Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles)
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
    38
    37
    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
    entire event passed without exception. Not so for Roddy. Stacy
    glanced over to ask him a question and found his handsome
    face in a fierce frown.
    "Are you feeling ill, Roddy?"
    "No. I'm just always amazed at the ton's propensity for
    gossip."
    Stacy stared at him uncomprehendingly.
    "I take it you didn't hear that remark concerning you and
    me?"
    Stacy shook her head no.
    "Well, then, we'll let the matter drop."
    Stacy nodded in agreement but was troubled by his words.
    It was a pity really that her friendship with Roddy had to be put
    in a sordid light, because it simply wasn't so. He was only a few
    years younger than Lucinda and like a father figure to her.
    Even if her heart had moved to romance where he was concerned,
    in her mind he belonged to Lucinda. Stacy sighed
    softly and did her best to do as Roddy suggested
    "I don't believe you've heard a word I've said," Lord Edmond
    Black complained to his nephew as their horses stood off the
    path in a small copse of trees. "But I'm going to say it again. I
    think those horses are a good investment, and I think you
    should look into it."
    Tanner glanced at the older man for an instant, but his
    eyes swung swiftly back to the woman riding through the park
    with Roddy Caruthers. Something tightened in his chest as he
    watched her smile at her companion, something he hadn't felt
    for years.
    Edmond
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