“But she does know that something is off, doesn’t she?”
“Of course. It is best for her to speculate than for her to know what actually happened. As far as she is concerned, I must not depend upon the Crampton’s friendship and advances too much. She wants me to go for someone more in my class.”
Emily shrugged. “Well, I think that should make things less complicated for anyone. Besides, has he sent any letter since the last one?”
Ophelia shook her head. “Sadly, no.”
“Sadly? You cannot possibly be hoping that he sends you a letter after telling him not to.”
Ophelia sighed. It was difficult to understand and difficult for her to explain. She did want him to stay away from her and at the same time, she kept on hoping he would try to prove to her that he wassn’t as terrible as she thought.
“Are you two ready?” asked the mother from the passage. She spoke loud enough for them to hear.
“Just a minute,” Emily cried out. “Come on, Ophelia!”
Her friend helped her dress up and when they were done and were heading out, she stopped her.
“Emily,do not mention anything about Christopher, I beg you. You can only do that if she raises it first..”
Emily gasped. “Of course not. I know she will probably kill you if she knows.”
“Good. Now, we can go.”
* * *
Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington
“Father told me I would find you here,” said Rebecca as she walked into the study.
“Well, here I am,” he replied, putting a letter into one of the numerous files in front of him. For the past two days, he has been burying himself in his father’s business.
“So, you decided to turn a new life immediately Ophelia left you,” she teased as she walked closer to him. “That is really interesting.”
“Yes, it is. At least, something good came out of it, right?”
Rebecca chuckled. “How have you been?”
“Great, actually,” he replied. “I feel great until I remember I have lost her for good. But, I think I am moving on. It does not hurt like it was earlier.”
“Well, great. I am happy to hear.”
“So, what are you doing here?” he asked as she took a seat. “And how is your husband?”
“Ryan is alright. He is behaving, thanks to whatever father and mother did. He has been really sweet and kind to me.”
“Good. That is what I love to hear.”
Rebecca smiled. “Have you been asked why Ophelia is yet to come?”
“Of course. Father summoned me two days ago and I told him everything.”
Rebecca was surprised. “Everything?”
He nodded.
“That must have been so terrible for you,” she replied. “He must have really blamed you.”
Christopher smiled. “I thought he was going to do that, as well but I was surprised. He never blamed me.”
Rebecca was surprised. “He did not? So what did he say?”
“Only that he could see how sorry I am and that there was no need to keep on blaming me. He said I took a full responsibility for my actions and that makes me a man.”
Rebecca smiled. “Well, that is great then. I see why you are buried in his works. You want to impress him, don’t you?”
He smiled. “That would not be a bad idea if I do, you know.”
“Well, get on with it,” she said, standing up and going away. Then she stopped and turned around. “I am happy to see you like this and not with that Benjamin whom I do not trust,” she said before opening the door and leaving.
Christopher wanted to say something but he changed his mind. He had planned to tell her about his doubts about Ophelia but then he realized there was no need.
* * *
Miss Ophelia Campbell
“Don’t you feel better already?” asked her mother as they walked together along the street.
Ophelia nodded, the walk was helping her to relax indeed.
“So I was telling your friend, about that gentleman being an agreeable man,” her mother said to Emily.
Ophelia tried not to snort. She couldn’t imagine her mother would want to start the very discussion that put her on edge. She threw her a look. “You really do not want me to enjoy my walk, mother, do you?”
Her mother turned to Emily. “You see how she talks to me whenever I am trying to say something that would be beneficial to her life?”
Emily smiled. “So which of the men were you talking about?” she asked Mrs. Campbell while avoiding the scowl her friend sent her. Ophelia was standing in the middle.
“Who else but the kind Lord Gibbs?” continued the mother. “Not that I have anything against Lord Crampton, I know he has been quite forward in his advances but, I still do not trust his intentions. And, why have you two not seen ever since the new year eve?”
Ophelia inhaled deeply. “Mother, can we talk about something else and not about marriage, please?”
“Well, I do agree with you on Lord Gibbs,” Emily said quickly but Ophelia threw her a look. “What?”
Ophelia shook her head. This discussion would in no way help her. “Do you mind us crossing?” she asked, without waiting for a reply and crossed over with Emily but just as they did, they heard a loud noise and when the two turned around, they saw Lord Benjamin holding her mother back from crossing.
Ophelia couldn’t understand. What was her mother doing, smiling at Benjamin like that and what was he even doing there? Where did he come from?
“Did you see that?” asked Emily behind her. “He just saved your mother from being run down by that carriage!”
Ophelia could see the carriage that drove past but her mind was not there. She waited for him to bring her mother over safely.
“Oh mine!” her mother gushed. “Lord Gibbs, how can I ever thank you? You just saved my life.”
The man smiled. “It was nothing, ma’am. The coach wasn’t looking,” he said and then bowed at the two ladies who curtsied.
“Might I ask what you are doing here, my Lord?” asked Ophelia, unable to stop herself.
“I was just passing along,” said Benjamin.
‘That is convenient, too convenient. Are you following me?” she demanded.
“Ophelia!” shouted her mother. “That is really rude! This man has just saved my life and now you are suspecting him of following you up and down?”
Ophelia apologized. She couldn’t understand why Benjamin would magically appear just when they were talking about him. It was really strange.
“I apologize on behalf of my daughter,” her mother said to him. “She was just surprised that you came at the perfect time.”
Benjamin smiled and Ophelia could see he wasn’t as bad looking as she thought. He was actually a good looking blonde man. He did not have the perfect looks like Christopher and was not as tall but he was broader at the chest and more built.
He had the body of a seasoned warrior but his green eyes still bore some miseries which Ophelia was not interested in solving.
“Thank you for saving my mother’s life,” she said after a while. “God knows what would have happened if you have not been there.”
Benjamin only smiled without saying anything.
“You must come back home with us,” added her mother.
Ophelia was more surprised. “I am certain that Lord Gibbs has somethings to do. He would not be ….”
“I would be happy to come with you,” Benjamin replied with a dashing smile.
“Great!” replied her mother.
“I shall bring my carriage around, excuse me,” he said and crossed to the other side.
“Mother, why would you invite him?” Ophelia asked. “I simply do not trust him.”
“Would you be quiet, child? What is wrong with you? Is it because he is Lord Crampton’s friend? If that is the case, you do not have to worry. I am certain Lord Crampton is not interested in marrying you. If he is, he would have made a propos
al already and you are free to go with his friend.”
Ophelia gasped. She was angry. “It is not because of that at all. I just do not understand how he could just come from nowhere exactly at the time we were talking about him. Emily,” she said turning towards her friend. “Surely, you agree with me that this is a bit odd.”
Emily sighed. “It does seem a bit strange but so is concidence.”
The carriage stopped right beside them and Lord Benjamin stepped out to allow them in. First, her mother, Emily, herself and Benjamin finally followed.
Chapter 28
They got home some minutes later, had tea together and then moved to the dining room to eat dinner. All the while, his mother spoke to him endlessly and he flowed with the conversation.
“So you are the only child of your parents?” asked her mother as they finished eating.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied. “I stay with my grandfather. My parents are late,” he explained.
Ophelia was surprised and for that she felt a little bit sorry for him. “What happened to them?” she asked. That was the first question she would ask him since they started eating.
“Mother died after giving birth and father got sick years later,” he explained. “I was brought up by my governess and my grandfather.”
“I am so sorry about that,” she said. “It must have been very hard.”
“It was,” replied Benjamin. “But I’ve learned to adjust to whatever life throws at me,” he said with a smile.
Ophelia was surprised to see herself smiling back. Emily had left for her house earlier and shortly after, her mother had excused herself. Now it was just the two of them.
Ophelia didn’t know what else they could talk about, but suddenly her mind drifted to Christopher. Should she ask him about Christopher?
“I understand you wrote to Christopher,” he said all of a sudden and she was more surprised. How did he know what was in her mind?
“I also know that you do not want your mother to know about this,” he continued.
Now, she was speechless.
“I think you did the right thing by letting him know your stand. You can both release yourself and you can move on.”
She inhaled. “How did he feel when he read the letter?”He shrugged. “He was relieved. He has actually been expecting that. He only needed you to put it into writing. Now, he’s living his life and you should live yours.”
She was supposed to be relieved upon hearing this but she was not. Her mood was dampened and all her expectations were completely watered.
“You look disappointed,” he said, studying her.
Quickly, she forced a smile. “I just never knew it would be so fast for him to forget about me so soon.”
He smiled. “But what did you expect? He does not deserve you at all. You must know that, even right now, he’s going back to his old ways.”
Ophelia sighed. “Well, then, I guess there is no reason for me to be moody. I have done the right thing and I should be happy about it.”
Benjamin nodded. “Exactly what I need to hear,” he replied, standing up. He grabbed his jacket while she accompanied him to the door.
“I do not want you to worry about a thing,” he said, facing her and holding her hand. “I hope you do not mind if I call in to check on you at any time?”
She nodded. “Of course not. You can always come any time you want,” she said with a smile.
He returned the smile and raised her hand to his lips. He planted a soft kiss on it before dispersing.
Ophelia closed the door behind her only to see her mother coming out of her room, she looked excited.
“Such a charming young man,” she said. “He must come again.”
“Goodnight, mother” was Ophelia said before retiring. She was on her way to her room but remembered she was yet to check on her father.
He has been sick for about two weeks now and the physician would come to check on him daily, to treat him. Even though they have been told that he was improving, Ophelia could not see any sign of improvement.
She opened the door slowly and walked to the bed where her father lay.
“Ophelia, is that you?” he asked in a faint voice.
Her once vibrant father who was always traveling all over the world was no longer as vibrant. He has grown leaner and hardly left the bed.
“It is I, father.” she replied, walking closer to him and holding his hands.
“Your visitor has left?” he asked.
She was surprised but then she understood her mother must have spoken to him.
“Yes, he has,” she replied.
“You sound a bit relieved,” said he.
Ophelia raised her brows. She never knew she was that obvious.
“You do not like him so much, do you?”
She shook her head.
“What about the Crampton son?”
Ophelia looked to the floor.
“I do know he likes you and I know you like him too. Has he not made any effort to propose to you?”
Ophelia inhaled. “I do not want him to propose, father.”
“Yet, you seem sad about it.”
This was one reason she missed having her father around, he studied her and understood her too much.
“I believe it is for a better cause,” she said. “Mother thinks that Benjamin is the more appropriate of the two.”
“And what do you think?” he asked.
“I think she is right.”
“Do you know what I think?” he asked and she nodded.
“I think you have been hurt.”
When she got to her room, she slumped on her bed and shut her eyes. Her father was too right. It was like could see everything.
Stupid emotions!
Why should she still be so concerned about Christopher? Why did she care about how he was feeling? She had hoped he would be devastated just as it was written in his letter but no.
His friend said he was moving on. How could he move on so fast while she was still here, brooding over what could have been and wishing that things would change.
Why could he not come and talk to her?
She knew she has extracted herself from the relationship but she couldn’t help wishing he tries hard to win her back. If she hasn’t realized before, now she could really see it.
He has never really loved her like he did. Her mother had warned her not to stupidly fall for him but that was what he did. Now, her heart was breaking all over as she stupidly kept giving her more hope in her thoughts.
She was going to put an end to that. She was trying to think of how he would feel when he realized she had grown close to Benjamin. Whatever he feels, she thought, was no longer her business. She would start living her life as if he never existed.
* * *
Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury
Benjamin smiled at himself all the way back to the gambling hell. Things were working even better than he had hoped. If he could get Ophelia to trust him completely, she would fall into his hands sooner than he expected.
But he was surprised that she would still be thinking that Christopher would call for her, or that he would be trying to get her back.
“She still loves him,” Luke said after he narrated everything to him at the gambling hell.
“How can she still love him despite all that she heard that night?”
Luke puffed his cigar and shrugged. “It is a normal thing with your friend. He has a gift of making a woman fall so deeply with him that you feel as if you that are trying to make her like you are worthless. I felt exactly the same way with the lady I told you about. Nothing I did made any sense to her and I tried to so hard. Your friend did not have to do a thing.”
Benjamin shook his head. He hated it when she asked him how he had reacted.
“I was disappointed but I tried not to show it. I hope she didn’t see it.”
Luke smiled. “You still have work to do. It is a good thing that you are sealing their
fates. It will make things work better and faster for you. Just try to spend more time with her. Do not rush and do not be too hard on her.”
Benjamin nodded. “I know what I need to do. Her mother already likes me, I believe I should keep impressing her mother so that she can be speaking good words of me. I am certain that she will listen to her mother.”
A Lady to Redeem a Rakish Lord: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 20