no tenderness or caring. We never even spent the night together;
Aubrey always went back to his own bed."
Stacy knew that it was time to intervene. Luanda's voice
had grown steadily sadder until Stacy feared she might cry.
Stacy went to her and gently put her hands on the older
woman's shoulders. Lucinda looiked up at her, and Stacy spoke
with a tender type of boldness that was totally foreign for her.
"Roddy Caruthers is the kindest man in all of England
He's also the most gentle. I've never seen a man more in love
than Roddy. I can imagine that it's very hard to dispel Aubrey
from your memory, but he's gone and Roddy's here. Aubrey
made your life miserable while he was alive. Don't let him do it
to you again in his death."
Lucinda stared at Stacy with new eyes. She was so right.
Lucinda took a few deep breaths and made an effort to calm
herself.
"Thank you, my dear," she spoke kindly, and then began to
wonder aloud about her intended.
"I wonder how Roddy is doing?"
"Would you like me to go and talk with him?" Stacy offered
and saw a relief on Lucinda's face that didn't need words. After
137
ising her aunt and telling her she'd see her downstairs, Stacy
Einade for the door.
Once out in the hall she was spotted almost immediately
p by Tanner, who came up behind her and startled a small
squeak out of her.
"Oh, Tanner!" Stacy's voice was breathless.
Tanner's arms had come around her.
"You look luscious in this blue thing."
"Thank you," Stacy told him, smiling up into his eyes both
with love and the fact that he called her dress the "blue thing."
"When do I get my wife back?"
"Well, I have to go see Roddy, and then I'll come downstairs."
"That's not what I meant. I mean when do you stop playing
wedding so I can take you back to Winslow?"
"Well, I told Lucinda I would handle things through tomorrow,
but we could leave the day after that. Unfortunately, we
have a weekend party at the Cradwells' almost as soon as we
get home."
Tanner's eyes closed in long-suffering. "I'd completely
forgotten about that."
"It would be fine with me if we didn't go," Stacy admitted,
wanting very much to be alone with Tanner.
Tanner kissed her nose. "It would be fine with me as well,
but we've turned down every one of their invitations, and
because Price has already accepted for us, we had better be
there."
Stacy did nothing to hide her chagrin, and the adorable
face she pulled gained her another kiss.
"I've got to go," Stacy told Tanner after that.
He released her reluctantly and watched as she went to
Roddy's door. Stacy knocked and turned to see Tanner's long-legged
strides taking him back toward the stairs. He threw a
smiling look in her direction just before he disappeared from
view, and Stacy's heart skipped ahead a little faster.
Stacy was swiftly brought back to the present when Roddy's
138
door opened. His man, Carlson, stood beyond the portal, his
expression solicitous.
"Carlson," Stacy began. "May I see Lord Caruthers?"
"Certainly, my lady."
The servant disappeared into the room. A moment later
Roddy was at the door.
"Why, Stacy!"
"Hello, Roddy," Stacy spoke from her place in the hall. "I
was just in with Lucinda, and she wondered how you were
doing. I told her I would check."
"I'm fine. How is she faring?"
Stacy sighed gently. "She's a bit nervous."
"Over the wedding?"
"No," Stacy answered, her face heating slightly.
Roddy took in Stacy's pink cheeks.
"Tonight?" Roddy was always so perceptive.
Stacy nodded, her face still warm. "It might have been
presumptuous of me, but I reminded her that you are not
Aubrey."
Roddy's smile threatened to stretch off his face. He leaned
forward and kissed Stacy's cheek.
"It sounds as though I couldn't have handled it better
myself."
Stacy's smile of pleasure was genuine.
"I'd better get downstairs," she said a moment later.
"All right. But before you go I want to thank you. I'm not
sure if you remember our day in the carriage, but your words
changed my life."
"I remember. I was horrified at first, thinking I'd been
completely out of line."
Roddy kissed her cheek again. "Lucinda is going to be my
very own, Stacy, and I have you to thank for that."
Stacy took her leave then, walking on a cloud as she moved
toward the stairs. Once she gained the lower level, several
people wanted to talk with her, but she finally managed to slip
into the seat next to Tanner.
139
Just minutes later the assembly was standing for the bride.
;inda was resplendent in cream-colored satin and lace.
ree tiers made up the skirt that fell so full from the waist
itfiat it touched either side of the double doors as Lucinda
entered. The boat neckline was very flattering to Lucinda's
| face, and Stacy felt a surge of pride over how lovely her aunt
looked.
The ceremony was short and tender. No one in the room
could have missed the love that radiated from both bride and
groom, and in a very short time the bishop was pronouncing
them husband and wife.
A marvelous array of food was presented then, all prepared
and eaten in their new home. There was no wedding
ff dance, but the bride, groom, and all guests spent hours talking
and eating. Lucinda had warned Stacy that she and Roddy
I would beslipping away withoutwarning, so when neither one
of them could be found, Stacy smiled and knew they were
headed off on their trip.
The day finished in a whirl, and Stacy, in a near state of
exhaustion, fell into bed that night. Tanner was tired as well,
but they had a drowsy conversation before sleep came.
"Roddy sure knows how to pick wine. The champagne was
excellent."
"Was it?" Stacy asked over a yawn.
"Didn't you have any?"
"No. I don't like champagne."
"What did you drink at our wedding?"
"Water."
"Even when we toasted?"
"Urn hmm. If there wasn't a servant nearby, I just pretended
to have something in my glass."
Stacy fell asleep to the sound of her husband's laughter.
140
Just three days after Stacy and Tanner returned to Wit!*
low, they were on the road again, this time to the CradwelB
estate. Stacy would have gladly remained at home, but Tannerl
had said they were going and she would never have argued.
They didn't have a long drive, no more than 90 minutes,
but Tanner had chosen to ride for most of the way, so Stacy was
in the carriage alone. It was not exactly a lonely time, but she
didn't know the Cradwells well and wondered what type of
weekend it would be. The very fact that it was a whole week
end
and not just an evening or afternoon was taking some
adjustment in and of itself.
Coupled to this was some very real anxiety as to how well
she would fit in. She would have begged Tanner to turn the
coach around if she'd had even the slightest inkling of how
little she would have in common with her hosts and their
other guests.
the cradwell mansion was beautiful to Stacy's eyes, but
rte didn't care for the grounds. Tall hedges lined nearly every
ralk, blocking Stacy's view of the gently rolling hills she loved
I SO well.
Tanner led the way up to the front door, which opened
immediately. Stacy glanced around the grand foyer before
their host arrived. The next few moments were a confusion to
Stacy, but she remained silent.
"Tanner," Jeremy Cradwell spoke as he approached. "Welcome."
"Thank you, Jeremy." Tanner shook the younger man's
hand, concealing his surprise over being greeted by Lord and
Lady Cradwell's son and not the senior Cradwells themselves.
"I don't believe you've met my wife, Jeremy. Stacy, this is
Jeremy Cradwell. Jeremy, this is my wife, Lady Stacy Richardson."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Stacy." Jeremy didn't care
for the fact that she was taller than he was--it put him off
terribly--but she was the duchess. Thus he did manage to
make a suitable welcome and kiss the back of Stacy's hand.
"You're sure to grace our weekend with your beauty."
"Where are your parents, Jeremy?" Tanner asked as soon
as Stacy had reclaimed her hand.
142
The younger man did not meet Tanner's eyes. "They're n
going to be here this weekend."
Tanner's own eyes narrowed, but still Jeremy would nod
look at him. He was certain the invitation had been from Lordf
and Lady Cradwell. Finally Jeremy shifted his gaze from beyond j
Tanner's shoulders to his eyes.
"You're not thinking of leaving, are you, Tanner? I've got a
hunt planned, and J was counting on you."
Tanner was |ust a few years older than Jeremy, but at the
moment he felt like a father figure. Jeremy had never been
forced to grow up. This party in his parent's home, in their
absence, was just a small example of a young man who had
been pampered all his life and never told no.
Without even having to ask, Tanner knew that Jeremy's
guests for the weekend would all be young and single. He
made a quick decision, his manner gracious, but he was still
very much in control of the situation.
"We'll stay, Jeremy, but I'll warn you, if there's any foolishness,
we will leave without a word of explanation or apology."
Jeremy didn't care for the note of authority in his guest's
voice, but still he nodded in acquiescence. What else could he
do? He was counting on Tanner, with his knowledge of the
land and excellent marksmanship abilities, to lead the hunting
expedition.
Tanner also held a position of power that not even Jeremy's
father, with all his wealth, could match. If Tanner wanted
to leave, no one would gainsay him.
Moments later a servant led Lord and Lady Richardson to
their rooms. A maid hovered nearby, hoping to unpack, but
Tanner told her to come back later. Stacy spoke as soon as they
were alone.
"Is there a problem, Tanner?"
"Not exactly," he told her as he began to peel off his dusty
riding clothes. "It's just that I hadn't realized that Jeremy was
hosting this party. He can be a little wild.
"I'm more than willing to join a hunt, but Jeremy and his
143
have been known to add drinking to their sport. I'm
; about to hunt with a drunken bunch of kids and get myself
*."
Stacy couldn't stop wringing her hands. She was truly
itened by her husband's words. Tanner came to her, gently
)ing her arms with his hands.
"I didn't mean to alarm you. I won't let the situation grow
of control."
Stacy nodded but didn't look very happy.
"What are you thinking?"
"That we could be snuggled in at Winslow, just the two of
11
Tanner smiled and kissed her brow. "We won't be at Wins-pow,
but we'll make our excuses as soon after dinner tonight
|as we can. I too would like to spend some time alone with
('you."
Nigel Stanley checked his appearance in the mirror for the
fourth time. Perfect. She was actually here! Stacy Daniels
Richardson, whom he had worshiped from afar for so long,
was finally within reach. He had never had the nerve to
approach her in London, but now he would wait no longer.
The fact that she was married made no difference to him.
He knew that most London marriages were a farce--without
love or caring, intended only to produce an heir. Nigel knew
that if he could only gain an introduction to Lady Richardson,
he could win her over. He hadn't lived in England very long,
having grown up in France where his father was a diplomat,
but he was certain, without ever having met the man, that her
husband didn't care a wit for her. Nigel fully intended to take
advantage of that. He was certain that as soon as Stacy saw the
love and caring in his eyes, she would understand all he
wanted to be to her.
144
With a final glance at his appearance, he moved toward^
the door, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
"Your aunt was recently married, wasn't she?" a young
woman questioned Stacy that evening before dinner.
"Yes," Stacy answered. "She married Roddy Caruthers."
"It was rather a private affair, wasn't it?" another young
woman approached and interjected. She sounded offended,
and Stacy wasn't sure what to say.
"You make it sound like you expected to be invited, Beth,"
the first young woman accused. "You don't even knowLucinda
Warbrook."
Beth tossed her curls. "How do you know if I know her?
Why just recently I was invited to--"
"Hello, ladies."
Stacy watched the faces of her companions as a tall man
stepped into their group. In an instant all angry looks were
gone, replaced with brilliant smiles and fluttering lashes.
"Hello, Nigel."
"You're all looking lovely this evening," Nigel smiled at
them, thinking how easy it was to converse with people you
didn't care for in the least. He hadn't even looked at Stacy yet,
but he could already feel his heart pounding. Fear that he
would be a tongue-tied fool when the introductions were
made was escalating.
Stacy stood quietly and only half-listened to their exchange.
She was not really heeding their words, so when they
turned to include her, she forced her mind to attend.
"This is Lady Stacy Richardson," the kinder of the two girls
began. "And this is Lord Nigel Stanley."
"It's a pleasure to meet you,lady Stacy." Nigel bowed over
her hand and let his gaze search her face.
Stacy, always kind, smiled with genuine wa
rmth. The
other women, watching the exchange, shared a swift glance
145
;n they noticed Nigel's besotted look. Stacy, on the other
id, only took his attention for kindness.
"I'm going to get something to eat," Beth tossed out
lligerently, miffed over Nigel's attention to Stacy. The other
rl said she would go with Beth.
Stacy, having been starved for hours, asked to Join them.
th girls looked at her strangely but included her. Stacy
ade a polite farewell to Nigel, smiling at this kind stranger ,. _io was almost as tall as her husband She had noticed that his
juild was slighter, and that he was quite handsome with his
Edark hair and mustache, but beyond that he was of little
interest to her.
Trying to decide if she'd not noticed his signals or was just
^being coy, Nigel stood still after she left. He kept his place at
the corner of the room, watching her until he saw her husband
appear at her side.
Stacy was appalled over how hungry she was. The dinner
hour was scheduled for no later than usual, but she felt famished.
It wasn't like her to snack between meals, but when the
hors d'oeuvres table was laid out, Stacy felt she could have
attacked every dish.
She was on her second plateful when she popped something
into her mouth that was so salty it puckered her lips.
Stacy searched for something to drink, but the only thing laid
out was champagne. No one was attending the table at the
moment, and Stacy wasn't sure she could have spoken if she
tried. In a move of desperation, she lifted a glass and downed
the contents in nearly one swallow.
It didn't help in the least; in fact, Stacy thought it made
things worse. Her mouth felt so dry she couldn't even swallow
her own saliva. She lifted another glass and then another.
Stacy was on her fifth glass when Tanner noticed her and
moved in her direction.
148
f *.
146
"I thought you didn't like champagne," he commented,!
taking in Stacy's flushed face.]
Stacy took another sip before answering. "I don't, but I ate
something so salty that I had to have a drink."
Tanner watched as she finished her glass and reached for
one more.
"How much have you had?"
"Quite a bit, I think." Stacy stopped speaking suddenly
and giggled. Tanner, telling himself not to think of Leslie,
moved away from her without warning. His intent was to get
her some real food. He had only been gone a moment when