Read Online Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) by Lori Wick - Free Book Online Page A

however, that she was seen on your
    horse. The gossip concerning your visits to the house has
    been swiftly escalating. As relieved as I am that she is going to
    be fine, I fear this latest incident will destroy what is left of
    Stacy's reputation.
    "Given a choice I would want you to repeat your actions in
    order to ensure her safety, but I find myself rather thankful
    that she is scheduled to leave for home in four days' time. She
    will be free from the gossiping tongues of London and hopefully
    put this painful time behind her."
    66
    The room was utterly silent when Lucinda left, Andrea was
    uncertain what she should do or say, and Tanner's face, although
    impassive, had drained of color during Lucinda's
    speech.
    Andrea knew all the signs--Tanner and Stacy were in love.
    Tanner, however, had worked at his reputation as a confirmed
    bachelor, and Stacy was as guileless a girl as Andrea had ever
    met. It wasn't very hard to see why Lucinda was worried about
    the relationship.
    Andrea searched for some words to take the pain from the
    young duke's eyes. When none came, she prayed. She was still
    praying when he thanked her kindly for her assistance and
    made his way for the door.
    65
    of London, he let down the wall for a brief look back and was
    stunned that the anguish of their affair could still cut so
    deeply.
    But in the midst of this agony he was amazed to see
    someone else's pain. He saw Stacy as she thudded to the
    ground from atop her horse, and then her eyes when they
    opened as she lay so pale on the couch at Featherstone. He'd
    known that her head hurt. Yet she made no word of complaint,
    only looked at him in tenderness before brushing the hair
    from his brow.
    Tanner's chest rose with a deep sigh. He was ready to
    return home, slowly now, but with a solid purpose in his heart.
    He wasn't certain he could live with his decision concerning
    Stacy, but the thought of her leaving London was simply not to
    be entertained.
    Tanner pushed his mount until the horse was blown and
    lathered. He'd sought out one of London's largest parks in an
    effort to ride and think. It would have been an ideal time to
    return to his estate in the country, but putting that many miles
    between him and Stacy was more than he could take right
    now.
    If he couldn't take the miles between London and Winsow,
    what he would do in four days' time when Stacy went
    home for good? Tanner's torturous thoughts plagued him.
    When had Stacy Daniels gotten so deeply under his skin? And
    why? What was it about the girl that was causing him to
    consider marriage, something he vowed would never happen
    again?
    His faithless wife came to mind then, as did his brother,
    William, along with all the pain he had experienced in the
    first months after their deaths. The betrayal and anger and
    then the cold bitterness that ate at him for more than a year
    before he determined not to give them another moment of
    thought. Now, sitting alone on horseback in a remote section
    67
    lucinda regarded tanner with serious eyes as he stood
    across the library from her the morning after the accident. He
    had quietly and with surprising humbleness asked for Stacy's
    hand in marriage. It was what Lucinda had been hoping for.
    With this commitment, she now believed he would make
    Stacy a fine husband, but it suddenly occurred to her that she
    didn't know Stacy's heart.
    Roddy had assured her that Stacy loved Tanner, but Lucinda
    had never heard this from Stacy's lips or really seen
    anything to confirm it. Luanda's guilt over all her niece had
    been through weighed heavily upon her. The last thing she
    would do was force Stacy into a union she did not desire.
    "I find your offer quite satisfactory, but I will not accept
    until I've spoken with Stacy."
    "Are you worried that she won't agree?" One of Tanner's
    brows rose in what Lucinda could only label a sinister fashion.
    "Exactly," Lucinda told him. "I realize it's not the custom
    to consult the woman, but Stacy is not some