Free An Unsuitable Match by Sasha Cottman Page A

couple of glasses of champagne does help to take the edge off the sopranos when they assault one’s ears.’
    Inside her slippers Clarice curled up her toes and prayed for the stage curtains to open. Once the opera began, all would be quiet within the box.
    By the end of the first aria, she was beginning to feel less than charitable toward her grandmother. When Lady Alice wasn’t picking at her fingernails, she was complaining of being too cold. Finally, the dowager countess rose from her seat, snatched up her walking stick and disappeared from the box.
    To his credit, David remained silent throughout the performance. At one point, late in the first act, Clarice ventured a look across to him. His gaze was fixed firmly on the stage and his lips were silently moving. She stared at him. Was he actually singing the words? He turned and met her gaze.
    â€˜He is rather good,’ he whispered, pointing to the lead tenor.
    She nodded. When David turned his head back in the direction of the stage, she scowled. Straightening her back, Clarice sat high in her chair and focused her attention once more on the music. After he had lied to her at the ball, she was convinced he was simply saying all the things he thought she would wish to hear. If David thought he could manipulate her in such a cavalier fashion, she intended to set him straight.
    At the end of the first act, the singers left the stage and the majority of the patrons filed out of the box to socialise. Having politely declined Lucy’s invitation to accompany her and Millie to the ladies’ retiring rooms, Clarice remained behind. She stood staring at the empty stage. Aside from the annoying and inexplicable behaviour of some of her fellow patrons, she was having a wonderful time.
    â€˜Aren’t you joining the other ladies?’ a deep male voice murmured behind her.
    She shook her head and continued to make a thorough study of the scenery at the edge of the stage. If she ignored David, perhaps he would have the good sense to leave her alone.
    â€˜Refreshments should be here shortly. Would you like me to fetch you something?’ he added.
    â€˜Thank you, I shall wait until your parents return. His Grace said he would seek out my grandmother and ensure she is back in time for the second act,’ she replied.
    When he reached out his hand and touched her elbow, she flinched. A frisson of heat sparked in her brain and Clarice felt her breasts tighten in their bindings. She shuddered as David spoke and the slightest of warm breaths blew on to her neck.
    â€˜Clarice, may I speak with you?’
    He came and stood beside her, looking out over the edge of the box. Groups of other opera guests were clustered around the stalls, laughing and sharing supper boxes.
    â€˜Yes,’ she replied, knowing that to say otherwise would be socially unacceptable. She was a guest of his family.
    â€˜I think you might have witnessed some unpleasantness at my brother’s wedding ball, for which I must give a truthful explanation.’
    â€˜Go on,’ she replied.
    He fell silent beside her, leading Clarice to look at him.
    â€˜In the past, I have not always behaved in an appropriate manner when it comes to the fairer sex. The outcome of that poor behaviour was the rather unfortunate exchange you witnessed between Mrs Chaplin and myself. For that I apologise.’
    The curtain of the box opened, and two attendants brought in trays laden with all manner of supper delights. They set them down on a nearby table. David motioned toward the food.
    â€˜Shall we?’ he said.
    Clarice shook her head. ‘I don’t think you are anywhere near finished, do you, Mr Radley?’ she replied.
    Explaining away matters as one would to a child had her blood at the edge of boiling. He was going to get one chance to explain himself, and one chance only.
    â€˜I see,’ he said.
    David Radley was blessed with an intelligent mind, and she was certain he