Miss Lacey's Love Letters Read Online Free Page A

admitted. "There are so many rooms, and most of them are unlivable. But I am trying to make the most of it."
    "Valeria..."
    "Yes?"
    "Valeria." When he uttered her name the second time, Harold reached for her hand. "Do you remember when I said the waters in Bath must have cleared my head?"
    "Of course I remember," Valeria chuckled. "You said it sixty seconds ago."
    "We have been friends for a very long time."
    "We have."
    "And I am six and thirty," Harold said. "I am not getting any younger."
    "Really?" Valeria cocked her head as she examined him. "I thought you were getting younger. Your face looks very taut."
    "Valeria, this is no time for jesting. This is a very serious matter!" Harold stared at her mouth, wondering what it would be like to kiss her. As long as they had been acquainted, he wondered why he never tried to kiss her. With her black hair and amber eyes, she was at least passably handsome. And even though she was practically the same age as him, she still looked young enough. The longer he thought about it, the more he knew he was making the right decision. "I'm talking about marriage!"
    "Marriage? To whom?"
    "Do I really need to say it?" Harold heaved an exasperated sigh. "Surely you know what I'm suggesting?"
    "Are you saying... we should get married? As in, you and I?!" His meaning was obvious, but she needed to be sure.
    "Yes! You should be my wife. We have known each other so long, and I am sure we would get on exceedingly well."
    "I... don't know what to say."
    "I am not a man of extraordinary wealth," Harold continued, "but I am sure you know I could provide for you."
    "What about the young women in London? I know you had many admirers."
    "I have no interest in a young wife."
    Valeria winced at his inadvertent jab. "But... do you really care for me, as a husband should care for his wife?"
    "I care about you well enough. Perhaps I could even grow to love you." Harold let go of her hand and fidgeted with his cravat. "What do you think, Valeria? Will you make me the happiest man in the world?"
    "As tepid as your sentiments were, I highly doubt you will be the happiest man in the world."
    "Nevertheless, what do you think?" he asked again.
    "I think... I will need time to think."
    "Time?!" Harold wrinkled his nose as he uttered the word. "What would you possibly need to think about, Valeria?! At your age, it isn't as if you're likely to get a proposal from anyone else!"
    His words were cold, but true. "Well... I have my aunt to consider."
    "She could live with us, if it would make you happy. You shouldn't let her keep you from having the life you want. After all, she's quite old. She could die at any moment."
    "Harold!" Valeria squealed. "What an awful thing to say!"
    "It might sound awful, and it might sound cruel, but I have to make you see reality! Your aunt won't be around forever."
    "Harold..." As she uttered his name, Valeria's voice was tinged with exasperation. "I am not saying no, and I am not saying yes." She was leaning toward no . "I will give you an answer once I have had some time to think." In the corner of her eye, she could see her aunt sauntering toward them. "It really is terrible, you know... what you said about Aunt Lydia. It kills me to think of losing her."
    "My apologies." He started to reach for a tendril of her hair, perhaps to tuck it behind her ear, but he withdrew his hand before it made contact. "When should I return for your answer?"
    "A few days, perhaps?"
    "Very well." His disappointment was obvious, but she left him no choice. "I suppose I should excuse myself."
    "You are more than welcome to stay awhile."
    Lydia arrived with a different opinion. "No... let him excuse himself. There is something I need to show you, Valeria."
    "Very well." Harold took a step backward and bowed to the ladies. "Good day."
    "Good day, Mr. Rigby."
    "It was lovely to see you again, Valeria." To her aunt, he added, "And you, Mrs. Langley."
    "Yes, yes. I share your feelings and all that." Lydia tried to