A Lady to Redeem a Rakish Lord: A Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Lucinda Nelson

  “Christopher!” his sister called out again and this time he looked at her.

  “What are you looking for?” she demanded. “Please do not tell me that Ben is around this corner. I will be greatly displeased.”

  Christopher sighed. “Surely sister, you do not hate him that much. Isn’t there anything he can do to make you tolerate him?”

  Rebecca stubbornly shook her head. “No! There is nothing he can do. I simply find him intolerable and I do not trust him one bit.”

  Christopher sighed. “You do know that I am a man and I do not require your permission to befriend anyone, even if you are older than me.”

  He could see the hurtful look that passed over his sister’s face and he immediately regretted it.

  “I apologized for that, sister. What I mean is that…”

  Rebecca didn’t wait to hear the rest. She simply stormed off and was immediately lost in the crowd.

  “Rebecca, come back!” he shouted and then turned towards his footman who was standing behind him. “Find Ben and take him to our tent.”

  The footman bowed and left while Christopher went in search of his sister.

  * * *

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  The adult’s area was not as crowded as the children’s but it was all the same. There were several shows happening at the same time that was meant for a more mature audience.

  “Why don’t we go and see what’s happening there,” said Emily, pointing to a gathering of few people not to far off.

  “What are they doing?” asked Ophelia’s mother.

  “I think it’s a magic show,” replied Ophelia, watching from afar.

  The man in the middle was bringing a hat out of a cat and the audience was clapped.

  “It is indeed a magic show. Why don’t we move closer,” suggested their mother.

  Excitedly, the two ladies gathered their skirts with their hands and rushed towards the tent. Ophelia had her mind focused on the man performing the show and was not looking at where she was going. She bumped into man who seemed to be going in the opposite direction.

  The next thing she knew was that her went basket flying out of her hand and she lost her balance. Before she could hit the ground, a steady arm supported her and instead of seeing the auburn sky, she was staring at the most handsome face she had ever seen.

  His blonde hair was cut shorter at the sides while falling in loose curls on top of his head. Along his jawline and high cheekbones was a thin layer of facial hair which gave him an even more dashing appearance. His nose was sharp and pointy and his eyes were the shades of blue with specks of silvery pattern.

  She blushed as she realized he was staring at her. As a matter of fact, her mother and Emily were staring at both of them. She flushed in embarrassment and mumbled some words before the man lifted her to her feet. Immediately, he saw to the scattered things on the ground and began picking them up. She glanced at Emily who couldn’t stop giggling.

  * * *

  Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington

  He had been so busy walking and searching for every blonde with a blue bonnet who he thought resembled his sister that he hadn’t bothered to look at where he was going before bumping into someone.

  Who was that that wasn’t looking out!

  He had managed to catch a woman before she could hit the ground. While he helped her back to her feet, he couldn’t help but stare at her.

  Her hair that peaked from under her bonnet was jetty black and her symmetrical face was almost white except for the slight pink on her cheeks. She was staring at him with so much intensity that he was afraid the lady might die of shock. Her lips were the reddest pair of lips he had ever seen and he was mesmerized by them.

  She seemed to be mumbling some words which snapped him out of his daze. He stood her up right and made sure she was well-balanced before tending to some of her things that were lying on the ground. Finally, he picked up the half wrapped food items and realized most of them were either dirty or spoiled.

  Still, he put them all in a basket and picked up the basked to face the ladies. There were two of them and an older looking woman who could be their mother or aunt. Except the lady whom he had stumbled upon, the other two were looking at him with an amusement he couldn’t understand.

  “My lady,” he started, removing his hat while grappling with the basket in his other hand. “I sincerely apologize for my clumsiness. I was in a haste to catch up with my sister who is very angry with me and I wasn’t looking at where I was going. I do hope you are not injured in any way for if you are, I will not hesitate to host you so that my physician can take a good care of you. And about your basket, I do apologize for that to. Please,” he said, looking up to the other woman and lady standing by. “You are all invited to our tent. We can sit and watch the proceedings of the fair from there since it is pitched upon a hill. I daresay it will give you a better view of the events. And once the cold comes as night falls, we can keep warm in there.”

  None of the ladies spoke at first, but then, the one he had bumped into came forward, took her basket from him and the stepped back.

  “Thank you very much sir,” she stated sheepishly. Your apologies are accepted but your invitation will be declined, I’m afraid. We will manage on our own.”

  “We insist,” said a voice behind him and he was surprised to see his sister whom he had been looking for. Clearly, she must have seen everything that happened. Still, he was surprised that she would support him in this.

  * * *

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  Now, Ophelia was confused. Who was this lady that was now coming forward to meet her?

  “We insist,” she said with a smile. “Please, allow my brother and I to make up for his clumsiness.”

  Before Ophelia could deny their request any further, her mother quickly stepped forward. “Well, if you insist. My daughter and I, and Lady Emily would be glad to join you.”

  “Great!” said the man’s sister. “Please come with us.”

  Ophelia couldn’t believe her mother had just done that. She had also given them her name without them knowing theirs. She shook her head but Emily dragged her along.

  Chapter 4

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  “Oh! This is going to be the best Christmas fair ever!” Emily whispered behind her as they entered the tent.

  The gentleman left and came back shortly with an older man who looked really excited to introduce them.

  “I’m introducing the lady Rebecca Crampton Egerton and his lordship, Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington,” said the man.

  Ophelia and the rest curtsied. While Ophelia was about to say something, her mother tapped her from behind, as if restraining her from speaking, so she kept quiet.

  “We are honored that you have invited us to your tent my lord and lady,” said Mrs. Campbell.

  Lady Rebecca smiled. “You are most welcome. Please sit and enjoy yourselves.”

  Contrary to what Ophelia had hoped, things were much better in the camp. People of high nobilities set their camp together, they had their own fair separated from the one Ophelia’s group was coming from.

  Here, there were lots of food being served with wine. One can just sit down and be entertained.

  Ophelia still couldn’t understand why her mother had stopped her from talking. There was a great class difference between them and she was about to point that out. Maybe it wasn’t important for her to tell them anyway, she thought, after all, it was just a one-time Christmas fair. Later, she stopped thinking about it and began to relax herself.

  * * *

  Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington

  Christopher couldn’t stop looking at Ophelia for the rest of the night. He found himself looking at her constantly. He wished he could speak to her freely but that wasn’t acceptable. He also watched as Rebecca laughed and got along with the family.

  Shortly, his servant whom he had sent to find Ben came in and whispered into h
is ears. He couldn’t find him. Christopher wasn’t bothered about that. The only thing in his mind was that the fair should not end so he wouldn’t have to say a goodbye to the beautiful Ophelia.

  However, the night came and the bonfire started. That was usually the most interesting part of the fair. One could always pick someone to dance with around the bonfire.

  “Why don’t you go ahead and ask her to dance with you?” Rebecca whispered softly behind him as she got to his side.

  He looked at where Ophelia sat. She was busy talking and laughing with her friend and mother.

  “I do not think she will respond,” he replied. “I really do like her, sister. Please, find out more about her for me,” he pleaded.

  Rebecca smiled with a nod. “I shall.”

  That minute, both Ophelia and her friend, Emily stood up.

  “Are you leaving so soon?” asked Rebecca.

  “Yes, we are. We need to get home on time before it gets too dark,” Ophelia’s mother replied.

  “We are grateful for your hospitality and kindness, my Lord and my Lady,” said Ophelia while curtsying.

  “Just as I thought I would be able to find more about you, you are already taking your leave,” Rebecca said with a tone of disappointment.

  “Well, allow us to see you off to your carriage,” Christopher offered hoping to spend more time with them.

  “That would not be necessary my lord,” replied Ophelia with a smile. “Thank you for everything.” They curtsied to both of them before leaving.

  After this they had left Christopher sat down, disappointed that he did not have to dance with Ophelia.

  “What if I never see her again?” he asked his sister who only smiled.

  “You normally have no trouble approaching women. I am surprised at how much you are taken by her, brother but fret not. I am certain that fate shall bring you two together once again. It is, after all, a joyous Christmas season. Besides, I happen to have their address.”

  Christopher was surprised. “Oh, you are such a blessing, sister!” he cried excitedly, kissing her hand.

  * * *

  Miss Ophelia Campbell

  “He really is a good gentleman Ophelia. Did you not see the way his lordship was looking at you throughout?” asked Emily as they walked.

  “I saw nothing,” Ophelia lied.

  “He might make a good suitor. Don’t you think so Mrs. Campbell?” Emily asked Ophelia’s mother.

  “Surely. I was impressed by his tender apology and his kind gesture. I would not be surprised if by tomorrow, we receive a letter from them,” replied the mother.

  “But why would you stop me from talking after they were introduced to us, mother?” Ophelia asked.

  “You were going to ruin all the chance of them getting along with us. I was not going to allow that. It’s not every day that we of middle class get to converse with the nobles,” replied her mother.

  “But now they must be thinking we are from a higher class like them with not so much difference between us,” Ophelia continued. “Do you not think that that will be a kind of lie?”

  “No, I think not,” replied the mother as they continued on their way. Suddenly, out of nowhere, someone grabbed Mrs. Campbell’s purse and began to run away with it.

  “Oh! My purse! Thief!’ she screamed along with the girls.

  “Where?” asked a man close to them. They pointed at the lad who was running away from them. They were no longer in the crowded area so it was easy to identify the running lad.

  “Stay here, I shall be right back,” said the gentleman who ran after the thief.

  “Oh dear!” started Ophelia’s mother in a panic. “That purse contains the fare that will take us back home.”

  “Let us hope that the kind sir will find it for us,” Emily said to her and they waited for some time. Shortly after, the man came back but his hands were empty.

  “I am so sorry. I couldn’t find him,” he said out of breathe.

  “Oh dear! How do we get home now?” lamented Mrs. Campbell.

  “Perhaps, we should go back to the kind gentleman and his sister. Surely, they would be willing to take us back home in their carriage,” Emily suggested quietly to Mrs. Campbell.

  “I can take you home in my carriage, if you do not mind,” said the gentleman.

  The three women exchanged glances.

  “Do not be afraid, my name is Benjamin Gibbs,” said the man. It was quite dark, but Ophelia could see he was a handsome man with slightly wild shoulder-length hair and a well-built body. “I am from Westborough. I was supposed to find my friend but I couldn’t find him and now I must go home. But I do not mind having to take you back home before going back to Westborough.”

  “Well, thank you kind sir. We shall be more than grateful if you could do this for us,” said Mrs. Campbell with a sigh of relief. “I am Mrs. Campbell and this is my daughter, Ophelia and her friend, Emily.”

  The girls curtsied while he took a bow.

  “Now, come with me. My carriage awaits,” he said and they followed.

  The Campbell’s Cottage, Havenwood.

  “Thank you so much sir,” Ophelia said as she climbed out of the carriage. “We are very grateful,” added Emily. They were already in front of the cottage. The man and his coachman had brought them safely home.

  “Why don’t you and your coachman come in for a spot of hot tea?” asked Mrs. Campbell.

  Ophelia couldn’t believe her mother would invite him in considering how late it was.

  “I am certain that the gentleman would like to return home soon,” Ophelia quickly said.

  “I cannot say ‘no’ to hot tea,” said Benjamin and they followed them in.

  He didn’t stay long, he hurried up with his tea and later left with his coachman. After he had left, Ophelia was relieved.

  “Two suitors in one day,” Emily whispered into her ear as they laid in bed that night. Emily had decided to sleep over since it was late upon their return home.

  “They have not even proposed to me yet. Why call them suitors?” Ophelia asked Emily in annoyance. However, she blushed thinking about the idea.

  “Because I could see that he likes you just like his lordship,” she replied while looking at the ceiling.

  “Well, I think not,” Ophelia replied.

  “So, why do you think he offered to give us a ride to Havenwood when Westborough is on the other side of Eltonwood?” Emily asked.

  “Because he is a kind gentleman?” asked Ophelia wishing Emily would stop the conversation.

  “That is true, but he gave you his full attention on the ride home. I am sure he was enthralled by your beauty,” Emily retorted. Ophelia had not noticed this on the ride home. Her mind was elsewhere at the time. Emily turned to her side to face Ophelia. “If you were to choose one man between his lordship and Mr. Gibbs, who would you pick?”

  “Neither!” Ophelia replied and adjusted her pillow. “Goodnight, Emily.”

  She chuckled as she heard Emily cursing under her breath before finally giving up.

  Before Ophelia slept that night, her mind drifted off to the two gentlemen she had met. She smiled at each memory but smiled more when she recalled how she had almost fallen and Christopher had caught her.

  Each time she thought about it made her stomach flutter. In that moment, it was just the two of them and no one else. Even while she had sat under the camp, she had found herself stealing glances at him occasionally when he was not looking and twice, they had caught each other’s eyes. It made her feel more excited than she had ever felt before.

  Finally she sighed. It was a beautiful moment which had not lasted long enough. She wished they had actually gone back to them to ask for help as regards their coming home. She wished the other man had not volunteered to help them.

  She also remembered that Benjamin had said something about looking for his friend and his friend’s sister. He mentioned something about Westborough and Rebecca had said they had come from there during
their conversation.

  “Emily?” Ophelia called out to her friend but Emily was fast asleep so she let her be. Perhaps, everything was just a coincidence. Still, she couldn’t help but think about Emily’s last question. If there was a chance for her to choose anyone between the two, it would be Christopher.

  * * *

  Christopher Crampton, Viscount Barrington.

  As he got into his room later that night, he couldn’t stop thinking about everything that had happened. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. He had met several ladies before, but none had ever made him feel the way Ophelia was making him feel. He had never met a woman like her before.