Page 57 of Angel's Flight

“It’s very much the opposite of goodness,” Letitia replied.“The other month, we had the most expert flogger in attendance.Men were lining up to have a go under her whip in front of everyone.She punished them quite fitfully for begging.”

Christine didn’t even try to keep her jaw from dropping.“Oh.”

“Dear me, have I shocked you?I assumed a singer from Paris who runs in the same circles as dear Howard would know of such things!”Letitia grasped Christine’s hand comfortingly.“You are married to a man who goes about in a mask.”

“That’s only because—I mean, I’m not offended!I—” Christine didn’t have the words, so she only laughed.

“Intrigued then?”Letitia asked with a sly smile, and Christine’s cheeks burned.

“I was not expecting such conversation,” she finally said, and it was Letitia’s turn to laugh.

“When you meet a courtesan for tea, you must adjust your expectations.”

“Apparently,” Christine muttered.

“Ah, here we are,” Letitia blessedly exclaimed.

They exited the carriage and beheld a handsome townhouse, far more luxurious than the flats in Paris.Adèle was doing well for herself here.A quiet maid let them in and showed them up to the door of a parlor, letting Letitia in first.

“Miss Ryan, a delight to meet you,” came a voice Christine had not heard for months.She wasn’t prepared for how the familiarity struck her heart.It had been so long since she’d had anyone she knew besides Erik with her.

“Madame Valerius, thank you for receiving me.It’s an honor to even share a room with such an artist,” Letitia was saying.“I hope you don’t mind, but I have brought you a very special gift to celebrate your success here in London.”

“A gift?”Adèle asked as Christine stepped into the room.

For a moment, she froze, looking as if she could not believe who she saw before her.The last time Christine had seen Adèle was at the wedding before she and Erik had fled Paris forever.Now here Christine was, standing before her friend like an errant child come home to a parent after running away.

“I believe you two know each other,” Letitia said, breaking Adèle from her stupor.

“I hope you don’t mind me joining—” Christine’s apology was eclipsed by the sudden power of Adèle’s embrace as she hugged Christine so tight she could barely breathe.Christine’s fear evaporated, replaced by overwhelming affection and gratitude for Adèle’s grace.

“Dear God, girl, I thought I might never see you again,” Adèle whispered into her hair.Christine drew back, sniffling and trying to keep her tears at bay.

“I wrote, but—”

“I left Paris only a few weeks after you,” Adèle explained.“I didn’t let anyone know where I was.I assumed you were too busy getting ravished from here to Calcutta by your infamous husband to worry about me.”

Somehow, that was what broke Christine and she gave a laugh that was half a sob.“I missed you,” she whispered.

Adèle smiled.“And I you.Oh, Miss Ryan.I’m sorry, I nearly forgot you,” she added, turning to Letitia and wiping her eyes.

“It’s alright.When Mrs.Gilbride mentioned last night that she was a friend of yours, she didn’t explain how close,” Letitia said with no judgment.

Adèle looked at her curiously.“How did you come to be invited to one of the most infamous and exclusive gatherings in London – one I myself have tried to attend?”

“You’re welcome any time,” Letitia countered as Christine fumbled for her own answer.

“We...made a friend in Italy who helped us in a difficult patch.He’s acquainted with Letitia.”Christine wanted to cry again at reducing the dramas of the last few weeks to so simple an excuse.

“Italy?My goodness, I’ll have to hear all about it.I assume you aren’t travelling alone,Mrs.Gilbride?”Adèle asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

“No, of course not.Erik and I are here together,” Christine said, and the happiness in her voice was genuine.She hoped the relief in Adèle’s face was too.

“You know Mr.Gilbride too?”Letitia asked, and Christine winced.She didn’t want Adèle questioned about this.She knew more about Erik than almost anyone and had paid the price for that before.

“Only in passing through my dear Christine.I’m surprised you met him, but I’m glad to hear he is being sociable,” Adèle replied, smooth as ever.

“Only when I force him, which I think he enjoys in a strange sort of way,” Christine said.“But Letitia didn’t bring me to her visit to hear my tales.Tell me about you!I didn’t think you would leave Paris so soon.How is Julianne?She’s not with you, is she?I haven’t heard from her at all.”

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