“I found her!” He announced to her mother and after that they have come home. All through the journey, her mother was asking her why she was in there, but she could not bring herself to say anything.
She was too ashamed to say it. Everyone had warned her not to fall for him but she stupidly did.
“Ophelia! I am talking to you!” Shouted her mother again.
“Mother, I am alright. I only went into the carriage because I was tired of the party,” she lied. All along, Charles was paying a close attention to her but was not talking.
“So, if that was the case then why did you not tell Lady Rebecca or Lord Christopher? We were all looking for you,” continued her mother.
“I apologize for causing you a lot of worry, mother” she said. “I shall go back to bed now.”
Her mother stared at her as she left. She had only gone few steps away from them when Charles pulled her back along the passage that led to her room.
“What is wrong with you?” He demanded, holding her firmly. “You must tell me what happened with you and Christopher!” He stated.
“Nothing happened!” She retorted, pulling her hand from his grip. All of a sudden, she burst into tears and quickly rushed to her room. She slammed the door behind her and jumped on her bed.
“Did you find him with another woman after he kissed you?” Charles asked, coming to sit beside her.
With all her strength, she finally narrated everything she heard from the women.
“That bastard! I am going to kill him!” He shouted, standing up but Ophelia calmed him down.
“No, please, do not do anything. I am the fool, I should have listened to you and now I regret everything. Thankfully, it is not too late. I am going to put a stop to everything.”
Charles turned to face her. “Are you certain that you do not want to tell your mother?”
She nodded. “Yes. She warned me a lot of time, Charles. Just like you did. I do not want her to say ‘I told you so’.
“So, do you plan to tell him all that you heard?”
Ophelia shook her head. “He must not know. I also plan to cut whatever friendship I might have with the sister. I think it best for everyone to be in their places. It will make things easier for me.”
Charles inhaled and drew her close. “I am so sorry you got your heart broken, little sister. But it will make you wiser now.”
Minutes later, Ophelia was in her room, alone. She was finding it difficult to sleep as the memory of the kiss kept coming back to her. How she wished she had heard from those women before climbing the stairs with him? How had she succumbed so easily to his charms? And then she had just been outside and had seen him with another lady, kissing him on the cheeks! What sort of a man is he?
She felt like erasing whatever memory they had shared but it was impossible. She could still taste the softness of his lips and the smell of his breath…. Well, one thing was certain, it would never happen again.
Ophelia nodded. “Yes. I see things clearly now.”
* * *
Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington
He took in a long breath as he hit the bed that night. Things were working really good between him and Ophelia but it had ended abruptly with the intrusion of her cousin.
Christopher could not stop feeling that the man has a vendetta against him. How he wished he could just recall the place they had found each other.
He glanced at the letter on the table, the one the lady had given to him. After she left with the man, Christopher had taken a walk around to clear his head and had come back later. By the time he got back, the Mencers were already looking for her.
“Where is Justina?” asked her father. “Where is my daughter?”
“Oh, she left, my Lord,” he had replied.
Immediately the man left angrily, followed by some of the men that had come with him.
“What was that all about?” Christopher’s father had asked him minutes later.
“Justina said she had to go,” he lied.
“Something is wrong,” said his father but Christopher had quickly left. He found Rebecca with her husband, they were about leaving as well.
“Where have you been?” Asked his sister. “Have you been with Ophelia for we have been looking for her.”
This seemed strange. “Ophelia? What happened? Where is her family?”
“They later found her and they went home.”
Now, this has surprised Christopher.
“Did she give you a note?” he asked but Rebecca shook her head.
It was rather strange the way she had left without saying anything as good-bye to him. Perhaps, she was afraid of her cousin, he thought.
He shifted his thoughts to the kiss they had shared. It was the best kiss he has ever had with anyone. It seduced all his senses and took him to a place he has never been before.
He wished Mr. Doddleton has not come in the time he did but at the same time, it was good he did for he knew not he would have done during that time.
He has come to realize that Ophelia was a lot different from all the ladies he has been with and he was going to treat her in a special way. He would do the right thing and propose to her. Now more than ever, he was certain that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
Chapter 22
Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington
The next morning, Christopher was summoned by his father. He was hoping that it would have nothing to do with the Mercer’s daughter but that was what it was all about.
“Father, I do hope you do not think that I am responsible for the disappearance of the young lady,” he said, looking slightly offended.
“But that is exactly what is on my mind,” his father replied. “She vanished after you both left together. Don’t you think there is something fishy about that?”
Christopher sighed and then handed his father the letter. “This is for you.”
The father stared at him and then at the letter. “What is that?”
“She asked me to give to you,” he replied.
His father straightened up. “So you do know about her disappearance?”
“Father, this lady is in love with another man and she specifically told me. Is that the kind of a lady you want me to marry, father?”
Now, his father was calm and he collected the letter from him. After going through it, he sighed.
“What did she say?” Christopher asked.
His father shrugged. “Exactly the things you just said,” he replied. “She is in love with another man and begs me not to be too hard on you that she forced you into letting her go.”
Christopher smiled. “Well, now you see.”
“So, now that the girl I thought you could marry has eloped with another, I believe we can do things your way this time.”
Christopher was surprised when he heard this. “What are you saying, father?”
“The lady you want to marry, the one you claim to love. What is her name again?”
Happily, he replied, “miss Ophelia Campbell.”
“Oh! That nice lady! She is not from our class though but I would love to speak with her and see why you are so taken by her.”
Christopher could not believe his ears. He jumped up excitedly. “Of course, father. I shall invite her over, oh, thank you so much, father!”
So excited was he that he stumbled upon his sister who was coming.
“Oh! Look out!” She shouted. “What has come over you, brother?”
He laughed and embraced her so tightly she shouted and pushed him away.
“What happened? Did an Angel fall from the sky to grant your wish?” She joked.
“Yes. I think that just happened because father just asked to meet Ophelia.”
Rebecca stared at him. “This is too good to be true!”
“Yes. Sister, I am so overjoyed. I am going to write to her straightaway,” he said and hurriedly went to his room.
* * *
Miss Ophelia
Campbell
“I cannot believe, that after all, Charles was right,” Emily said as they sat together in the parlor.
“Yes, he was. You were also right, mother was right as well. I have just been really stupid,” Ophelia stated. Her face was swollen from having cried too much the other night.
“Did you tell your mother?”
She shook her head.
“But, is she not suspicious seeing you are crying?” asked Emily.
“I told her I was having a cold,” replied Ophelia.
“Oh, poor you. You got your heart broken when the relationship has barely stared,” Emily said, pulling her close. “I am so sorry.”
Finally, she pulled away and asked. “Are you going to tell him?”
Ophelia shook her head. “No, but I have decided to cut whatever relationship or friendship we may have, including my friendship with his sister.”
“So, you are not going to tell his sister either?”
“No, “replied Ophelia. “Like I said, I want to cut whatever tie I may have with the family.”
While they were talking, a servant came in with a letter. Emily looked at Ophelia but clearly, she has lost whatever excitement she always felt anytime she received a letter from the Crompton’s.
“Thank you,” she said to the servant who bowed and left. Reluctantly, she opened the letter as Emily came to join her.
Dearest Ophelia,
It is with great pleasure and happiness that I am writing to you. Firstly. I cannot forget the moment we shared, it was a dream come true for me and I cannot wait to taste those beautiful lips of yours again. You make me happy, my love and I cannot wait to make you mine forever. My father has approved of you and he will like to meet you. I hope you send a reply as soon as possible so we can arrange for a day.
Lots of Love,
Christopher.
Ophelia folded the letter and threw it on the next couch.
“So?” asked Emily.
“So what?”
“Aren’t you going to reply?”
“No, I am not going to reply,” she replied.
“But you have to, else he will be hoping for your response. If you do not wish to meet his father, then it is better for you to decline honorably.”
Ophelia thought of this and then she realized her friend was right. It was best for her to decline.
“I will be right back,” she said, standing up and walking to her room.
* * *
Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury
As soon as he entered the gambling hell, he spotted Luke by the bar. A wide grin spread across his lips and he walked over.
“You seem happy tonight,” Luke said immediately he saw him. “I believe good things are happing, concerning the pretty damsel.”
Benjamin laughed and ordered for a drink from the bar. “One for my friend and one for me.”
“Do tell me, lest I die of curiosity. Why do you seem so excited?” Luke probed further, looking at his friend suspiciously while the bar man poured his drink.
“I am excited because I have finally realized that I do not have to do a thing to ruin whatever chance Christopher might have with the young lady. His past is simply doing everything for me.”
Luke laughed and gulped down his drink. “I told you so. What happened this time?”
“He held a party some days back, but I could not attend. I had to turn him down.”
“Why were you not there?” Luke asked. “Was the young lady not there?”
“But she was there.” Benjamin replied. “I turned it down because I knew they were going to be together and I could not risk exposing myself as the secret admirer. Later, I changed my mind and I decided to go, just in time to see him upstairs kissing the young lady. Luckily for me, I was not the only one that saw it. I made sure to bring the attention of the women that were around me to the scene above.”
Luke gasped. “You put the lady’s reputation at risk by doing so.”
“I know,” Benjamin replied. “But her face was carefully hidden and it was quite dark. People could only see the silhouettes of two people kissing, all I had to do was tell the ladies, it was Christopher and another lady.”
“Hmm. So what did you do next?”
“Well, I waited downstairs for a while, none of his family members were in sight so no one knew I was there. I started a discussion with the women as regards the shameful act of the Viscount and then excused myself when they got really deep in the discussion. My plan initially was to bring the discussion to his mother’s hearing but a better thing happened.”
Luke frowned. “What happened?”
Benjamin smiled and finally sat on a seat close by. “Miss Campbell herself overheard everything and you should have seen how white she became all of a sudden. She ran out of the room so quickly and never even said goodbye to Christopher. I realized my work was done and I took my leave.”
Luke burst into laughter. “This is good. What a great turn of event!”
“Exactly my thought!”
“You just ruined whatever chance he could have had with her and now, I am certain she would turn his proposal down. Now, you have a better chance to get her for yourself. We must celebrate this!” Luke said and shouted at the bar man. “Please, a drink for everyone, on me.”
Throughout that night, the two men laughed, joked and made merry. Benjamin was relieved, everything had worked out perfectly. Truly, he hadn’t expected things would work out perfectly like it did. now he was happy. Fate was finally by his side, all that remained was to wait for Ophelia’s next action.
* * *
Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington
He was sitting in the room, going through some of the files his father had handed to him to go through. While he was deeply engrossed in it, the door opened and his sister came in, she wasn’t looking too happy.
“Is everything alright, sister?” He asked, looking at her with concern written all over his face.
She walked in, slumped into the bed and let out a heavy sigh.
“What happened?” He asked one more time, turning to face her direction.
“It’s Ryan,” she replied.
“Your husband?”
She nodded.
“What has he done this time?” Christopher asked, closing the file in his hand. He has never really gotten along very well with her sister’s husband. The main reason was because of his unfaithfulness. The last time he had cheated on Rebecca, Christopher had almost punched him but Rebecca pleased on his behalf. That was about six months ago and since then, there has never been a report of his infidelity.
“What did he do?” He asked again.
“The same thing he always does,” Rebecca said.
Christopher’s face tightened and he stood up. He was boiling with rage and this time, he was determined to hit Ryan pretty hard across that pretty face of his.
“Do not do anything, please,” Rebecca sobbed.
“No, not this time!” He replied, storming out of the room. Rebecca dashed after him, calling him back.
“Christopher, please, do not do anything stupid. I merely told you because I cannot tell father and mother. Please, do not go and meet him!” She cried after him but as he got to the front door, Benjamin walked in.
“What is going on?” he asked from sister to brother.
“Please, do not let him leave, “Rebecca pleaded.
“What is happening?” Benjamin asked again, blocking the front door.
Having realized his sister actually did not want him to go, Christopher stopped and instead walked towards a couch in which he sat.
“For how long do you plan to endure this?” He asked his sister. “Look at you, you are beautiful, what else does he want from those silly girls?”
Rebecca was quiet but only kept on sobbing. Finally, Christopher stood up to pacify his sister.
“Do you know the lady?” He later asked as the three sat. The Parents were not home yet.
Rebecca shook her head. “I could not wait to see her face, I simply took my leave. I shall not be going back to the house this night.”
After this, she excused herself and walked to her room,
A Lady to Redeem a Rakish Lord: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 16