? I thought you felt the same as I did. I remember how you trembled beneath my touch on your cheeks. Do you not remember these? If you ever had a slightest care for me, could you at least be so kind to reply this letter?
Let me hear it from you that we do not have a chance again. I am on my knees, sweet Ophelia, hoping to hear from you.
“Yours Affectionately,
Christopher Crampton
After reading this, Ophelia suddenly felt a mountain of emotion built up within her and she burst into tears, sobbing as her friend pulled her closer, pacifying her.
She remembered it all, how could he think she forgot everything that mattered to her? But he was right, he did deserve a response and she was going to give it. Perhaps, after giving him a reply, she could be finally free from whatever tie she had with him.
“Are you alright?” asked Emily.
She nodded, sniffing and wiping her face. “I want to give him a reply, even if it is going to be the last letter.”
Emily stared at her. “You cannot be serious.”
“ “I believe it is appropriate for me to give him a response and then tell him not to send any more letter.”
Emily sighed and then stood up. “I hope after this, we shall hear no more from him?”
She nodded weakly before her mother left,
Then she stood up, walked to the tub to have a warm bath. While she did this, her mind went through the letter all over again. Even though it has been more than a week since it all happened, it felt just like it just happened.
She changed into a clean cloth and then walked to the table to start writing.
After she was done, she folded the letter and then unfolded it. She went through it one more time and sighed. Perhaps she should throw it away and write another.
She stood up and made an attempt to tear the letter but then, she stopped and took a deep breath. Whatever she had written was straight to the point and it was the right thing to do.
* * *
Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington
Christopher got the letter just as he was about to leave the room the second night . His father had summoned him but that would have to wait.
“I will be right there,” he said to the servant. “First, I need to read what is in this letter.”
The servant bowed and then left.
Christopher hurriedly walked to the table and sat down before opening the letter.
Dear Christopher,
I got your letter and I think you are right. You did deserve a reply from me. Whatever I must have heard about your past has made me realize that there can never be a future for both of us. I do not want to be a victim in your game of lies and deceits. You are wrong. I never forgot the moment we shared, I shall always treasure it but I’m afraid, that would be the end of everything.. I wish to extract myself from our relationship. Have a wonderful life.
From:
Ophelia Campbell.
Christopher shut his eyes as his heart sank deeper than it has ever done. He opened them and inhaled. It was real and it was happening. He had just lost her for good. He suddenly felt thirst and he knew where to quench the thirst but first, he needed to find his father.
He got up and walked to his father’s study. The Earl was going through some files in his cabinet. He stopped when he saw Christopher walk in.
“Father,” Christopher started. “You called me.”
The man nodded and pointed to a chair to him. “Yes, please, sit.”
Christopher sat and then his father sat right next to him.
“I wanted to ask you if you were still bringing this lady to me or not.”
Chrisopher sighed and shook his head. “She will not be coming, father.”
The older man looked surprised and confused. “I do not understand. Does she not want to meet your family?”
Christopher shook his head. He wanted to talk but words failed him. He looked away from his father and back to the two hands in his lap.
“Is there something you are not telling me son?” asked the father. While they were talking, the door opened, and the came in.
“I am sorry, I never knew there was a meeting going up in here,” she said, trying to leave.
“Hold on,” said her husband. “I think you need to hear this.”
Christopher’s mother frowned and walked over to the two men.
“What is going on?” she asked, looking from her son to her husband.
“That is what I am simply asking our son. You remember the Campbell’s daughter?” asked the father.
“I do,” replied the mother. “The one he is supposed to bring to meet us and who has not come yet.”
The father nodded. “Yes. I am asking him why she has not come yet but he is not talking. Did something happen that I do not know about between them?”
The mother frowned. “I have no idea,” then they both stared at their son. “Christopher?”
Christopher knew that there was no need to keep his parents in the dark about everything that was happening but, talking about it would mean it was real. He still was finding it difficult to believe that his past has ruined all the chances he could have had with the only lady he could ever love.
He inhaled, summoning all the courage he needed and then he explained. “She has decided to extract herself from the relationship,” he replied. “She will not be coming.”
Both parents gasped, looking at each other.
“What happened?” asked his mother. “Did you do something?”
He was quiet.
“What made you think he must have done something?” asked the father. “What if the fault is the lady’s?”
“No,” replied his mother. “I do not think it is the lady’s. I know our son, better than you think, Charles.”
Afterwards, his mother asked him again. “What did you do, son?”
There was no denying, Christopher thought. Sooner or later, they were still going to know what had happened.
“She found out about my past,” he started. “And she was embarrassed.”
His father looked surprised but his mother only snorted. Then he looked at her.
“What past is he talking about?”
Both mother and son exchanged glances but then the mother stood up. “I think there are lots of things your son needs to tell you which you never got to know because you were sick during the time. I shall give you both a chance to talk about it.”
Saying this, she took her leave while his father turned to give him a puzzled look.
“May I know what she is talking about?” he asked.
Christopher inhaled. His mother was right. His father had been sick for a long time and it was a miracle that he was even alive. Most people would have died from the sickness that took years for him to recover. During this time, he had made a friend and then he had started spending most of his times in the gambling hell.
“Hold on,” said his father, stopping him as he explained. “You visit the gambling hell?”
Christopher slowly nodded.
“And Benjamin introduced you to this?”
Christopher nodded but then shook his head. “Father, this has always been Benjamin’s life. As far as I am concerned, he literally grew up in the gambling hell. So I do not know if to say he introduced me to it, or that I walked into it. He never forced me to do anything.”
His father inhaled. “You may continue.”
He went on to explain how he went from becoming shy around ladies to finally asking them out. He remembered the first time he slept with a woman. He was actually drunk but then it just became something he loved doing. He became quite popular and with Benjamin’s gambling skills, they became closer and spent almost every time together.
“So, this is all you?” his father asked. “Your friend only happened to be a link that connected you to this, rakish lifestyle?”
“I don’t really blame Benjamin, father. I do not think you should blame him either. I did whatever I did beca
use I felt like doing it. He needn’t be blamed for any of it.”
His father nodded. “Well, one thing that shows a full manliness is the ability to take responsibility for your actions.”
Christopher was surprised. “You are not going to blame me and tell me how shameful and disgraceful I have acted?”
His father chuckled and then stood up. He walked to the table to pour himself a drink.
“There is no need to further make you feel bad when you are already regretting everything that happened,” he said, lifting the half-filled cup to his lips.
“So,” Christopher asked, standing up and feeling a bit relieved. “Do you have any advice for me?”
His father thought for a while. “Well, whatever you did that brought is now filling you with shame and regret, do not do it again. Also, if you love the lady and she wants to be left alone, let her be. Whatever is yours will be yours.”
After saying this, the father left the study
Chapter 26
Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington
He got to the gambling hell earlier than usual. He knew Benjamin would take some time before coming, but he could not wait for him.
The place was not yet occupied but he was surprised when he saw Benjamin laughing at the bar with the same man he had seen with him the other day.
He first of all waited at the entrance. It was just few men, puffing cigar and drinking. Ben and the man seemed to be celebrating on something as they kept on laughing and whispering.
For some reason, it seemed a bit off and he walked closer just in time for Ben to turn around and see him. He could tell he was surprised seeing him. Christopher did not sit at his table, instead, he went to meet them.
“I was not expecting you,” Ben said as he got closer to the bar.
“I know,” Christopher replied, eyeballing the other rough-looking man suspiciously. He looked a lot older than Benjamin. His beards were unshaven and a cigar hung between his two black lips. “I had to come, I never knew you would come here sooner.”
“Well, I had nothing to do at home,” Benjamin said, standing up. “Why don’t we get a seat?”
“Here is just fine,” replied Christopher, signaling to the bar man who passed him a bottle of brandy. He was just about to ask Benjamin to introduce him to his friend when the man stood up and left the bar.
“Seems your friend does not like my face,” he said as he gulped down the drink.
“Oh! Who?” Benjamin asked.
“Your friend who just left.”
“He’s not my friend, just someone I met here,” he replied nonchalantly.
Christopher knew there was more to that but he was not in a mood to push that conversation.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“No,” he replied, dipping a hand into his pocket and bringing out Ophelia’s letter.
* * *
Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury
He collected the letter and went through it. He managed not to smile as he read. He folded the letter and sighed.
“Well, we both knew that this would happen eventually. She already made it known, Christopher.”
He nodded, sadly. “I know but, having to read it from her was more painful than I thought.”
“You need to get over her and let her go,” said Benjamin. “Perhaps, it was never meant to be.”
Christopher sighed and gulped down more drink. “I have never felt this way about a woman, you know? She is just, somehow, very special.”
Benjamin knew this was true so he nodded. “I understand how you feel but if this could go wrong so soon, then you two were never meant to be.”
“So what do you think I should do?” he asked.
“I think you should find a better woman, who is more in your class.”
* * *
Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington
He was surprised at what his friend was saying but he knew that it was the right thing. But at the same time, he hoped Benjamin would at least encourage him not to give up so soon.
“Why are you not talking?” asked Benjamin.
Christopher inhaled and emptied the bottle in one gulp. Then he stared at his friend and asked, “If you were the one, what would you do?”
Benjamin was surprised when he heard this but then he shrugged. “If I was the one, I would never have indulged myself with those women in the first place.”
Christopher felt a big stab in his heart by the statement. He turned to the bar man and asked for more drink.
“I am sorry, I know that must have come out wrongly…” said Ben.
“It is alright,” Christopher replied. He knew he deserved that.
“So, what are you going to do?”
“I will let her go just like you have suggested,” he replied.
“You can always get another person….”
“No,” he replied. “There cannot be another person like her,” he replied. “I doubt if I would ever get over her.”
“I think if you are determined, you would,” Benjamin replied. “You can go back to your old ways or…”
“I cannot believe this!” stated Christopher. “You know that my old ways got me into this and now you are asking me to go back?”
Benjamin shrugged. “Well, you can do that or get another woman?You think you cannot get over her simply because you are yet to pursue other other women..”
Christopher shook his head. He couldn’t understand why Benjamin would be talking like that. It was more as if he was actually glad for his predicament.
He wasn’t even a bit sorry for him and now, he was telling him to pursue not even one woman but other women.
He fidgeted with the bottle in his hand. He was beginning to see Benjamin in a new light, probably he never cared about his relationship with the lady in the first place.
He took more drink and straightened up. “I shall be on my way.”
* * *
Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury
“Are you leaving so soon?”
Christopher nodded, handing the barman his payment.
“Take care,” Benjamin said aloud as he picked his leave but Christopher gave no response.Benjamin watched and waited till Christopher left before bursting into laughter. Shortly after, Luke came over to join him.
“What did he want?” he asked as he sat down.
“Here,” replied Benjamin as he handed to him the letter Christopher has left behind. Luke picked it while sitting down on his former seat. When he was done, he laughed and tossed the letter to the floor. Then he ordered for more drinks.
“Now that everything is obviously over between the two, now is the time to pitch your tent.”
“I am going to pitch my tent and I am definitely going to enjoy pitching it there,” Benjamin said and they laughed more.
Chapter 27
Miss Ophelia Campbell
“I honestly think that taking a walk outside will help you, a lot.”
Ophelia turned and faced her friend who had come in some minutes ago. It was the third day of having sent the letter to Christopher.
She was still finding it hard to go back to her normal life. Especially, with several men that were now coming for her hands. She wondered if they knew she actually just had a break from a relationship and now, they were all trying to have a chance with her.
She was still thinking about it when the door of her room opened and her mother walked in.
“Are you alright, Ophelia?” asked her mother.
“Yes, mother,” she replied, straightening up.
“I do not understand what has been going on with your friend lately,” her mother said to Emily. “She is always in her room and would not come out. Could you please help me talk to her?”
Emily shrugged. “I was actually telling her how lovely it will be to take a walk.”
“Oh yes!” replied her mother. “It will be great indeed. Alright girls, get up, we are going for a walk.”
“Your mother is yet to find out about what happened?” Emily asked, throwing her a blue evening gown.
“She must not know,” Ophelia replied.
A Lady to Redeem a Rakish Lord: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 19