and tables spread out was permanently stamped in her mind.
105
thoughts spun as she remembered the large number of
Itehen staff alone. How would she manage all of this?
Stacy shook her head as the direction of her thoughts
itened to overwhelm her, and was relieved to see Rayna
me to the edge of the room.
"I have your correspondence here, my lady."
"Oh," Stacy spoke with surprise, not having expected this.
['Thank you, Rayna." She took the letters and glanced through
jthem.
"I believe your aunt has been in touch with you," Rayna
spoke respectfully. "She wrote to me also. If after you read
your letter, my lady, and like the idea--my answer is yes. If
there is nothing else, I'll continue your unpacking."
Stacy nodded, feeling confused as Rayna walked away, but
she swiftly turned her attention back to the small pile of
letters in her hand. After walking into her sitting room, she
made herself comfortable in a chair and began to read. The
first letter was from Lucinda. Stacy's eyes widened on two
occasions, first when she wrote that Rayna could stay with her
if the situation was suitable, and then again when Lucinda told
of her upcoming marriage to Roddy.
Stacy's eyes slid shut in rapture at the latter news. They
were so perfect for each other, and Stacy knew they loved one
another deeply. A small smile played around the corners of
her mouth when she considered the fact that she had probably
helped things along when she'd talked with Roddy in the
carriage. Stacy chuckled softly over how much fun it was to be
a matchmaker.
The next letter was from a woman named Chelsea Gallagher,
a neighbor apparently, and one whom Stacy hadn't
met. She wrote to welcome Stacy to the area and to offer her
congratulations. Chelsea also expressed her wish to meet
Stacy soon.
Stacy pondered for a time as to whether she had seen this
woman at a social gathering or at the wedding and decided
that she simply couldn't recall. With a resigned shrug she
opened the last note--it was from Sunny Hawkesbury. Sunny
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wrote to ask if she and her sister-in-law, Chelsea Gallagher,
could call on her the afternoon of the twentieth. Stacy was
smiling with delight at the prospect when Tanner entered the
room.
"That's quite a smile," Tanner chuckled as he pulled his
wife from the settee and into his arms.
"I got a letter from Sunny Hawkesbury. She and Chelsea
Gallagher want to come to see me on the twentieth."
"That's this Friday. You'd better reply right away."
"How do I get word to them?"
Tanner, who had been bending his head to kiss her,
straightened in surprise.
"You send a servant."
"Oh," Stacy said inadequately, feeling very young and
gauche under his raised brow.
Tanner saw the color rise in her face. He bent and pressed
a kiss to her brow and then spoke with his arms wrapped
securely around her.
"I came up to ask you to go riding with me. Write your
note, and I'll give it Price. If ever you have a question, see
Price; he'll take care of you. After you've finished with your
reply, you can slip into a riding habit and we'll get a ride in
before dinner."
Stacy smiled gratefully and did as he asked. Within 40
minutes, she'd sent word to Sunny and was riding across the
meadows of Winslow with her husband. Only once did she
think of Lucinda's news and took a moment to share it with
Tanner, who didn't seem surprised at all. As Tanner stepped
up the pace to a gallop, Stacy wondered where her aunt and
Roddy were now.
"Something is wrong, Cinda."
"No, Roddy, it's not."
107
"You're not being straight with me. Have I done something?"
"Oh, no," Lucinda shook her head, but she refused to look
at him. They were at the new house on Bates Street, Brentood.
The painters had been there that day, and Lucinda and
Roddy had come to see the results. The wedding was set for
one month's time, and Roddy wanted to be certain that everything
was just right.
Roddy did not press Lucinda as they continued their tour,
but when Lucinda would have 7bid him goodnight at her front
door, he came in without asking. She started toward the stairs,
but he captured her hand and led her into the library. The fire
burned warmly, and after they were seated on the sofa, Roddy
spoke. Lucinda still had not looked at him, but Roddy told
himself he wasn't leaving until he was sure he understood her
silence.
"What's frightening you, Cinda?"
Lucinda drew a quick breath. He had so easily guessed her
problem was fear. She wanted to deny it but couldn't find the
words. Her throat closed with tears. Roddy's next sentence
was her undoing.
"I'm not Aubrey."
Lucinda put her face in her hands and sobbed. Roddy's
arms surrounded her. Her frame shook with harsh weeping,
and Roddy let her cry. When it seemed that she was calming,
he produced a handkerchief and Lucinda took it gratefully.
"I'm sorry," she said shakily, "I don't know what's come
over me."
"I think I do. I think for years you've convinced yourself
that Aubrey was unfaithful because of some deficiency in you.
That's a lie, Lucinda. Aubrey wasn't faithful to you or to anyone,
including himself. His infidelity was his problem, not
yours.
"I'm not going to be married to you for a month and then
go looking for greener pastures. If I'd been that kind of man, I
would have proved it a long time ago. You're all the woman I
want, and will ever want."
^
108
Lucinda was staring into his face, now close to her own, as
though she were seeing him for the first time. He was so
wonderful, more wonderful than she deserved
"Do you believe me?" Roddy asked.
"Yes, I do," Lucinda said with wonder and then knew she
had to be completely honest. "However, I may be plagued by
doubts again."
"If you are, come to me, Cinda, just as soon as the fears
surface."
Lucinda leaned forward and kissed him then, but Roddy
held himself in check. They lived in an age and time where
intimacy was a casual thing. Not so with Roddy Caruthers.
Lucinda was precious to him, and even knowing that she
would be his wife in a month was not enough to press him into
doing something he felt was wrong.
Just a few weeks now, Roddy told himself as he exited. She'll be mine to have and hold in just a few weeks.
Stacy sat on the huge bed their first night at Winslow and
tested the softness. She didn't lie back, but bounced a little on
her seat and then got comfortable against the headboard
With the ease that years of practice afforded her, she then
reached for her hair.
Rayna had brushed it smooth for her, but for as long as she
could remember she'd braided it down her back at bedtime
and did so now. It made her hair much easier to manage in the
morning. Even though Tanner liked it hanging free, Stacy's
mind was on other things and she acted out of habit.
She had just reached for a book on the nightstand when
Tanner joined her. She watched him make himself comfortable
against the footboard and then stare at her.
"How do you like Winslow?" he asked.
"Oh, Tanner," Stacy said, setting the book aside, her eyes
109
^bright with enchantment. "It's the loveliest home I've ever
seen. I can't think of what your impression must have been
when we were in Middlesbrough."
"I was quite comfortable at Morgan, and I enjoyed your
grandfather tremendously. Hettie tends to step out of place
quite regularly, but since she doesn't live here, I think I'll
survive."
"She's rather protective of me," Stacy returned apologetically.
"So I noticed. I've gained the fiercest looks from her. I
don't know if she really believes we're married" Tanner's
voice was dry.
Stacy laughed "She's been like a mother to me, and even
though she's negative and scolds a lot, I can't think of what I'd
have done without her."
"Your parents died when you were young, didn't they?"
"I was little more than a baby. I don't remember either of
He's been like a father also."
"I have an ancestor that reminds me of Peters. His portrait
is in the north wing. I'll have to show it to you sometime."
"Is the north wing always so cold?"
"Actually it is. It gets very little sun and has always been
drafty."
"It's more than the temperature, though," Stacy said, her
eyes on some distant spot. "The colors used in the decorating
are cold too. It's nothing like the rest of Winslow. When I
walked through there it felt like a completely different place."
"My grandmother had dreary tastes in decorating. Everything
else has been remodeled. The north wing has what's left
of her furniture. Feel free to redecorate."
"Is it used very often?"
"Almost never," Tanner answered her.
"Then I don't see any point in spending the money. If you
want me to, I'll do it, but it seems like a waste."
"It's up to you," Tanner told her softly, but his mind was
not on the north wing. It was on discovering that his wife was
110
not a spendthrift. He didn't know a woman alive who didn't
like to spend money on everything she could get her hands on.
Tanner wondered how many years they would be married
before she stopped being a surprise.
stacy peered into the mirror for the fifth time and then
paced the room some more. Sunny and Chelsea were scheduled
to arrive in an hour, and Stacy was a nervous wreck. She
so wanted to make a good impression, but she was convinced
that they would find her out of place in a home as lovely and
grand as Winslow.
Stacy stopped suddenly and mentally scolded herself. Her
mind was headed off into all kinds of whimsical nonsense,
and that was ridiculous. After a final glance in the mirror, she
made herself walk calmly down the wide staircase to see if the
parlor was in readiness. She met Tanner as he came from his
study.
"Ah, here you are. I was just headed to see how you were
doing."
"I'm doing fine," Stacy told him much too brightly, her face
pale.
Tanner's voice was meant to be reassuring as he continued,
"When do your guests arrive?"
"In 48 minutes."
Tanner had to hide a smile at her precision. She had
obviously worked herself into a fine state and was on the
brink of panic.
"I've known Chelsea Gallagher and her husband, Rand, for
112
years. She's a fine woman, and of course you've already met
Sunny."
"Of course," Stacy agreed, feeling worse than ever. "I don't
like my dress," she added absently.
"Then why are you wearing it?"
"Because it's part of my trousseau, and I can't let it hang
there."
"Change your dress, Stacy," Tanner told her calmly.
"I don't have time."
Tanner gently took his wife's hand and began to lead her
back up the stairs.
"You think I'm acting like a child, don't you?"
"No, I don't," Tanner answered her. "I think you're understandably
nervous because this is the first time you've entertained
here. Hating your dress only adds to the problem.
Rayna!" Tanner finished with a shout to Stacy's maid.
When Rayna appeared, Tanner gave her orders and Stacy
was amazed at how much calmer she felt from just listening to
him.
"Lady Richardson does not like this dress, and quite
frankly it's not my favorite either. Please see her into something
more comfortable." With that he turned to Stacy.
"Do not rush. If your guests arrive early, I will keep company
with them until you come down."
Stacy's chest heaved with relief. "Thank you, Tanner."
Tanner's long-fingered hand tenderly captured her jaw.
"You're welcome, sweetheart, and trust me, you're going to do
just fine."
Chelsea Gallagher was nothing like Stacy expected. She
was older than Sunny, even though they were sister-in-laws. In
fact, she was old enough to be Sunny's or Stacy's mother. She
113
right. Stacy, who was at times rather uncomfortable with her
figure was quite pleased to find Chelsea more heavily enowed
than she was herself.
Chelsea was not as tall as Stacy, but her overall figure was
more filled out. Sunny was also on the tall side, but her figure
was willowy. Her tummy was becoming nicely rounded giving
evidence of the child to come.
Sunny hugged Stacy as soon as she arrived, and Chelsea
shookherhandsowarmlythatStacy'sfears melted. There was
no lack of conversation in the time that followed as Stacy
described how she and Tanner met and her honeymoon trip
The next two hours flew by, and Stacy couldn't believe how
much she was enjoying herself.
Ktooksometime,butStacysuddenlyrealiZedhowclosely
Sin 611 Werel Udy Andrca' Aunt Lucinda's
"You haven't met my brother, have you?" Chelsea asked at
one point.
"No."
"Well, where was Brandon that day we met in London?"
Sunny interjected with a frown.
^!lthink!?uCaTjUSt as Ur Carria8e w*s leaving," Stacy t0ld^m,andt^ ^ned hf*lf. "Brandon is your brothel ^ That s right," Chelsea told her.
"Then Lady Andrea is your mother."
Chelsea smiled as she made the connection
ofypuS5^miSSedthatWillyOUtellmeabouttherest
^tJ^rMinly- *?y,
y UngeSt br ther is De er. He's married wuh children. Miles and Holly are my own children. They're
both grown and married, and they've made Rand and me
grandpa
rents three times over."
"You can't be a grandmother," Stacy interrupted
i, ^ % ?nd S^y exchanged a look, and then both
laughed. Chelsea heard this comment often, and it was always
a source of great amusement to her. She told Stacy that some
days she felt like a graw-grandmother.
114
The women did not stay much longer. Stacy walked them
out to their carriage when they took their leave. Tanner suddenly
appeared at her side to assist both ladies inside the
coach.
"We would love to have you over for dinner in a few
weeks," Sunny told the newlyweds.
Tanner glanced at Stacy for approval before turning back
to the Duchess of Briscoe.
"We'll plan on it," he told her.
"Goodbye until then," Sunny called out the window as the
carriage pulled away. When she set'tled back inside, Chelsea
spoke.
"He's in love with her, Sunny. I wouldn't have believed it if
I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."
"They seem very happy," Sunny agreed.
"But you're concerned about something," Chelsea interjected,
watching the younger woman carefully.
"Oh, you'll only say I'm full of doom and gloom if I say it,
but they are still newlyweds, and I know that Tanner's had
some deep hurts. Brandon didn't go into detail, but he intimated
that things have been pretty rough. Stacy couldn't be
sweeter, but I can't help wondering whether Stacy will be able
to stand the blow if Tanner's hurts do surface."
"We'll keep praying," Chelsea told her, and in fact they
took time right then to lift the young couple to the Lord.
Two days after Chelsea's and Sunny's visit, Tanner made a
fast trip into London. He spent more time in the carriage than
tending his business, but he had several important matters to
care for. One was a visit to his Uncle Edmond; the other was
made with Stacy in mind. Both were attended to as swiftly as
possible, but the day was long and he missed Stacy terribly.
Not for one moment, not even when he met with his uncle,
could he dispel her from his thoughts. He wondered briefly if
115
[he was becoming obsessed but dismissed the thought immediately.
He had no more determined to put her from his mind
' when he found himself wondering what she was doing right
then.
Tanner would have been pleased and surprised to find
that Stacy was digging in the garden just as Tanner had told
her she could do. Not all of Tanner's staff was as friendly as
Stacy would have liked, and there were times when she preferred