Page 76 of Angel's Flight

“I think, of all women, you’d be aware of what sort of instruments a resourceful woman might have at her disposal,” Howard quipped back with a wink.

Christine looked quizzically between her friends and then at Erik, who was chuckling, as well.“What does that mean?”

“Oh, dear.It seems we have more to teach this sweet, young thing.”Letitia grinned, and Christine’s mind started racing.

“I think I can handle such education in this case,” Erik said.It made something curious stir in Christine as the courtesan and her husband held a knowing beat of eye contact.

“Back to the matter of a house.I have an agent I know,” Letitia went on.“Howard would use him if he wasn’t destitute and useless.”

“We will consider it, of course,” Christine smiled back.“There is much to consider and we’re still not sure—”

“We’d like something new and modern with all the latest luxuries,” Erik said to Christine’s delight.

“My husband is a terrible snob, you see.He practically built his last home himself,” Christine shot back.

“I am sure that somewhere with a garden will be harder to find,” Erik countered, and Christine couldn’t help but grin.

Adèle approached, looking satisfied and amused.“Are you smiling like that because you’re talking about your new residence?”she asked.“It better be close to mine.Not that I’ll always be there.I have an offer from the opera in Nice in the spring.”

“We are considering it,” Erik replied with an overly serious tone.“I still don’t know if my pride can take living in this city.”

“Your pride be damned,” Adèle clucked.“I know you.If your wife demands it, you will do it.”

Erik opened his mouth in protest, but Christine cut him off.“He is rather indulgent of me.Obedient, even.”

“That’s my girl,” Adèle said.

“You’re starting to sound like Letitia,” Howard laughed.

Letitia nudged Christine with her shoulder.“She’s a good student.One whose cup is woefully empty!Let us help with that.”

Before Christine knew it, the glass was out of her hands, and Howard followed towards the bar with Adèle on his arm.Once again, she and Erik were alone.

“So, will you make me wait to educate me on what Letitia was talking about?”Christine asked, biting her lip.Whatever they were talking about had the air of desire about it.

“Oh, well, I don’t want to scandalize you,” Erik chuckled, his eyes glinting gold as he looked across the pub to where Letitia and Howard were now bickering.“You’re an intelligent woman.You can surely put it together when you think of how a man who enjoys the company of men...achieves that enjoyment.”

Christine’s cheeks would have reddened had the ale not already given them color, but her shock still must have shown on her face.Erik gave a low, warm laugh at her expense.He had told her, after some prodding on her part, what could be involved in the act of love between two men.The idea had stuck with Christine for many days, then their business in Geneva and beyond had banished the fascination.Now it roared back.

“Letitia said instruments,” Christine muttered as she glanced once more at the fascinating woman.“She meant instruments of...”

“Of pleasure.They exist in all sorts of forms and have for centuries,” Erik confirmed as if it was obvious.Maybe it was to him, but it was a revelation to Christine.“And they have been used by all people, men and women and those that don’t fit those labels.”

“Oh,” was all Christine could exclaim.Certain pictures formed in her head, so vivid and lewd that she almost choked on her tongue.“Oh my.”

“It’s a delight to still be able to shock you, I must say,” Erik drawled.

“I’m not shocked,” Christine countered, indignation rising.“I’m intrigued.There’s a difference.”

The look Erik gave her, however sidelong and fleeting, was pure fire.It made something molten bubble in Christine’s chest and quickened her heartbeat.Suddenly, she very much wanted to be back in their room and their bed.

“A woman could use these devices,” Christine said with a smile that Erik matched, “On a man that enjoyed such things?”

“She could—”

“I want it back!”

The voice was accented and slurred, and in English, but Christine understood the demand.They turned to see a patron of the tavern, a new one if Christine wasn’t mistaken, swaying in front of them.

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