From
Ophelia Campbell.
Christopher shut his eyes as his heart sank deeper than it had ever done. He opened them and inhaled. It was real and it was happening. He had just lost her for good. He suddenly mouth felt dry and he wished to quench his thirst, but first he needed to find his father.
He got up and walked to his father’s study. The Earl was going through some files in his cabinet. He stopped when he saw Christopher walk in.
“Father,” Christopher started. “You called me.”
The man nodded and pointed to a chair to him. “Yes, please, sit.”
Christopher sat and then his father sat right next to him.
“I wanted to ask you if you were still bringing this lady to me or not.”
Christopher sighed and shook his head. “She will not be coming, father.”
The older man looked surprised and confused. “I do not understand. Does she not want to meet your family?”
Christopher shook his head. He wanted to talk but words failed him. He looked away from his father and back to the two hands in his lap.
“Is there something you are not telling me son?” asked the father. While they were talking, the door opened, and the Countess came in.
“I am sorry, I never knew there was a meeting going up in here,” she said, trying to leave.
“Hold on,” said her husband. “I think you need to hear this.”
Christopher’s mother frowned and walked over to the two men.
“What is going on?” she asked, looking from her son to her husband.
“That is what I am asking our son. You remember the Campbell’s daughter?” asked the father.
“I do,” replied the mother. “The one he is supposed to bring to meet us and who has not come yet.”
The Earl nodded. “Yes. I am asking him why she has not come yet but he is not talking. Did something happen that I do not know about between them?”
The Countess frowned. “I have no idea,” then they both stared at their son. “Christopher?”
Christopher knew that there was no need to keep his parents in the dark about everything that was happening but, talking about it would mean it was real. He still was finding it difficult to believe that his past has ruined all the chances he could have had with the only lady he could ever love.
He inhaled, summoning all the courage he needed and then he explained. “She has decided to extract herself from the relationship,” he replied. “She will not be coming.”
Both parents gasped, looking at each other.
“What happened?” asked his mother. “Did you do something?”
He was quiet.
“What made you think he must have done something?” asked the father. “What if the fault is the lady’s?”
“No,” replied his mother. “I do not think it is the lady’s. I know our son, better than you think, Joseph.”
Afterwards, his mother asked him again. “What did you do, son?”
There was no denying, Christopher thought. Sooner or later, they were still going to know what had happened.
“She found out about my past,” he started. “And she was embarrassed.”
His father looked surprised but his mother only snorted. Then he looked at her.
“What past is he talking about?”
Both mother and son exchanged glances but then the mother stood up. “I think there are lots of things your son needs to tell you which you never got to know because you were sick during the time. I shall give you both a chance to talk about it.”
Saying this, she took her leave while his father turned to give him a puzzled look.
“May I know what she is talking about?” he asked.
Christopher inhaled. His mother was right. His father had been sick for a long time and it was a miracle that he was even alive. Most people would have died from the sickness that took years for him to recover. He told them that during that time, he had made a friend and then he started spending most of his times in the gambling hell.
“Hold on,” said his father, stopping him as he explained. “You visit the gambing hell?”
Christopher slowly nodded.
“And Benjamin introduced you to this?”
Christopher nodded but then shook his head. “Father, this has always been Benjamin’s life. As far as I am concerned, he literally grew up in the gambling hell. His parents are never around and his grandfather treats him harshly according to Ben. So I do not know if to say he introduced me to it, or that I walked into it. He never forced me to do anything.”
His father inhaled. “You may continue.”
He went on to explain how he went from becoming shy around ladies to finally asking them out. He remembered the first time he slept with a woman. He was actually drunk but then it just became something he loved doing. He became quite popular and with Benjamin’s gambling skills, they became closer and spent almost all their time together.
“So, this is all you?” his father asked. “Your friend only happened to be a link that connected you to this, rakish lifestyle?”
“I do not really blame Benjamin, father. I do not think you should blame him either. I did whatever I did because I felt like doing it. He needn’t be blamed for any of it.”
His father nodded. “Well, one thing that shows a full manliness is the ability to take responsibility for your actions.”
Christopher was surprised. “You are not going to blame me and tell me how shameful and disgraceful I have acted?”
His father chuckled and then stood up. He walked to the table to pour himself a drink.
“There is no need to further make you feel bad when you are already regretting everything that happened,” he said, lifting the half-filled cup to his lips.
“So,” Christopher asked, standing up and feeling a bit relieved. “Do you have any advice for me?”
His father thought for a while. “Well, whatever you did that brought this feeling of shame and regret, do not do it again. But you will have to deal with the consequences of your actions. Also, if you love the lady and she wants to be left alone, let her be. Whatever is yours will be yours.”
After saying this, his father left the study.
Chapter 26
Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington
He got to the gambling hell earlier than usual. He knew Benjamin would take some time before coming, but he could not wait for him.
The place was not yet occupied but he was surprised when he saw Benjamin laughing at the bar with the same man he had seen with him the other day.
He first waited at the entrance. It was just few men, puffing cigar and drinking. Ben and the man seemed to be celebrating something as they kept on laughing and whispering.
For some reason, it seemed a bit off and he walked closer just in time for Benjamin to turn around and see him. He could tell he was surprised seeing him. Christopher did not sit at his table. Instead, he went to meet them.
“I was not expecting you,” Benjamin said as he got closer to the bar.
“I know,” Christopher replied, eyeballing the other rough-looking man suspiciously. He looked a lot older than Benjamin. His beards were unshaven, and a cigar hung between his two black lips. “I never knew you would come here sooner.”
“Well, I had nothing to do at home,” Benjamin said, standing up. “Come. Let us get a seat somewhere?”
“Here is just fine,” replied Christopher, signaling to the bar man who passed him a bottle of brandy. He was just about to ask Benjamin to introduce him to his friend when the man stood up and left the bar.
“Seems your friend does not like my face,” he said as he gulped down the drink.
“Oh! Who?” Benjamin asked.
“Your friend who just left.”
“He’s not my friend. Just someone I met here,” he replied nonchalantly.
Christopher knew there was more to that but he was not in a mood to push that conversation.
“Are you alright?�
� he asked.
“No,” he replied, dipping a hand into his pocket and bringing out Ophelia’s letter.
* * *
Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury
He collected the letter and went through it. He managed not to smile as he read. He folded the letter and sighed.
“Well, we both knew that this would happen eventually. She already made it known, Christopher.”
He nodded, sadly. “I know but, having to read it from her was more painful than I thought.”
“You need to get over her and let her go,” said Benjamin. “Perhaps, it was never meant to be.”
Christopher sighed and gulped down more drink. “I have never felt this way about a woman, you know? She is just, somehow, very special.”
Benjamin knew this was true so he nodded. “I understand how you feel but if this could go wrong so soon, then you two were never meant to be.”
“So what do you think I should do?” he asked.
“I think you should find a better woman, who is more in your class.”
* * *
Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington
He was surprised at what his friend was saying but he knew that it was the right thing. But at the same time, he hoped Benjamin would at least encourage him not to give up so soon.
“Why are you not talking?” asked Benjamin.
Christopher inhaled and emptied the bottle in one gulp. Then he stared at his friend and asked, “If you were the one in this situation, what would you do?”
Benjamin was surprised when he heard this but then he shrugged. “I do not know. Your past would eventually be brought up regardless of which woman you pursued seriously. It is not like you can change that fact.”
Christopher felt a big stab in his heart by the statement. He turned to the bar man and asked for more drink.
“I am sorry, I know that must have come out wrongly…” said Ben.
“It is alright,” Christopher replied. He knew he deserved that.
“So, what are you going to do?”
“I will let her go just like you have suggested,” he replied.
“You can always get another woman….”
“No,” he replied. “There cannot be another like her,” he replied. “I doubt if I would ever get over her.”
“I think if you are determined, you would,” Benjamin replied. “You can go back to your old ways or…”
“I cannot believe this!” stated Christopher. “You know that my old ways got me into this and now you are asking me to go back?”
Benjamin shrugged. “Well, you can do that or get another woman? You think you cannot get over her because you yet to pursue other women.”
Christopher shook his head. He could not understand why Benjamin would be talking like that. It was more as if he was glad for his predicament.
He wasn’t even a bit sorry for him and now, he was telling him to pursue not even one woman but other women.
He fidgeted with the bottle in his hand. He was beginning to see Benjamin in a new light. He probably never cared about his relationship with Ophelia in the first place.
He took more drink and straightened up. “I shall be on my way.”
* * *
Lord Benjamin Gibbs, the Baron of Salsbury
“Are you leaving so soon?”
Christopher nodded, handing the barman his payment.
“Take care,” Benjamin said aloud as he picked up his drink. But Christopher gave no response. Benjamin watched and waited till Christopher left before bursting into laughter. Shortly after, Luke came over to join him.
“What did he want?” he asked as he sat down.
“Here,” replied Benjamin as he handed to him the letter Christopher had left behind. Luke picked it while sitting down on his former’s seat. When he was done, he laughed and tossed the letter to the floor. Then he ordered for more drinks.
“Now that everything is obviously over between the two, now is the time to make your move.”
“I am going to make a move and I am definitely going to enjoy it,” Benjamin said and they laughed more.
Chapter 27
Miss Ophelia Campbell
“I honestly think that taking a walk outside will help you.”
Ophelia turned and faced her friend who had come in some minutes ago. It was the third day since she had sent the letter to Christopher.
She was still finding it hard to go back to her normal life. Especially, with several men that were now coming for her hand. She wondered if they knew she had just gotten out of a relationship and were now trying to have a chance with her.
She was still thinking about it when the door of her room opened and her mother walked in.
“Are you alright, Ophelia?” asked her mother.
“Yes, mother,” she replied, straightening up.
“I do not understand what has been going on with your friend lately,” her mother said to Emily. “She is always in her room and will not come out. Could you please help me talk to her?”
Emily shrugged. “I was actually telling her how lovely it would be to take a walk.”
“Oh yes!” replied her mother. “It will be great indeed. Alright girls, get up, we are going for a walk.”
Ophelia realized she completely had no say in the matter so she kept quiet and just went along with the idea. Her mother left to dress up while Emily walked to the wardrobe to pick a dress for her.
“Your mother is yet to find out about what happened?” Emily asked, throwing her a blue walking gown.
“She must not know,” Ophelia replied.
“But she does know that something is off, doesn’t she?”
“Of course. It is best for her to speculate than for her to know what actually happened. As far as she is concerned, I must not depend upon the Crampton’s friendship and advances too much. She wants me to go for someone more in my class.”
Emily shrugged. “Well, I think that should make things less complicated for everyone. Besides, has he sent any letter since the last one?”
Ophelia shook her head. “Sadly, no.”
“Sadly? You cannot possibly be hoping that he sends you a letter after telling him not to.”
Ophelia sighed. It was difficult to understand and difficult for her to explain. She did want him to stay away from her and at the same time, she kept on hoping he would try to prove to her that he was not as terrible as she thought.
“Are you two ready?” asked the mother from the passage. She spoke loud enough for them to hear.
“Just a minute,” Emily cried out. “Come on, Ophelia!”
Emily helped her dress and when they were done and were about to head out, she stopped her.
“Emily. Do not mention anything about Christopher, I beg you. And if mother brings him up, try to quickly change the subject.”
Emily gasped. “Of course. I know she will probably explode if she knew everything.”
“Good. Now, we can go.”
* * *
Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington
“Father told me I would find you here,” said Lady Rebecca as she walked into the study.
“Well, here I am,” he replied, putting a letter into one of the numerous files in front of him. For the past two days, he had been burying himself in his work.
“So, you decided to turn a new life immediately Ophelia left you,” she teased as she walked closer to him. “That is interesting.”
“Yes, it is. At least, something good came out of it, right?”
Lady Rebecca chuckled. “How have you been?”
“Great, actually,” he replied. “I feel great until I remember I have lost her for good. But, I think I am moving on. It does not hurt like it did before.”
“Well, great. I am happy to hear.”
“So, what are you doing here?” he asked as she took a seat. “And how is your husband?”
“Ryan is alright. He is behaving, thanks to whatever father and mother did. He has
been sweet and kind to me.”
“Good. That is what I love to hear.”
Lady Rebecca smiled. “Have you been asked why Ophelia is yet to come?”
A Lady To Redeem A Rakish Lord (Historical Regency Romance) Page 20