The Unexpected Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

Edenhope’s company restful, and it was pleasant to sit back and listen to the music. One of the things he missed most about his mother was her music.She had been a fine singer and had played the pianoforte with great talent. There had always been music in his home and he missed it greatly. He thought idly to himself that he must try and choose a musical wife.
    During the interval he remained with Lady Edenhope, chatting about the performance. Two of Mozart’s string quartets had been played, and Lady Edenhope felt that a better balance of the parts had been needed.
    They returned to their seats for the second half. ‘That cellist was by far too loud in places, Peter. Particularly in the slow movements!’ she asserted, and then realised that Darleston was not listening. He was staring at a lady she had already noted as being most oddly dressed.
    All in severe black and heavily veiled, the lady sat two rows ahead of them and slightly to the right. She was escorted by a young person who was obviously a maidservant and had made no effort to speak to anyone during the interval. Looking at her more closely, Lady Edenhope came to the conclusion that she was quite young. The severe black was extremely flattering to an already slender figure.
    Darleston continued to stare until his companion gave him a gentle nudge and asked, ‘Do you know that girl, Peter?’
    ‘What…? Oh, I’m sorry, Aunt Louisa! I wasn’t really attending,’ he apologised.
    ‘I noticed,’ she said dryly. ‘Is the young lady an acquaintance of yours?’
    ‘I’m not quite sure,’ said Darleston slowly. ‘I think I know who it is, but I can’t for the life of me imagine what she is doing dressed like that!’
    ‘Most odd!’ agreed Lady Edenhope. ‘Oh, here is the orchestra. We had better stop chattering.’
    They sat back to enjoy the two symphonies which followed. The last one was Mozart’s final essay in this genre. Darleston had never heard the work before and was taken aback by the power of the music, particularly in the final movement. Here the closely knit interweaving of the melodies was utterly exhilarating, and when the end came Darleston felt that he wanted to leap up and yell like a boy. He contented himself with clapping vigorously.
    The slender lady in black appeared to be similarly affected. She was leaning forward, applauding enthusiastically, and Darleston became more and more certain that he knew her.
    Turning to Lady Edenhope as the audience began to make its way to the doors, Darleston said, ‘Would you excuse me for a moment, Aunt Louisa? I should like to speak to that lady.’
    ‘Of course, Peter,’ she replied. ‘I shall wait here.’
    Darleston made his way forward against the crowd, nodding to acquaintances as he went. The girl in black had not moved from her seat, but seemed to be waiting for the crush to disperse. No one spoke to her, although many curious glances were cast in her direction.
    She did not notice Darleston until he sat down beside her and said, ‘Good evening, Miss Ffolliot! Did you enjoy the concert?’ Several heads turned at once as he identified the mysterious lady.
    There came a startled gasp and she swung around towards him. What he could see of the lovely face behind the veil suggested shock and consternation.Rather surprised, he said, ‘I’m sorry. I did not mean to startle you.’
    For a split second she hesitated, and then said, ‘It is Lord Darleston, is it not?’
    He smiled and said, ‘Quite correct! Although I am surprised you can see a thing through that veil!’
    ‘But I…’ She stopped, appeared to recollect herself, and said with an assumption of lightness, ‘Well, my lord, you have lost me my wager!’
    ‘Miss Ffolliot, I most humbly beg your pardon! What wager was that?’ he asked in amusement.
    ‘Why, that no one would recognise me like this! I did not think it possible. And indeed I do not think anyone else did know me!’ she said, laughing.
    Darleston chuckled and