Free An Unsuitable Match by Sasha Cottman

your father’s side of the family.’
    Clarice nodded. Tonight was the first full opera she had attended in a long time and no matter what language it was performed in, she was excited.
    She also knew how important this evening was to her father. He had been offered another olive branch by the Radley family and she was determined to do him proud.
    She was still waiting for the right moment to raise the matter of Lord Brooke and his so-called riding accident.
    Inside the main entrance of the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane there was a stifling crush of people. Obviously there were many other opera lovers with the same disinclination as her grandmother to sit through an evening of Italian arias.
    They soon met up with the Duke and Duchess of Strathmore and were escorted to their private box. Lady Alice hobbled to her seat and ordered champagne from the attendant.
    The curtain of the box opened and Alex and Millie appeared. Clarice rose from her seat and greeted them.
    Millie wore a scarlet cape over her matching silk gown, a ruby nose ring completing the ensemble. Her evening attire was breathtaking, but it was her eyes that caught Clarice’s attention. They shone brilliantly with happiness.
    â€˜I’m so glad you were able to come tonight, Clarice,’ Millie said. She gave her a friendly hug. Clarice laughed when she heard Millie gasp.
    â€˜Look how big this theatre is, and look at those gas lamps near the stage! I’m so excited to be here tonight. This is the very first time I have been to a real opera. We had nothing like this in Calcutta,’ Millie exclaimed.
    â€˜Well then, Lady Brooke, I think you are in for a treat,’ Clarice replied with a grin.
    From what she knew of the new Marchioness of Brooke, she sensed a kindred spirit. Millie was an intelligent and passionate woman. The perfect candidate to convert to opera.
    The box curtains opened once more and Lucy stepped inside. Behind her, handing tickets to the attendant, was David. Millie gave them a wave.
    Clarice’s breath caught in her throat at this unexpected turn of events.
    What is he doing here?
    If there was one thing she knew David and her father did have in common, it was a vehement dislike of opera.
    â€˜Sorry we are late; Emma asked me to read her another chapter of her storybook,’ David said.
    Lucy laughed. ‘Emma so loves it when her big handsome brother reads to her. You are her hero because she now knows the princess escaped the fiery dragon.’
    He smiled. ‘One can never leave a damsel in distress.’ His gaze fell on Clarice and his easy smile disappeared. He stepped forward and gave her a solemn bow.
    â€˜Lady Clarice, what a pleasure it is to see you this evening.’
    She forced a social smile to her lips and offered him her gloved hand.
    â€˜Mr Radley, I’m surprised to see you here. I was certain that the opera was not to your liking. What could be so compelling as to draw you here tonight? Don’t tell me you have a secret love of ancient Greek history.’
    â€˜I knew you would be here, Lady Clarice, and that was all the reason I needed,’ he replied, placing a kiss on her fingertips.
    Rattled by his response and his forward manner, she quickly withdrew her hand.
    The string section of the orchestra began to tune their instruments and the gathered guests took their seats. Whether by design or not, the only empty seat remaining after Lucy sat next to Lady Alice was the one next to Clarice. She shot a quizzical look at Lucy, who in turn grinned back as David took the unoccupied seat. She gritted her teeth, annoyed that her plans for an enjoyable evening at the opera had been press-ganged into Cupid’s service.
    â€˜I hear this Lee chap is rather good. At least I will be able to understand him when he is bellowing his lungs out on the stage,’ David said.
    Lady Alice, seated on the other side of Clarice, chuckled.
    â€˜Quite right, Mr Radley, though I do find a