[Samuel Barbara] The Black Angel(Book4You) by Barbara Samuel

Author:Barbara Samuel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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Chapter 11

Adriana thoroughly enjoyed her day. She strolled boldly through the streets of London, stopping when she wished to browse the shops and stalls, nodding to gentlemen, smiling at ladies. She ducked into the infamous Child's to warm her hands and drink a cup of coffee, a shiver of cold fear and reckless excitement burning together on her spine. The men about paid her little mind when she picked up The Spectator and hid her nose behind it. The coffee was strong and hot, and after perusing the political news for any word of Julian's trial—there was none—she was on her way again.

By late afternoon the drizzle had stopped, but a cold wind came after it, cutting through the wool broadcloth to her very bones. After so long a day of walking, she was tired in a pleasant way, her spirits much improved. What cared she for the gossip of society? How could they touch her if they could not even see her?

It was a heady feeling indeed, and although she knew it was also made mostly of bravado, the relief from worry and shame was so deep she embraced it entirely. She was loath to give it up, to return home to the silence of the conservatory, the boredom of writing more letters.

For a moment she wondered about the possibility of calling on Cassandra, but her sister's note had made plain that she was engaged for the day. Idly, Adriana wondered what task held such urgency, and she realized with surprise how little she really knew of the details of her sister's town life. Cassandra might entertain lovers all day, or act on the stage, or be engaged in some other scandalous lifestyle that she knew nothing about.

Not likely, Adriana thought, smug in her own daring adventure. Cassandra had always been exceedingly cerebral. It was a great deal more likely that she'd found a commission to translate some Greek or Latin obscurity for the popular press. Adriana had read some of Cassandra's previous work, and her sister did have a flair, though Adriana could not imagine anything more dull.

The autumn sun began to sink by just past three, bringing new urgency to her need to decide what to do. It would be sensible to hail a carriage to deliver her a few blocks from the town house, but though she passed two in the rapidly chilling fall gloaming, she did not raise her hand.

And as if she'd known all along where she meant to end up, she turned into a narrow, old street near the City walls and paused uncertainly, disliking the sudden change in the spirit of the neighborhood. These were not at all the friendly streets she'd browsed today.

But there, housed in an ancient inn with half-timbered walls, was a sign announcing the stag and pointer. It stood between a bookshop and a tobacconist's. The bow-fronted window glowed with a cheery orange light.

Gabriel's haunt.

For most of the day she'd carefully steered clear of any of the places she might meet her own set, or anyone who would know her.

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