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

would still many her.
    The now-familiar tightening in his chest that happened
    every time he thought of her was coming on again. She was so
    precious. Tanner's eyes closed when he remembered the way
    she felt in his arms and the way she had shyly returned his kiss.
    Without warning, the face of his first wife, Leslie, swam
    before his mind's eye, her expression very soft and open as it
    had been when they'd first met. She too had been sweet and
    seemingly innocent, promising to love and honor him for all
    of her days.
    With an abrupt gesture Tanner rose from the table, his
    breakfast completely forgotten. It isn't too late to back out, he
    told himself. The papers have not been signed or the newspapers
    notified.
    "Ifear ibis latest incident tvill destroy what is left of Stacy's
    reputation."
    Luanda's words suddenly sounded in Tanner's ears, and
    he stopped dead on his way into his study. The way Stacy's
    eyes had looked last night, so full of trust, caused Tanner to
    shake his head as if to clear it. Still, the black cloud of his past
    still lingered. With a decisive turn he moved for the stairs.
    ^'-"I
    wish you could have seen her face when I read that
    letter. She was so relieved, but I worry a little that Tanner likes
    to have his own way and will run right over the top of her if she
    stands in his way."
    "I don't know," Roddy spoke contemplatively. "If you could
    have seen his face when he bent over her on the grass..." He
    let the thought hang.
    They sat silently for a moment in Lucinda's small parlor
    J until Roddy suddenly leaned forward and kissed Lucinda
    lingeringly on the lips. Her eyes were quite round when he
    pulled away.
    Roddy had always been affectionate with her and a kiss
    , from him was not all that unusual, but in the past few weeks
    ^ he'd kissed her nearly every chance he had. The kisses were a
    ' good deal more personal than they'd ever been before. And
    when he wasn't kissing her, he was holding her hand or
    placing his arm about her waist.
    "You're doing quite a lot of that lately." Lucinda couldn't
    resist commenting about the kiss. To her surprise, Roddy
    looked pleased that she'd noticed. His smile was almost smug.
    "Any objections?" Roddy's voice was far warmer than she
    was used to hearing it.
    "No," Lucinda said, and suddenly felt herself blushing like
    a girl.
    "Did I cause that flush?" Roddy's grin nearly left his face.
    Lucinda could only stare at him. "What has come over you,
    Roddy?"
    76
    She was more confused than ever when he only kissed her
    again and sat back in contentment. She watched him reach for
    the newspaper he'd been enjoying and settle down to read He
    obviously wasn't going to answer her.
    Lucinda might have run from the room if he had. Roddy
    Caruthers, who had been in love with Lucinda Warbrook for
    years, was now amid his plan of attack to win the lovely lady's
    hand.
    It wasn't that he doubted Stacy's words about Lucinda's
    loving him; it was just that he wanted to take no chances of
    losing her. He was no longer afraid of rejection, but of not
    being taken seriously. They had been friends for so long that if
    he suddenly declared himself, she might not believe him
    sincere. Such an action would also cause her to question the
    change in him after so many years. He knew he would be
    honest with her, and in so doing might lead her to believe that
    Stacy had somehow betrayed her trust.
    So with his usual level head, Roddy decided to bide his
    time. He'd waited many years; a few more months wouldn't
    matter. He'd be alongside Lucinda as she saw Stacy safely
    married; then it would be his turn.
    He could still feel Lucinda's eyes on him at the moment,
    and indeed, was about to take pity on her and explain, but
    Craig entered quietly to tell Lucinda that Lord Richardson had
    arrived.
    Lucinda's brows rose. She thought they would not see him
    until the next day when the papers announced the engagement,
    but perhaps he had come about something other than
    his engagement.