A Lady to Redeem a Rakish Lord: A Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Lucinda Nelson

  Do not give in to too much advances from him as this will only drive away potential suitors from you. If he is interested in marrying you, he should have done the right thing by now.”

  Ophelia’s emotions were dampened by the things her mother just stated. She knew her mother was right.

  “Alright, mother. I shall not dwell upon it so much,” she said, not seeing much in herself.

  “Thank you,” said her mother, dropping the card on the table before leaving.

  Chapter 17

  Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington

  “What is this that I am hearing about a hunting party?”

  Christopher looked up as his mother entered the room. He had just taken his bath and was preparing to go out.

  “Yes, mother. It has been a while since we had one. Ever since father has been ill, there has been no hunting party and I thought we could hold one this time, on New year’s eve. In the morning, of course, ” he replied, tying his cravat in the mirror. “Then afterwards, we can all come back to the house to change for the dinner party.

  “Just because your father is up on his feet does not mean you get to waste a lot of time on social activities, son. What is wrong with you? First, a hunting party and now a New year eve party? Why can’t you just stick to one?”

  Christopher sighed and walked to his mother. He put both hands around his shoulder.

  Just as he was about to talk, a knock sounded on the door and he went to open. It was a servant,.

  “My lady, Lady Elizabeth Clarkson’s maid brought a letter,” said the servant.

  Christopher took a sharp breath and collected the letter from the servant.

  “Who is Lady Elizabeth? Please do not tell me she is the daughter of Lord Clarkson, your father’s friend.”

  “Yes, mother. She is the one,” Christopher confessed. They had met sometimes ago but she had travelled and had promised to let him know once she got back.

  His mother shook her head and sat on the bed. “Is it because of her that you are throwing a hunting party?”

  “Of course not,” he said sharply, tossing the letter into the fireplace in the room.

  His mother was more surprised. “So what are you doing all these for? I am certain that it is for a reason, is it not? I am tired of your reckless attitude son. When are you going to get serious with your life?”

  “You are supposed to be the man of the house when your father retires but all you do is break hearts everywhere, gamble and drink! How ill you make me feel!”

  Christopher walked to his mother and put an arm around her as he had earlier done. He knew his mother was right. She has heard all the atrocities he committed while she was preoccupied.

  “I need you to be serious, once in your lifetime Christopher Adams Crampton!”

  Christopher inhaled. His mother would only call all three names whenever she was greatly displeased.

  “This is for a reason, mother. And trust me, I am being serious. I just need you to trust me this one more time. I am genuinely interested in being serious and I promise to not let you down, mother.”

  His mother was a bit calm. “So, who are you doing this hunting party for?”

  “It is for someone who is very special and who you will get to meet very soon. I promise you, mother, this is not a trick. I am being serious.”

  “Well, I hope she’s worth it,” she said before another knock sounded. “I wonder who this is this time,” said his mother but he went ahead to open the door.

  “My lord,” said his servant. “There is another letter for you.”

  Christopher accepted it and then shut the door quickly. The letter was the one he had been expecting. It was from the Campbells.

  “Now, might I ask which other lady has replied, making you smile like that?”

  Christopher maintained a straight expression but his mother only walked out of the room. “Whatever you are doing, son. I do not think it is the best right now,”

  Christopher said nothing until his mother was out of the room. Quickly, he tore open the letter and went through. Relief washed over him as Mrs. Campbell has written that her daughter with her cousin will be coming for the hunting party.

  Great! All that was needed was for him to get his hunting costume! He rushed out of his room but almost bumped into Rebecca who was on her way to his room.

  “Oh! Sweet sister! It is good you are here,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.

  “I got your message,” said Rebecca. “A hunting party? Whatever came over you, brother?”

  Christopher smiled as they climbed downstairs together. “I think you know what came over me. I am curious as to how you got to know for I am just on my way to see you.”

  “Ophelia sent me a letter,” Rebecca explained. “She wrote about the hunting party and I was surprised. You have not even told me anything.”

  “Sorry sister, I have been busy and you have not been around.”

  He explained everything to his sister as the walked downstairs.

  Christopher saw his father sitting while the Physician attended to him. His mother was also present.

  “Is it true you are having a hunting party, son?” asked his father.

  Christopher knew his mother had told his father but it was better to handle this at once.

  “Yes, father.”

  “I am hardly back on my feet and all you think of doing is to dabble into social events, son?” said his father, his tone showed his disappointment.

  “My Lord, If I may speak? Said the physician.

  “Of course,” said the duke. “You can speak.”

  ‘I daresay the hunting party will be most beneficial to your health,” said the physician.

  Christopher was glad to see the look of surprise on his parent’s face. “Well, that settles it,” he said hurriedly, shaking hands with the physician. “Thank you very much, sir. I hope we shall be seeing you as well.”

  After this, he left in his carriage. His plan was to pick Benjamin up so they could get their costumes at the tailor together.

  * * *

  Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury

  “So you think this hunting party will erase every doubt her cousin may have towards you?”

  He asked after listening to everything. Christopher had to say. They were at the tailor’s shop and Christopher was still getting measured.

  “Yes, I think so. I need him to trust me, Benjamin. You can also learn one or more things from me,” Christopher said, smiling as he turned around to get measured.

  Benjamin faked a smile. Christopher had no idea he was talking into the hands of his competitor.

  “So, when do you desire to make your intentions known to Miss. Campbell?” he asked.

  “Possibly tomorrow, before the hunting party, I hope,” he replied.

  “That will be all, my Lord,” said the tailor and Benjamin came next while Christopher returned to his seat.

  ““I plan to set the ground ahead to keep her anticipating for when we finally meet.”

  When Benjamin heard this, he began to form his own plans. If Christopher would write a letter to her at the time, he could also get his own letter across to her.

  They were done at the tailor’s shop and were soon leaving in a carriage. Benjamin decided to test him as regards what Luke had told him.

  “Do you remember Abigail Sherriton?” he asked.

  Christopher looked up from the paper he was reading from. Benjamin watched his facial expression closely.

  “Abigail Sherryton? Is the name supposed to ring a bell?” he asked with lack of interest.

  “Do you remember the Cardinal’s Ball?” Benjamin probed him further.

  Christopher gave him a quizzical stare. “That was many months ago…” then he raised his brows. “You mean the lady that was all over me?”

  “Yes, we never spoke about the lady. What became of her?” Benjamin crossed his legs.

  “Well, I was drunk, remember? And you had to wake me up
the next day in the inn,” he said, looking as though he was trying to remember something. “Do you not remember we had to lodge?”

  Benjamin shrugged. He could remember his friend had gone into the inn with Abigail while he had stayed in the carriage.

  “So what happened next?” he asked.

  Christopher threw him another puzzled look. “Why are you asking me all these? This happened many months ago.”

  “Well, I’m just curious. I happened to see a lady that looked like her,” he lied.

  “Really? For I never saw her again after I told her I could never marry someone like her. She wrote to me that she never wanted to see me again and that she has left London for good. I do not think she will come back.”

  Benjamin sighed.

  “I have done some terrible things, Benjamin. I used to be a better person. Why did you never try to stop me from making those terrible mistakes?Why did you seem to always indulge me being a scoundrel?”

  Benjamin could feel the pain in his tone but he only laughed. “But you were enjoying yourself with that kind of life and you were happy.”

  Christopher leaned back. He had a look of regret. “I was never like this, you know. I never knew how to talk to a lady but I have broken the hearts of so many ladies, I cannot even count them. Most of which must have genuinely loved me. I cannot stop having this fear that nemesis will catch up on me. I am terribly sorry for whatever I must have done to the poor girl and others like that.”

  Benjamin smiled. “You do not have to be sorry. They were forcing themselves all over you and you took the opportunity. You are a lucky man, I have never stolen the heart of any girl and I only supported you because you are my friend.”

  Christopher shook his head. “I still feel bad, but I should not have to blame you.”

  Benjamin was getting irritated that he was going to blame him. Why would he get blamed? Benjamin could still picture all the time they would jest about those women that he ended up sleeping with. He could remember how Christopher would laugh at them and then give him the details. Miss Campbell did not deserve a man like that!

  “I would like to see the letter before you send it if that will be alright,” he said to Christopher who looked at him.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Because it is necessary for you to be as romantic as possible,” Benjamin replied. “Just trying to be supportive.”

  Christopher nodded. “Alright,” and then went back to his reading while Benjamin looked out the window. Once he got to know what was in the letter, he could write a similar thing to get the lady confused and to cover his tracks.

  Chapter 18

  Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington

  Christopher had just entered his room when a servant came to tell him his presence was needed in his parent’s room.

  He frowned. “Was it my mother or father that summoned me?” he asked the servant.

  “Your father, my Lord,” the father said with a bow.

  That was puzzling, Christopher thought. Between his two parents, he was only closer to his mother. He and his father only talked about important things like events or business. He wondered what the summoning was all about.

  He untied his cravat and followed the servant. When he got there, the servant bowed and took his leave. His mother was not in the room, only his father was lying on his bed.

  “Father, you requested for me, here I am,” he said.

  “Come a bit closer, son,” said his father. “Grab a seat, this is important.”

  Christopher was not surprised to hear this. He took a seat by the window side and brought it closer to his father’s side.

  “Son,” started his father. “When do you plan to marry?”

  When Christopher heard this, his stomach dropped. His father has never talked to him about marriage before.

  He looked at his father, properly. “Are you dying, father?”

  “Don’t be stupid. I am as strong as I could ever be, for not. I will be stronger tomorrow. I am not asking you because I am dying.”

  Christopher found himself relaxing but still confused with the question. “Might I ask why we are having this conversation, father?”

  “Because you are my son, and because I have someone that I want you to marry.”

  Christopher was more surprised as he heard this. “You have someone I need to marry?”

  The father nodded. “The family is the only reason our business did not collapse while I was very sick and you had to take charge. Did you ever wonder where all the capitals were coming from?”

  Christopher did wonder but he had assumed, they had lots of money.

  “I could have died from that sickness, son,” said his father who continued. “We spent a lot on my medicinal needs and it could have ruined us but thankfully, the Mercers saved us.”

  The Mercers?

  Christopher searched through his mind to picture who the Mercers were but nothing came up.

  “I am afraid, father. I do not think I understand what you are saying, I have never heard of the Mercers before.”

  “Nonsense,” said his father. “Of course, you have. You just simply have never met them before. I have spoken of the Mercer’s several times in this house.”

  “Then why have they not been invited to our parties?” Christopher asked. He needed to solve this first.

  “They are private people. They do not socialize as often as most of the people we know do. However, where I am driving at is that, we joined financial forces together with a pact to get our children married.”

  Christopher’s heart sank. “But father, what if I already have someone I want to marry?”

  “Well, then that means, it is a good thing that I am telling you on time. You have to cancel that and focus on what I am telling you. We need you to marry a lady with a good title.”

  “But father, what about a lady that is wealthy?” he asked, thinking of Miss Campbell. “Or is title the most important thing?”

  His father frowned at him but then, he straightened up to sit properly on the bed. “Title is everything, my son. You must realize that. Still, I cannot help but wonder, who is this lady that has won your heart? For according to your mother, you have never been serious regarding marriage.”

  “But father, I assure you,” he pleaded. “I am serious. I am in love with a lady, the Campbell’s daughter,” he confessed.

  “You cannot be talking about my merchant’s daughter,” said his father.

  “Yes, father. Her name is Ophelia and….”

  “Nonsense! I hope you are yet to propose to her? Because this will not only ruin our business, it will also affect our reputation. What were you thinking?” said his father, coughing before finally lying back on the bed. His father dismissed him shortly after.

  Sadly, Christopher stood up and walked to his room. He threw himself on the bed as the realization finally hit him. Perhaps he could talk to his mother. He stood up about to go in search of his mother when the door opened and she came in.

  “Oh! Mother! Sweet mother! What am I going to do?”

  The Countess looked at him with a confused frown. “What has come over you, son?”

  “Father just told me that I cannot marry the lady I would have loved to marry,” he said.

  “But you have not proposed to her, have you?” asked the mother.

  “No, not yet but, mother, is there anything that can be done? To make father change this fate he has subjected me to?”

  His mother inhaled. “This is beyond your father, son. This has to do with the future of our business. You must understand.”

  Christopher shook his head. “I cannot let go of her mother, I cannot.”

  “You have to, else, you will putting her and yourself at risk. It is good that you are yet to speak to her. It is the Campbell’s daughter is it not?”

  “Did father tell you?”

  The Countess shook her head. “Not at all, I had an inclination,” she said.

  “It is because
of her that I am throwing the party and it is too late for me to cancel it,” he stubbornly said.

  “Do not waste the lady’s time when you know you cannot marry her. It will be too unfair for her,” his mother said before leaving.

  After his mother left, Christopher brought out his writing materials. He felt the urge to write to Miss Campbell, strongly than he had ever felt. He just wanted to pour out his heart to her. He was certain that whatever just happened had further fueled his desire for her.