Page 29 of Angel's Flight

Erik grimaced as the man withdrew the gun from his coat and aimed it at Erik.The man had considered everything in laying this trap, and Erik was rusty.“I will make you pay for threatening her.”

“You will be the one paying, Monsieur.I look forward to doing business with you tomorrow,” Bidaut said and turned his back on Erik with the confidence of a man who couldn’t be struck down.If Erik tried, it could mean doom for Christine.How could he have been so stupid to leave her, thinking that was what would keep her safe?

Erik stood in the dark as Bidaut retreated, leaving him to the prison of his thoughts.No train would take him the three hundred miles back to Lucca fast enough.How could he get a telegram to Christine this late at night?Would warning her put her in more danger?How could he be sure of her safety or the threat to her either way?

Erikcoulddo as he had been told, of course.He could throw away the money and the easy start at a new life it represented.They had barely touched it for the very reason that he seemed incapable of actually putting down roots anywhere that he might be forced to live as a real man and not a shadow.Life was so much harder that way.

Lucca

Christine was gratefulto see the first light of dawn against the sky.She had not slept at all.It had been impossible to rest without Erik beside her.All night, she had told herself he would be fine, but her fear had whispered back that he was in danger.She had hoped that the light of day would return her sanity, but no; she was as afraid as before, if not more so.

She stared out the window to the hills of Tuscany to the north and prayed.She prayed for her husband’s safety.She prayed he could hear her, wherever he was.

“Erik, something is wrong,” she whispered to the brightening sky.“I can feel it, my angel.I wish you could hear my prayers.”

Only silence and the wind answered.At least it was acceptable now to get up and dress.Christine took as long as she could, but it was still only seven o’clock when she finished.Her stomach was growling, and her eyes were heavy with exhaustion in a way that only the strongest Italian coffee could cure.

It was a relief to find that the kitchen wasn’t empty, though it surprised her to see Howard there in shirtsleeves, adding fuel to the stove with a kettle already in place.

“I hope that’s for coffee and that you intend to share it,” Christine said.

The man turned to her with a smug smile, eyes twinkling.At least one person looked rested.“Of course, my dear Madame.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I have a key,” Howard replied.“I’m sorry if Jack didn’t tell you.I came to berate him for abandoning me last night.”

“Surely he’s not awake yet,” Christine laughed, seating herself at the table while Howard busied himself with the coffee grinder and set out three cups.

“Oh, he is.He probably didn’t sleep at all last night.If I know my friend, he’ll be slinking back from sweet Elvira’s in mere moments.Ahha.”

Perfectly on cue, the door that led out back from the kitchen opened to reveal Jack looking tousled and sheepish.“Both of you?Really?”

“I was just here for coffee,” Christine said with a shrug.

“I’m the one here to keep an eye on things,” Howard added with a wicked look.Jack hid his blush and shook his head.

“Are we meant to take you to the –come dici?The office for the ship?”Jack asked Howard.

“You don’t both have to come,” Christine muttered as Howard placed a fresh cup of coffee in front of her that smelled heavenly.“I could probably manage.”

“These agents will take advantage of a lady alone, I fear,” Howard said.“I have nothing else to do, and Jack doesn’t want you to go.Or at least your genius husband.”

“Ah,basta,” Jack groaned.“I said I don’t want him to go so far away.Your rainy little island is the most I will tolerate if they want to punish themselves with that language.”

“English is the tongue of Shakespeare and Milton,” Howard huffed.

“Do not listen to him, Christine,” Jack interjected.“You’re a singer.Tell me one great opera written for that bastard tongue!There is no music to it!It’s worse than German!”

Christine burst out laughing.“I don’t mind it.I’ve been studying it so I could read Shakespeare,” she countered.“I’m sure Erik will be flattered to hear you will miss him.”

“What is there in America?”Jack pushed back.“Everyone is going there!I can’t understand.At least all the Italians on their way lately know each other – you will know no one.”

“Perhaps it will be a good place for their careers,” Howard offered.

Christine avoided answering by taking a scalding sip of coffee.She had no career anymore.Perhaps she could find a new one doing...something?Somehow, she had to fill the time, but there was only so much a woman like her would be allowed to do.She hated that she was so limited.

“What about my career?”Jack whined.

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