Punch's Cousin, Chapter 11

The cabin was commodious enough. The statelier cabins had already been booked. Since Julian had sought passage on the Hyperion at the last minute, the crew obviously had to scramble to make the small cabin more suitable for his lordship. Julian didn’t mind the cramped quarters. In fact, he found them rather reassuring especially after the crawling, clamoring chaos at the dock.


Julian lay down on the narrow bed and tried to settle his stomach by breathing deeply. He never cared for ocean voyages. He never cared for any sort of voyage. At least Arthur’s quarters were nowhere near his cabin. For once, Julian hoped to enjoy a modicum of privacy. Even when he lived in his townhouse in Belgrave Square, someone was always coming or going.

A knock at the door shattered Julian’s hopes for solitude. Julian grunted and sat up. He’d ordered Arthur to settle into his quarters and insisted he would not need anything for some time to come.

Julian opened the door, expecting to see his valet. Instead he was greeted by a ship’s porter.

“Lord Fallbridge?” The man asked politely.

“Yes.”

“I have a note for you.” The porter offered a silver tray with an envelope which Julian took.

Alone again in his room, Julian sat in the small, wooden-armed chair in the corner of the cabin.

On the envelope, in a florid hand was written, “Julian, Lord Fallbridge.”

“Most likely an apology from the captain for the size of my cabin.” Julian sighed. He let the envelope rest in his lap and twisted the ring on his index finger. “Nothing more, I’m sure.”

That familiar twisting in Julian’s stomach made him lean forward again. He hoped he wouldn’t vomit.

Scratching his thick eyebrows, Julian tried to calm himself, but the perspiration rose on his forehead.

“Julian,” a voice from inside his skull called. “Julian, it’s just a letter.”

“Nothing good can come of letters.” Julian responded to the voice.

Whose voice was it? Not his own.

“Master, open the letter.” The voice said. “Perhaps, it will help you find me.”

“I’m not looking for you, Punch.” Julian answered irritably. “I’m looking for Barbara.”

How did he know it was Punch’s voice?

Julian’s hands shook.

“Mother’s right.” Julian said aloud. “I have gone quite mad.”

With shaking hands, Julian opened the letter.

Dear Lord Fallbridge,


Though we have yet to make one another’s acquaintance, I would like to request the honor of your company this evening in the smoking room. I will be there at eight o’clock. You will find me in the farthest left corner. I feel that I have some information that will assist you in your journey.


Robert Halifax

Julian squinted. He’d had no intention of leaving his cabin that night. Frankly, he’d intended to leave it as infrequently as was possible.

Halifax? Who was this man? Most likely, he was some fortune hunter looking to make a tidy profit by offering false hope that he could assist in finding Barbara. Had the news of Barbara’s flight spread so quickly? Surely his mother had kept it quiet. The Duchess of Fallbridge was never eager for the peerage to think that anything could be amiss in her household.

Julian leaned back in the chair and felt the storm that brewed in his bowels. The clouds in his belly filled his chest and spun into his head. Julian let the blackness wash over him.

The cabin was dark when Julian opened his eyes—so dark that, at first, he was unsure if he had, in fact, opened them.

“Where I am?” Julian thought to himself as he tried to get his bearings. He remembered he was on a ship. Yes, a ship.

Julian stood up and lit a lamp which smoked slightly for a moment, sputtering.

Julian placed the lamp on the vanity and prepared to change his clothes before Arthur could come to offer his assistance. However, when Julian saw his reflection in the glass, he realized he had already changed into a different suit of clothes. When had he done that?

Julian reached for his gold watch which sat on the vanity. Next to it, Punch’s tiny bell glittered atop an open letter. Julian picked the paper up to fold it and tuck it away. However, he quickly realized that it wasn’t the same note from earlier.

Lord Fallbridge,


Thank you for your quick response. I will await you in the smoking room.


Robert Halifax

Julian staggered backward. He reached for the watch again, hoping the coolness of the metal would soothe him.

“Quarter to eight.” Julian mumbled.

And, then, curiously, a power within himself, a command that was not his own, propelled him out the door of the cabin toward the smoking room.

There, in the corner, sat a man who rose and smiled when he saw Julian.

Walking over, he took Julian’s hand and shook it.

“Lord Fallbridge, thank you for meeting me. I worried that you might not.”

Julian nodded.

“Shall we sit down?” The man gestured to the small table in the corner where he’d been sitting.

“Do I know you, Mr. Halifax? You say we haven’t met, but I feel that…”

“No. We have not. However, you’ll be glad that we have. You see, I know everything. I am your champion.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-10? If so, you can read them here.