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

take no for an answer!" Valeria took him by the arm and proceeded to pull him along with her. A stubborn man like Noah Worthington needed some extra coaxing.
    "You're remarkably persistent, you know."
    She smiled proudly. "I know."
    "Are you sure we should be alone together?" Noah was trying to think of some excuse— any excuse—to spare him from the unwanted activity. "Surely you have some concern for your reputation?"
    "At my age?" Valeria snorted. "I am too old to worry about my reputation, Mr. Worthington."
    "Really?" He studied her profile intently. Unlike him, her face was without a single wrinkle. "You look very young."
    "I am two and thirty."
    "Ah. I thought you were a bit younger than that."As they approached the stables, he added, "Nevertheless, that is still young to me."
    "A lady should only worry about her reputation if she intends to find a husband."
    "You don't want to be married, Miss Woll?"
    "Alas, I am a hopeless spinster." It didn't seem like an appropriate time to mention Harold's recent proposal.
    They entered the stables, where they were greeted by the musky smell of horse, a whinnying mare, and a wiry young groom. "I cannot believe you got me to agree to this," Noah grumbled. "Miss Woll... your name is very appropriate. Woll. I think you might be a wolf in sheep's clothing."
    "My name is Woll, not Wool."
    "Close enough."
    The groom, who was shocked to see them, quickly prepared two horses for their ride. Noah mounted his horse so fluidly, he looked like a man who rode every day. Valeria, on the other hand, struggled to climb onto her side saddle.
    They rode their horses side by side, Noah on his bay stallion and Valeria on her white mare. Valeria quickly discovered it wasn't the most ideal afternoon for a ride. The previous night's rain had turned the ground into something marsh-like. She pitied the horses as they were forced to slog onward.
    "I am sorry about your aunt. I hope her condition improves."
    "As do I." Lydia claimed her poor health was a ruse, but Valeria knew better. Her aunt had been in chronic pain for a very long time.
    "Do you know what ails her?"
    "A bad back. That is what she says, but I am concerned it might be more serious than that."
    "Well, she is welcome to stay as long as she needs to." With a soft smile, he added, "And you are welcome to stay with her."
    "Thank you, Mr. Worthington. Your kindness has been a blessing." Her mare snorted, so Valeria gave her head a gentle scratch. The poor horse's hooves were already caked in mud.
    "I am still trying to make amends for my previous behavior. When you first arrived, I was horrible."
    "And you will have to forgive me if I do not disagree with you. You were quite horrid."
    "Honestly, it had been so long since I had encountered another human being," he confessed. "One who did not work for me, that is."
    "How long has it been since you've spoken to someone who wasn't a servant?"
    "Six months. Maybe a year. The passage of time is no longer a concept I care about."
    "What about your family? They don't visit you?"
    "I am nine and forty, Miss Woll. My parents are gone. I have no kindly uncles or caring cousins. My sisters are married with children, and those children are grown... unfortunately, I have not seen them for several years. I have a brother who visits on occasion, but his visits are few and far between. Not that I blame him. I am sure I can be a difficult man."
    "Perhaps you could try reaching out to them?" Valeria suggested.
    "I am afraid the damage is done." With a sigh, he added, "But I appreciate your efforts to change me."
    "Is that sarcasm?"
    "No. I'm quite serious. You're the first person to show concern for me in nearly a decade. I am sure you are right. I do need to change my lifestyle."
    "You're on a ride with me. That's progress." She tried to smile at him, but he wasn't looking in her direction. "I would be happy to call myself your friend, Mr. Worthington."
    "Then I count myself lucky."
    As their conversation