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

standing in front of her lost love, she felt a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. When she turned around, her worries were confirmed. Her body was lying on the bed behind her. "The reason being that I am... dead ?!"
    "Worry not, Lydia. It isn't as awful as it sounds." Henry kept his arm around her, hoping to give her the comfort she needed. "It's actually quite tolerable!"
    "What about Valeria?!" As Lydia stared at her lifeless body, she tried to envision her niece's face upon discovering it.
    "Valeria will be fine."
    "Really? How do you know? How can you--" When she saw movement behind Henry, Lydia's voice trailed off. For the first time, she noticed there was a young woman standing behind him. "Henry, who might that be?"
    The young woman stepped forward and bobbed a curtsy. She was a conventionally pretty girl of about twenty, with flaxen hair, cherry lips, and large brown eyes. Even before she introduced herself, Lydia knew who she was. "My name is Abigail Lacey. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lydia Langley."
    Lydia was slack-jawed for several seconds, completely incapable of speech. As soon as she regained the use of her tongue, she exclaimed, "I believe the pleasure is all mine! Oh, you're so beautiful! It's no wonder Mr. Worthington was in love with you!"
    "And I was very much in love with him! You should have seen him back then, Lydia. He was truly the handsomest man anyone had ever seen!" Her voice softened a bit. "I still love him to this day."
    Lydia sheepishly turned her attention to the floor. "I am sorry I read your letters."
    "You needn't apologize. I don't mind at all. In fact, it might even be a good thing." The sweet smile on Abigail's lips put Lydia's fears to rest. "Your niece cares for him, does she not?"
    "Does she?!"
    "I believe she might."
    "Oh, Valeria..." Lydia turned her attention back to her dead body. "She is going to be so alone."
    "But she'll never truly be alone," Henry tried to reassure his wife. "You can visit her as often as you would like."
    "Can I?"
    "Of course." He captured Lydia in a hug. As he held her, he cradled the back of her head in his hand. "Now, we really mustn't linger. I have to take you somewhere."
    "And where might that be?"
    "A better place. I'm sure you'll like it."
    "If I get to be with you, I know I will like it." As she stared into her husband's beautiful blue eyes, she still could not believe it. He looked as handsome as ever, and she loved him as much as she always had. At that moment, she would have followed him anywhere.
    "And we will be together forever." He pressed his lips against her forehead, just over her brow. "Always."
    "Are you coming with us, Miss Lacey?"
    "Not yet." Miss Lacey shook her head. "There is something I must do."
    "But I will see you again? There is so much I would like to say to you! About the letters, about Mr. Worthington..."
    "Of course, Mrs. Langley. I look forward to it."
    And with that, they were gone.
    Abigail knew where she needed to go. She exited the room, turned down the corridor, and passed through a doorway. Her Noah was inside his bedchamber, slumbering peacefully. She went to his bed and sat beside him, and gently combed a hand through his sandy hair.
    "Noah..." Tears filled her eyes as she studied his face. "I loved you so much. There isn't a man in this world I could have loved as much as I loved you." With her thumb, she traced his eyebrow. "And I know you loved me too. I know you will always love me, but you needn't punish yourself in my absence."
    He stirred slightly, so she was silent for a moment. When he settled again, she continued her speech.
    "You have a long, full life to live, and I want you to be happy. I don't want you to be so alone. I would never ask you to forget about me, but I want you to move on." She held onto his hand and gave it a squeeze. "If you found happiness without me, you must think it would be a disgrace to my memory. You couldn't be more wrong. The fact that you keep yourself so alone