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

was talking again, so Tanner turned and tried to
    pay attention, but almost immediately, as though they couldn't
    help themselves, his eyes sought out the girl once again. This
    time he watched her until she disappeared from view, wondering
    absently how long her hair might be, and about her relationship
    to Caruthers.
    "Tanner!"
    Tanner's handsome head swung slowly back to his uncle.
    The look he gave the older man was one of pure boredom.
    Tm listening, Edmond."
    Edmond grunted with irritation. "You were doing nothing
    of the kind. You were watching Luanda's niece."
    "Lucinda Warbrook?"
    "Certainly." Edmond's voice was still testy. "Daniels is the
    girl's name. Her grandfather is Andrew Daniels, Viscount
    Garemont. She never had a coming out, but she's here for the
    summer and Lucinda is dressing her like a princess and introducing
    her all over town."
    Tanner listened intently, something he was not prone to
    do with Edmond. Edmond loved to gossip, and Tanner simply
    didn't care to hear about everyone in London. However, this
    tall-looking girl in the yellow riding habit captivated him.
    "Now as I was saying..." Edmond began again, as their
    ride resumed, but Tanner's mind was still elsewhere.
    The younger man had just remembered the invitation he
    had received to the Madisons' ball. He usually hated those
    affairs, but the thought of possibly seeing Lucinda Warbrook's
    niece was enough to make him reconsider.
    39
    the night of the madrons' ball, Stacy was dressed long
    before Lucinda. She sat before the dressing table mirror and
    thought how lovely the emerald necklace looked with her
    green dress. Lucinda had done a wonderful job choosing the
    new settings for the family stones. In fact Stacy had already
    worn the ruby last week.
    When Rayna finished stacking her hair high atop her head,
    Stacy walked downstairs to wait in the parlor with Roddy. She
    wondered in some amazement at how many hours he had
    stood in this parlor waiting for Lucinda to appear over the
    course of the years.
    "Oh, my, Roddy," she commented as she came in. "You
    look very dashing tonight." Stacy moved to where he stood
    near the mantel and kissed his cheek. They had grown closer
    almost daily, and small touches were now customary and
    warm.
    "Thank you, my dear." He accepted the compliment with a
    sparkle in his eye.
    Stacy's grandfather had never been a demonstrative man,
    and now to have Roddy here to pat her hand or cheek and to
    accept her embraces and kisses was more special to Stacy
    than she could have put into words. It didn't cause her to miss
    Andrew Daniels any less, but it added a warm dimension to
    her life that she'd never before experienced.
    Stacy and Roddy talked for the better part of an hour, both
    beginning to think that Lucinda was never going to make an
    appearance. Roddy's coach was waiting when she did come,
    however, so they were swiftly on their way.
    "The Madisons are an old family," Lucinda explained on
    the way. "They have several daughters and one son. I would
    advise you to get to know him, but I think he's a bit of a
    libertine and a little young for you."
    Stacy smiled in the darkness of the coach interior. Her
    aunt was forever out to see her married. Her grandfather had
    told Lucinda in no uncertain terms not to push this point, but
    Lucinda did as she wished.
    "Now don't hesitate to dance with Lord Culbertson. You
    did well at the Parkinsons' ball; however, you must always
    watch who you're seen with. I want you to enjoy yourself, but
    spending even a few moments with the wrong person could
    ruin your chances." Lucinda's voice was now severe.
    This time Stacy didn't feel like laughing. She wished with
    all of her heart that it was easier for a young woman to stay
    single, so that every union could be one of love. But this simply
    wasn't the case. Her honest desire was to marry, but at this
    moment Stacy wondered if she would ever meet the man of
    her dreams. She was comforted by the fact that she knew