Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page A

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