by Lori Wick
if I should keep on here. I can't do this on my own."
Drew began to cry from inside the room. It was the best
thing Stacy could have heard. As she moved to see to the
trouble, she realized she was not more restful over the situation,
but Drew needed his mother and that was all that
mattered at the moment. She felt that she'd utterly failed him
"You're moving us?" Stacy questioned Price just 30 minutes
after she'd made her resolution.
"Yes, my lady. Lord Tanner has selected rooms for you in
the other wing. If you'll come with me--"
Price cut off when Drew came from behind his mother to
see whom she was talking with. He had been behind her
skins, thinking this all a game, when he popped his little face
out and then moved his whole person to stare up at the
unfamiliar servant in their room.
Price cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak,
but nothing came. He couldn't seem to take his eyes from the
child When he finally looked up, it was to find Stacy smiling at
him, her heart in her eyes.
"Thank you, Price."
"For what, my lady?" The man's voice was hoarse.
"For reacting as you did."
Price's expression told her he understood, but he still
looked as if he couldn't believe his eyes. He had never doubted
Lady Richardson's faithfulness to her husband, but the face of
this child was enough to stop him in his tracks.
Price had been employed by Tanner's father to serve as
Tanner's valet; he had been 12 years old at the time. Tanner
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had been four and a mirror image of the child before ni
Price found himself wanting to let out an emotional shout i
the first time in years. His lord had an heir, a beautiful m;
heir.
Price cleared his throat and slowly said, "If you'll coii
with me, Lady Richardson, I will see that you, young Loi
Richardson, and Hettie are settled comfortably."
"Maybe I should have Hettie pack our things."
"Lord Richardson's orders were clear--a maid will take
care of that. He also wanted me to tell you that he'd like you to
join him for dinner this evening at 7:00."
"Thank you, Price."
And so it was that the small band of neglected visitors
followed Price out of the north wing to their new rooms. Stacy
ignored Hettie's comment about it being long overdue; she
was just glad that Tanner had not been as indifferent as he'd
acted.
Drew skipped along, holding Hettie's hand and trying to
take in parts of Winslow he'd never seen. Hettie kept him
moving fairly fast, but Price noticed the child's interest and
asked Stacy to contact him if she wanted young Lord Richardson
to have a tour.
"I appreciate the offer, Price, but since Tanner hasn't met
Drew, I think we should wait."
"As you wish, my lady. This will be your room."
Price opened a door, and Stacy entered with relief. They
had been heading in the direction of the master bedroom, and
her mind was put to rest to be given another just now.
It was a bedroom she remembered, and in fact was one of
her favorites. Done completely in navy and a deep shade of
rust, it was one of the warmest bedrooms in all of Winslow.
There was a sitting room off the bedroom and a huge dressing
room. Everything was spotless, and a maid stood in attendance,
preparing to pour tea.
"Please wait for Lady Richardson's return," Price told the
maid before leading them across the way to Hettie and Drew's
rooms. They were as marvelous as her own, but other than
237
ig Drew wash his hands in the basin they did not linger.
' quickly moved back across the hall to enjoy tea in Stacy's
_ig room.
An hour later, Tanner, on the way to his own room, was
Bopped in the hall when he heard a child laugh. For long
oments he stood. Another giggle sounded, and with it all
ubts about moving them closer evaporated He knew he
,as going to have to meet the child eventually, but not just yet,
fearing that laugh and knowing he'd done right by Stacy and
ic boy was enough for now.
239
for the second time in just weeks, Stacy found herself
rushing down the stairs to see Sunny Hawkesbury. Jeffrey had
put her guest in the main salon. Stacy would have chosen a
smaller, cozier room for their meeting, but she was glad to see
her anywhere. The friends embraced warmly and then sat
close together on the settee to talk in quiet tones.
Sunny wasted no time in asking questions, telling Stacy to
tell her if she was out of line.
"First of all, are you all right?"
"I think so. The events of the past week have been rather
hard, but I think things might be turning."
"Can you tell me about them?"
"When we arrived Tanner wasn't here. I wasn't prepared
for that, but the worst thing that happened was that we were
given rooms in the north wing."
"What were the problems?"
"It's oppressive, cold, and dreadfully dreary. I thought
Drew might be catching something so I went to Tanner about
moving, but he said no. However, he must have had second
thoughts because he did move us. We're in lovely rooms just
down the hall from the master bedroom."
"What did he say about Drew?"
"He hasn't seen him yet."
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Sunny glanced around the cavernous room. "That's not
fhard to believe. Winslow is larger than Bracken. I take it
Rmner doesn't see much of you, either."
"No, but he has asked me to join him for dinner tonight."
"Will you go?"
Stacy's smile was self-mocking. "You don't tell Tanner
no--at least I don't."
"Stacy," Sunny's voice turned urgent. "Is he hurting you?"
"No, not the way you're thinking. My heart feels rather
battered, but he doesn't touch me."
"Should you be staying here?"
"I believe so, yes. I was ready to leave, although I don't
know how I would, when he moved us to more comfortable
rooms. I rather took that as an indication that I should keep on
here."
"Stacy, what did you mean, you don't know howyou would
leave? Surely you can order a carriage for yourself."
"I'm not sure. You see, the servants don't really care for
me. Some of it's my fault because I'm not very assertive, but I
feel as if--"
Jeffrey chose that moment to enter with the tea tray. He
had not knocked but simply entered of his own accord.
"I assumed my lady and her guest would care for tea?"
Jeffrey's voice told them how much he knew he was appreciated.
Stacy glanced at Sunny, who indicated no with a slight
shake of her head.
"No, thank you, Jeffrey, not just now." This came from
Stacy.
Jeffrey's face and body movements communicated his
deep affront, and Sunny could only stare at him. Stacy, being
used to such things, did nothing. Collecting the service, Jeffrey
caught the shocked loo
k in the Duchess of Briscoe's eyes.
He swiftly schooled his features into humble servitude before
leaving the women alone.
"Is that normal?"
"I'm afraid so."
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"I can't believe Tanner puts up with it."
"They don't do it to Tanner."3
Sunny stared at her friend and thought furiously how sbe could help her. This was awful, but what should she say? She
was still thinking when Stacy asked, "Should I stay here,
Sunny?"
"Are you afraid to stay?"
"I am afraid, but not for the reasons you might think. I'm
afraid of being swallowed up by Tanner because I won't stand
up to him. I'm afraid he'll take Drew from me. Oh, not actually
remove him from Winslow, but take his affections until he
won't remember that he has a mother. I think I can stand many
things, Sunny, but not that."
Sunny was about to reply, but the door opened again.
Sunny was ready herself to tell the servants to leave them
alone, but it was Tanner. He crossed the room in long-legged
strides so like Brandon's that she smiled to herself.
"I'm sorry to bother you, ladies, but Price told me Sunny
was here. Would you mind giving these to Hawk? Tell him I'll
be over in the next few days to discuss them."
"I'll make sure he receives them."
"Thank you, Sunny." Tanner's tone was congenial, his eyes
kind, but as he transferred this gaze to his wife, his look
became intense.
"Did you need something, Stacy? Shall I send Jeffrey in?"
"No, thank you, Tanner. We're fine."
"All right." The words sounded like he was through, but he
continued to stand and study his wife's face.
"Did you get my message from Price?" Tanner's voice had
changed and become intimate and low.
"Yes, thank you. This evening, seven o'clock."
"Good." Tanner spent another few seconds studying her
as though to memorize her features, then bowed to both
ladies and went on his way. It had appeared as though he was
searching for something in her expression. Both women
wondered if he found what he'd been looking for.
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"I didn't know what to tell you before he came in here,
;y, but right now I think you should try to stay."
Stacy was beginning to agree, but she still asked, "What
fxfaanged your mind?"
"His face, more specifically, his eyes. He still believes
you've duped him in some way, but he's so drawn to you he
can't stand it. I believe he would have joined you on this settee
had I not been here."
They continued to talk for another 20 minutes and then
Sunny said she had to be leaving. Stacy hated to see her go, but
she praised God for the visit. Sunny left her with some words
of encouragement.
"Read the third chapter of First Peter, Stacy. Please don't
mistake it for saying that you should stay here no matter what
happens to you or Drew, but it might help you to know how to
pray.
"If you need to talk and you can't come to me, send word
with a servant. I'll come to you. Outside of that, pray, and I
hope God will lay it on my heart to come to you."
"Thanks, Sunny. I hope I can come to Bracken soon. Drew
would love to play with your boys."
"Oh, Stacy," Sunny sparked. "I didn't even think of it!
Please come sometime soon. I know my boys will love Drew."
The women hugged, and Stacy stood in the front yard even
after the Hawkesbury carriage was out of sight. Wishing she
could go for a walk, she gazed out over the landscape and then
realized there was no reason she couldn't. Drew was somewhere
with Hettie, and a stroll, even a short one, in the
springtime sun would do her good
Watching her from the study window, Tanner wondered at
her thoughts as she walked slowly toward the garden. He was
still studying her when a small boy darted out from the side of
the mansion. That Stacy was surprised and thrilled to see him
was obvious with the way she scooped him into her arms and
began to swing around. Another woman, presumably Hettie,
had come behind the boy, and Tanner saw the three of them
heading off into the gardens and out of sight.
242
How did a man tell his wife that he was willing to forgh
her past indiscretion, but that he wanted nothing to do wit her illegitimate child? He wanted her back in his life, but nt,
the boy. He would have to tread carefully for a time. Tonight
probably would be too soon, but in time he would find a way to
have Stacy again and on his own terms.
Stacy's dinner with Tanner was on her mind as she put her
son to bed, and even though she read him a story, she was
terribly preoccupied; preoccupied until Drew decided to pull
one of his question-and-answer sessions.
"How tali will I be?"
"I'm not sure."
"Taller than Hettie?"
"Probably."
"As tall as you?"
"You might be."
"Will my hair get long?"
"Well, we'll have to keep it cut. Do you want it to get long?"
"No, I don't like it on my neck. Do you like it on your neck?"
"I don't mind too much, unless it gets very hot. You need to
go to sleep now."
"Where is Grandpapa?"
"In heaven. Remember we talked about that just yesterday.
When we believe in Jesus Christ, we die and go to heaven and
live with God"
"Tell me about heaven, Mumma."
"You are stalling, Andrew. Now go to sleep."
"What's stalling?"
Stacy shook her head. "Sleep." She couldn't stop the smile
that threatened, however, and Drew grinned back at her when
it burst into full bloom on her mouth. She cuddled him close
for a time, kissing his soft, warm cheek and telling him he was
her little love. He was nearly asleep when she rose.
243
I' Hettie went to the door with her, and Stacy paused, know-j
ing that something was on the woman's mind.
"Drew asked me about dying just the other day. Do you
want me to tell him what you just said?"
I "I tell Drew that, Hettie, because it's what God's Word
| says, so he can believe it's true. So to answer your question,
yes, I would. Would you like me to show you the verses in the
Bible that tell us that?"
Hettie nodded. "Sometime, yes, but I'm tired tonight."
"All right. Goodnight, Hettie."
"Will you be in your room in the morning?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, should Drew come and find you if you're not in
your own room tomorrow morning?"
Stacy didn't know how to answer her. Suddenly the way
Tanner looked at her earlier that day gave her pause. Why
hadn't it occurred to her before? Not until Stacy had gained her
room did she remember she hadn't answered Hettie's question.
"If you're not in your own room."
The words kept sounding in Stacy's head as her hands
fluttered nervously over her hair. She checked her dress, a
peach silk creation covered in thin black stripes that she
had
saved for special occasions, repeatedly before going down
the stairs. Even though she looked wonderful, her stomach
was in knots. She adjusted the lace at her wrist and neckline at
least six times, acting as if this was her coming out and not
merely dinner with her spouse.
Stacy had almost convinced herself to calm down when
she spotted Tanner waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs.
He looked gorgeous and larger than life in black evening
dress. Stacy was so busy gawking at him that she missed the
last step.
244
Her eyes were the size of saucers when she found hei
falling and then caught up tight against Tanner's chest. St
looked up into his passion-filled eyes and couldn't speak. She^
felt panic coming on. She was not ready for this.
"I'm hungry," she suddenly blurted, her eyes still huge in
her face.
Stacy's vulnerability touched that spot in Tanner's heart
that was so often affected when Stacy was near.
"Shall we go into dinner?" Tanner asked softly as he set
her gently away from him.
"Yes, please." Stacy's voice was quiet with gratitude, and
Tanner offered her his arm and led her to the dining room.
Stacy had no idea what the evening would bring.
(jJJA-o/w
hours later stacy lay alone in her bed and recounted her
dinner conversation with Tanner. It had been a disaster.
"I saw you walking toward the garden today."
"I couldn't resist. After Sunny left I was drawn almost
against my will." Tanner was being his most charming, and
Stacy was fairly relaxed. "Your gardeners do a wonderful job."
"They would probably appreciate your praise."
Stacy was thinking that they wouldn't want her anywhere
near them when Tanner asked, "How is your meal?'1
"Everything is delicious, thank you."
"Are you settled in your room?"
"Yes. It's a beautiful room."
"Well, I hope you don't get too comfortable."
Stacy's eyes flew to her husband at the other end of the
table, but he was bent over his plate and didn't notice. Stacy
took a deep breath and forced herself to speak.
"If you don't plan on my staying at Winslow very long,
maybe it would be best if I left right away."
Tanner frowned at her for just an instant. When his face
cleared, he explained.
"I wasn't referring to your moving from Winslow, only
from your bedroom."
245
Suddenly Stacy wasn't hungry anymore. It didn't matter