Miss Lacey's Love Letters Read Online Free PDF

with surprise.
    "Mr. Worthington!" Lydia gasped. "At least... I would assume that is who you are?"
    "My name is Noah Worthington," he affirmed. "And I still have no idea who you are, or why you are here."
    As she assessed the appearance of the letters' author, Valeria assumed her aunt was doing the same thing. He was tall, but not incredibly so, and his shoulders were a bit stocky. He was wearing his shirtsleeves and plain brown breeches, which made him look more like a working man than a gentleman. His hair was a sandy color, and it was a bit long and shaggy. The light beard on his face made her think of her aunt's words: roguishly unkempt. That was precisely what he appeared to be. She could see the remnants of a handsome man on his face, but time had weathered him. The lines on his face did little to disguise his age. He looked to be in his early fifties, or thereabouts.
    "We wanted to meet you, Mr. Worthington," Lydia explained. "We recently moved to this area, you see, and--"
    He interrupted. "That wasn't necessary."
    Lydia's mouth fell open. "I... um... well, you see..."
    "There are many others nearby whose company you would enjoy far more than mine." Noah crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway. "What are your names? Argus might have mentioned them, but I did not make a point to remember."
    "Lydia Langley." She turned in Valeria's direction and flashed a pained grimace. In a moment, she could tell he was not the Noah Worthington she had hoped to meet. "And this is my niece, Valeria Woll."
    "What shall I call you then? Miss Langley and Miss Woll?"
    "Mrs. Langley and Miss Woll... that should be fine."
    "I have been hidden away so long, social conventions elude me," Noah explained.
    "Your butler," Valeria spoke up, "seemed quite rude."
    "Argus suits me."
    "So he does." Valeria turned to her aunt, who nodded in agreement.
    "We are unaccustomed to receiving visitors here," Noah explained. "If we are a bit rough, you will have to forgive us."
    Valeria shrugged. "It's quite alright. We should not have assumed you would be happy to receive us."
    "Is there some other reason for your visit?" Noah asked sharply. "If you knew my name, I would imagine someone told you about me. Did they make me sound like an enigma or a pariah?"
    "More like a folk hero," Lydia replied. "Someone said you were a recluse?"
    "Well, I don't deny it."
    "Why are you recluse, Mr. Worthington?" Valeria clenched her fists as she asked the question. She expected him to mention his heartbreak over Miss Lacey. "If you don't mind me asking, that is."
    "As I matter of fact, I do mind you asking. My life choices are none of your concern."
    "I assure you, I am not concerned," Valeria fired back at him. "I simply cannot understand why someone would choose to lock himself away when the world has so much to offer."
    "On the contrary, Miss Woll, the world offers me nothing. I need no one. I am happiest when I am by myself." He glowered at her from the doorway. "And that is why an unexpected visit from prying strangers is enough to ruin my day."
    "You are being rude, Mr. Worthington," Lydia cautioned him. "Exceedingly rude."
    "Again, forgive me." His voice was without inflection, which made his apology sound disingenuous. "I am out of practice."
    Valeria rose from the settee and reached for her aunt's hand. "We should go, Lydia. I'll not stay where I am not wanted."
    Lydia stayed seated. "Wait."
    "Why? Mr. Worthington has made it quite clear that he does not want us to linger." When she glanced at Noah, her words were confirmed by the crooked grin on his lips. He must have liked that he triumphed over them. "Now that I have met him, I do not wish to linger."
    "You are more than welcome to stay, Miss Woll. I never said you had to leave," Noah said. "However, I am not obligated to be amiable."
    "No, you are not obligated to be amiable. You are more than welcome to be the brutish lout that you are. Come, Lydia." Valeria gave her aunt's hand another tug. "We should