Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) (30 page)

Both Sunny and Brandon watched the small boy approach,

his hair on end, his face flushed from sleep. Stacy pulled him

into her lap. After he laid his head against her chest, he closed

his eyes again. Stacy glanced over to find her guests' eyes

glued to his small face.

"I know what you're thinking," Stacy spoke softly, referring

to Drew's resemblance to Tanner. "Since you're going to

be praying, the first thing you might ask of God is that He

would move in Tanner's heart so that he'll see this child"

The Hawkesburys nodded, but no one said anything for a

time.

"Would you like me to pray right now?" Brandon suddenly

asked, his voice hushed.

Stacy glanced down to see that Drew was sound asleep

before motioning with her head.

Tliey didn't join hands, but Brandon's soft, deep voice

ounded them as he committed Tanner, Stacy, and Drew to

^ He asked for wisdom on Stacy's part as well as their own,

Ed then believing it to be God's will, he prayed for Tanner

ichardson's salvation.

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Gf* ^

G/wm

not until the following day did Stacy learn that her trip

to the gardens had been a mistake. Brentwood sat on a quiet

street and until she went out, her presence in the city had

been undetected. Well, such privacy was over; she and Drew had been spotted and were now public news.

Roddy had been to his club that morning so he was able to

report that the Duchess of Cambridge was on everyone's lips.

She had even made the papers. Stacy found herself staying

close to Drew all that day as if he somehow needed protection.

Drew wanted to go out into the yard, but although the

garden was surrounded with a high stone wall, she kept him

inside.

Stacy wasn't sure if she was overreacting or not, but she

didn't know what else to do. The temptation to mail her letter

to Tanner was nearly overpowering. She wanted to know

where she stood. If she mailed the letter and Tanner still

wanted nothing to do with her, she could return to Middlesbrough.

If there had been any dread in returning to London, it had

been for this reason. Knowing that Noel and Elena's house

was available to her and that her grandfather had left her a

small legacy made her want to walk away from all the gossip

and scandal, but she knew such an action would be hard on

Lucinda and Roddy.

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When Stacy took a moment to consider the idea she real-, she'd been giving in to impulse and emotion. Maybe the ^ssip would die down and she could live a normal life. She

ied not to let it bother her, but even the servants who weren't

i familiar with her began to watch her with speculative eyes.

"How are you, my dear?" Lucinda had found Stacy in

,_ rew's room. She wasn't hiding exactly, but neither did she

Ifcel like wandering the house.

"A little shy of the windows and yard, but doing well."

Lucinda sighed. "The gossip mongers of the town can be

.such a trial. I'm glad he's too young to take much notice,"

Lucinda said, nodding her head in Drew's direction. He was

sitting on the floor with his train and a small stuffed bear.

"The only problem is his complaint that I won't let him out

in the yard"

"I think you're wise. We really are quite protected and

secluded here, but you're big news." Lucinda's voice was dry,

and this wrung a smile from Stacy.

"I came up because I wanted to remind you that Roddy

and I will be away for part of the day tomorrow. Roddy has

some property he must check on, and I said I would go with

him."

"We'll be fine. Roddy found a trunk of old toys. Hettie is

cleaning them, and by tomorrow Drew will have more treasures

than he'll know what to do with."

"Good. I've asked cook for a special meal tonight to shake

off your feeling of captivity. We won't be around until late

afternoon tomorrow, so this will be your official welcome-to-London

feast."

Lucinda's voice was so dramatic that Stacy had to laugh.

Drew, not to be left from the festivities, wanted to be in his

aunt's lap. Lucinda cuddled him close and sang a silly rhyme in

his ear. The three of them passed a fun hour before Craig

came to say that lunch was served.

216

Tanner had been in London for two days, and everywht

he went, people gawked in his direction and whispered

was not one who paid the slightest attention to gossip, ev

when it concerned him, but this was affecting his purpose ]

being in town and that was getting on his nerves.

He had come to London on business just the day befoi

and within the hour had learned that his wife was in town;

well. The gossip mill also said she was accompanied by a sms

boy.|

Planning to stay about a week, he was swiftly changing his I

mind. He had nearly decided he would tell Edmond to finish-I

the business and take himself back to the solitude of Winslow I

when the questions began.

Could he really leave London knowing she was here?

Could he have Stacy this close and not see her? What did she

look like now? How could she come back to London with

another man's child? Tanner felt such a mix of emotions that it

staggered him. One minute he was livid with remembered

pain, and the next moment he thought he must talk to her

before he could possibly go on.

It was early afternoon when he made his decision. After

all she was his wife; he would see her if it pleased him to do so.

Her presence in London was disrupting his whole life, and he

had rights. Maybe he would send her out to Winslow until life

could right itself again. His mansion was huge; he never had to

see her if he didn't want to.

Tanner suddenly remembered the boy. Rumor had it that

he looked like a Richardson, but that was ridiculous. No doubt

the boy would prove to be nothing but trouble. But if he knew

Stacy, and he believed he did, she would never consent to

giving the child up.

Tanner ordered his carriage and found himself consumed

with thoughts of Stacy all the way to Brentwood He finally

admitted to himself that he had missed her. He hated himself

for the weakness, but it was true. To fight the feeling, he grew

angry.

217

P By the time he arrived at Brentwood he knew exactly what

jwould do. He would send Stacy to Winslow, but this time he

told be in control. If he wished to see her, he would send for

r, but outside of that she was only his wife. She would do as

: was told and live where he told her to live. Right now he

nted her at Winslow. The boy came to mind one last time,

Tanner pushed him away. He would deal with the brat

;n the time came.

Drew's attitude had been poor at naptime. He had been

nearly delirious with the toys Hettie had produced, and by the

time he needed to eat lunch and nap he was totally spent. He

had been quite cross with his mother when she wouldn't

allow him to sleep with every toy Hettie had cleaned. When he

spoke back to her repeatedly, Stacy had been forced to paddle

him--something she hated to do. Drew had been quite

repentant afterward, and they'd prayed before he'd fallen

asleep.

Now Stacy was in her own room, much in need of rest

herself. She didn't lie down but made herself comfortable in a

chair that sat by the window. She gazed out the window at an

area that was nearly like a forest. It was one of Stacy's favorite

views, so unlike many parts of London with its sewer-lined

streets and filthy houses.

She pondered the view for a time, but she was tired Her

eyes were sliding shut when her doorknob turned. She looked

up in surprise. No one had knocked. Thinking it was Drew, she

began to rise, Stacy was standing in front of the chair when

Tanner pushed the door open and walked in. She froze in

place when he pinned her to the spot with his dark, compelling eyes.

Before either of them could speak, Craig appeared and

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219

hovered anxiously in the background. Stacy glanced to

him in an effort to tell him she would be all right. She v

certain herself, but she knew that Tanner would only

him away, and none too gently.

"My lady?"

"It's all right, Craig." Stacy found her voice and watched;

the elderly servant exited reluctantly. He closed the dc

soundlessly behind him.

Stacy looked back at her husband and forced herself t

breathe.

"Hello, Tanner."

"Stacy." His disinterested voice belied the way his heart

leapt at the sight of her. "What brings you to London?"

"My grandfather died"

This gave Tanner pause. This particular bit of information

had not reached him.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you."

"But that still doesn't answer my question."

Stacy, unable to take her eyes from him, finally shrugged

rather helplessly and then stared at the floor.

"Lucinda and Roddy wanted me to come, and I felt it was

best at the time."

Stacy heard footsteps, and her eyes flew up to find him

approaching. If he was trying to intimidate her, it was working.

He stopped just scant inches in front of her and stared

down into her face. Stacy was amazed at what she saw. Tanner

still cared. He tried to show her otherwise, but Stacy had

caught the slightest glimpse of caring.

"What are you thinking, Anastasia? Afraid I'll kiss you?"

Tanner's deep voice questioned softly.

Stacy couldn't answer.

"You are my wife," Tanner told her as if she was the one

who'd forgotten. "I will kiss you whenever I feel like it. Do you

understand?"

Stacy could only nod.

"Tell a maid to pack your things; you're coming to Wins-v"

Tanner's voice had turned curt as he abruptly turned

ay.

"You want me at Winslow?" Stacy found her voice.

"Did I not say as much?" His impatience was evident. "A

irriage will be here for you in two hours." Two hours! Stacy nearly panicked. She said the first words

came to mind

n "I have a son."

|f Tanner, who had been heading toward the door, stopped

f In his tracks. He turned with maddening slowness and stared

at Stacy.

"I'd heard as much," he said in a voice that was stone cold

f "I suppose you may bring the child, if he causes me no

trouble."

Stacy was horrified at his words and tone. She was on the

verge of refusing him as it was, but he went on and Stacy

completely lost control.

"Who knows," Tanner said with a negligent shrug as he

again turned to the door, "maybe I'll grow to like the boy and

get rid of you."

"No." The word was spat out, and Tanner turned in amazement.

No longer was Stacy standing frightened before him.