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

by Lucinda Nelson

  “Did you see them leave?” he asked, seemingly out of breath.

  Rebecca frowned. “I did. Why are you breathing like that?”

  “I thought I could catch up with them but I was wrong,” Christopher replied.

  “With them?” Rebecca asked, looking at him suspiciously. “Or with Ophelia?” she teased.

  Christopher smiled. “Stop teasing, sister. It fits you not.”

  “I saw the way you were looking at her when you two were dancing tonight, brother.”

  “Of course. I cannot explain how I feel about her Rebecca. I need to talk to her,” Christopher replied. “Were you able to ask her certain questions that could give me a hint about her?”

  “You mean, for me to ask if she was engaged?” she asked with a quirked brow.

  “Well, of course. I would not want to dote on another man’s fiancé.”

  Rebecca breathed in loudly. “Well, not to worry, brother. I shall be going to see her tomorrow.”

  Christopher looked surprised. “To see her? You mean you are going to their home?”

  Rebecca nodded excitedly but her excitement stopped as she saw Benjamin walking up to them.

  “What is he doing here?” she asked with a frown.

  “Now, do not be rude, sister. I invited him of course,” Christopher replied.

  Benjamin finally got to them and bowed slightly. “My lady, you look rather beautiful tonight,” he said.

  Rebecca looked at her brother and could read the look he was sending her, so she managed a smile. “Evening to you too. Now, kindly excuse me. I need to find my husband,” she said and withdrew.

  Chapter 8

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  “I hope you enjoyed yourself last night, Ophelia?”

  “Oh, yes, mother. I did,” she replied. She had just entered the parlor to find her mother knitting.

  “Where is father?” she asked, sitting down. She could not believe she missed breakfast for waking up late.

  “He went horse-riding,” replied her mother. “So, tell me, did you see the Viscount?”

  Ophelia inhaled. “Yes, I did, mother, and we danced for just a little while for he had to attend to business.”

  “Oh, dear! What a dreadful night for you!”

  Ophelia was surprised. “It wasn’t dreadful, mother. I enjoyed his company within the little time.” “But, if he was interested, he should have come back to you,” said her mother.

  “I was outside with his sister. Besides, let’s not get ahead of ourselves please, mother. Our classes might be a hindrance.”

  Her mother sighed. “Your marriage chances are getting slimmer by the day, Ophelia and I am afraid for you.”

  Ophelia was quiet. She knew her mother was right.

  “His sister is coming today,” Ophelia added.

  “I understand. Your father told me. Do you think she will somehow bring the both of you together?”

  Ophelia shrugged. “Mother, can we stop talking about me and the Viscount? You are making me seem desperate.”

  “But you should be for a woman of your age,” replied Mrs. Campbell. “And I do hope the Lady Rebecca will bring you two together for if there is any friendship you should be making, it should be the one that will increase your marriage chances.”

  Ophelia sighed. As much as she loved her mother, she detested spending time with her when the conversation centered around marriage and nothing else.

  The door opened and Martins came in with a letter in his hand.

  “Miss Ophelia,” he said. “This came in for you just now.”

  Her mother stopped knitting, looking at her with a deep frown. Ophelia also could not understand who could have sent her letter. Perhaps, Lady Egerton had changed her mind concerning her coming. Or perhaps it was another letter from Peter.

  “Thank you,” she said and collected the letter.

  She tore it open and began to read. There wasn’t a specific address on it but it was addressed to her.

  Dear Ophelia,

  I do hope that this letter meets you in good condition. I must tell you something that has been going through my mind ever since I set my eyes on you. I cannot think, eat or drink without wishing you knew how much you have captured my heart. Your return of affection would give me a greater hope in this uncertain world. I hope one day, you will get to love me as I have grown to love you.

  From your secret admirer.

  “Well, what is the content and who is from?” her mother asked, unable to contain her excitement.

  Ophelia frowned. She read it over and over again but nothing made sense to her so she handed it over to her mother who was too happy to accept it.

  “Oh, my goodness! You have yourself an admirer,” said her mother excitedly. “Who could it be?”

  Ophelia shook her head. “I have no idea, mother.”

  “But, besides the Viscount, did you meet anyone else at the ball?”

  Ophelia shook her head. “No, I did not. I had no chance to speak with any other man and we hadn’t stayed for long. And this letter definitely does not sound like something Peter would write.”

  “May I know who brought this? Can you describe him?” Ophelia asked Martins who was still around.

  “Well, it was a young lad. He said he was directed to give it to Lady Ophelia and he left shortly after,” replied the butler.

  Ophelia sighed. “Well, thank you. You may go.”

  The butler nodded and took his leave.

  “Maybe it is the Viscount,” suggested her mother.

  Ophelia frowned. It seemed possible but for some reason, she could not shake off the feeling that it could be someone else. Her mind went back Mr. Gibbs.

  He knew where she stayed but they hadn’t even talked much that night nor did she see him at the ball. Still, could he be her secret admirer? Or perhaps she had gotten herself a secret admirer whom she had never even met, who must be watching her from afar.

  Martins came into the room again.

  “Madam,” he said to Mrs. Campbell. “A carriage has just arrived.”

  “Oh! That should be Lady Rebecca Egerton,” said Ophelia and stood up to follow the butler out.

  * * *

  “Mother, I am sure you remember Lady Rebecca,” Ophelia said as she came in with the lady.

  “Surely, I can never forget those who treated us with kindness and made the fair enjoyable for us,” replied her mother as she stood up. “My Lady, you are most welcome to our abode.”

  Lady Rebecca smiled and kissed the woman on both cheeks. “Thank you very much Mrs. Campbell. I expected to see you last night at the ball.”

  “Oh! I was too tired to come,” replied the woman. “I hope you do not mind if we offer you a cup of tea?”

  “Oh, I would love that, thank you,” replied Rebecca, taking a seat.

  Ophelia left to get tea from the cook and brought it to Rebecca.

  “Well, I shall excuse you two,” said Ophelia’s mother as she left the room to attend to other duties.

  Ophelia took another seat beside Rebecca.

  “I think, this should be kept private,” said Lady Rebecca handing Ophelia a letter. It was the letter she had just received. Her mother must have left it on the seat before she left.

  “Oh, thank you,” Ophelia replied as she collected it.

  “Reminds me of when I was still a spinster and men used to write letters to me…”

  Ophelia was surprised. “You also had a secret admirer?”

  “Well yes. Awhile back before my engagement. Quite a surprise it was. Do you know who it is from?” asked Lady Rebecca.

  “I was surprised when it came in some minutes ago. I do not know who could have written this to me.”

  Rebecca sipped from her cup. “I am certain that you have lots of men falling for you. It must be one of them who finds it difficult to express himself to you in person. It sounds romantic.”

  Ophelia managed a smile. “Well, you would think that but that is not how I see it.”<
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  Rebecca frowned. “You cannot tell me that you do not have suitors dying to have your hand in marriage.”

  “Well, not necessarily. I think I have met a few but I find it difficult to know their intentions or I find their behavior atrocious. For example, this secret admirer. I have no idea who he could be or what he is like.”

  “Well, why not give it time? Sooner or later, he will come out and present himself. I am sure his intentions are honorable.”

  Ophelia sighed.

  “Is everything alright?” asked Rebecca.

  “Yes, my lady.”

  “You say something but your face says another. And please, do not be so formal with me, Ophelia. I want you to know that I want us to be close. I want to be your confidante and for you to be mine so that we can tell each other what it is that is troubling us.”

  Ophelia smiled. “Thank you, Rebecca, but nothing troubles me more than my chances of getting married which keeps getting slimmer by the day,” she stood up. “You may think I am desperate but I am under a lot of pressure. If I have my way, I would not mind having to wait till the one I love comes around.”

  “The one you love?”

  “Well, I do believe in love, Rebecca,” she replied. “Mother thinks it’s a waste of time and that it is not important when it comes to marriage but I cannot help it.”

  “Love is indeed a beautiful thing, Ophelia,” replied Rebecca. “And trust me, you have someone who cares for you, and maybe another suitor as well as stated in the letter from the person who is afraid of coming to meet you.”

  Ophelia frowned. “I have someone who cares for me? How can you know that?”

  Rebecca smiled and stood up. “I just know. So, you do not have to fret.”

  Ophelia was tempted to ask her if this was about her brother, but she could not find the courage to ask that. She did not want to seem too desperate to her.

  “Why not take a walk, you and I?” asked Rebecca. “You have a beautiful garden and it is not too cold outside.”

  Ophelia smiled and picked up her scarf which was lying on the couch.

  * * *

  Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury

  “I did not see Rebecca when I came in,” Benjamin said to Christopher as he walked into his father’s study. Christopher seemed to be busy with some papers on the table.

  “Oh, yes. She went to Havenswood,” replied Christopher.

  “Havenswood? To see Ophelia?” he asked.

  Chris nodded but then stopped and turned to face him. “How did you know?”

  “How did I know what?”

  “How did you know that Ophelia stays at Havenswood?”

  Benjamin stopped. He realized he had gotten ahead of himself and revealed too much information. He should not have said that but now, he would need to think of how to rectify that so as not to get Christopher suspicious.

  “Well, you told me,” he replied casually.

  Christopher shook his head, looking at him suspiciously. “How could I have told you that when I did not mention it during our talk at the ball?”

  Benjamin chuckled. “But you told me at the ball that your sister would be paying her a visit today and I heard from other party guests that Havenswood was where her father lived, so I just guessed that was where she went.”

  Christopher raised his brows and continued with the papers he was writing on. “That’s understandable.”

  Benjamin grabbed a seat and pretended to be looking around the office but his mind was far away. If Rebecca and Ophelia became good friends, it might hinder his own plans if Rebecca made her distrust him.

  He also hoped that Ophelia would not tell Rebecca of the secret letter. But even if she did managed to tell Rebecca, he was certain that Rebecca would never be able to identify his handwriting.

  “Are you alright?” Christopher asked, interrupting his thoughts.

  “Yes, I am,” he replied.

  “You seemed to be lost in thought.”

  Benjamin shrugged and leaned forward. “I just fail to comprehend what this Ophelia has on you to get you so enamored with her when you could have better ladies of a higher class.”

  Christopher smiled. “Sometimes, love can be mysterious, my dear friend.”

  “So, you yourself do not understand why?” he asked with a chuckle.

  Christopher shrugged. “Believe me Ben, once you meet Ophelia, you will realize that I have said the truth. She captured my heart when I set my eyes on her and I lost all sense of reasoning. I do not know why I love her and I think that is a good thing.”

  Benjamin smiled. “Well, I cannot wait to meet her,” he replied. “What about your parents?”

  “Mother should be with father. And I am sure they will love her. She is a respectable woman,” Christopher replied.

  “I am sorry to bring this up but I am only saying this out of a concern for you,” Benjamin put in.

  Christopher frowned and looked up at him. “What is it?”

  “Have you thought about what would happen if Ophelia does not return your affection?”

  * * *

  Christopher Crampton , Viscount Barrington

  The question came as a surprise to Christopher. He had been so focused on approaching Ophelia and telling her how he felt that he never once thought about if she declined is advances.

  He could remember at the fair how they had exchanged glances a couple of time and their dance at the ball. That had given him a kind of hope but now, Benjamin just made him see something he had overlooked.

  “Well, do you think she might decline?”

  Benjamin shrugged. “Well, what about those errors you committed with those women? What if that stands in the way?”

  Christopher gasped. “Are you trying to frighten me and to discourage me from pressing further in regards to Miss Ophelia?”

  “Not at all,” Benjamin blurted, raising his hands. “I just want you to think things through. You cannot expect that someone as decent as her would want to have anything to do with a rake like you.”

  Christopher sighed and leaned back. Benjamin was right. Why did he not think of that all the while?

  All of a sudden Benjamin stood up. “Well, I have to attend to something. Will you be coming to the gambling hell at Yandin, tonight?”

  Christopher could not reply. He was pondering about what his friend had just said.

  “You are not sure?” asked Benjamin.

  “I do not know yet,” he replied in a low tone.

  “Well, if I do not see you tonight, I might come over tomorrow.”

  Christopher nodded and watched as Benjamin left. When the door was shut, he inhaled a deep breath. Could his past really worsen things for him? Could he show her that would change for her?

  Chapter 9

  Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury

  Benjamin looked around the gambling hell and spotted Luke among some men at the bar. He was smoking and laughing with the rest of them.

  Benjamin walked up to them and stood beside Luke who was surprised to see him.

  “You are back! Welcome,” he said to him.

  “I did what you suggested,” Benjamin said to him as he signaled to the bar man.

  “You sent a letter to her?” asked Luke.

  “Yes and I also somehow planted some seeds of doubt into Christopher’s mind.”

  Luke smiled, removing the cigar from his lips. “That is good news, my friend. So what exactly did you tell him?”

  “Well,” started Ben as he sipped from the bottle he was handed. “I told him it was possible for the lady to have other rivals, so he should not be too disappointed if she does not return his feelings. I also reminded him of his behavior which is unbecoming of a soon to be Earl.”

  Luke laughed out, picked up his bottle and raised it for a cheer. “You are smarter than I thought,” he said to Ben who cheered with him before they both gulped down their drinks.

  “So, what else do you think I need to do?” he asked Luke.


  “Well, one thing is certain. The lady will be intrigued and confused. If she has several suitors, she will be unsure of which of them sent her the letters. She might even be thinking that your friend had sent the letter. You must find a way to clarify that. At the same time, you need to give her a way to return the letters. Create a way to keep the conversation going between you two.”