Punch's Cousin, Chapter 47

The carriage jerked as a wheel rolled over a rock. The first sensation of which Julian was aware was hitting his head on the cushioned sidewall of the carriage’s interior.


“Oh!” He sat up, startled.

“Hello Julian,” Robert smiled.

Julian blinked rapidly and looked down. His clothes had been changed from what he remembered wearing. Clearly, it was a different day. But which?

“Glad to have you back.” Robert nodded from his seat across from Julian in the small carriage.

“I don’t know what to ask first.” Julian sighed.

“Let me see if I can just clarify everything for you at once.” Robert winked. “You’ve been absent for a little over a day. In the meantime, Punch took Naasir out to Iolanthe Evangeline’s house and managed to almost get both of you killed when he decided it was a good idea to try to stab ‘The Elegant Ogress’.”

Julian slouched into the carriage’s bench.

“Iolanthe recognized some sort of spiritual threat in Naasir and had intended to burn him alive at her ‘altar.’ We did not have any success in finding Lady Barbara, however, I was able to talk the ‘Elegant Ogress’ out of doing any harm to you or Naasir.”

“Thank you,” Julian whispered.

“My pleasure.” Robert laughed. “Presently, we’re on our way to Marionneaux to the home of my brother. I had to promise Iolanthe Evangline that we’d leave New Orleans.”

Julian sat silently for a few moments and tried to process what he had just been told. “I tried to murder Iolanthe Evangline?”

“No. Mr. Punch did. And, I don’t think that it was murder that was his motive as much as he was trying to get the answers he wanted by the only means he understands. This is, after all, an entity whose main defense is to club anything that gets in his way. It’s all he knows.”

“Still, it’s rather problematic.” Julian replied glibly. “Thankfully, once again, you came to my rescue.”

“Well, that is rather what I’m meant to be doing. Isn’t it?” Robert grinned.

“You hadn’t bargained on this when you made arrangements to visit your brother.” Julian sighed.

“As it turns out, I will see my brother after all.” Robert nodded. “So, truly, it’s all working out.”

“And Naasir will be able to see his family.” Julian added. “Wait! Where is Naasir?”

“He’s up top with the coachman.” Robert pointed upward. “He wanted to ride in the fresh air.”

“Ah.” Julian nodded, shivering.

“Are you cold?” Robert asked. “I think there’s a rug here.”

“No.” Julian shook his head. “I’m tired. And, I’m confused…and worried. We’re leaving New Orleans and I haven’t found my sister.”

“We’ll go back to New Orleans. Don’t worry. I just knew that the ogress would be keeping her eye on us. However, I suspect that your sister is not in New Orleans.”

“Where is she, then?” Julian asked.

“As we were walking back to Royal Street last night, Punch recounted what had transpired between himself and Iolanthe Evangeline. She had told him that Lady Barbara wasn’t there and that she was taking care of some business. Punch was puzzled by a question that Iolanthe asked him.”

“Which was?”

“She asked if he knew the cost of a human life. A fresh, new human life.” Robert answered.

“What does that mean?”

“I’m not quite sure. However, Adrienne, my brother’s wife, had told him that when one of Iolanthe’s girls would become with-child, Iolanthe would sell the baby to wealthy childless couples.”

“Do you think that Iolanthe has helped Barbara sell her child?” Julian asked, wide-eyed.

“I think it’s a possibility.” Robert nodded. “I’m hoping that Cecil and Adrienne will be able to give us some information that may be useful.”

“But, how could Barbara…” Julian muttered. He stopped, knowing that Barbara was capable of anything.

“We shall see.” Robert said gently.

“Where will we stay?” Julian asked.

“I sent a messenger on ahead of us.” Robert said. “I’ve let Cecil know that we’re on our way. Cecil does quite well as a sculptor. They have a fairly large home on a hill there in Marionneaux—La Colline Cramoisie.”

“The Red Hill.” Julian nodded.

“Yes.” Robert smiled. “I’ve told them to make rooms ready for all of us.”

“Thank you.” Julian said sincerely. “However, I do hope I won’t be an imposition.”

“Nonsense.” Robert waved his hand. “Cecil will adore you. You’re both artists, after all. He sculpts in wax, you sculpt with gems.”

Julian smiled. “I’d almost forgotten about that part of my life.” He twirled the ring on his index finger. “It seems so far away—my house in Belgravia.”

“It is far away.” Robert said softly. “But, you’ll return one day. Now, close your eyes and try to rest. We still have far to go.”

They arrived in Marionneaux just as the sun began to set. The town was bordered by a large, wine-colored bayou lined with towering oak trees. A grand fountain marked the crossroads of the town’s major streets. To the west, a row of shops curved into the distance. To the east, modest homes nestled together for comfort. In the center, a winding road clung to a rolling hill with soil the color of crushed garnets. At the crest of the hill, sat a tremendous house with massive white columns which lined the perimeter of the entire building like soldiers standing guard.

The very sight of the mansion and the sprawling fields of sugar cane which surrounded it, made Julian shudder. As they passed by the gate, Julian squinted in the fading light to read the name which was scrawled in wrought iron across the mighty arch.

“Rittenhouse.” Julian read aloud.

For a fleeting second, Julian could have sworn he smelled dried rose petals. Suddenly a sharp pain darted though his head. As the pain cut through him, it carried with it long-lost words which trailed behind like the tail of a comet.

“Her Grace must never know!” Julian heard the words echo in his head.

The pain subsided as the world grew dark around Julian. The inkiness flooded his eyes and Punch yawned himself awake.

Did you miss Chapters 1-46?  If so, you can read them here.