Happy Saturday and welcome to March! We’re starting off the month with a fresh chapter from Angels and Phantoms. If you don’t remember what happened last time, Angelique has been introduced to Gustave, and it seems that love might be in the air. I won’t say anything further, so here is chapter 5. As always, leave your suggestions in the comment section below!

The sun has barely peeked over the horizon as Angelique makes her journey into the city. Her step is brisk, her face is flushed, and her gaze is sure. She must speak with someone about her thoughts from the night before, and there is only one person she trusts with this information—besides Meg.

St. Barnabas’s shines like a lighthouse in the roiling sea of her mind. She sighs with relief as she steps through the doors. The morning mass has just ended and Gérard is making his way down the aisle to bid his parishioners peace. Angelique stands patiently on the threshold, smiling quietly as she watches him praying with each individual.

Finally, Gérard’s slate gray eyes fall on her, and in her expression he can see that something is the matter. He crosses the church to greet his daughter in Christ, and leads her to a private pew where they may speak together.

“What is on your mind, my dear?” he asks. “Is it Meg? Madame Giry? Your…” His eyes drop to the locket around her neck before finding her eyes again.

Angelique shakes her head, touching the self-same artifact. “Nothing like that this time,” she assures him.

He furrows his brow. “Then what is the matter?”

Angelique hesitates before saying, “You’ll think me a silly girl.”

“Of course not, Angelique! Tell me.”

Angelique sighs before pouring out her story to him. The priest listens with episcopal grace, his hands folded in his lap, nodding and understanding. His paternal instincts are on high alert: after all, Angelique is as good a daughter to him as to Madame Giry. When the mention of a gentleman occurs in his conversation with her, he does his best not to frown, especially when the name ‘de Fontaine’ comes up.

When Angelique concludes her tale, Gérard takes a deep breath before beginning. This is obviously a touchy subject for young women, so he knows that he must approach it with grace as well as truth. “Well, Angelique,” he says, “this is…certainly a dilemma.”

“Meg says that Monsieur de Fontaine is smitten with me,” Angelique says. “I told her it wasn’t true, but now I’m not so sure.”

Gérard nods again. “If he is smitten,” he explains, “then he will find it in his heart to pursue you. The only question that remains is whether or not you will allow him to.” He holds his hands up when Angelique begins to protest. “I’m not trying to make a decision for you, Angelique, just let me ask you: if he was to pursue you, would you accept him?”

Angelique pauses, considering. Then she furrows her brow. “I…I believe that I might, but I can’t be sure.”

Gérard nods again. “Then I encourage you to proceed with caution. While his family may appear benevolent, the love of riches has the power to corrupt good character.”

Angelique thinks before nodding and rising to go. Gérard rises with her, escorting Angelique to the door. They exchange a brief handshake and goodbye, with Gérard assuring Angelique that he’d pray for her. He waves as she descends the steps, but as soon as she turns her back, Gérard’s smiles fades.

“God be with you, my dear,” he murmurs. He turns back to the church, shaking his head. Then he looks up. He sees a silhouette move away from the stained glass window on one of the steeples and frowns.