If they knew they would throw her out. Would laugh at her and say terrible things and suggest that she is some sort of a loose woman. But that is the very reason that they do not know, the very reason that she is so very careful in everything she does.
They are always impressed that she is so skilled at playing girls, marvel at the artist that Little Christopher is. But if there is one thing that Little Christopher knows by now it is how to lay low.
Her father always lamented that for all of her skill she could never actually take to the stage. But Christine learned to bind her breasts, never lets her hair grow past her shoulders, has a talent for making it look as if she has stubble, deepens her voice. And she fits right in.
She is not the only one. If they really knew how many women were secretly in the company they would be horrified, but she and Martin (Meg) and Samuel (Sorelli) are too careful to ever let them know.
But there is someone who knows. Someone not in the company, but outside. She does not know his name, knows only that his voice is soft, and rich, and he wears a mask (she thinks it is to prevent plague, but she cannot be certain) and his eyes are piercing gold like a hawk's. He meets her, sometimes, after performances, and congratulates her, and she knows he knows but he has never said anything about it.
Perhaps he will commission them. Her and Meg and Samuel and the others, but he has not, not yet. It would be good to have a patron. Good to be able to rely on the tastes of only one person to survive, and not the ever-shifting sensibilities of the public. But if he intends to he has not said a word. And she waits, and smiles for him, and does her best to hide what she is. And at night she goes home with Meg and Samuel, and it is only then that the three of them, all three together, are free to take off the façade and live, for a little while, as they are.
A/N: Up next - Kay!verse. Christine sits with Erik's body