Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) (42 page)

close to his heart. He had been ready to believe her innocence,

but when he'd read the first part of the letter where he

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thought she'd all but confessed, he'd gone back to keeping her

as far from him as possible.

Leslie's face swam through his mind. For the first time he

pushed it away with barely a thought. Stacy herself reminded

him that she was not Leslie. That fact was never more evident

to Tanner than it was right now.

His anger had been putting distance between him and

Stacy even before they were married. If he was going to get his

wife back, Tanner knew he was going to have to get a grip on

himself. He'd ask her first. If that didn't work, he'd tell her she

was coming back so he could prove he was ready to be the

husband and father he needed to be.

Tanner knew he couldn't take one more day without her at

Winslow. Even though the shadows were long, Tanner ordered

his carriage. Price packed and accompanied him, and the next

morning he was at Brentwood, ready to see his wife.

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"Tell me where she is, Lucinda."

"No."

"Did Stacy ask you to hide her?"

Lucinda hesitated just long enough for Tanner to realize

she was lying. "Yes, she did. She's tired of the way she's treated

at Winslow and tired of you. You're despicable and cruel, and

you don't deserve her! She never wants to see you again!"

It was quite obvious that Lucinda was verbalizing her own

feelings and those she wished were Stacy's.

"You have no right to play with people's lives, Lucinda."

Tanner's voice was calm, and Lucinda looked uncertain for the

first time. "Now tell me where she is."

The older woman looked as if she might be considering

it, but then her chin came out and she slowly shook her head

Tanner's eyes bored into hers, but still she did not flinch.

Without a word, Tanner turned on his heel and walked out.

"What do you mean she's not here?"

"Just what I said," Lucinda told him unsympathetically.

"She's not here, nor is Drew. They've gone to stay with friends

in the country."

Tanner frowned. The only friends Stacy had in the country

were their neighbors around Winslow, and outside of Brandon

and Sunny, he knew she wouldn't visit them. Even without

asking, Tanner knew she was not at Bracken.

"When do you expect them back?" Tanner was keeping a

tight grip on his temper.

"Oh," Lucinda said airily, covering the fact that they'd only

just left, "Stacy desperately needs a rest. She'll probably stay

until the baby is born."

Tanner would tolerate no such thing. It was the second

week in October and he'd already missed her birthday. There

was no way he'd let anyone keep him from his wife and son

until sometime the next year.

"You deliberately waited until I was gone, and then you

sent them away," Roddy railed at his wife. "How could you, Lucinda? You cannot run other people's lives."

"Now you sound like Tanner." She spat the words.

"Tanner was here?" Roddy was incredulous, but Lucinda,

having regretted telling him, would not look in his direction.

He'd returned an hour earlier with flowers for both Stacy and

his wife and a hat for Drew, only to be told they been sent

away, and no one except Lucinda knew where. All of their own

coachmen and coaches were present, telling Roddy that

Lucinda had hired someone else. Roddy had no one to question.

"Lucinda, did you tell Tanner where she is?"

"No, and I won't tell you. You're too soft, and I know you

would tell him. I'll not give Tanner Richardson another chance

to hurt my girl."

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Roddy sat down in absolute defeat. He'd never seen

Lucinda quite this consumed. When Stacy arrived he'd been

troubled about the relationship. But when Tanner came looking

for his wife--in Roddy Caruthers' book that meant he

cared.

Oh, Cinda, he thought as he watched her try to ignore him. What have you done?

They didn't speak of it again, and after a few days Lucinda

began to believe that Roddy had come around to her way of

thinking. There was a strain between them, but Lucinda refused

to acknowledge it, smiling a little too brightly when

Roddy was in the room and suggesting one party or tea after another. She would have been livid if she'd known that Roddy

was investigating Stacy's whereabouts each morning when he

left the house.

Tanner stayed in London for a week but came up with

nothing. He considered calling in the police, but Lucinda was

Stacy's aunt, and he wanted to avoid that at all costs. He was

on the verge of hiring an investigator when he thought maybe

he should check with Brandon and Sunny. He knew Stacy

wouldn't be there, but he hoped that with all the time Stacy

spent with Sunny, the duchess would know something.

He arrived unannounced at Bracken near dinnertime, but

the Hawkesburys made him feel welcome. Soon he was sitting

down to eat with them. Tanner had no idea how drained he

appeared.

"Did you know that Stacy left Winslow?" he asked partway

through the meal.

"Yes," Sunny answered "I just received a letter."

"A letter? Does it say where she is?" Tanner nearly rose

from his chair.

"Why, she's in London with Roddy and Lucinda. Didn't you

know?"

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Tanner sighed deeply and explained Sunny's emotions

were wrung out once again by this unsettled couple. Just when

it seemed that Tanner was finally ready to be a husband to

Stacy, Lucinda had to pull this.

"Did she ever say anything to you, Sunny, that might tell

me where she is?"

"I don't think so. I mean, Lucinda has friends everywhere,

in the country and all over London. Maybe someone on her

staff would know something."

"Or you might try questioning your own staff, Tanner.

They might be of some help."

"I doubt that," Sunny said softly, but Tanner had heard.

"What did you mean, Sunny?"

"Your staff is not very close to Stacy, so I doubt if she would

confide in any of them."

Tanner studied her and knew there was more. "Is there

anything else you'd like to tell me?"

Looking uncomfortable, the duchess suddenly knew what

Stacy was at times afraid of. There was an intensity about

Tanner that could be unnerving, but she knew she had to be

honest.

"Some of the staff at Winslow make things pretty hard for

Stacy."

"In what way?"

Sunny explained what she'd seen and the little Stacy had

shared with her. "Stacy isn't the type to complain. In fact, if it

wasn't for Drew, she probably wouldn't have said a word, but

Drew naturally brings out the mother in her. She talked to me

out of concern for him."

Tanner was quiet, but a hardness entered his eye. He

remembered his fish dinner with Stacy and Drew and how

little food they'd had on the table before his trays arrived.

Just looking at him, Brandon could see that his friend was

developing a plan. After a moment he asked, "What will you

do?"

Tanner answered immediately. "I'll go back to Winslow

300

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stacy wandered through. the gallery, her round tummy

preceding her, and studied the portraits of generations of

Blackwells. Some looked stuffy and old before their time, and

some looked like they had lived life to the fullest.

Of course it wasn't fair to judge a person by his portrait,

but Stacy felt as if she had to examine them all before seeking

out the one she came to see, the one who reminded her of

Tanner.

Lord and Lady Blackwell were no relation to her husband

whatsoever, but one of their ancestors bore a striking resemblance

to Tanner. It certainly wasn't the same as being with

him, but it was nice to look into brown eyes so like his and to

study that firm chin that even Drew was beginning to sport.

Stacy now stood before the portrait. It was as she remembered

it, but today she didn't enjoy it as much because she

missed Tanner terribly and ached over the fact that he hadn't

sought her out. It seemed that things really were over between

them. Stacy thought maybe she should return to Middlesbrough.

Lord and Lady Blackwell couldn't have been kinder,

but Stacy was starting to lose hope.

With Stacy's feelings about London, Lucinda had had no

trouble coaxing her out into the country. However, she had

been here for weeks with almost no contact from Lucinda and

none at all from Roddy. The letters that had come from her

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aunt were so bland, never addressing Stacy's questions, that]

she felt completely out of touch. Stacy missed everyone so1 much she was considering returning to Brentwood for a visit

before leaving on her way north, but the first time she had

mentioned a possible trip, Lady Blackwell had acted oddly.

Stacy had thought little of this and decided to stay put for

the time. But then the previous night, when once again Stacy

mentioned going to see her aunt and uncle, Lady Blackwell

stumbled all over her words until Lord Blackwell gently

explained that they were rather busy right now and maybe

another time would be best.

Stacy couldn't believe her ears. Surely they understood

that she could go without them. Not to mention the fact that

this was the first time they'd denied her anything. Up until j

now they couldn't do enough for her. She and Drew had been 1

lavished with gifts to meet every possible want or need. Meals 1

were centered around them and so sumptuous that Stacy

thought she might be putting on more weight than necessary.

She mentioned it to Hettie at one point, but Hettie only

shook her head.^

"You're swollen with child. How did you expect to look?"

"I guess you're right," Stacy sighed. "But if Tanner ever

does come for me, he won't be able to get his arms around

me."

"Are you still hoping for that?"

"You know I am."

The older woman snorted.

"Now what does that mean?" Stacy wanted to know. In all

of the weeks that Stacy had been waiting for Tanner to come

Hettie had never said a word against him.

"It means that even if he is looking for you, I wonder if he'll

be able to find you."

"What are you saying, Hettie?" The duchess' voice became f firm.

"I'm saying I don't like the way we left London. Your aunt

was so nervous she jumped at the slightest noise. And it

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seemed strange to me that a hired coach and driver brought us

here."

Stacy stared at her, and understanding dawned. You knew,

Stacy, she said to herself. You 'we known for days that all was

not right here, and you've wondered for weeks why Lucinda

and Roddy never visited. Tanner didn 't come, and thafs all

you've cared about. Instead of drowning in self-pity, you

should have been more aware.

"What are you going to do?" Hettie asked.

"Nothing right now. I'm going to sleep on it and then confront the Blackwells in the morning."

"You make it sound as if it were bedtime."

"I know it's just past lunch, but I think better in the

morning. If the Blackwells won't help me, I'll have the day to

decide how to get us back to London."

Hettie finally agreed that it was a good plan. Both women

would have been filled with joy had they realized that even as

they spoke, help was on the way.

If Roddy had ever thought there was anything dimwitted

about his wife, he now knew better. He would never have

believed that she could so completely cover her tracks. It

seemed as if Stacy and Drew had vanished off the face of the

earth.

Not a single coach company would admit to having done

business with her, nor would any of the coachmen. He racked

his brain for every family they knew, even the slightest of

acquaintances, and had them all checked out, but to no avail.

Weeks later, he'd finally written to Noel and Elena, not wanting

to upset them but desperate to find Stacy.

Elena had written back, stating that they had heard from Stacy. She had misplaced the letter, but remembered that she

304

and Drew were doing fine and staying with someone named

Blackmore or something similar.

It had been all Roddy needed. Little wonder he'd never

considered the Blackwells. Decades before, Lady Blackwell

and Lucinda had quarreled. Lucinda hadn't spoken to her in 30

years.

Now as Roddy's carriage took him deep into the country,

he let his heart feel all the ache he'd tried to squelch. Never

had he been so disappointed in anyone as he was with Lucinda

or himself, for he knew he was partially to blame.

Lucinda had been running the lives of others for years,

and Roddy had allowed it with nary a word. He realized now

that he should have been bolder on countless occasions. He

could have and should have told her to mind her own business.

Roddy wondered if perhaps this was why Stacy was so

special to him. They both feared confronting the people they

loved the most. Stacy had been so heavy on his mind in the last

weeks that the thought of getting this close and being wrong

made him a bundle of nerves. He also began to know panic at

the thought that Stacy would be there, but the Blackwells

would forbid him entrance.

"Please help me, God," Roddy prayed, not for the first

time. He knew it was a selfish prayer and that finding her was

partly selfish also. He had questions he needed to ask, and he

believed with all of his heart that the only person who could

answer them was Stacy.

Stacy heard voices from her place in the library. They were

not raised in anger, but something was not right. She was able

to come to the door without being spotted and did so to

eavesdrop shamelessly.

"I tell you she's not here." This came from Lady Blackwell.

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"And I believe that she is." Stacy heard Roddy's voice but

kept still.

"I don't know where you've gotten this ridiculous notion,

but I must ask you to leave."

"I will not leave until I'm certain Lady Stacy and her son

are not here."

"Please--"

"No." Roddy's voice was firm. "Now tell me the truth; tell

me where--"

Roddy cut off when Stacy suddenly stepped into view. The

sigh that escaped his chest was heartfelt. Stacy came forward,

but Lady Blackwell wouldn't look at her, even when she spoke.

"Lucinda asked me to keep you and hold all of your letters

to Brentwood. It had been so long since she and I had--" The

older woman stopped and looked helplessly at Stacy. "I'm

sorry."

Both Stacy and Roddy watched her walk away, head down,

steps laden. It was a posture that Stacy would have normally

pitied, but the import of Lady Blackwell's words were pressing

in upon her. All these weeks, months actually, she'd waited to

hear from someone or dreamed of looking up and seeing

Tanner approaching, but no one had even known where she

was. No one but Lucinda.

"Roddy, what has Lucinda done?"

Roddy took in her flushed features and doubted his wisdom

in coming.

"Where can we talk?"

Stacy took a breath. "The morning room."

She led the way. Once inside Roddy saw her comfortable

on the settee. Her color still worried him, but he knew he had

to take this all the way.

"Did Lucinda really hide us?"

"I'm afraid she did."

"And she didn't tell you?"

"No. It's taken me this long to learn of your whereabouts."

"Has Tanner been to Brentwood, asking for me?"

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fill.

"A week after you left Winslow." Roddy's tone was regret-Stacy

eyes slid shut in agony. The fingers of one hand came

to her mouth, and Roddy watched in amazement as tears slid

out from beneath her closed lids. She was trembling all over,

and the earl was becoming frightened

"Please, Stacy, please don't get so upset. I know what a

shock it must be, but I'm thinking of the baby as well as you."

"How could she, Roddy?" Stacy whispered. "All this time I

thought he didn't care. I was going to the Blackwells in the

morning to tell them I would be returning to London and then

Middlesbrough. How could she, Roddy?"

"I don't know." Roddy's voice was sad. "Tanner has always

reminded her of Aubrey, and she's still very bitter over his

memory."

"I can't begin to tell you how I've longed for my husband,"

Stacy went on. "I left because of his indifference. The servants

were very hard to take, but I could have stood almost anything

if only he would have shown me he cared. Did he just come to

see if I was there, or to take me back to Winslow?"

"I wasn't there, but he told Lucinda he would find you."

"Maybe he didn't actually look."

"Yes, he's looking. He even hired a private investigator to

locate you."

"Oh, Roddy! How do I get word to him? How do I tell him

where I am?"

"I'll get word to him, Stacy, but I wish--" Roddy paused

"What is it, Roddy?"

"I wish you would pray for me."

Stacy was dumbfounded

"Not about Tanner; he'll be very pleased to hear from me,"

Roddy explained. "But I've got to go home and face Lucinda

with this. Things have been pretty strained between us, but

she's never shown remorse. When she finds out that I've

learned of your whereabouts, she'll be livid"

"Of course I'll pray for you, Roddy," Stacy told him, but

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then she paused "There is something more, isn't there, Roddy?

You have something on your mind."

Roddy opened his mouth once and then closed it. Stacy

waited

"I want what you have," Roddy admitted softly, his eyes

searching hers. "I'm trying to pray and be like you, but something

is missing."

Stacy smiled so tenderly that Roddy's heart began to