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

bubble-headed
    girl who cannot be trusted to know her own mind. I will speak
    to her and let you know."
    Tanner's look was full of amusement now. "You'll be wasting
    your breath, Lucinda." He called her by name for the first
    time. "I assure you, Stacy will accept."
    66
    I
    "Nevertheless," the older woman stated firmly, "I will find
    for myself."
    "On three conditions," Tanner told her. Lucinda knew she
    now seeing the man, the duke, who always had his own
    /. "You must find out within the hour how she feels, and you
    lust do so without telling her of my offer."
    "And the third condition?"
    **You will allow me to ask her for her hand in marriage."
    Lucinda looked perplexed It was happening a little too
    Swiftly for her comfort, but she didn't know how to slow the
    process.
    "Yesterday I watched Stacy fall from a horse and lie unconscious
    in the park," Tanner said when Lucinda remained
    itilent. "I want the right as her intended to visit her and see for
    myself that she is well. I want this settled today"
    Lucinda felt she had no choice. She had managed to hold
    him off for many weeks now and knew it was not wise to push
    f$" her advantage. She would never have given into Tanner's request for a mistress, but now that he'd made a legitimate
    offer of marriage, Lucinda felt she needed to go along with his
    desires as much as she was able.
    "As you wish. I will send word to you as soon as I know.
    And," Lucinda paused, "you may plan on joining us for dinner.
    Come early, and I will see to it that you have a few minutes
    alone with Stacy. And I do mean a few minutes."
    Tanner nodded and replaced his hat. "Until 7:30?"
    "Seven-thirty," Lucinda confirmed and stood quietly as he
    left.
    "Another pillow, Lady Stacy?"
    "No, Rayna, I'm fine. You don't need to stay. I'm going to sit
    here very quietly. I promise to ring if I need something."
    The maid looked uncertain, but Stacy put her head back
    against the settee and shut her eyes until she knew she was
    68
    alone. She smiled and opened her eyes when the door closed
    They were all like a bunch of mother hens.
    Most of Lucinda's staff were beyond their fortieth year, and
    they had all adopted Stacy when she moved in. She was
    surprised she had put on only a few pounds since coming-- they were forever sneaking things into her room. They showed
    Stacy repeatedly how much they cared
    Up to now all the pampering had been fun, but after Stacy
    had been brought home yesterday, they'd all been frantic. She
    did have a concussion, but she was not dying as Rayna and
    Craig both seemed to think. It would be wonderful to walk in
    the garden, but knowing it would stop the hearts of half the
    staff, Stacy resigned herself to staying in her room.
    When Lucinda knocked on the door, Stacy nearly lay back
    and pretended to be sleeping. But she had never been good at
    deception and simply waited for the entrance of the next
    anxious servant. To her surprise it was Lucinda.
    "How are you, dear?" Lucinda asked after placing a kiss on
    her cheek.
    "I'm fine. A little tired perhaps, but I'm doing well."
    Lucinda smiled, seeing that it was true. Stacy's color was
    good, and she had already learned from Rayna that she'd had a
    good night's sleep. They talked on for a time, and Lucinda
    asked to see Stacy's needlework. It was in a basket by the
    settee, and in a moment Stacy had retrieved it to proudly
    display her art.
    "It's beautiful, dear. I especially love the use of the blues."
    Stacy smiled her thanks and gazed on as Lucinda continued
    to study the intricate needlepoint. When Lucinda spoke,
    her voice was so casual that Stacy was taken unaware.
    "It was very kind of Lord Richardson to take you to Lady
    Brent's yesterday."
    Lucinda watched surreptitiously as the color crept into
    Stacy's cheeks and her eyes slid shut with remembrance.
    Lucinda's own eyes closed for a moment as well, and when she
    looked at Stacy again, the younger woman's gaze was distant
    69
    I soft. Lucinda would have felt stunned had