Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) (20 page)

adjustment in and of itself.

Coupled to this was some very real anxiety as to how well

she would fit in. She would have begged Tanner to turn the

coach around if she'd had even the slightest inkling of how

little she would have in common with her hosts and their

other guests.

the cradwell mansion was beautiful to Stacy's eyes, but

rte didn't care for the grounds. Tall hedges lined nearly every

ralk, blocking Stacy's view of the gently rolling hills she loved

I SO well.

Tanner led the way up to the front door, which opened

immediately. Stacy glanced around the grand foyer before

their host arrived. The next few moments were a confusion to

Stacy, but she remained silent.

"Tanner," Jeremy Cradwell spoke as he approached. "Welcome."

"Thank you, Jeremy." Tanner shook the younger man's

hand, concealing his surprise over being greeted by Lord and

Lady Cradwell's son and not the senior Cradwells themselves.

"I don't believe you've met my wife, Jeremy. Stacy, this is

Jeremy Cradwell. Jeremy, this is my wife, Lady Stacy Richardson."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Stacy." Jeremy didn't care

for the fact that she was taller than he was--it put him off

terribly--but she was the duchess. Thus he did manage to

make a suitable welcome and kiss the back of Stacy's hand.

"You're sure to grace our weekend with your beauty."

"Where are your parents, Jeremy?" Tanner asked as soon

as Stacy had reclaimed her hand.

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The younger man did not meet Tanner's eyes. "They're n

going to be here this weekend."

Tanner's own eyes narrowed, but still Jeremy would nod

look at him. He was certain the invitation had been from Lordf

and Lady Cradwell. Finally Jeremy shifted his gaze from beyond j

Tanner's shoulders to his eyes.

"You're not thinking of leaving, are you, Tanner? I've got a

hunt planned, and J was counting on you."

Tanner was |ust a few years older than Jeremy, but at the

moment he felt like a father figure. Jeremy had never been

forced to grow up. This party in his parent's home, in their

absence, was just a small example of a young man who had

been pampered all his life and never told no.

Without even having to ask, Tanner knew that Jeremy's

guests for the weekend would all be young and single. He

made a quick decision, his manner gracious, but he was still

very much in control of the situation.

"We'll stay, Jeremy, but I'll warn you, if there's any foolishness,

we will leave without a word of explanation or apology."

Jeremy didn't care for the note of authority in his guest's

voice, but still he nodded in acquiescence. What else could he

do? He was counting on Tanner, with his knowledge of the

land and excellent marksmanship abilities, to lead the hunting

expedition.

Tanner also held a position of power that not even Jeremy's

father, with all his wealth, could match. If Tanner wanted

to leave, no one would gainsay him.

Moments later a servant led Lord and Lady Richardson to

their rooms. A maid hovered nearby, hoping to unpack, but

Tanner told her to come back later. Stacy spoke as soon as they

were alone.

"Is there a problem, Tanner?"

"Not exactly," he told her as he began to peel off his dusty

riding clothes. "It's just that I hadn't realized that Jeremy was

hosting this party. He can be a little wild.

"I'm more than willing to join a hunt, but Jeremy and his

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have been known to add drinking to their sport. I'm

; about to hunt with a drunken bunch of kids and get myself

*."

Stacy couldn't stop wringing her hands. She was truly

itened by her husband's words. Tanner came to her, gently

)ing her arms with his hands.

"I didn't mean to alarm you. I won't let the situation grow

of control."

Stacy nodded but didn't look very happy.

"What are you thinking?"

"That we could be snuggled in at Winslow, just the two of

11

Tanner smiled and kissed her brow. "We won't be at Wins-pow,

but we'll make our excuses as soon after dinner tonight

|as we can. I too would like to spend some time alone with

('you."

Nigel Stanley checked his appearance in the mirror for the

fourth time. Perfect. She was actually here! Stacy Daniels

Richardson, whom he had worshiped from afar for so long,

was finally within reach. He had never had the nerve to

approach her in London, but now he would wait no longer.

The fact that she was married made no difference to him.

He knew that most London marriages were a farce--without

love or caring, intended only to produce an heir. Nigel knew

that if he could only gain an introduction to Lady Richardson,

he could win her over. He hadn't lived in England very long,

having grown up in France where his father was a diplomat,

but he was certain, without ever having met the man, that her

husband didn't care a wit for her. Nigel fully intended to take

advantage of that. He was certain that as soon as Stacy saw the

love and caring in his eyes, she would understand all he

wanted to be to her.

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With a final glance at his appearance, he moved toward^

the door, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

"Your aunt was recently married, wasn't she?" a young

woman questioned Stacy that evening before dinner.

"Yes," Stacy answered. "She married Roddy Caruthers."

"It was rather a private affair, wasn't it?" another young

woman approached and interjected. She sounded offended,

and Stacy wasn't sure what to say.

"You make it sound like you expected to be invited, Beth,"

the first young woman accused. "You don't even knowLucinda

Warbrook."

Beth tossed her curls. "How do you know if I know her?

Why just recently I was invited to--"

"Hello, ladies."

Stacy watched the faces of her companions as a tall man

stepped into their group. In an instant all angry looks were

gone, replaced with brilliant smiles and fluttering lashes.

"Hello, Nigel."

"You're all looking lovely this evening," Nigel smiled at

them, thinking how easy it was to converse with people you

didn't care for in the least. He hadn't even looked at Stacy yet,

but he could already feel his heart pounding. Fear that he

would be a tongue-tied fool when the introductions were

made was escalating.

Stacy stood quietly and only half-listened to their exchange.

She was not really heeding their words, so when they

turned to include her, she forced her mind to attend.

"This is Lady Stacy Richardson," the kinder of the two girls

began. "And this is Lord Nigel Stanley."

"It's a pleasure to meet you,lady Stacy." Nigel bowed over

her hand and let his gaze search her face.

Stacy, always kind, smiled with genuine warmth. The

other women, watching the exchange, shared a swift glance

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;n they noticed Nigel's besotted look. Stacy, on the other

id, only took his attention for kindness.

"I'm going to get something to eat," Beth tossed out

lligerently, miffed over Nigel's attention to Stacy. The other

rl said she would go with Beth.

Stacy, having been starved for hours, asked to Join them.

th girls looked at her strangely but included her. Stacy

ade a polite farewell to Nigel, smiling at this kind stranger ,. _io was almost as tall as her husband She had noticed that his

juild was slighter, and that he was quite handsome with his

Edark hair and mustache, but beyond that he was of little

interest to her.

Trying to decide if she'd not noticed his signals or was just

^being coy, Nigel stood still after she left. He kept his place at

the corner of the room, watching her until he saw her husband

appear at her side.

Stacy was appalled over how hungry she was. The dinner

hour was scheduled for no later than usual, but she felt famished.

It wasn't like her to snack between meals, but when the

hors d'oeuvres table was laid out, Stacy felt she could have

attacked every dish.

She was on her second plateful when she popped something

into her mouth that was so salty it puckered her lips.

Stacy searched for something to drink, but the only thing laid

out was champagne. No one was attending the table at the

moment, and Stacy wasn't sure she could have spoken if she

tried. In a move of desperation, she lifted a glass and downed

the contents in nearly one swallow.

It didn't help in the least; in fact, Stacy thought it made

things worse. Her mouth felt so dry she couldn't even swallow

her own saliva. She lifted another glass and then another.

Stacy was on her fifth glass when Tanner noticed her and

moved in her direction.

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f *.

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"I thought you didn't like champagne," he commented,!

taking in Stacy's flushed face.]

Stacy took another sip before answering. "I don't, but I ate

something so salty that I had to have a drink."

Tanner watched as she finished her glass and reached for

one more.

"How much have you had?"

"Quite a bit, I think." Stacy stopped speaking suddenly

and giggled. Tanner, telling himself not to think of Leslie,

moved away from her without warning. His intent was to get

her some real food. He had only been gone a moment when

Nigel appeared at her side.

"Oh, hello, Nigel. Have you had something to eat?" Stacy's

voice was too loud and cheerful, but Nigel, having missed the

champagne exchange, thought it was all for him.

Before he could answer, Stacy turned to look for some

more food. She wavered a bit but would not have fallen;

however, Nigel used her unsteadiness for an excuse and

reached for her. His hands were carefully holding her waist

when Tanner reappeared.

"Oh, Tanner, there you are. Have you met Nigel?" Stacy had

been barely aware of his presence or his hands on her as she

searched the table, but she remembered him when Tanner

returned, and did not want to appear rude.

Tanner did little more than coldly nod in Nigel's direction

before taking his wife's hand to lead her away. A minute later

he sat her down at a table, and a plate was placed in front of

her.

"Oh, Tanner, is it dinnertime? I'm so hungry."

With that Stacy began to eat with relish. She never noticed

that they were alone or that Tanner, who was sitting beside

her, did not have a plate. Her food was almost gone when she

couldn't restrain a jaw-popping yawn.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I'm a little sleepy."

"Let's head upstairs."

"All right," Stacy agreed and reached for her plate.

"Leave that here."

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