

days before Tanner came for her, and frankly she was tired of

being tired. But what could she do? It must be the pregnancy.

A glance at Drew told her he was equally exhausted, and