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

woman." Noah extended a hand, gently touching her hair. For a moment, she thought she might swoon.
    "Th-thank you, Mr. Worthington," Valeria stammered. "I don't think I have ever been complimented in such a way."
    "I did not think I would care for anyone again, but I find that you are very easy to care for." His fingers continued to tug at a lock of her hair. "I am drawn to you. Without a doubt, your presence here has brightened my days."
    She could feel her heartbeat in her throat. More and more, he was starting to sound like the man who wrote the love letters. His words were driving her mad. "I'm glad to hear it. I feared I would be a burden on you."
    "No. You could never be a burden. I want to take care of you, to be close to you. I wish you could stay here forever." Leaning closer to her, Noah whispered. "I wish I could hold you."
    "I... you..." Damnation! He had rendered her speechless.
    "Miss Woll?"
    "I... hmm?"
    "Look at me, Miss Woll."
    Her entire body was trembling when she turned in his direction. When her eyes found his, they looked more intense than ever.
    "I want to kiss you," he whispered. "Will you let me kiss you?"
    At that moment, her senses had abandoned her. He could have asked anything of her. All she could do was nod.
    Noah's thumb drifted along her cheek, tickling her skin. When she saw his head descending, Valeria closed her eyes. His lips brushed against hers, lightly sampling them. Her knees were so weak, it was a miracle she could remain standing.
    "Do you care for me?" He whispered his question. "Even a bit?"
    "I..." Valeria's thoughts briefly wandered to Lydia. Her aunt would surely rejoice. "I should excuse myself."
    Her response wasn't exactly encouraging, so he took a step backward. "Perhaps you should."
    She snatched a random novel from the shelf and hurried to the door. "Good night, Mr. Worthington."
    "Good night..." It was with a heavy heart that he uttered her name. " Valeria ..."
    When she was gone, Noah returned to the table and sank into the chair. He thought he could feel the crushing weight of disappointment in every bone of his body. She had curtly dismissed herself, but he was sure she felt something when they kissed. Why did she deny it?
    "You should abandon this pursuit, old man..." he whispered to himself. "Abandon it before you get your heart broken again."
    As much as he liked Valeria Woll, he had to let her go. It was impossible to move on when the ghost of Abigail Lacey continued to haunt him.

Chapter Nine

    " Lydia ." It was a peaceful, soothing, familiar voice that attempted to rouse her from her sleep. " Open your eyes, Lydia ."
    She did the next best thing. She opened one eye. As soon as she saw who was standing over her, her other eye flew open.
    "Henry!" Lydia sat up in bed with a gasp. "Henry, what on earth are you doing here?!"
    "I've come to get you, m'dear."
    Seeing Henry was too good to be true, and when she realized she was laying in bed, there was only one logical explanation for it. "I'm having a dream, aren't I?"
    "Not exactly, my love." Henry leaned toward her, brushing a kiss against her cool forehead. "Even better than that."
    "Henry..." Lydia slid out of bed and seized the lapel of his greatcoat. "Are you really here? Are you real? Truly !?"
    "I am as real as I could possibly be."
    "Oh, Henry..." As she stared into his eyes, which were as warm and blue as ever, she gently caressed his cheek. "I've missed you so much."
    "I know. And I assure you, I've missed you just as much. I cannot begin to tell you how much I've longed to hold you again." Henry coiled an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "How is your health?"
    "Oh, it's been terrible!" Lydia wailed. "Simply terrible! I've been in a tremendous amount of pain. Excruciating pain. Endless pain!"
    "And how are you feeling now , my darling?"
    Lydia hadn't taken the time to consider it, but for the first time in three weeks, her pain was gone. "I feel... significantly improved." Even though she was