Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) (28 page)

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

198

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, their 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."

204

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

love a sensational story. You don't really believe Tanner

capable of murder, do you?"

Tanner's livid, almost unrecognizable face swam before

Stacy's eyes. He'd told Nigel that if he ever saw him again, he

would kill him.

"Stacy?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "He was so angry, and he did

threaten Nigel before we left the Cradwells'."

"Oh, I heard about all that, but that hardly makes him a

murderer. Men say strange things when they're enraged"

Still Stacy did not look comforted. She didn't want to even

consider that Tanner could do such a thing, but that was

exactly the way she was thinking. She said as much to Roddy.

"I understand why you might feel that way, Stacy, but try to

put it from your mind. I really don't think there is any validity

to it. And if you do plan to see Tanner, suspicion is the last

thing you need clouding your judgment."

Stacy's shoulders sagged with relief. Roddy was right. The

whole idea was nonsense. Her hand covered his where it lay

on the table.

"Thank you, Roddy. I need your level-headed logic."

"No thanks necessary, my dear. It just shows what a wonderfully

compassionate person you are that you would be

concerned about the man whose actions caused you such

pain."

"I have prayed for Nigel from time to time, and I'll continue

to do so when he comes to mind"

Roddy stared at her, simply amazed He wouldn't have

believed that Stacy could be any more tranquil or compassionate

than she had been the summer of 1853, but she was. There

was a peace and tenderness about her that was nearly irresistible.

Roddy was very drawn to her, not romantically, but as a

loving father who delighted in her company. He also had the

feeling that if Tanner ever got within "close proximity, he

would be as overpoweringly drawn to her as Roddy was himself.

"Have you thought about contacting Tanner yet?" With

thoughts of Stacy's husband, Roddy asked the first question

that came to mind

"I've thought about it but not decided on anything definite.

Do you have any ideas?"

206

"Would you rather be in London or go to Winslow?"

needed to know.

Stacy thought. "I don't want to see Winslow again unless i

can stay. I loved our home, and going out there only to be senfa

away might be more than I could take. I guess I'll bide my time!