Free Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) by Lori Wick

she known that
    _/s mind was reliving Tanner's gentle kiss in the library.
    'You're looking a bit flushed, my dear," Lucinda said softly
    icn she could "Maybe you should sleep for a time."
    "Maybe I will." Stacy grasped at the chance to be alone
    ith her thoughts. "Thank you for coming up to see me, Aunt
    icinda."
    Lucinda's hand gently patted Stacy's cheek. Once out in ithe hall, Lucinda found that her hands were shaking. She
    |>colded herself and tried to calm down before she was forced ' to dictate her note to Tanner.
    Ten minutes later, back in her room, she was able to write it herself. It said simply that they would discuss the terms of
    the betrothal immediately following dinner.
    Had Tanner not insisted, Lucinda would have kept Stacy in
    her room for yet another night. It helped to remind herself
    that Stacy had looked very well that afternoon.
    "You look lovely," Lucinda told Stacy as she met her outside
    her bedroom door.
    "Thank you," Stacy said simply and stared down at the
    cream-colored gown that hung with lace. Rayna had brushed
    her hair out long and straight, and beyond a simple comb at
    the crown of her head which pulled the hair from her face, she
    was unadorned.
    "I really wanted you to stay one more night in your room,"
    Lucinda said as she hooked her arm through Stacy's. "But you
    have a visitor."
    Stacy glanced with surprise at her aunt, but didn't question;
    she simply walked along as Lucinda led her to the upstairs
    salon. Lucinda stopped outside the door and turned to
    face Stacy.
    "Tanner Richardson is waiting for you. I'll give you a few
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    minutes alone before Roddy and I come to collect you both
    for dinner."
    Stacy's eyes had grown large on this announcement, but
    she had no time to reply. Lucinda turned on her heel and
    marched back down the hall. Stacy looked at the back of her
    aunt and then at the doorknob for only a moment before
    turning it and stepping quietly inside.
    Nearly the entire expanse of carpet separated them as
    Stacy closed the door and stood just inside. Tanner was by the
    window, looking incredibly handsome and larger than ever in
    formal black evening clothes, with a white shirt and black tie.
    He stared at Stacy before stepping to the fireplace and speaking.
    "Come over here, Stacy."
    Stacy obeyed without question, moving with natural grace
    to stand some two feet away. The distance was too far for
    Tanner's taste, and with a gentle touch he reached for her
    hand and drew her closer.
    Tanner looked into her wide, trusting eyes and knew
    frustration. Without a doubt Lucinda would hold to her word
    of coming back in a few minutes, and there was so much he
    wanted to say to this woman.
    "I have asked Lucinda for your hand, and she has agreed to
    my proposal," Tanner began, hearing the tick of the clock so
    near his ear on the mantel. "Now I wish to ask you, Anastasia.
    Will you be my wife?"
    Stacy's breath left her in a rush. Her face flushed and her
    mouth dropped open. 'You wish to marry me?"
    For some reason her reaction amused Tanner, and a huge
    smile broke across his face. "Yes, I do, and if you don't answer
    me quickly I won't even have time to kiss you before we gain
    an audience."
    Suddenly Stacy's smile matched his own. "You kissed me
    in the library. Do you remember? I thought I would have to be
    content with that for the rest of my life."
    "Oh, sweetheart," Tanner said softly before pulling her
    into his arms. She was a perfect fit.
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    Stacy didn't think she would ever breathe again. Tanner's
    >ld felt like a walk through paradise. She wanted his kiss to
    on and on.
    Fortunately Tanner's head was more level. He broke the
    and stepped away from her just before the door opened
    admit Roddy and Lucinda.
    Stacy spent the rest of the evening floating on a cloud. She
    ildn't have told anyone what was served for dinner or who
    Iked at the table. She was so happy that she didn't even mind
    ^feeing sent upstairs early so the others could talk business.
    Her cocoon of