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

by Lucinda Nelson

  You are truly the most beautiful lady in my heart and mind, my sweet lady. Everything about you ignites a spark.

  You are the Nymph that undoes me, the fairest of the fairest. You are the grief of my heart, the joy of my eye. The cause of a flame I once thought I was without.

  You are my deepest secret and my greatest desire. Spending a life with you is not enough.

  From yours in love,

  Secret Admirer.

  “I do not understand,” said Emily suddenly as they finished reading the letter.

  “Nor do I,” replied Ophelia, looking from one letter to the other. “These two seem really similar and I do not understand why this secret admirer of mine has decided to hide himself from me.”

  “Both are hoping in the letter that their declaration of love has not come late and both seem to be deeply in love with you, Ophelia,” Emily cried throwing her arms into the air. “This is too good to be true. This is the sweetest thing!”

  Ophelia was relieved that Christopher had confessed his intentions to her. At least, now, her mother would not be too worried if he was serious or not. She could see how serious he was. But what about this other man who seemed very much interested in her as well?

  “I think you should put your mind more on the Viscount, Ophelia. Do not worry too much about your secret admirer. Sooner or later, he will realize that he is already too late.

  Ophelia sighed but deep down, she was overjoyed. The only thing in her mind was seeing Christopher again. Just as he had stated in the letter, a word or a look would suffice. She was more than happy to give those.

  Chapter 19

  Miss OpheliaCampbell

  The carriage halted and Charles stepped out first before helping the two ladies down, Ophelia and her mother.

  They were in an open field lightly covered in snow and the party had already started. There were a few men on their horses while others were just standing around, aiming and shooting at far away birds in the sky.

  “I hope we are not too late,” Ophelia heard her mother say as they walked towards the center of the field.

  As they approached the tent, Ophelia could feel her heart beating softly while she scanned through the gentlemen for any sign of Christopher. Instead, she saw Lady Egerton coming towards her.

  “Finally!” she said as she got to them. “I thought you might not make it.”

  Ophelia smiled, curtsying slightly. “Of course not, my lady. I would have told you if I would not be able to make it.”

  “Mrs. Campbell, how nice of you to have come with your daughter.”

  “Yes, my lady. I hope we have not come rather later?” asked Mrs Campbell.

  “You are right on time,” Lady Egerton said before finally turning to Charles “Mr. Doodleton. Please, everyone come this way.”

  The three went with Lady Egerton to the tent where she introduced them before finally showing them their seats.

  Ophelia was sitting in between her mother and Lady Egerton. They had only barely sat when she announced, “Finally, here comes my brother and my parents.”

  Ophelia looked up as the carriage pulled over at the center of the field and when Christopher stepped out, her heart began to race faster than it was before.

  If the little distance could make her heart beat this fast, she could not fathom what would happen when he finally spoke to her up close.

  She managed to look away as he drew closer with his parents. She stood up along with everyone else.

  Ophelia could not look at him. She instead looked at Lady Egerton who had left her side to meet them.

  “Father dearest, meet my friend, Ophelia Campbell, her mother, Mrs. Helen Campbell and Mr. Charles Doodleton, her cousin,” she said.

  “My Lord,” said Ophelia, her mother and her cousin at the same time, curtsying and bowing.

  “Oh, you are Ophelia, I see,” said the Earl with a smile.

  The Earl and the Countess smiled pleasantly at them.

  “Your husband is away, I suppose, Mrs. Campbell?” asked the Earl.

  “Yes, your grace. He will be back on Christmas Eve, hopefully,” said Ophelia’s mother.

  Ophelia caught the earl’s eye just as he passed her with his wife. He looked more like Christopher, except for the gray hair and wrinkles. It was no doubt that Christopher would look this same way once he got to his age.

  Christopher was still talking to his sister before he walked over to Charles.

  “I am so glad that you showed up, Mr. Doodleton. That’s a nice costume,” he said.

  Ophelia looked over at her cousin who managed a smile. “Thank you for inviting me my lord.”

  Finally, Christopher walked to her mother, exchanged pleasantries and then walked up to her. The closer he got to her, the more she could feel that crackling in the air, like a static just because he was about a foot away from her.

  “Miss Campbell,” he said, his voice to her ears were cool and as clear as crystal.

  “My Lord,” she said with a slight bow. She could not bring herself to look up at him for fear of drowning in his blue eyes.

  “You look lovely,” he said with a smile and that was all. He was walking away from her. He and Charles were walking to the rest of the men to take part in the hunting.

  That was quite strange, Ophelia thought. She was not sure if she should be disappointed or relieved. It was difficult to say this was the same man that had written that letter to her. Still, she cleared her throat to enjoy the sport.

  * * *

  Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington

  The bird hunting lasted for about an hour and during all the time he spent shooting on his horse, he tried as much as possible not to look too often at Ophelia.

  However, it was difficult. Just with the little time he had spent with her that morning, his mind was filled with the thought of her. Her lips appeared fuller, her eyes even sparkled more than before. It took all of his will power not to stare too hard at her. He could not understand how long it would take him to resist whatever thing was binding him to her.

  At the same time, he needed to be careful as his parents would be putting more attention on him and Ophelia. They were not in support of their relationship.

  * * *

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  It was several minutes later in the evening at the mansion. Most of the guests had begun to arrive. Ophelia and her mother had changed into their gowns. Now, she was standing, behind her mother who was sitting down, talking about how she was afraid that her husband would get killed sooner or later.

  “Mother, you ought not speak of such negative things about father,” cautioned Ophelia.

  “He could have been here,” Mrs. Campbell continued. “But he works everyday, around the clock. Even the Earl had to take a break and joined the hunting party this morning. Some time with your family should not be too hard.”

  Ophelia had never seen her mother be so open about her disappointment in not having Mr. Campbell around. She had always told Ophelia that she was content with having a husband who was not at home all the time. Now Ophelia saw that her mother only said that to put on a brave face. She, like Ophelia, longed for Mr. Campbell to be at home more often. Just as Ophelia was about to respond, Lady Egerton came in quickly to drag her away.

  “I hope you are having an enjoyable evening,” she asked Ophelia as they walked together along the passage of the ground floor.

  ‘Yes, my lady. Now, that I am finally with you,” Ophelia replied.

  Lady Rebecca laughed. “I apologize for leaving you to yourself. My husband just came around and I had to tend to him. You look absolutely lovely.

  Ophelia smiled and nodded. “Thank you, my lady and I do understand,” she replied. The only thing she could not understand was why she hadn’t seen Christopher or Charles.

  “Have you by any chance come across my cousin?” she finally asked.

  “I think he should be with Christopher,” replied Lady Egerton. Just then, the front door opened a
nd both came in, laughing. They were still in their hunting costumes.

  Ophelia looked surprised. What happened to these two? Could it be that Charles no longer suspected Christopher of being a terrible person?

  “Brother Dearest, father has been asking of you. Where have you been?” asked Lady Egerton.

  “Oh, I just had to engage Mr. Doodleton here in a horse race,” replied Christopher, breathing heavily while he made his way to a servant who had a glass of ale ready for him.

  Ophelia looked around the room. Almost everyone in the room was tall, including Charles and Rebecca. But Christopher towered over most of the other men nearby. His hair gleamed blue black in the light and Ophelia noticed how trim his body was. He was an athletic man.

  “Well I suppose you won, as always,” Lady Egerton replied while a servant went to whisper something in his ear as he poured himself another drink.

  “Unfortunately, I met my match, sister,” he replied coming over towards them once again. “I’m afraid, father summons me. Please excuse me.”

  Ophelia was already getting tired of his constant disappearance. He was ignoring her on purpose, or perhaps, he was avoiding her. She thought the whole reason for inviting her there was to talk to her.

  She was getting angry and she looked at him as he left, with the servant behind him. When he got to the stair case, he paused for the servant to take the lead as he followed along. In that moment, he looked behind his shoulder and stared right at her.

  When his gaze met hers, his mouth curved in a warm smile. Ophelia looked away instantly but smiled. Her cheeks flushed and she felt as if he had touched her somewhere private. In that moment, she knew she had terribly missed him.

  “Did you say that your brother had never lost a horse race before?” asked Charles seconds after.

  “Yes, Mr. Doodleton. Do not be surprised, he is just very good. Please excuse me,” she quickly said to both Charles and Ophelia before leaving to attend to one of the guests.

  Charles put his index finger below his chin like someone lost in thought.

  “So, he has never lost in a horse race before. I wonder why I beat him thrice.”

  Ophelia shrugged. “Maybe you are just really good,” she said.

  “No, I think he is only trying to impress me,” replied Charles before leaving walking away from her towards her mother.

  Chapter 20

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  Ophelia stood at a corner of the room, alone, watching the musician play his instrument beautifully. She could see her cousin and her mother from the other end of the room. Charles had changed into a new attire. The servant must have taken him into a changing room, she thought.

  She sipped from her cup while she listened to the music. It reminded her of the last New Year Eve party which she had spent with her father. The family had hosted a party then, inviting some of their close relatives.

  “A penny for your thought, Miss Campbell….”

  The voice sent a thorough rush of adrenaline through her entire body system and she shut her eyes. She was not expecting to see him back so soon.

  “My lady,” he said, bowing slightly.

  “My Lord,” she replied with a curtsy. She realized he had changed into a white shirt, a pair of buckskins over a black waistcoat which was cut at the front. He looked very refreshing and more handsome. She looked away, not wanting him to know the effect those gleaming eyes were having on her knees.

  “I beg your pardon for being so preoccupied and having little time to tell you how beautiful you look tonight, as always.”

  She colored instantly; quite aware of how much her cheeks must have reddened.

  “Thank you, my Lord. You look really handsome, yourself,” she managed to say in a voice which did not really sound like hers.

  “A compliment? Thank you,” he chuckled. “Would you terribly mind if I take you away for some time?”

  “No. Of course not,” she stated, careful to hide her excitement. She had been desperately hoping for a time alone with him.

  He extended his arm and she took it. She could have sworn she felt some sort of electric current surge through her as their body came into contact. Together, they walked out of the room and into another room close by.

  He opened the door into of a large room which had a high ceiling, beautiful chandeliers, and several shelves containing books.

  She entered while he waited by the door.

  “You have got a beautiful library, my Lord,” she said, as she walked to one of the shelves.

  “I suppose we do” he replied, walking to a bottle of wine in one of the shelves to pour himself more drinks.

  “So, you and my cousin had a good time?” she asked nervously as he drew closer to her.

  “Yes, we really did,” he said. “Come, I would like to show you something.”

  He opened another door which was hidden behind a brown velvet cotton and she followed. She gasped when she realized she was at the balcony of the second floor. Even though the breeze of the night was cold against her skin, for her gown left her shoulders bare, she was distracted by the beauty of the night sky.

  The stars hung above them as if strung in the air by some invisible strings. They filled the sky in both lighter and faint patches. Shining like sugar split over black marble, glistening.

  She smiled. It was truly beautiful. She felt the wind blew her hair and she shivered from the bitter cold. Then, she felt warmth all over her as Christopher hung his jacket around her shoulders.

  The sudden touch on her skin as he placed the jacket was too much for her and she shut her eyes. She needed to control her emotions, and she could not around him. It was too much. There was only one thing on her mind.

  He hesitated for some time before letting go of her shoulder and standing next to her. He placed a hand on the balcony rail as she did. There was just a little distance between his right hand and her left hand. She was very aware of that.

  “So, you got my letters?” he asked in the softest tone.

  She was hoping he was trying to control his emotions just as she was.

  “I did,” she whispered.

  He finally turned to face her and she did the same, but then he looked up above her and smiled.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Look, it is a kissing bough,” he said, pointing upwards, between them.

  She looked up and indeed, there it was. Hanging downwards on the ceiling and just about several inches above them.

  When she looked down at him, their eyes met. Her heart was thumping so hard with the excitement of what she knew was going to happen. What she desired to happen.

  He closed the gap in between them and brought a hand to her cheek. Gently, he bent closer to her as she felt his warm breath against her face. She closed her eyes as his lips barely touched hers. “Oh,” she whispered.

  It was just a light touch. Practically could not be called a kiss at all.

  But then, his mouth touched hers again, parting, pressing against her lips, then moving away. His fingertip moved away from her chin to the side of her jaw, joining the rest of her hand and gently pressing upward, toward him.

  Their breaths mingled. They were standing so close. Their mouths touched again. He was kissing her. Lord Christopher Crampton was kissing her, and it was as beautiful as a soul-stealing kiss she had always imagined it would be. His mouth probed, nudging her lips apart.

  Anxiety surged through her and she began to shake a little. He tightened his hold on her upper arm. Not too tight, but firm.

  He leaned towards her and his mouth covered hers more firmly. She could feel him in every part of her. He smells wonderful, she thought. His lips were astonishingly soft to her.

  Time seemed to stop. It felt like an eternity in the kiss, and Ophelia was incapable of thought. When they both released for air, she was unable to speak.

  His tongue slid along the seam of her lips, and without the slightest bit of hesitation, she parted her lips. His touch becam
e firmer. His eyes tightened. His tongue moved past her lips, intimately, smoothly, dizzyingly. Her stomach somersaulted and the world balanced instantly.

  He withdrew, though he still held the side of her face and his fingers were now curled around her arm. He rested his forehead against hers for a moment as she heard him take a quick breath.

  He pressed his mouth to her, to her cheek, and then to a spot close to her left ear, very close. Then finally, to her forehead. His fingers slid from her face as he leaned back. However, his hand on her arm slid to enfold hers.