Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) (38 page)

"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.

273

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

serve him. Tanner frowned at her actions, looking around for

the kitchen maid. He would have questioned Stacy about this,

but there was another knock at the door.

Each evening at 6:00, a tray was delivered by a kitchen

maid to Drew and Stacy. The maid never stayed to serve them

in any way, but now that Tanner was present, not only one

maid came to attend him, but three. The plates uncovered

from Tanner's tray were filled with sumptuous foods and

added to Drew and Stacy's meager fare. Stacy and Drew never

received any more than one piece of bread each--Tanner had

an entire loaf. He had butter--they never saw the stuff. They

felt blessed if they received one vegetable--Tanner's tray had

four.

Stacy, fighting resentment over the way she and Drew

were treated, busied herself with her son's plate, filling it with

the best food they'd eaten since arriving. Then she cut his fish

and got the spoon into his hand. He bumped his water at one

point, but Stacy caught it. It wasn't until that moment that she

glanced up to find Tanner's gaze on her.

He'd been talking with Drew, and Stacy, who was still in

turmoil inside and had not said a word, only listened. She

thought she'd been hiding her feelings but realized now that

her color must be high with her agitation. She was more angry

at herself than anyone else for not telling Tanner on the spot

that this was the best they'd eaten.

As soon as Drew was well ensconced with his food, Stacy

lowered her eyes and dug into her own plate. She didn't care if

278

277

she was being watched or not, she was suddenly so hungry j