Page 40 of Angel's Mask

Christine’s heart jumped to her throat. This was a test and a challenge, judging from the older woman’s discerning expression. Perhaps she had assumed she might catch a new rival unprepared or not warmed up. But this was exactly why her angel had prepared her this morning. And she could feel him watching even now, waiting for her to sing for him.

“If you’d like,” Christine said, remembering how he had also told her she was brave. Gabriel shrugged and nodded to the other man, an accompanist apparently, who took his place at the piano and opened his score to Siébel’s one aria.

Christine prepared herself as the first notes sounded, concentrating only on her voice and the thought of the one who had given it to her. “Confess to her for me, give her my wishes, flowers who bloomed at her side,” Christine sang and even though she was trying to ignore the others, she saw Valerius’ expression change from interest to grudging respect. The part of Siébel was simple, compared to Marguerite, but still innocent. She felt less than innocent herself, but if women like Carlotta and Adèle could pretend, so could she.

The aria was finished quickly, and Christine turned to Gabriel for a critique, but it was Valerius who spoke. “My lord, Gerard, where on earth did you find this one?”

“You wouldn’t believe me,” Gabriel replied. “Now, Christine, that was quite lovely, but watch the return from the bridge, the tempo has to catch back up, especially with an orchestra. Adèle, can you go over it now?”

Adèle complied, standing, and delivering the phrase, her voice smooth and powerful in a different way than Christine’s. She liked it. She smiled, which Adèle caught, and in her eyes, something warmer had finally taken over.

The rehearsal passed quickly, with Adèle and Christine trading phrases and notes. When the session was done, Gabriel took a moment to speak to the pianist and Adèle took the opportunity to step close to Christine, leaning in conspiratorially.

“You’re much better than Nicole,” Adèle began, and Christine smiled. But Adèle raised a hand. “And let me warn you now, you can’t sing like that if Carlotta is in a room with you.”

Christine blinked. “What?”

“She’s not wrong,” Gabriel said with a sigh, joining them. “You have a great light and if you’re anywhere that Carlotta might hear you, you’ll need to hide it under a bushel.”

“Or five,” Adèle added. “Otherwise, she’ll have you out the door in a second.”

“And I don’t think you’re ready to go back to the costumers!” Gabriel said with a laugh and Adèle looked between them, incredulous.

“I was just there to bide time...” Christine muttered, then winced. “Damn, I haven’t even told them yet!”

“You better go do that, we won’t reconvene until afternoon, all principals and understudies,” Gabriel said. “And then you’ll join the chorus rehearsal tomorrow morning. Won’t be too hard for you, I think, we’ll have you ready for the performance next Friday.”

Christine’s heart soared at the idea of finally being part of a performance, rather than just listening from the shadows. “I’ll try not to disappoint.”

Adèle smiled and shook her head, amused again. “You might as well tell them to fit you for your costumes while you’re there.”

Christine nodded and rushed out of the rehearsal room, pausing in the halls to catch her breath as the air grew cool and electric around her. He was close. “Did I do alright?” she asked the shadows.

“You were amazing,” the Angel’s voice replied, and Christine felt like she could fly. She rushed towards the costume workshop, a simmering question in the back of her mind of how he might reward her tonight.

The workshop was as lively as ever when Christine reached it, but not so much that Louise and Julianne didn’t pounce the moment she entered.

“Where have you been, girl!” Louise demanded, striding to Christine with fire in her eyes.

Julianne rushed between Louise and Christine, taking her friend by the arm protectively. “You had us worried.”

“I’m fine,” Christine answered automatically.

“I’d fire anyone else for being this late,” Louise admonished and then frowned as a smile broke over Christine’s face. “God, have you gone even more mad?”

“No, it’s just...you can fire me if you like,” Christine said, and Julianne joined Louise in looking shocked. “I found a new job.”

“Where?!” Louise balked and Julianne’s mouth fell open. “No one in Paris would be daft enough to hire you as a seamstress.”

“Here,” Christine answered. “In the chorus.”

“What!?” Louise yelped. “How desperate are they?”

“She can sing?” The three women turn to look who had spoken. It was Maxine looking as incensed as ever.

“Well, she never stops humming,” Julianne snapped back. “And she’s trained! She only ended up here because she needed work!” Christine smiled; she had not counted on Julianne remembering her history. “I’m so happy for you. But damn, I’ll miss you!”

“Who says you have to miss me?” Christine countered. “I’ll need a dresser. And who better than a best friend for a job.”

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