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

by Lucinda Nelson

  The next morning, Christopher was summoned by his father. He was hoping that it would have nothing to do with Lord Mercer’s daughter but that was what it was all about.

  “Father, I do hope you do not think that I am responsible for the disappearance of the young lady,” he said, looking slightly offended.

  “But that is exactly what is on my mind,” his father replied. “After you both left to go to the garden, you claim she left for home due to feeling ill. But now the girl has vanished without a trace. You do not think there is something fishy about that?”

  Christopher sighed and shrugged his shoulders to feign his ignorance of the situation. Then handed his father the letter that Lady Justina had written. “This is for you.”

  The Earl stared at him and then at the letter. “What is that?”

  “She asked me to give this to you,” he replied.

  His father straightened. “So, you do know about her disappearance?”

  “Father, she is in love with another man and she made that quite clear to me. I am not surprise she ran away. Is that the kind of a lady you wish for me to marry, father?”

  His father gave him an accusatory glare while grabbing the letter. As he read it, his demeanor calmed and he sighed looking up at Christopher.

  “What did she say?” Christopher asked.

  His father shrugged. “Exactly as you said,” he replied. “She is in love with another man and begs me not to be too hard on you that she forced you into letting her go.”

  Christopher smiled. “Well, now you see that I did not go against your wishes, father.” The Earl nodded and looked at the letter again. He was quiet. Christopher wondered what his father was thinking as he stood near him in silences. Then his father looked at him with a different expression.

  “So, now the girl I had arranged for you to marry has eloped with another. Perhaps, I was too quick to force you into such an arrangement.”

  Christopher was surprised when he heard this. “What are you saying, father?”

  “The young woman you wish to marry, the one you claim to love. What was her name again?”

  Happily, he replied, “Miss Ophelia Campbell, father.”

  “Oh! That nice young woman who came with her mother and cousin. She is not from our class. I am aware of that. But I have had a change in heart. I propose a chance to meet her and see why you have become so enamored by her.”

  Christopher could not believe his ears. He jumped with excitement as he shook his father’s hand. “Thank you father.” “But you must understand Christopher, that I must approve of this young lady,” his father said stopping Christopher. “If she is not up to my expectations, then I will find you another woman to marry who is of status and could possibly benefit our business.” The earl gave his son a serious look and Christopher understood his proposition. “Of course, father. I shall invite her over for proper introductions. Oh, thank you so much for this chance, father!”

  As he walked down the hall way, his excitement was plastered on his face. He his mind was elsewhere when he stumbled upon his sister who walked from around the corner.

  “Oh! Do be careful,” she shouted. “What has come over you, brother?”

  He laughed and embraced her so tightly she shouted to be released.

  “What happened? Did an angel fall from the sky to grant a wish?” She joked.

  “Yes. I believe that happened because father has asked for an audience with Ophelia. He is giving us a chance to be together.”

  Lady Rebecca stared at him. “This is too good to be true!”

  “Yes. Sister, I am so overjoyed. I am going to write to her straightaway,” he said and hurriedly went to his room.

  * * *

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  “I cannot believe that Charles was right to raise suspicion about his lordship after all,” Emily said as they sat together in the parlor.

  “Yes, he was. You were also right to guard my heart. Mother was right as well. I was blind to not see it myself,” Ophelia stated. Her face was swollen from having cried too much the other night.

  “Did you tell your mother yet?”

  She shook her head.

  “But, is she not suspicious, seeing that you have been crying?” asked Emily.

  “I told her I was having a cold,” replied Ophelia.

  “Oh, you poor dear. Your heart was broken by a manipulative man,” Emily said, pulling her close. “I am so sorry.”

  Finally, she pulled away and asked. “Are you going to tell him that you know his ploy?”

  Ophelia shook her head. “No, but I have decided to cut our relationship or friendship, whatever it was. He will realize that I know what his plan was once I am absent from his life. That also means I will end my friendship with his sister, much to my dismay.”

  “So, you are not going to tell his sister either?”

  “No, “replied Ophelia. “Like I said, I want to cut all ties with their family.”

  While they were talking, a servant came in with a letter addressed to Ophelia. Emily looked at Ophelia but clearly, she had lost whatever excitement she always felt anytime she received a letter from the Crampton’s.

  “Thank you,” she said to the servant who bowed and left. Reluctantly, she opened the letter as Emily came to join her.

  Dearest Ophelia,

  It is with great pleasure and happiness that I am writing to you. Firstly. I cannot forget the moment we shared. It was a dream come true for me and I cannot wait to taste those beautiful lips of yours again. You make me happy, my love and I cannot wait to make you mine forever. My father has approved of you and he will like to meet you. I hope you send a reply as soon as possible so we can arrange a meeting.

  Lots of Love,

  Christopher.

  Ophelia folded the letter and threw it on the next couch.

  “So?” asked Emily.

  “So what?”

  “Are you not going to reply?”

  “No, I am not going to reply,” she replied.

  “But you must. He must know that contact with him is no longer desired. It is better for you to decline his invitation honorably.”

  Ophelia thought of this and then she realized her friend was right. It was best for her to decline.

  “I will be right back,” she said, standing up and walking to her room for her writing materials.

  * * *

  Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury

  As soon as he entered the gambling hell, he spotted Luke by the bar. A wide grin spread across his lips and he walked over.

  “You seem happy tonight,” Luke said immediately when he saw him. “I believe good things are happening, concerning the pretty damsel.”

  Benjamin laughed and ordered for a drink from the bar. “One for my friend and one for me.”

  “Do tell me, lest I die of curiosity. Why do you seem so excited?” Luke probed further, looking at his friend suspiciously while the bar man poured his drink.

  “I am excited because I have finally realized that I do not have to do a thing to ruin whatever chance Christopher might have with the young lady. His past and his family obligations are doing everything for me.”

  Luke laughed and gulped down his drink. “I told you so. What happened this time?”

  “He held a party some days back, but I could not attend.”

  “Why were you not there?” Luke asked. “Was the young lady not there?”

  “Oh, but she was there.” Benjamin replied. “I did not accept his invitation to the dinner party I did not wish to go. Later, I changed my mind and I decided to go thinking I could find a way to put a further wedge between them. A happy coincidence occurred, and I came into a room just in time to see him kissing the young lady through the window. Luckily for me, I was not the only one that saw it. I made sure to bring the attention of the women that were around me to the scene on the balcony adjacent to the window.”

  Luke gasped. “You put the lady’s reputation at risk by doing so.
”

  “I know,” Benjamin replied. “But her face was carefully hidden and it was quite dark. People could only see the silhouettes of two people kissing. All I had to do was tell the ladies, it was Christopher and another lady.”

  “Hmm. And how did you get the attention of the gossiping women?”

  “Well, I waited downstairs for a while. None of his family members were in sight so no one knew I was there. I started a discussion with the women regarding the shameful acts of the Viscount and then excused myself when they went further into discussion. My plan initially was to bring the discussion to his mother’s hearing, but a better thing happened.”

  Luke frowned. “What happened?”

  Benjamin smiled and finally sat on a seat close by. “Miss Campbell herself overheard everything. You should have seen how white she became all of a sudden. She ran out of the room so quickly and never even said goodbye to Christopher. I realized my work was done and I took my leave.”

  Luke burst into laughter. “This is good. What a great turn of events!”

  “Exactly my thought!”

  “You just ruined whatever chance he could have had with her and now, I am certain she would turn his proposal down. Now, you have a better chance to get her for yourself. We must celebrate this!” Luke said and shouted at the bar man. “Please, a drink for everyone, on me.”

  Throughout that night, the two men laughed at Christopher’s misery and made merry. Benjamin was relieved, everything had worked out perfectly. Truly, he hadn’t expected things would work out perfectly like it did. now he was happy. Fate was finally on his side. All that remained was to wait for Ophelia’s next action.

  * * *

  Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington

  He was sitting in the room, going through some of the papers his father had given to him to go through. While he was deeply engrossed in his work, the door opened and his sister came in. She did not look happy.

  “Is everything alright, sister?” He asked, looking at her with concern written all over his face.

  She walked in, slumped into the bed and let out a heavy sigh.

  “What happened?” He asked one more time, turning to face her direction.

  “It’s Ryan,” she replied.

  “Your husband?”

  She nodded.

  “What has he done this time?” Christopher asked, closing the file in his hand. He had never gotten along well with his sister’s husband. The main reason was because of his unfaithfulness. The last time he had cheated on Rebecca, Christopher had almost punched him but Rebecca pleaded on his behalf. That was about a four years ago and since then and there had not been a report of his infidelity until now.

  “What did he do?” He asked again.

  “The same thing he as before,” Lady Rebecca said.

  Christopher’s face tightened and he stood up. He was boiling with rage and this time, he was determined to hit him until he was unconscious.

  “Do not do anything, please,” Rebecca sobbed.

  “No, not this time!” He replied, storming out of the room. Rebecca dashed after him, calling him back.

  “Christopher, please, do not do anything stupid. I merely told you because I cannot tell father and mother. Please, do not go and meet him!” She cried after him but as he got to the front door, Benjamin walked in.

  “What is going on?” he asked from sister to brother.

  “Please, do not let him leave, “Rebecca pleaded.

  “What is happening?” Benjamin asked again, blocking the front door.

  Having realized his sister did not want him to go, Christopher stopped and instead walked towards a couch in which he sat.

  “Do you plan to endure this again?” He asked his sister. “Look at you. You are beautiful and intelligent woman. What else does he want from that other woman?”

  Rebecca was quiet but only kept on sobbing. Finally, Christopher stood up to pacify his sister.

  “Do you know the lady?” He later asked as the three sat. There parents were not home at the time.

  Rebecca shook her head. “I could not wait to see her face, I simply took my leave. I shall not be going back to the house this night.”

  After this, she excused herself and walked to her room.

  “Ryan cheated on her again?” Benjamin asked after she had departed.

  Christopher nodded. “That bastard. I am so tired of him and the way he treats my sister, Benjamin. I want to do something to hurt him.”

  “I understand you are angry but your sister does not want that,” said Benjamin.

  “I do not care what she wants. She should not have to go through and we need to act. I will not remain mute.”

  “It is alright to do what you think is right just like avenging your sister but, have you thought of the effect it would have on your sister’s marriage and your family altogether? Also, would it not seem hypocritical of you to chastise her husband when you have been with multiple women?”

  Upon hearing this, Christopher was calm. “So, what do you think we should do?”

  “I think we should tell your parents and let them handle it.”

  Christopher nodded. “Thank you,” he replied. “I have lots of things to tell you, Benjamin. Things have gotten better between Ophelia and I.”

  Chapter 23

  Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury

  “Really?” Asked Benjamin as he sat next to him. “Going by the way you are calling her by her first name in public, I was certain that something must have happened. Please do not tell me you slept with her.”

  Christopher stared at him. “Of course not! But my parents would like to formally meet her soon, since they did not spend as much time with her at the Christmas dinner or the New Year’s Eve dinner.”

  Benjamin was shocked. “Meet her soon? I thought they never wanted you to marry her in the first place.”

  “Indeed, but a miracle happened that New Year’s eve and things have changed for the better.”

  Benjamin became uncomfortable as he listened to his friend recount the events of the party, including the part of Lady Justina running away. He could not understand what was happening, for he had witnessed Ophelia leaving the party and had expected their relationship to be over. But now he was being told that they were actually planning for Ophelia to meet his parents in a formal yet intimate way.

  “Benjamin, are you alright?” Christopher stopped to ask. “You mind seems to be elsewhere.”

  “Oh! I am fine,” he replied as excitedly as he could. “So, tell me, have you gotten a response from Miss Campbell herself?”

  “That is what I am waiting for, but she must be as excited as I am.”

  While they were talking, a servant rushed in.

  “My Lord, a letter came for you from the Campbells,” he said with a quick bow before handing the letter to him.

  “Thank you, Isaac,” he said, adjusting his seat while Isaac took his leave.

  “This is certainly the response that I have been waiting for,” he said, tearing the letter to read. Benjamin waited, watching his facial expression as he read.

  * * *

  Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington

  Dear Lord Crampton,

  I have received your letter and I sincerely thank you for talking to your parents about me, but I must decline, due to reasons best known to me. I also would appreciate if we no longer communicated with one other. Do enjoy the rest of your life.

  Yours sincerely,

  Ophelia Campbell.

  Christopher stared at the letter after reading it. He could not understand. His heart was beating fast and he was beginning to sweat, yet he went through the letter again. And still he was confused.

  “What happened?” asked Benjamin. “Did she finally pick a day to come?”

  Christopher could not respond. He slumped into the couch dejectedly, looking confused. None of this made any sense. What happened to her? Why would she reject him all of a sudden? Could it be her c
ousin?

  “Christopher?” Benjamin asked. “What happened?”

  “She…she declined and said she does not want anything to do with me again,” replied Christopher, unable to believe it himself.

  * * *

  Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury

  Benjamin was shocked when he heard this but was careful not to burst into laughter.

  He picked up the letter where Christopher had dropped it and went through it himself. He realized that this was worse thing happened to Christopher, as expected. Composing himself, he faced his friend.