Miss Lacey's Love Letters by Caylen McQueen Read Free Book Online Page A

along so well, and he seems so pleasant now."
    "A companion." Valeria's voice was flat. "You want me to have a male companion!? What exactly are you suggesting, Lydia?"
    "A friendship. That is all." Lifting her chin, she added, "However, I should think matchmaking isn't entirely outside the realm of possibility. He is quite handsome, don't you think?"
    "No." Valeria answered without a moment's hesitation.
    "Well, I think he is handsome, in a rugged sort of way. And he might be a bit older than you, but I think it would be possible to reawaken his heart. If that should happen, I am sure it would be quite a romance! Judging from his letters, he's very--"
    "Lydia!" Valeria exclaimed. "I have no romantic interest in Mr. Worthington, nor do I have a romantic interest in any man!" And it was true. She had already decided she was going to decline Harold's proposal.
    "Very well, but I am sure Mr. Worthington would make a wonderful husband."
    "Yesterday, you hated him," Valeria reminded her. "It didn't take you very long to warm up to him again."
    "True."
    "And now you think I should marry him?!"
    "Well..." Lydia shrugged. "I am sure it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world."
    "You're insufferable." With a roll of her eyes, Valeria rose from the bed. "And Mr. Worthington is insufferable too. And the butler... he's the worst of all! I am stuck in a house of insufferables!"
    "Yes, yes. I'm insufferable. Now, if you don't mind, I really could use a rest. It has been a long, trying evening."
    "Very well." Valeria moved to the door. "I should speak to Mr. Worthington about where I should stay. It would be optimal if I could stay in the adjoining room. That way, you could call on me if you needed anything."
    "I'm sure that won't be necessary. I'm really not unwell."
    "So you say."
    Before her niece passed through the doorway, Lydia shouted, "Valeria!"
    "Yes?"
    "You will spend time with him, won't you?" She tried to look as innocent as possible as she asked the question. "With Mr. Worthington?"
    "I am sure I will. Goodnight, Lydia."
    "Goodnight, dear."
    As soon as Valeria disappeared, Lydia collapsed on the bed and closed her eyes, squinting away tears. She wasn't in the best of health, and she was afraid. She was afraid of abandoning her niece, afraid of her pain, afraid of what might be waiting for her after death. As her condition worsened, her fears became more prevalent, and her lies became more swift.
    More than anything, she did not want her niece to worry.

Chapter Seven

    If she was going to be stuck at Steeridge, Valeria was determined to make the most of the situation. When she passed Noah Worthington in the hallway the next morning, they exchanged the usual pleasantries, then she pounced on him with a request.
    "We should go for a ride." He was staring at her as if she had said something ludicrous, so she added, "On horseback."
    "Outside?"
    She had to chuckle at that. "Generally that is where one goes for a ride, although I have seen a few rooms at Steeridge that might be large enough to accommodate a horse."
    "Sarcastic minx," he chided her. "As much as I hate to decline your invitation, I am afraid I must. I would rather not go out."
    "Because you are a recluse?"
    "Precisely."
    "I thought it was people you avoided, not the outdoors."
    "If we went for a ride, there is always a possibility we might cross paths with someone. I would rather avoid any scenario that might end in human interaction."
    "You're interacting with me right now," she pointed out. "You must hate the fact that my aunt and I are here."
    "Not at all. In fact, I have been enjoying your company thus far."
    " Tolerating my company is more like it..." Valeria amended his word with a sigh. "You really won't come? Your estate is quite vast, Mr. Worthington. It seems very unlikely that we would cross paths with another living soul."
    "I..." Though he hesitated, she thought she could see his reluctance crumbling. "I would really rather not."
    "And I will simply not