A Lady To Redeem A Rakish Lord (Historical Regency Romance)

by Lucinda Nelson

  “Of course, daughter. He will be. He just needs rest,” replied her mother. “Has Charles gone home?”

  Ophelia was surprised and nodded. She waited for the next thing her mother would say. She really hoped her mother had no knowledge of what she and Charles had done the whole day.

  “Good. A letter came for your father while you were out,” said Mrs. Campbell, turning to look her. Ophelia could see excitement written all over her face, but she could not understand why.

  “Why are you so happy about the letter, mother?” she asked.

  “Because it came from his lordship, Christopher Crampton. He just invited your father and us to his dinner party. I knew there was something familiar about him…”

  Ophelia was surprised. She could not believe she would be having another chance to meet with Christopher again.

  “But, mother,” she started. “He doesn’t know I am his daughter, does he?”

  Her mother shook her head. “No, I do not think so darling. You two can discuss that when you get there.”

  Ophelia’s excitement dimmed and her heart sank. She had wanted to let him know about their social status the first time they met and now, she was afraid of what would happen now that he knew. Would he want nothing to do with her, or was he a gentleman who would not care about such norms? She could only hope for the former to be true.

  Chapter 6

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  “Thank God you came promptly, Emily. Do sit,” Ophelia said to her friend as she came in.

  “What happened? Is everything alright?” asked Emily.

  Ophelia had sent for her friend that morning as the ball was in the night. She needed to tell her everything that was going on.

  “The kind gentleman that we met at the fair. Do you remember him?” Ophelia asked as they sat down on the couch.

  “Indeed. The Viscount? Is it not?” asked Emily.

  “Yes, he certainly is.”

  “So, what about him?”

  “I just discovered that his father is an employer of my father and he has invited him to a ball party this very night, of which he needs me to accompany him.”

  Emily stared at her in disbelief. “You are going to the party that will be hosted by the Viscount?”

  Ophelia nodded. “Yes Emily. That is the problem.”

  “That is great news,” cried Emily. “I do not see any problem at all. As a matter of fact, I think fate is bringing you both together.”

  Ophelia frowned. “I cannot believe you are saying this, Emily. Do you not remember that he does not know who I am? How would he react when he realizes that I am just a merchant’s daughter?”

  “If that is the case, then I do not think he loves you,” Emily bluntly stated.

  “I do not understand.”

  “I mean, the best way to know if a man loves you to know if he is contented with whoever you are, without trying to change you. If he does not approve of you due to your father’s work, then he does not deserve your love.”

  Ophelia inhaled. “Would you be a dear and accompany me?”

  “Accompany you? I am sorry, Ophelia but I cannot,” replied Emily.

  “But why not?”

  “Francis will be coming to dinner and I have to be there.”

  Ophelia sighed and leaned back. “You must be at home for Francis. I understand. I just wish that I did not have to go alone.”

  “Why do you not call your cousin to go with you?” Emily suggested.

  “Charles?”

  “Yes,” replied Emily.

  Reluctantly, Ophelia nodded. “I shall find a way to pass the message across to him.”

  “Very well,” Emily replied. “Whatever you do, always remain calm and do not make things difficult for yourself.”

  Ophelia nodded. “ I understand that things will be difficult on its own. There is no use in contributing to it.”

  “Must you speak so confidently without faith?”

  “Pardon me, dear Emily but I am afraid of what the meeting might turn out to be.”

  “I understand that you know not of his intentions towards you. I would advise you not to dwell upon it so much lest you begin to react based on it whenever he approaches you.”

  Ophelia nodded. “I shall try my possible best.”

  Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury

  Benjamin sipped from the bottle in his hand as his mind drifted to the conversation he had with his friend earlier. He was at the gambling hell, without Christopher.

  “It is so strange seeing you here alone,” said a voice.

  Benjamin turned around to see a familiar man behind him. They often saw him at the gambling hell but had never spoken, especially whenever he was with Christopher. “I’m Luke.”

  “How do you? Luke?” he replied.

  “Where is the rich boy you got for yourself?” asked Luke curiously. He was a tall, well-built man who was a lot older than Benjamin but looked younger than forty years.

  “I do not understand what you are saying,” Benjamin replied with languid interest.

  “The Viscount that always follows you here? Where is he?”

  Benjamin returned to his drink with annoyance. “If you wish to see Christopher, you will not find as he will not be coming here today.

  “Not coming?” asked the man in surprise, drinking from the bottle in his hand. “What could possibly be the reason?”

  “What is that to you? Why are you interested in my friend’s business?” Benjamin asked angrily.

  Luke feigned a hurtful expression. “Because you are clearly disturbed, and your friend is not here to help you. Well, I am. You can talk to me while I buy more drink for us.”

  Benjamin watched as he ordered more drinks and paid close attention to him. He was reluctant in having Luke as his company considering he did not even know this man and he did not want share his troubles with anyone.

  “I am listening,” said Luke with mild enthusiasm.

  Benjamin sighed and decided to talk. He was after all, tired of brooding all night.

  “I have never been someone that was truly interested in woman,” he started. “They can simply be used and replaced. Even my friend plays around with women, uses them, then dumps them.” Luke chuckled as he raised his glass in agreement. “Now, I have finally found a woman, that I wish to spend the rest of my life with, however, my friend beat me to that too. He has fallen for this same woman.”

  Luke raised his brows and poured more drinks for them both. “Did you tell him your thoughts regarding this woman?”

  Benjamin shook his head. “What was I to say? To tell him he does not stand a chance? To back off? I do not even know if the young woman has taken a liking to him over me since she met him first.”

  “Does he know where this girl lives?” asked Luke.

  “No, but I do.”

  “Have you told this lady your intentions?” Luke inquired.

  Benjamin shook his head.

  “Has your friend done anything to make his feelings known to the lady?”

  “No… well, I do not know.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?” asked Luke. “From what I see here, you have all the cards and you need to play it perfectly to win her heart.”

  “How am I to do that?” Benjamin asked with an irritating tone. He did not understand where Luke was going with this conversation.

  “You know her home address. Send her flowers, letters or even pay her a visit. I suggest you start with letters. Be mysterious. Women love that kind of a thing, and once she starts getting infatuated with you, you visit her.”

  Benjamin could now see the logic in what Luke was saying and he was beginning to smile.

  “Also, if by some chance, your friend does manage to find this woman, you would have already established a relationship with her. You could even find out things from your friend so that you will always be on step ahead of him. And the girl is as good as yours.”

  Benjamin smirked and drank more. “Thank yo
u, Luke. You just gave me a wonderful idea.”

  * * *

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  The sounds of female laughter floated through the hall as Ophelia followed her father and her cousin to the ballroom. After much persuasion, Charles had decided to accompany her to the ball.

  She had never been this nervous before. The three of them glided through the open doors and down the staircase which curved around the right wall.

  Ophelia tried not to scream as she saw the sea of people below. Instead, she held unto her father. Huge columns lined the walls, supporting the vaulted ceiling which was lit by hundreds of sparkling chandeliers. The band was playing soft melodious background music in a corner.

  “Introducing Sir Campbell with his family.”

  A smattering of polite applause filled the ballroom as the attention was direced at them, as expected. They curtseyed before descending down the stairs.

  “Introducing Lord Dantes and Lady Canterbury,” the announcer continued introducing the next set of guests.

  “Oh my. That was really something, wasn’t it?” Ophelia heard her father say as they found their way to the outskirts of the dancefloor. When they got to the corner of the room, he turned to face her and Charles.

  “Now, I have to go and mingle. You two should do the same. I shall find the both of you once it is time to go,” said Mr. Campbell.

  “Father, please be careful. Your health is really important and you need not give yourself much trouble,” Ophelia warned. She was really concerned for her father’s health. He had been weary since he got back from his journey.

  “Thank you, sweet daughter,” her father said and kissed her on both cheeks before leaving the two.

  “So, I still do not understand why you have requested that I accompany you here,” Charles said when they were finally alone.

  “I just did not want to come here alone,” Ophelia replied.

  “But, you very well know that it is requested for a young lady who is unmarried such as yourself, to get her dance card filled,” Charles stated in a mischievous tone.

  “Oh, do stop whining, cousin,” Ophelia said. “You are here to make me feel comfortable, not add to my fret,” she replied.

  “What frets you, cousin?”

  “Marriage talks are enough to fret me and if you must know,” she continued. “I brought you here because I am not confident to take the embarrassment that is coming my way tonight.”

  Charles frowned. “I do not understand.” After seeing that should would not elaborate further, he decided to change the subject. “Meanwhile, I would love to claim your first dance.”

  “I will tell you all once you sign,” she replied, handing him her dance card.

  * * *

  Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington.

  He looked up and saw Lady Anna, talking with his sister. Anna was one of Rebecca’s he had corrupted some months ago but who was kind enough to forgive him. Although she remained friends with Rebecca, she chose to keep her distance from him.

  Christopher took a deep breath and walked towards the other end of the ballroom. He had just walked in some minutes ago and had already seen four ladies out of those he had been trying to avoid. He showed no interest in dancing as he drank from the cup in his hand.

  Why isn’t Ben here yet? Putting on this event had been stressful for Christopher and he want to make his father proud. With Benjamin there, he was certain that he would have something to reassure him and to calm him down. That was one reason why he loved the man. He always knew what to say.

  “My Lord,” said a voice beside him and he turned to see Mr. Campbell, his father’s trusted merchant.

  “Mr. Campbell. How are you doing sir?” he asked the man with a smile.

  “I am very well, thank you,” replied Mr. Campbell with a slight bow.

  “I heard you went on a long journey this time. I hope you made enough profits to last us a long time?” Christopher joked and the man laughed.

  “I certainly did. How is his lordship? I hope he is getting better?”

  Christopher shook his head. “He is getting worse, if I must be frank with you. I am afraid that His Lordship is taking more time to relax. That is why he cannot be here tonight.”

  “I understand,” Mr. Campbell replied. “He needs all the rest he can get.”

  “Yes and so do you,” replied Christopher, studying the man. He looked tired and his eyes were bloodshot. “You seem rather weary.”

  “I am afraid the long journey took its toll on me. I suffered a great deal on the road but thankfully, I am home now.”

  “Well, then you need to be more careful and look out for yourself.”

  Mr. Campbell smiled. “You just spoke like my daughter. She keeps on reminding me of my health.”

  Christopher frowned. “Your daughter? Is she here?”

  “Oh, yes. She is. In fact, there she is, dancing with her cousin,” said the man, pointing towards a couple on the dancefloor.

  The elegant dressed lady was facing away from them on the other side of the dance floor. Although he could not see her face clearly, he could see her laughing excitedly as she and her dance partner dances with four other couples. She was in a long blue silk gown with short yet modestly wide sleeves. There were slivery patterns and flowers on the bottom of the gown.

  As the group got closer, he could see that her dark hair was arranged into a shiny pile the top of her head, leaving a few curled strands out. Finally, her partner twirled her around.

  When Christopher caught her face, his stomach did a double flip.

  “That is your daughter?” he asked in disbelief.

  “Yes, that is Ophelia. My only child,” Mr. Campbell said with pride.

  Immediately when he heard that, an unsettling feeling welled up inside him.

  “Are you alright? You look troubled,” asked Mr. Campbell. “And isn’t that your sister, walking towards my daughter?’

  Christopher looked again and saw Rebecca and Ophelia talking together. Ophelia and her dance partner had already left the dance floor while he wasn’t looking. The next thing saw was Rebecca pointing towards him and Ophelia’s gaze followed. When their eyes met, she looked away in total embarrassment.

  “Have you two met before?” Mr. Campbell asked him but he found it difficult to reply as Rebecca was already coming towards him with Ophelia.

  “Ophelia, I trust you remember my brother, Viscount Barrington. Brother, Miss Ophelia Campbell,” Rebecca said as she introduced them both.

  “My Lord,” Ophelia said, bowing slightly while he bowed.

  “Nice to see you again, Miss Campbell,” he said and then went ahead to properly introduce his sister to Mr. Campbell, and he to her.

  “Oh! She is your daughter?” Rebecca asked the merchant who nodded.

  “What a small world,” was all Rebecca could say.

  Chapter 7

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  While both her father and Lady Rebecca joked nonstop, Ophelia kept fanning herself, not sure what she was supposed to say, especially since she saw the disappointed look on the Viscount’s face. She could finally see that perhaps, he was not contented with their class differences.

  She turned around and caught sight of Charles, beckoning to her to come back as he was waiting for her at the dance floor.

  She faced Christopher and swallowed as he saw her looking at him. “Excuse me, my lord and lady,” she said uncomfortably and then walked away back to Charles.

  “What was that all about?” Charles asked as he led back to the dance floor.

  “That was the reason why I had brought you here,” she replied, not looking back at her father and the Viscount, even though she desperately desired to. They stop at the edge of the dance floor and watched the dancing couples.

  “The man looks familiar,” Charles said

  “You mean the Viscount?”

  “Yes. I think I have met him before. Where do you know him from?”

  “I ran
into him at the Christmas fair.”

  “And now here he is, speaking with your father and directing his gaze at you,” said Charles in a low tone as he looked behind her.

  This made Ophelia smile, but she was not sure what Christopher was possibly thinking. Perhaps, he was astounded by their class differences.

  “Do you like this man, Ophelia?” Charles asked her. She did not give an immediate reply and fanned herself to cool down. She was about to respond to Charles when he suddenly said, “Oh, Ophelia. I think I need to excuse myself. I shall be right back. Please do not wait on me. Get your card filled.” He gave her hands a quick squeeze and then left.