by Lori Wick
They had all been kind, but Stacy could not shake the
feeling that she was here on inspection. It put something of a
damper on her outings, but most of the time she was determined
to enjoy herself and go home rich with memories and
experiences.
Every memory of home gave her a slight pang. She was
truly pleased to be in London, but she missed her grandfather,
Elena, Elena's girls, and Hettie terribly. When her feelings of
homesickness threatened to overwhelm her, she thought of
her dresses. They were the most beautiful she'd ever seen.
Stacy found herself feeling very pleased that Lucinda had
not listened to her about her grandfather's wishes. Had she
done so, she would not have been stepping out in London with
clothes that made her feel as if she belonged. So often her
words to Hettie about being a country mouse came to mind.
Most of the time she still felt that way inside, but on the outside
she knew she was at the height of fashion.
The dress she wore this day was a dark blue water silk of
elegant simplicity. The neckline was high with a white lace
inset. The same lace trimmed Stacy's three-quarter-length
sleeves. The skirt was of a medium fullness, and the bodice
accentuated the line of her waist and full bosom. As they
climbed down from the carriage before Featherstone, Lady
Andrea Brent's mansion, Lucinda felt a surge of pride in Stacy.
Featherstone sat on the Thames and was one of London's
most talked-about residences. Stacy and Lucinda were inside,
standing in the vast foyer, before Stacy learned that Andrea
was a duchess.
"He said, 'The duchess will be with you in a moment,' Aunt
Lucinda. Did he mean Lady Andrea?"
"Well, of course," Lucinda frowned at her. "What did you
think?"
"I don't know. None of the other ladies I met this week
were--" Stacy cut off her sentence when the servant reappeared
and directed them forward.
He opened a door at the rear of the foyer and led them into
a huge parlor. Andrea was inside and rose immediately to
greet them.
"Come in, Lucinda." She greeted her with a kiss. "And you
must be Stacy. Lucinda has told me so much about you." Stacy
returned the spontaneous embrace, thinking that she liked
Lady Andrea very much.
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"Please sit down." Andrea indicated the chairs and continued
to speak as they moved "Your dress is lovely, Stacy
Something tells me the two of you have been shopping."
Lucinda looked so pleased that Stacy had to stifle a laugh.
"We have been shopping," Lucinda announced proudly and
went on to tell Andrea all they'd been about.
Stacy found herself quelling laughter again, this time at
herself, when she remembered the quiet existence she believed
Aunt Lucinda led. Why, the older woman had more
friends than Stacy could keep track of! Stacy glanced up at
Andrea to find her hostess's eyes on her. They shared a small,
almost secret, smile, and Stacy had the impression that Lady
Andrea could read her thoughts.
With an effort, the younger woman then concentrated on
what her aunt was saying. She learned that they would be
having tea with someone else the next day and then attending
the Parkinsons' ball on Saturday night. The following Saturday
it would be the Madisons' ball.
Stacy's eyes, having just been so amused, must have now
shown her shock over this news. Both women smiled at her.
"You'll have a wonderful time, Stacy," Andrea assured her.
"If your dress is half as lovely as it is today, you'll be the talk of
the room." Andrea could see in an instant that she'd said the
wrong thing. A moment later Stacy's words confirmed this.
"I don't want to be the talk of the room," she said softly,
and Lucinda's voice was tight when she spoke.
"Honestly, Stacy, you would think you don't even like all
the new things I've bought you or want to show them off."
"Oh, no, Aunt Lucinda," Stacy was Instantly contrite. "I
love my new dresses." Her answer was an honest one, but
Stacy was far too timid to tell Lucinda she didn't care to be
on display.
Lucinda, choosing to ignore Stacy's discomfort, nodded
her stubborn chin as though she'd won the battle. Lady Brent
was thankful that tea was announced. Neither of her guests
noticed her scrutiny of Stacy's quiet face or her worried frown
over Lucinda's control of the girl. Thankfully, tea-time passed
smoothly.
Two hours later Andrea was seeing her guests to the door.
The older women conversed as they walked, and Stacy was
content to listen. All three of them were surprised when the
front door suddenly opened and in swept the most beautiful
woman Stacy had ever seen.
"Sunny!" Andrea cried and rushed forward to embrace the
lovely chestnut-haired girl.
"Hello, Mum. Am I interrupting?"
"Of course not. Come and meet Stacy. You know Lucinda
Warbrook."
"Of course. It's lovely to see you, Lady Warbrook."
"And this is her niece, Stacy Daniels. Stacy, this is my
daughter-in-law, Sunny."
"Hello, Stacy." Sunny greeted her with genuine kindness,
"I hope you're not leaving."
"Actually, we are," Stacy told her with real regret.
"My timing is awful." Sunny pulled a face that did nothing
to detract from her lovely appearance. "At least I can walk you
out."
This said, Sunny tucked her arm in Stacy's and began to
chatter as they walked out the front door toward the waiting
carriage.
"I think I know your cousin. Is her name Elena?"
"Yes," Stacy answered with surprised pleasure. "How do
you know her?"
"We met a few years ago, just after she married your
grandfather's cousin. She was in London for a visit, and I think
she was expecting her first child."
"That would be Harmony. She's had another little girl
since then; they named her Brittany."
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"Those are lovely names. Do you miss Elena and the
girls?"
"I can't tell you how much," Stacy told her fervently and
then pulled a face of her own. "I also miss our home in the
country. London is so huge and noisy."
"You forgot smelly," Sunny added.
Stacy laughed. "How could anyone forget that?"
"I prefer the country myself," Sunny told her as they
walked. "Maybe you'll have a chance to visit Bracken while
you're here. We would love to have you."
Stacy looked delighted and then uncertain. "I'm not exactly
sure what Aunt Lucinda has in mind," she admitted softly.
The two older women were following slowly, so Sunny
only had time to nod in comprehension and say just as quietly,
"I think I understand. Lucinda must feel she's been given a live
doll to play with."
Stacy laughed softly at the accurate description of her
relationship with Lucinda and found Sunny grinning at her.
"I
like you, Stacy Daniels," Sunny told her.
"And I like you, Sunny," Stacy barely had time to reply
before being joined by Lucinda and Andrea.
Stacy thanked her hostess and climbed into the carriage
without ceremony. As it pulled away, Lucinda commented on
having just spotted the duke as he joined his wife and mother.
Stacy wanted to question her on the spot, but Lucinda continued
to speak.
"It had been on the tip of my tongue to ask Sunny if she was
here with Brandon."
"Brandon?"
"Yes," Lucinda answered absently. "Sunny's husband, Brandon
Hawkesbury, the Duke of Briscoe."
Stacy's eyes widened a bit, but Lucinda didn't seem to
notice. Stacy was very quiet on the ride home.
"WELL, what did you think of her?" Andrea asked of Sunny
when they were finally alone.
"I think she's the sweetest thing I've ever met. And," Sunny
paused for emphasis, "I know her cousin, Elena, who happens
to be a believer. We met a few years ago, and she told me at the
time that she was praying for Stacy's salvation. I find it very
exciting that the Lord put us together, however briefly."
"Put who together?" Brandon asked as he joined the ladies
and they went in to lunch.
Sunny explained her encounter with Stacy, and when
Brandon prayed before they ate, he asked God to bless Stacy
and give her further contact with Sunny.
They were halfway through the meal before Brandon
commented cryptically on his mother's lack of enthusiasm.
"Over what?" Andrea wanted to know, thinking she'd
been quite pleased over Stacy's visit.
"I was so excited about Stacy," Sunny admitted softly to
her spouse, "that I forgot to tell her."
Andrea looked from her son to her daughter-in-law, and a
slow smile pulled her mouth into a huge grin.
"I thought there was something going on, Sunny." She rose
and kissed her cheek. "You have that special glow about you."
Brandon and Sunny exchanged a glance, one of love and
sharing. The meal continued with a discussion about how old
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their first child, Sterling, would be when his younger brother
or sister was born.
Stacy moved into the parlor at Lucinda's and collapsed
into a chair. Her feet were throbbing, but she was as lightearted
as a child. She had survived her first London ball, and
it had been the most exciting night of her life.
The ballroom and dining room at the Parkinsons' had
been absolutely beautiful. Stacy needed only to close her eyes
to see the lovely candelabras and hear the music play. She had
danced for hours.
"I think she's asleep," Roddy commented as he came into
the room and made himself comfortable.
Stacy's eyes opened, and she smiled. Lucinda had invited
him in to rest by the fire.
"Sleepy, but not sleeping. I was thinking of the dance."
"I was thinking of it myself," Lucinda put in as she made
herself comfortable across from Stacy, eyeing her maternally.
"I think Lord Culbertson was quite taken with you."
"He's so nice," Stacy commented sweetly, "and he loves to fish," she added with enthusiasm, her blue eyes sparkling.
Roddy chuckled over Lucinda's good-natured groan.
"Is that all you spoke of?" the older woman wanted to
know.
"Well," Stacy sat up straight and tried to think, wanting to
please her aunt, "he told me about his horses, and I told him
about Noel's stables."
"My dear Stacy," Lucinda's look was pained, "Lord Culbertson
raises some of the finest horses in England."
Stacy's fine mood was deserting her. She tried to think of
something else they spoke of that would pacify her aunt.
"He said my dress was pretty and my hair. And he didn't
seem to mind that we were of the same height."
"But you spent most of the time discussing fishing?" Roddy
asked gently.
Stacy nodded, looking miserable now. "I'm sorry, Aunt
Lucinda. I hope I didn't embarrass you."
Stacy's look, that of a child who had disappointed her
mother, was too much for the older woman. Lucinda's own
look became a mask of shame.
"You could never embarrass me, Stacy. I couldn't have
been prouder of you tonight if you had been my very own
daughter. I'm sure Lord Culbertson was captivated."
Stacy looked uncertain, but she did feel a little better. "At
least he wasn't a duke," Stacy added as an afterthought. "They
still intimidate me."
"Why is that?" Roddy wished to know.
"I guess because the only one I've ever been acquainted with is rather mean. His wife is even worse. Each time I see
them, they make me feel like some sort of country vermin. It
makes me feel as though I've no right to be moving in their
circles.
"Sunny and Andrea are certainly nice people, but it may
take some time for me to get beyond their titles. I know it must
sound silly to you, but I've no lofty aspirations. My grandfather
is a viscount. I've always assumed I'd marry a viscount or a
baron who led a simple life, and that's always been fine."
Lucinda did not look overly pleased with this news, but
Roddy was able to catch her eye and with a slight move of his
head, keep her hushed. Stacy, growing sleepier by the moment,
didn't notice their silent exchange.
"Goodnight, Aunt Lucinda. Goodnight, Roddy; I'll be
ready in the morning," she bid them softy as she stood. They
returned her wishes for a good night and watched her exit the
room.
"It's silly of her to be afraid," Lucinda said immediately,
her tone impatient.
"Be that as it may, she is. I see no reason to try to calm her,
since it's very unlikely that she will encounter many dukes."
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&
Lucinda didn't seem very satisfied with his logic. She
named the few eligible dukes out loud, all 80 if they were a
day, until Roddy stopped her with a soft rebuke.
"Cinda! You don't actually have your sights set on a duke,
do you?"
"No," she admitted "In fact, I thinkLord Culbertson might
do very well for Stacy, and he's a marquess."
"He's also old enough to be her father." Roddy's voice was
dry.
"Well, we might not be able to be so picky," Lucinda nearly
snapped.
"Why must she marry at all?" Roddy questioned, not at all
put off by her bad humor. His question only gained him a
quelling look, one that amused him more than anything else.
A moment's silence passed before Roddy suggested the only
young, single duke he knew.
"There is always Lord Richardson." Roddy worked to keep
his face bland while Lucinda's flushed with anger.
"Don't be ridiculous! He's the biggest cynic in all of England
and all wrong for Stacy." Lucinda's foot beat a rapid tatoo on
the floor. Roddy watched her for a moment and then stood
with a lazy stretch.
"This conversation has worn me out. Remind Stacy that I'll
be here at
10:00 sharp for our ride."
With that he leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to Lucinda's
brow. Her anger melted at his tenderness, and even
though no more words were said, their eyes held for just a
moment before Roddy crossed the room to the door.
"Thank you. I think this one must be my favorite."
"Roddy's head will swell when he's seen in the park with
you."
Stacy smiled shyly without answering. Lucinda patted the
side of the bed, and she took a seat.
"Are you having a good time with me, dear?" Lucinda's
eyes were eager.
"Oh, yes, Aunt Lucinda. It's been wonderful." Stacy hesitated
before going on. "Are you pleased with me?"
Lucinda's answer was to tenderly cup Stacy's soft, rosy
cheeks in her perfectly manicured hands and place a gentle
kiss upon her forehead. Stacy was very touched by the gesture
and was surprised to see tears in Lucinda's eyes. The older
woman busied herself with her bedclothes to cover the fact,
but Stacy had seen them nonetheless.
"Aunt Lucinda?"
"Yes, dear." Lucinda's voice held a catch.
"May I ask you a question?"
"Of course." She cleared her throat and finally looked up.
"Why have you never married Roddy?"
Lucinda's eyes, which had first held expectancy, became
very thoughtful, but she wasn't long in answering.
"He's never asked me."
Stacy tipped her head to one side. "But you love him?"
"Yes" was the serene reply. "I have for years."
Stacy nodded, feeling closer to her aunt than ever before.
Silence passed for a moment, a gentle silence with no hint of
strain or awkwardness, before Craig knocked and announced
that Roddy had arrived for Stacy.
"Oh, Stacy, that color is beautiful on you," Lucinda complimented
her the next morning when Stacy entered her
bedroom wearing a pale yellow riding habit with a white
blouse and short jacket.
"I'm probably the most envied man in the park today,"
Roddy commented from the back of his horse. Stacy smiled.
"Aunt Lucinda said your head would swell when you were
seen with me today," Stacy admitted and then looked swiftly
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at Roddy to see if she'd offended him with Luanda's words.
On the contrary, his shoulders were shaking with laughter.
They rode on in silence for a time. Roddy took them down
one of his favorite paths. They were halfway to the other side
when they passed another group of riders. Stacy recognized a
few from the Parkinsons' ball and smiled, but in her mind the