Mr. Punch shook Julian’s head and sighed. “Non. J'ai été attend son. J'ai longtemps avait le sens qu'elle est ici, j'ai. Je ne sais pas pourquoi elle est ici, mais elle est,” Mr. Punch responded—rather surprised at first that he knew French. He shrugged, recalling that the things that Julian knew, he also knew. He added, “Don’t worry, Lady Chum. Remember, I beat the Devil.”
“Not alone, you don’t.” Adrienne responded.
“You want for me to take the baby?” Meridian asked.
“Yes, please, Meridian.” Adrienne nodded, gently placing Fuller in the woman’s arms. “Will you see to it that he’s fed?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Meridian smiled. “Your Lordship, I done put that lady in the front parlor.”
“Thank you, Meridian.” Mr. Punch said softly.
“I can tell her to go away.” Meridian said quickly. “I can tell her you’re not here. Just she was so insistent that she see you. Seems kind of wild, that one. Demanded that I let her in cuz she’s your mama.”
“It’ll be fine, Meridian.” Mr. Punch smiled weakly. “You did the right thing, you did.”
“Meridian,” Adrienne rose from the chair, “Will you send one of the men up to alert my husband and his brother that Her Grace has arrived.”
“Sure will,” Meridian nodded. “Will she be stayin’ here?”
“No.” Mr. Punch and Adrienne answered in unison.
Meridian chuckled. “If you need me, just ring the bell and I’ll come a-runnin’.”
“Merci.” Adrienne said.
Meridian left through the door at the rear of the room. Fuller cried and reached his arms out—wanting his mother. “It’ll be good in the end, Little Chum.” Mr. Punch smiled at the baby who stopped his crying. “Never fear. Here, you take Toby with you for company.” He looked to the dog, “Toby, go with Meridian and the little man.” Toby trotted off, following Meridian.
Mr. Punch glanced at the puppet which still happily sat at the dining table. “I ‘spose we’d better leave me wooden chum here.”
Punch and Adrienne stood silently in the dining room for a few seconds.
“You know I’m going with you.” Adrienne said finally.
“You don’t have to do that, Lady Chum.” Mr. Punch answered.
“I’m afraid you have no choice, chers Punch. I’m going whether you like it or not.”
“She’s going to chew you up.” Mr. Punch sighed.
“I’m not afraid of her.” Adrienne smiled. “Remember, you’re not the only one who can beat the devil. We’ve got the angels fighting on our side.”
“Gonna need a lot of angels.” Mr. Punch grumbled. “We’d better go. Her Grace don’t like to be kept waitin’.” He slid open the pocket doors.
“Punch, hadn’t you better speak as Julian might?” Adrienne asked as they walked into the hallway.
“Yes.” Mr. Punch answered quickly. “I hadn’t thought of that. It’d be worse if I use me own voice. Don’t rightly know what I’ll say to her. How’d she find us?”
“I’m not sure, my dear.” Adrienne responded softly. “But, we’re soon to find out.”
Very slowly, Mr. Punch walked through the tall archway into the parlor, followed closely by Adrienne.
The Duchess scowled from her perch in the small settee by the fireplace.
“What took you so long?” She hissed. “Always dawdling. Don’t you know I traveled a long way to get here?”
“I know, Mother.” Mr. Punch answered in Julian’s voice.
“That’s all you have to say to your mother?” The Duchess asked. “No greeting? No affection?”
“Of course, Mother.” Mr. Punch bowed his head. “Good morning. It’s always…” He searched for the right words. “…so interesting to see you.”
“You sound strange.” The Duchess frowned. “Stranger than usual. And who is this?” She glared at Adrienne.
“Adrienne Halifax, may I present Her Grace, Pauline, The Duchess of Fallbridge.” Mr. Punch said, still affecting Julian’s voice. “My mother.”
Adrienne curtsied. “It’s a pleasure, Your Grace.”
“Where’d you find this one?” Pauline sniffed. “Though I can’t say that I’m unhappy to see you with a woman.”
“I’ve been traveling with Adrienne, her husband, and her husband’s brother.” Mr. Punch explained. “They’ve been very good to me.”
“How grand of them.” The Duchess smirked. “I don’t suppose their kindness has anything to do with your enormous wealth.”
“I don’t think it does, Mother.” Mr. Punch said as Julian. “Cecil and Adrienne have a fair amount of wealth of their own. And, Robert—Dr. Halifax—has no need to be mercenary.”
“Likely.” Pauline coughed.
“Do sit, Adrienne,” Mr. Punch said to his friend. Adrienne sat—uncomfortably—in the chair across from Her Grace.
“How did you find me, Mother?”
“Do you think it’s difficult to find someone?” Pauline answered. “Well, I suppose you would. You’ve not had much success in finding your sister. Have you?”
“I’ve found her.” Mr. Punch answered. “I know exactly where she is and what she’s been doing. Do you?”
“Insolent boy!” The Duchess spat. “I did not sail to this God forsaken place to be abused by my own son!”
“Why did you sail here?”
“How many weeks have passed?” The Duchess growled. “How many weeks have passed with no word from you? I feared you’d both been murdered—like your poor father.”
“I see you’ve cut short the period of mourning.” Punch said, gesturing to the duchess’ deep blue gown and glittering jewelry of sapphires.
“Hold your tongue.” Pauline growled. “Go and pack your things. You’re coming with me.”
“I’ll do no such thing.”
“Your place is with your family.”
“You’re correct, Mother. And, I’m with my family, I am. These people have been more of a family to me than you ever were.” Punch answered, his own voice creeping into his speech slightly.
The Duchess of Fallbridge raised her eyebrows. “How dare you speak to me that way?”
“It’s ‘bout time someone did!” Mr. Punch shouted.
“Dear God, you are mad.” Pauline responded angrily. “And, you…” She turned to Adrienne. “You and your lot have only encouraged his lunacy!”
“We encourage him to be himself.” Adrienne said plainly. “We respect and love him for who and what he is. Isn’t that what a family does?”
“Listen, you trollop.” The Duchess of Fallbridge shouted. “You have no right to speak to me that way!”
“And, you have no right to speak to my wife that way,” Cecil said firmly as he entered the room, followed by Robert. Both of them had bits of shaving cream clinging to their ears as they obviously had hurried down the stairs.
“Look, it’s carnival time at the fairgrounds.” The Duchess moaned. “I suppose you’re the Misters Halifax I’ve heard of.”
“We’ve heard of you, too, Your Grace.” Robert said, going to stand next to Mr. Punch. “And, to be accurate, I am Dr. Halifax.”
“How nice for you, Doctor.” Pauline smirked. “How convenient to have a doctor so close at hand. Perhaps you can help me, Doctor. I think it’s time to ensure the safety of my son. Can you recommend a cozy little asylum to which I can commit this shameful creature who bears my name?”
Did you miss Chapters 1-111? If so, you can read them here.
5 comments:
It must be rather interesting for Her Grace to be presented with a phalanx of people who don't fall on their faces to her.
How nice!
I can't imagine that she likes it too much. It is rather fitting. Unfortunately, it's only going to make her more unpleasant.
I can't wait to see how this turns out!
Oh, the Duchess, not exactly mother of the year material.
No, not hardly, Darcy. Thanks for reading!
Post a Comment