<div align="center"><em>Christine Leroux</em></div><br/>Christine indeed had not heard anyone enter, and when she felt the lash, it was like fire against her midsection. With a pained gasp, she doubled over a bit as much as she could, and then frowned as she heard the woman's words. She had heard this woman in the room downstairs...or, at least, she thought it was downstairs. The blindfold and traumatic events were beginning to blur her reality.<br/><br/>Growling in anger, Christine straightened back up and ignored the warm stinging sensation that was still present on her belly.<br/><br/>"I will not be quiet until someone tells me what is going on, and unties me! I would also like this blindfold removed."<br/><br/>She was acting much haughtier than her position allowed, and her voice held a slight tinge of both cockney and French accents. It made her lilt rather undecipherable, and her attitude indicated she could have well been Queen Victoria...and not the poor flower seller she in actuality was.