“Why not?” Robert asked urgently. “Just the two of us and the baby,”
“The three of us an’ the baby,” Mr. Punch tilted his head to one side.
“Of course,” Robert sighed. “Sometimes I forget and count you as one person.”
“That’s not somethin’ we can forget,” Mr. Punch nodded. “No matter what, I’m still Julian, Duke of Fallbridge, too.”
“I know.” Robert nodded, putting on his shirt.
“Well, then, you see?” Punch said, patting the baby’s stomach. “We can’t just go off. We got responsibilities. It’s already unfair, it is, that me master’s not had a say in none of this. We can’t take him away from what he knows and what he wants without him knowin’ ‘bout it.”
“Isn’t Julian somewhat aware of what’s going on?” Robert asked. “Wherever he is?”
“He’s in here.” Punch tapped on Julian’s chest. “He’s in that little room all our own—inside us—what he sits in and waits. I know he’s got an idea what we’re ‘bout. But, he’s not had no chance to say nothin’ ‘bout it. In fact, he’s been strangely silent. Coo, I hope he’s not unwell in there.”
“Could he possibly be?” Robert’s eyes widened. “Could he be ill? Could something be wrong? Wouldn’t you know?”
“I’d know if his body were sick.” Punch replied thoughtfully. “But, sometimes he thinks things what I know nothin’ ‘bout and I think things he don’t know about. We’re connected only so much.”
“I wish I understood what it must be like for you.” Robert sighed.
“Me, too, Chum. I ‘spect me master is thinkin’. He does that. Maybe too much. Probably all consumed with them memories we saw played out. It’s not over, yet, neither. Lots still left for him to know. I got worries…” He sighed. “Here, now there’s no point in goin’ on ‘bout it. You let me worry ‘bout His Grace.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever stop worrying about Julian. I know he’s in capable company with you, but still…”
“I understand.” Mr. Punch smiled.
“Do you think Marjani’s on her way? Surely she’s left.” Robert glanced at the window.
“Must have done.” Mr. Punch shrugged. “She’s nothin’ if not reliable.”
“True,” Robert grunted as he put on his boots. He looked affectionately at Punch. “The same applies to you, you know?”
“Coo!” Mr. Punch whooped.
“I’m serious.” Robert replied. “You’re very reliable.”
“Got a lot of folk what rely on me.” Mr. Punch shrugged again. “So, do you.”
“I apologize.” Robert said softly.
“Why’s that?”
“For wanting to run off. I know that we’re doing this so that we can go home and return Colin to what’s rightfully his—and to return Julian to what’s his as well.”
“And what’s yours—don’t forget that.” Mr. Punch said.
“Mine?” Robert tilted his head to one side.
“Sure.” Mr. Punch grinned. “Here, you don’t think I forgot that you’ve got a life what’s important, too. You’re a doctor, you are. You help people. There are folk in England what need you. And, we need you—Colin, me master and me. Toby, too. We all need you. You got to help take care of us.”
“I’ll never stop.” Robert smiled.
“Good to know,” Mr. Punch nodded. He paused and looked at Robert.
“What is it?” Robert asked.
“Well, I been wonderin’ somethin’.”
“What’s that?”
“You been so kind to us. Me and Julian. Now, Colin, and everyone else. You been nothin’ but good even though it’s put you in a terrible spot. I don’t know what we’d do without you. You’re like the other part of us. But, I can’t help but wonder why.”
“Why what?” Robert asked.
“Why you stick by us.”
“I promised that I would.” Robert replied plainly. “Remember, I’m your champion.”
“But, why?” Punch asked.
Robert grinned.
“Well?”
“I thought you knew.” Robert laughed.
Meanwhile, at the house on Royal Street, in her little room, Marjani glared at Marie Laveau. “I’m waitin’, Marie!”
“I see that.” Marie grumbled.
“What you gonna do?”
“Woman, don’t hassle me no more.”
“You come here for to punish me. So, are you gonna do it or not?” Marjani spat.
“I don’t think I care to anymore.” Marie sighed. “You got power. I thought maybe the only one that had power same as me was that roundheeled Iolanthe. But, you got power, too, Woman. You just use it different than we do.”
“I got power like you never saw before.” Marjani answered forcefully.
“Why would I hurt the one thing I need to make me all the more powerful?” Marie half-smiled.
Did you miss Chapters 1-218? If so, you can read them here.
1 comment:
Another great chapter. You keep everything so neatly tied together.
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