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

by Lucinda Nelson

  “I am so sorry I got you worried, both of you,” she said to her parents.

  “I do not understand. Who found you?” asked her father.

  “Lord Crampton did, mother,” Ophelia announced. “Lord Crampton and Charles did. They rescued me and the constables have taken Lord Gibbs away.”

  “How can we ever repay him?” said her mother, before facing Charles. “Thank you so much, Charles.”

  Charles chuckled. “You should thank Lord Crampton. He solved everything. He is the real hero, not me.”

  “But you helped too,” said Ophelia. “You should not be so modest.”

  After spending time with her family, Ophelia peacefully laid in her bed.

  Her mind wandered to the time she was tied up and she found herself caressing her wrist. She inhaled and shut her eyes, relieved and happy that the nightmare was behind her.

  * * *

  Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington

  When he got to his house, his sister was in the living room. On seeing him, Rebecca jumped up and ran into his arms.

  “How are you? Were you injured? Were you able to rescue her?”

  Christopher slumped into the nearest couch and shut his eyes.

  “Please, answer me,” said his sister. “How is Ophelia?”

  “She is back in her father’s house, and must probably be sleeping by now,” he announced.

  “Oh, thank God!” cried Rebecca excitedly. “I am so happy to hear that and what about Benjamin?”

  “Well, he has been arrested,” he replied.

  “Finally, this nightmare is over. I do not ever want to see him again.”

  Christopher smiled and then stood up. “Thank you for waiting up for me, sister. But I need to get some sleep and you should to.”

  “I understand, brother. Goodnight.”

  Christopher walked to his room and closed the door behind him. He collapsed into his bed and shut his eyes but not without thinking of how his day had gone.

  It was still a wonder how he had been able to pull all that off. Before leaving the Gibb’s house, he had gone in search of Charles. He was the only one he could call to help him with the rescue. Thankfully, things had gone perfectly.

  He had also promised Benjamin’s grandfather that everything would be alright. The truth was that, he felt sorry for the old man. Benjamin was his only surviving family member and now he would be locked up for the rest of his life.

  Christopher could not bear the thought of that, knowing Benjamin’s grandfather would live the rest of his life in sorrow and guilt. He had blamed himself for everything that happened to Benjamin but he was blind to see that how Benjamin himself was a deranged person at no fault of his own. How much could he have done to stop him?

  Christopher sighed and turned to his side. An idea came to his mind. What if Benjamin was locked up for a few months and then institutionalized? At least with that, his grandfather would know that he was getting the best treatment to make his life better.

  Well, thought Christopher before he slept that night, he was going to see to that the next day.

  * * *

  He got to the Campbell’s the following morning and everyone was excited to see him. Ophelia and Charles had told them everything he did in getting their daughter back home.

  “How can I thank you, Lord Christopher?” asked Ophelia’s father, extending his hand to him. “You have brought back our daughter and not only that, you have been able to get Benjamin behind bars.” Christopher smiled. “It was a pleasure, sir. Benjamin got what he deserved.”

  “Well, take a seat,” said Mr. Campbell.

  Christopher sat down and later Ophelia’s mother came to join them. She also expressed her gratitude.

  “I am certain that you understand the reason why I am here,” Christopher started. “I love your daughter and I would like to ask for her hand in marriage.”

  Mrs. Campbell shrieked in excitement but her husband only smiled.

  “May I ask why you are doing this in a rush?”

  “It is no rush at all, sir,” Christopher replied. “I have been in love with your daughter for a while now and I have realized that there is no other woman I want, as my bride aside her.”

  While they were talking, Ophelia walked in.

  “Well,” said her father to her. “You came in at the right time, daughter. As you can see, this man here has come to ask for your hand in marriage. What do you say?”

  Ophelia shyly smiled and nodded.

  “Well, I believe that settles it,” said the father. “However, you must come in a week time with your family to tender an official proposal letter.”

  Christopher smiled excitedly and expressed his gratitude. Later, he departed, promising Ophelia he would come back very soon for her hand in marriage officially.

  Epilogue

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  “Oh, my God! You look so beautiful, Ophelia,” said Emily beside her as she placed the cathedral veil on her head. “Who would have thought you would get married before me?”

  Ophelia chuckled, turning to see herself in the mirror. She could not help but let out a gasp. Her black hair was pulled into a shining pile on her head, ropes of rosy pearls ran through her locks. The neckline of her gown was cut a bit lower in such a way that the diamond around her neck nestled in the curve of her bosom. The wedding gown itself was stunning and the fabric was the softest silk she had ever touched. Her waist was pulled in thanks to her corset and the bottom half of the dress had three layers of fabric that bellowed out to the ground.

  “Are you ready?” asked Lady Rebecca, coming in with her bouquet.

  “Yes, Lady Egerton,” she replied as she collected the flowers.

  “I told you to not be so formal with me,” said Rebecca. “We are sisters.”

  Ophelia smiled. “Well, I shall try and get used to it.”

  A knock sounded and Ophelia saw her parents. They both gasped as they saw her.

  “Oh my darling! Look at you,” trilled her mother, walking closer to her. “You look absolutely ravishing. You are so beautiful and I am so proud of you.”

  Ophelia smiled as her mother embraced her. She could feel the tears gathering.

  Finally, they pulled away while her father grabbed her gently on both shoulders.

  “I am very proud of you, daughter.”

  “Thank you, father,” she replied, wiping the tears that were about to fall. “You encouraged me to go after what I want and for that, I am forever grateful.”

  Ophelia stopped talking she knew that talking further might cause her emotions to explode.

  “You deserve all the happiness of life,” said her father. “Are you ready to embrace your future?” her father asked and she nodded. She really was. That second, she put her hand into her father’s hand as they both walked out of the room together.* * *Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington

  Christopher knew he was supposed to be nervous as most grooms would be on their wedding day, but he was not. Instead, he was really at peace and excited. He stood outside the church, talking to Lord Gibbs, Benjamin’s grandfather.

  “So, when will he be taken to a place of treatment?” he asked.

  “Well, there is a place where I was told he can be cured of his mental problem,” replied the grandfather. “It was really kind of you to have dropped all charges.”

  Christopher smiled. “You are welcome. Besides, he needs help. I wish I would have realized it sooner”

  “Congratulations once again,” said the elder Lord Gibbs before going into the church.

  “Are you ready?” asked Charles behind him. He had asked him to be his best man.

  “Of course,” he replied. “Shall we go in?”

  Charles studied him. “You are not nervous?” he asked.

  Christopher frowned. “Why? I am not. Should I be?”

  Charles smiled. “Well, it is normal for you to be nervous.”

  “No, I am alright,” Christopher replied.

&
nbsp; “Well, we shall see.”

  * * *

  Christopher was fidgeting at the altar. He could not help himself. Everything was finally beginning to get to him. Some minutes prior, his mind was at peace, but now, he was anxious.

  He stood at the top of the aisle right in front of the rows of guests that had been invited. He kept clasping and unclasping his hands. Then he would pace for a few strides, sit down and then stand up again.

  “Do not tell me you are nervous now,” said Charles behind him with a chuckle.

  “Well, as a matter of fact, I am,” Christopher confessed but Charles only laughed. “Well, I knew it would only be a matter of time,” he went on but stopped as one of the guests announced the arrival of the bride.

  The music began with the organ which started to play. The guests stood up from their seats. All eyes were focused at the door.

  When he spotted her, Christopher’s heart began to race.

  She gracefully walked down the aisle with her father, like a vision in a white glide. She was the perfect picture of grace.

  Emily held the train of her dress while Lady Rebecca followed her. Christopher could not take his eyes off her for the smallest second. She was too good to be true. He had gone through so much just to have her and now, his dreams have come true. She was going to be finally his.

  When she got to the top of the aisle, he stepped forward and offered her his arm. She linked her arm with his and they turned towards the Priest.

  * * *

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  “We are gathered here today to…”

  “Are you okay?” She asked him quietly as the Priest began the ceremony.

  “No. I am very nervous,” he confessed to her but she only chuckled.

  “We are gathered here today,” started the priest and he went on until it got to where they were to take their vows. The priest guided them through the traditional exchanging of vows before both placed a ring on each other’s fingers. They had decided with the priest to perform the double ring ceremony.

  “I now pronounce you as husband and wife. You may kiss,” said the priest and everyone applauded as Christopher drew her closer to kiss her on the lips.

  Later that day, during the wedding breakfast, Christopher took Ophelia out to the garden where they share a more private and intimate kiss. “My darling. I wish to express myself to you. Say the words I wanted to say at our wedding.”

  Ophelia watch as he took out a paper from his pocket and opened it to read.

  “Ophelia Campbell, through you, I have learned that two people joined together with trust, respect and open communication can be far stronger and happier than each could ever be alone. You are the strength I never knew I needed and the joy that I never knew I lacked. Today, I chose to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  Ophelia put a hand to her eyes to stop the tears as he continued.

  “I promise to love you for who you are and for who you have yet to become. I promise to be patient and to always remember that all things between us are rooted in love. I promise to nurture your dreams and to help you reach them. I promise to love you loyally and fiercely as long as I shall live.”

  As he finished, he took her hand in his and kissed them both was looking her in the eye. Ophelia smiled and dabbed away her tears. “My dear husband. That was beautiful. I have also words I wish to express to you now.”

  She inhaled and started. “Christopher Crampton, I love you unconditionally and without hesitation. I vow to love you, encourage you, trust you, inspire you and support you. I shall create a home with you that will be full of laughter, joy and compassion. I promise to work with you to foster and cherish a relationship of equality, knowing that together, we will build a life that is better than either of us.”

  Once again, the newly married couple embraced in a passionate and tender kiss.

  The Extended Epilogue

  I am so happy you finished reading A Lady to Redeem a Rakish Lord, till the end!

  Are you aching to know what happens to our lovely couple?

  Click on the picture or on the link below to connect to a more personal level and as a BONUS, I will send you the Extended Epilogue of this Book!

  Or click here!

  https://lucindanelson.com/book-10-ex-ep/

  If you enjoyed the story, I would love to read your feedback in a review Here!

  A Preview of my upcoming Novel

  Chapter 1

  Miss Selina Clifford

  Bristol was lovely during the spring, Miss Selina Clifford thought as the carriage rolled into her aunt’s property and the beautiful garden was in full bloom. Daffodils were her favorite flower and seeing their bright colors always made her happier.

  “It is as beautiful as ever, isn’t it, Granny?” Selina asked the older woman in the carriage; Mrs. Mary Clifford, her grandmother on her father’s side.

  “I’m sure it is, darling.” Mrs. Clifford smiled at her granddaughter and then sighed. “I am just glad the journey has come to an end. The trip was much more pleasant when I was your age, dear.”

  “Don’t be silly, Mama.” Joseph Clifford chuckled and winked at his daughter, making her hide a laugh. “You are more energetic than Selina, some days.”

  “Well, a woman must maintain some vitality even when she’s old.” Mrs. Clifford sniffed and raised her chin. “My Mama taught me that when I was a little girl who helped her deliver clean sheets to the Count’s Estate. She worked until she was gone from this world and I always saw her out and about.” She sighed. “Of course, she never reached my age.”

  “I wish I could have met her, Granny.” Selina took her grandmother’s hand.

  “You got your red hair from her, you know?” Mrs. Clifford leaned to say it and it amused Selina.

  “I thought I got it from my Mama.”

  Mrs. Clifford stopped for a second to think. “Maybe you got it from both of them.”

  “Probably so, Granny.” Selina smiled to her father who was also looking at the older woman in amusement and then back to her. “Everyone knows I look like you, when you were my age, though.”

  It wasn’t a complete lie; while she remembered her mother clearly, and looking much alike with red hair and heart-shaped face, Selina inherited the Clifford nose, bright blue and beautiful cheekbones.

  Mrs. Clifford looked very proud of herself, then. “Of course you do. I was the prettiest girl in my village, everyone knew that. Mr. Clifford was lucky I picked him out of so many suitors.” She all but giggled.

  “Don’t be absurd, Mama.” Joseph scolded his mother lightly. “When Papa was alive, he always told us how much in love you were. Sickly so, may I add.”

  “We were, eventually.” Mrs. Clifford looked sad for a second and then the carriage stopped, and she pushed the feelings away. “Oh, good. Dear Matilda is already waiting for us, or rather, waiting for you, Selina.”

  Being an only child, the closest Selina had to a sister was her cousin Matilda and they rarely saw one another since Matilda moved to Bristol a few years before, with her parents.

  The carriage door opened, and she was helped but shrieked in happiness when her cousin came running in her direction – her Aunt was for sure to scold both later – and hugged Matilda, who was more than happy to hug her back.

  “Tilly!” Selina exclaimed in happiness.

  “Lily!” She replied and both started to giggle with their childhood nicknames. “Oh, I have missed you so! All the girls here are not as good as you are to me.”

  “And don’t you ever forget it.” Selina gave her cousin a final hug and both turned to look to the carriage. “Come on, let’s greet Papa and Granny before she scolds us.”

  They intertwined their arms and walked back to the carriage and once again in her life, Selina marveled about how different she and her cousin looked – she had red hair and blue eyes, while Matilda had brown hair and hazel eyes – but somehow they managed to look as if they were of the same family. The cheekbones were what li
nked them the most. That and the dimples when they smiled.

  “Granny!” Matilda let go of Selina to hug her grandmother, who seemed strangely out of breath, while her son held her hand so she could exit the vehicle safely.

  “My dearest one.” Mrs. Clifford smiled to her youngest granddaughter and accepted the hug after Matilda curtsied. “Don’t you look beautiful and all grown.”

  “Thank you, Granny.” She turned to her Uncle and curtsied. “Uncle.”