Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) (29 page)

and hope he comes to London."a

"I think that's wise. I don't believe I would try to surprise1 him; men don't like that. If he comes to town, I would send a j

note asking if you could call or if he would like to meet you \ somewhere. Who knows, he may even be willing to come

here."

"Do you think so, Roddy?"

Roddy patted her hand and shocked Stacy speechless with

the next words out of his mouth. "Even if he doesn't, my dear,

you just keep praying. God will take care of you."

"God made flowers," Drew told Lucinda as they sat on a

bench in the garden and ate the cookies that someone had

delivered to them from the kitchen. "He made the whole

world, even the animals and birds."

"Did He now?" Lucinda murmured absently, not really

hearing Drew's words, just feeling delight that he was becoming

more comfortable with her. He was such a gift, a balm of

sorts, applied directly to the ache inside of her over her

brother's death.

"May I have another cookie?"

"How many have you had?" Lucinda was making agenuine

effort not to spoil him.

"I think 200," he told her with a great smile.

Lucinda laughed and hugged Drew. This was the scene

Roddy came upon.

"Well, it looks like you two are having fun."

"Indeed, we are," Lucinda told him, her arm still around

Drew.

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"Where is Mumma?" Drew was looking beyond his Uncle

idy, his brow lowered in concern.

"Your mother is inside. Did you want to go and find her?"

Drew nodded with relief and jumped down from the seat.

He ran along the path to the house. Roddy and Lucinda followed

more slowly.

"Oh, Roddy," Lucinda spoke when he was out of earshot.

"He's so dear."

"That he is, just like his mother."

"What is Stacy doing?"

"I'm not certain. We were discussing Tanner. She might be

writing to him."

"If he comes," Lucinda said after a rather pregnant pause,

"he'll take them away, and we won't have Drew."

"We can always go see them."

"What if Tanner doesn't allow that?" Lucinda felt panicked

over the thought.

"Tanner has never had any argument with us, and too,

Stacy is different. She's stronger now. I don't know how she'll

be with Tanner, but I just can't believe that she wouldn't allow us to see her or Drew."

"I hope you're right, Roddy." Now Lucinda's voice was

wistful. "I truly hope you're right."

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(wmfoQleven/

"Hew does a trip to the Royal Gardens sound?" Stacy posed

the question just two days later and stunned nearly everyone

at the breakfast table. Not knowing what she was talking

about, Drew went on eating his toast. Lucinda was clearly

uncertain, and Roddy put his newspaper down to look at her.

"We wouldn't need to make a great show of it," she explained.

"But I would like to get out, and I know Drew would

enjoy the paths and flowers. If you'd rather not join us, I'll

understand. Hettie will be with us. I'd like to go right there and

come back. We wouldn't stay overly long, but mourning or not,

I need to get out."

A silence that lasted an entire minute fell over the table.

"I think it's a good idea," Lucinda finally said, her voice

serene. "I'm going to stay in for now, but I do think you should

go. Roddy, will you be joining them?"

"Unless you'd like me to stay."

Lucinda smiled at him, and Stacy saw a glimmer of the aunt

she remembered. Since she'd arrived in Middlesbrough, she

had not been the same.

"Thank you for offering, but I shall be quite fine alone.

Now, Drew," she added, "you're going to be visiting the Royal

Gardens, one of my favorite places. You must come back and

tell Aunty Lucinda everything."

Drew nodded "Mumma, what is Roll Gardens?"

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"Royal Gardens," Stacy corrected him with a smile. "They

much like Aunty Lucinda's gardens, only larger and with

more flowers."

And so they were off. Roddy wisely ordered a closed

carriage for the ride, and Hettie joined them inside. Drew was

allowed to look out the window, and his questions were

nonstop from beginning to end of the journey.

* The gardens were all that Stacy hoped they would be--a

L riot of springtime color that was so glorious to see and smell

that she wished they could stay all day. Drew had inherited his

mother's love of the outdoors, and just as she knew he would

he ran and skipped until his face was flushed with exertion

and pleasure. At one point he spotted a fountain and nearly

turned inside out with excitement.

"Oh, Mumma! We can fish! We can fish!"

"No, my darling, we can't. This is a fountain, not a pond."

Drew looked crestfallen for just a moment, but then he

spotted a bird and once again they were off. Hettie trailed

after him, this time with Roddy and Stacy coming in their

wake. The paths had not been crowded in the section they

traveled, but whenever they did pass someone, Stacy averted

her face. Roddy was sensitive to this and did what he could to

aid her privacy.

Stacy was not ashamed, just desiring as little publicity as

possible. The desire for solitude and the beauty of the day

reminded her of Morgan, naturally turning Stacy's thoughts to

her grandfather. She couldn't help but think how much he

would have enjoyed this stroll with them.

Then Stacy remembered her last hours with her grandfather

as well as the last time she was here. The last time she'd

been to the Royal Gardens she had not yet understood her

need for a Savior, but God had reached down and rescued her,

just as He had her grandfather. She continued her walk with a

heart filled with joy and prayers that her life would be a

testimony of God's saving grace.

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1

Roddy, Stacy, Drew, and Hettie had only been home froig

the gardens for two hours when Craig came to Stacy's _

room door. As usual, his manner was formal, but Stacy ki

he genuinely cared for her.

"You have a visitor, Lady Stacy."

Stacy had written a letter to Tanner but had not sent it. Still

she wondered if it might be him. Her heart pounded in her

chest before Luanda's head servant continued.

"The Duke and Duchess of Briscoe are waiting for you in

the large salon."

Sunny and Brandon.

"Thank you, Craig." Stacy beamed at him and nearly ran

down the stairs when he held the door for her. She didn't stop

to school her features or fix her hair, but burst into the room

like a small child at Christmas.

Sunny rose as soon as she saw her, and the women met in

the middle of the room in a huge hug. They separated long

enough to laugh and stumble over each other's words before

hugging again. When Sunny released Stacy at last, Brandon

was there to take her place. Tears stung at the back of Stacy's

eyes at the feel of his solid arms. He was so like Tanner in

height and build.

"How are you?" Sunny asked when she'd finally claimed

Stacy's hand and pulled her over to sit beside her on the

settee. "I'm all right," Stacy smiled at both of them, "Did Elena

tell you in the letter?"

"About your grandfather? Yes!"

The women hugged again.

"Tell us about it," Brandon urged, and Stacy did There

were tears swimming in Sunny's eyes when she was done.

"I miss him so much," Stacy admitted. "But knowing

where he is gives me such a peace. I keep seeking out verses

that talk about heaven, so I can try to imagine how wonderful

it must be."

"Study verses about God too, Stacy." Brandon spoke now.

"Heaven is God's home, and when we know Him, I think

heaven and our time with Him becomes clearer. There is even

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\

(verse in Revelation, chapter 21, that says there is no sun or

jn in the new Jerusalem, which is heaven, for God's glory

luminates that holy city."

"Thank you, Brandon." Stacy's voice was awed and humble,

icre is so much I don't know. Thank you for telling me that."

He smiled at her, and Stacy's heart turned over. Oh Father, [She prayed silently. Please save my Tanner. Please give its a

\marriage like this one--one that's built in You,

"Have you seen Tanner?" Sunny's question cut through

Stacy's thoughts.

"No. I don't think he's in London right now. I've written

him a letter asking him to see me, but I haven't posted it. I'm

afraid I don't have high hopes. He hasn't wanted me in over

three years, and I doubt if that has changed."

Sunny reached for and squeezed Stacy's hand. "We're still

praying."

"Thank you. Brandon, do you ever see him?"

"From time to time."

Stacy couldn't disguise the love in her face or her voice.

"How is he?"

"I think he's fair," Brandon answered honestly. "He was

quite thin for a time after you left, but he's filled out again. He

doesn't smile much, but he always wants to talk. I think he gets

lonely."

Stacy drew in a shuddering breath as pain squeezed

around her heart. She was silent for a moment, praying again

about what she should do. She decided suddenly not to do

anything. God might have something special planned, and if

she went rushing ahead on her own she could ruin everything.

With this decision came such a peace that Stacy knew she was

doing the right thing.

"Are you all right?" This came from Brandon, who along

with his wife had been carefully watching Stacy's face.

"As a matter of fact, I am." She told them simply that she

was not going to mail her letter but would keep praying.

"Well, there's one thing you won't need to pray about any

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longer," Sunny said "You are going to join my Bible study wii

Andrea."

"Oh, Sunny," Stacy breathed. "Are you certain? I m

won't Lady Andrea mind?"

"It was her idea. That way when I can't be there, the two i

you can meet."

Stacy's eyes closed in relief. She had felt rather adrift with

her separation from Elena and Noel.

"I don't know what to say."

"Say yes," Brandon told her, making it sound so simple.

"Yes," Stacy said and was still beaming at both of them

when the door opened

"Mumma?" a small voice called, sounding on the edge of

tears. Stacy turned in surprise.

"Come here, Drew," she called to him. He'd been down for

over an hour, and Stacy had planned to be there when he

awoke. She wondered what woke him early. Brentwood was

larger than Morgan, and he was still a little confused by all the

doors and hallways. In fact, Stacy was surprised that he'd

found her at all. Hettie must have fallen asleep, or he'd have

never gotten downstairs.