“Thought she has a friend?”
Benjamin nodded. “She does. I forgot her name.”
“You need to work on her too. If you can get both friend and mother in your good graces, the lady is already yours.”
Benjamin smiled. “You are so smart, Luke! Your next drink is on me.”
Luke laughed as he signaled to the bar man for more drinks.
* * *
Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington
Christopher was busy as usual in his father’s study. Getting busy was helping him not to think too much of Ophelia. He also had no time to visit the gambling hell.
Actually, after the whole thing Benjamin said the last time they met, he has begun to start questioning their friendship. First, he had lied about the other man at the bar, later, he had blamed him for the fall out with Ophelia and then told him to go back to his old ways. He couldn’t understand what kind of friend he had anymore.
While he was doing his work, the door opened and his mother came in. She was in her night dress. He was really surprised for he had thought he was the only one awake.
“Mother,” he started. “What are you doing awake?”
“I believe there is no harm in coming to see my son, is there?” asked his mother as she came over to kiss him on the head.
Christopher smiled. “Well, what can I do for you, mother?”
His mother feigned surprise and sat down. “So, I cannot just come and see my son without wanting something?”
Christopher laughed. “No, you cannot.”
His mother laughed and then leaned forward, resting her arm on the table.
“I am happy, seeing my son every night, getting busy and doing something responsible. I am happy that lately, I have not heard any gossip about you and some girl.”
Christopher smiled but was quiet.
“I want you to continue like that and I know that the lucky girl will find you very soon.”
“Thank you, mother,” he replied.
“So, about Ophelia,” she started and that got his attention.
“What about her?”
“I hope you have stopped thinking about her?”
This was not a normal mother-to-son discussion and Christopher couldn’t give his mother any response.
“Mother, what do you really want?” he asked.
His mother sighed. “Well, as you know, I am here to remind you that since Ophelia is no longer in the picture, you need to find another bride.”
Christopher sighed and shook his head. “So, are you saying that you want me to get another bride so soon?”
“You were never supposed to get too close to that lady in the first place,” stated his mother.
Christopher sighed. He was in no mood to argue with his mother especially on something like this.
“I am not ready for another relationship, mother,” he clearly declared.
“But until when?” she asked. “Do you not know that you are getting no younger?”
“Of course, I know, mother. I look at the mirror every morning and I know.”
“Good? Are you afraid of how to start looking for a lady to marry? If that is the case, you know I can help you.”
He chuckled. “How do you plan to do that?”
“By finding you a good girl of course,” replied his mother.
“And you think you will find a lady like Ophelia?”
“I am not interested in finding you a lady like someone I don’t even know. I never had the chance to get to know her and if truly she is as wonderful as you claim, why can she not forgive you?”
Christopher was quiet. His mother had a point. He has tried not to think about it but now that his mother was bringing it up, he had no choice but to deal with it.
If Ophelia indeed had a true love for him, she would not have forgiven up as quickly as she did.
“Let me know if you need my help,” said his mother. “Goodnight.”
He watched as his mother walked out of the room and he sighed.
All the emotions he had suppressed for a while were coming back to him. He had tried to ignore them by burying himself in his work but now, it was like his mother had just come to open the door for them.
He was not sorry for himself, he was just angry. Angry that Ophelia could just give up so soon without even seeing him, without giving him a chance to prove to her that he had changed. Everyone has their past, and that would not determine their future if properly handled.
Chapter 29
Miss Ophelia Campbell
Ophelia was in the garden with her cousin, Charles. He traveled and has just come back to see her.
“What of Emily?” Charles asked after a while. “I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“Oh, she is busy with her wedding planning,” she replied.
“Wonderful! It is about time for that,” replied Charles. “So, how about you? Have you found it in your heart to forgive your sweet Christopher?”
Ophelia stared at him. “That is not funny.”
“I am not trying to be funny. I know you both had a disagreement and I thought you would have gone past that.”
Ophelia sighed. “There is no going past anything,” she replied. “Lord Crampton and I are done.”
Charles was surprised. “So you mean, you two haven’t talked since the last time I was here?”
“We talked,” she replied. “I wrote to him that I wish to extract myself from the relationship and that he should not bother to write to me again.”
Charles raised his brows. “And he stopped?”
She nodded.
“I am speechless. Who would have thought that you would actually not go back to him?”
“I am not that naïve or desperate,” she retorted.
“You were at one point desperate to be with him…”
“That was before I actually knew him to be who he is,” she replied.
“So, he stopped pursuing you and you are alright with it?” asked Charles.
“Of course, I am,” she replied as convincingly as possible.
“So, if he comes running back into your arms, telling you he has changed, you would not take him back?”
Ophelia thought about that for a while and then shook her head. “No, I would not.”
“Unbelievable!”
“I am serious!”
“Why would you not take him back?”
“Because he had the chance to do that and he chose not to,” she replied.
Now, Charles gave her a puzzled look. “So, are you saying that the chance is over?”
“It might be,” she replied.
Charles gasped, shaking his head. “I cannot believe what I’m hearing,” he said. “You are talking as if you have already given up on the both of you.”
“Yes, I have. He has moved on and I am doing the same,” she replied.
“How do you know that he has moved on?”
“His friend, mr. Benjamin Gibbs told me,” she replied.
“You are now close with his friend?” he asked.
“Not like that, he comes here to spend with me,” she replied.
Charles burst into laughter. “So now, you are spending time with his friend?”
As Ophelia was about to answer, a familiar carriage pulled in. She knew it was Lord Gibbs and she stood up as he climbed out of the carriage.
“My Lord,” she said with a curtsy while he bowed.
“Miss Campbell.”
“Please, meet my cousin, Charles Doddleton,” she said.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Doddleton,” Benjamin said to Charles who was looking from one to the other.
“Same here, Lord Gibbs,” Charles quickly said.
“Do you mind if I borrow your cousin for a while?” Benjamin asked.
“Are we going somewhere?” asked Ophelia.
“Yes,” replied Benjamin. “It is supposed to be a surprise picnic.”
Ophelia exchanged a look with Charles. She knew he was finding everything
odd to understand.
“Well, I better go get dressed, then, and ask one of the servants to chaperone.”Ophelia replied.
“No, I think you look fine, just like this,” he replied and then faced Charles. “I hope you do not mind.”
“Of course not,” Charles replied and together both Benjamin and Ophelia left in his carriage.
* * *
Mr. Charles Doddleton
He kept on watching until the carriage was out of sight. He couldn’t understand what was happening.
“Charles, where is my daughter?” asked Ophelia’s mother as she came out.
“She just left, Aunt Mabel,” replied Charles.
“Did she leave with Lord Gibbs?” asked his uncle’s wife and Charles nodded.
“Great then, I hope one of the servants went with them.”
Charles nodded.
“I shall be patient till they return,” she said and was preparing to go back inside.
“Excuse me, Aunt Mabel,” started Charles. “I do not quite understand what is happening and I would really appreciate if you could enlighten me.”
“Okay then, out with it child! I do not have all the time in the world.”
“Has Lord Gibbs shown any interest in Ophelia?”
Aunt Mabel stared at him and then shrugged. “We cannot say for now but let us hope for the best.”
“But what about Lord Crampton?”
Aunt Mabel looked at him, her brows furrowed in a frown. “I was made to understand that you never liked Lord Crampton and now you are concerned about him all of a sudden?”
Charles knew his aunt was right but still…
“Does he know that Ophelia and his best friend are now getting close?”
“It does not matter, Charles. Why are you so bothered about it?” After this the woman left and Charles was left to his own thoughts. He as a bit disappointed in Ophelia that she has not even given Christopher a chance before welcoming Benjamin’s advances. How could be so gullible?
He sighed. He would really need to speak with Christopher. Not that he actually liked the man but between him and Benjamin, he would go with Christopher. A devil once known is after all, better than the angel of today.
* * *
Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury
“Your cousin does not seem to like me, very much,” he said as they lay on the grass. They were at Hyde park. Tonia, one of the female servants walked behind.
“He is always like that,” she replied. “He acted the same way with Christopher. I actually wished I listen to him more these days.”
“So, he told you something about Christopher?”
“He told me not to trust him. That he has a way with women,” she replied.
Benjamin smiled while eating one of the fruits in the basket in front of them. “You know I wanted to tell you…”
She nodded. “I know, I wish you had told me.”
* * *
Miss Ophelia Campbell
She wasn’t comfortable spending time with Benjamin but what else could she do? She also wasn’t hoping that he would use whatever thing that happened between her and Christopher to propose to her. She knew something was wrong, but Benjamin has been nothing but kind towards her.
Aside from her mother and friend that were encouraging her to marry him, there was no way she would do that. He was a goodlooking man, tolerable and kind. Why could she not like him?
“Might I ask what is going through your mind?” he asked all of a sudden. She didn’t like it anytime he did that, it was like he was trying to know every of her thought and she couldn’t understand why.
“Does Christopher know that we have been spending a lot of time together?”
He was surprised and didn’t reply at first, then he smiled and asked. “Why must you always talk about Christopher anytime I am around you? Can you try not to talk of him for a while?”
Even though he had said it calmly and sweetly, Ophelia could swear she got a hint of jealousy in his voice. All the same, she apologized to him.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “No more talk about Christopher. Let’s talk about you.”
He seemed delighted by this and he smiled. “Good. I am all ears.”
“That day you came to rescue my mother, where were you exactly? Were you following me?”
* * *
Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury
Benjamin was a little angry by her suspicions. What exactly did she expect him to say? That he has actually been taking his time to watch him every night? That he knew what time she woke up that morning and when she had her breakfast?
That he knew she sometimes still wished she and Christopher were good, or that the accident was no accident at all and that he has been tailing them for some time that day, just to keep an eye on her?
“Lord Gibbs?” she said again.
“I am sorry, I got carried away,” he said with a smile. “Why do you always think worse of me?” he asked in a tender voice.
Ophelia was surprised. “I’m sorry, I do not understand what you mean by that.”
“You think I have been following you around, why?”
She averted her gaze and was looking at the grass. “I’m, sorry.”
“No,” he replied, still calmly and with a soothing smile. “I do not want you to be sorry, I just want you to give me a response.”
* * *
Miss Ophelia Campbell
Ophelia waited for a while, thinking if to tell him the truth or not.
“You can tell me what you think of me,” he replies, still giving her a reassuring smile.
“Well, first of all,” she started. “I am sorry if this seems a bit strange but you told me to be free with you.”
He nodded, “Of course, please talk to me.”
“Well, first of all,” she continued. “You said you never recognized me the first time I saw you with Lord Crampton. Somethings tells me you were lying on that day but I do not understand why you would lie about it. Since then, I have been having doubts about you. I am sorry, but that is the truth. Why would you lie about that?”
Benjamin chuckled. “How well do you know Christopher?”
She frowned. What has that got to do with anything?
“Not so much,” she admitted.
“Exactly,” he replied. “I have known him for a long time,” he stated. “He has been talking about you since the night of the fair but I never knew that he was talking about the same lady I met. So imagine my surprise when I saw you.”
“So, you did remember me?”
“Of course, you are unforgettable,” he said. “I like you, miss Ophelia and I couldn’t have said that in front of Christopher. He would have gotten really angry and very jealous. Besides, he still asked me several times why I never told him about you.”
“Is he that bad?”
“He is very bad,” Benjamin replied. “He has no friends aside me, I am the only one that can tolerate his excesses. Or, have you seen anyone with him aside me?”
She shook her head and then thought of talking about the very night she had seen him kissing some lady.
“You want to tell me something?”
“I don’t know if it is necessary or not,” she replied.
“Do tell.”
“I saw him that night, with a lady. She kissed him on the cheeks, I am not certain if that meant anything or not. A kiss on both cheeks could be a friendly kiss, right?” she asked.
Benjamin laughed. “That is how it starts. Until he takes them under the mistletoe and makes them weak in the knees.”
Ophelia’s heart skipped a beat as she heard this. He could not have possibly known about their kiss could he?
“You are saying something about the mistletoe?”
“Yes,” he replied. “He hangs mistletoe around the house anytime he wants to catch his victim. This would cause the lady to start thinking that fate has brought them together and then he can take advantage of their gullibility.
A Lady to Redeem a Rakish Lord: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 21