Reminder: "Punch's Cousin" Will Return on Monday

Oh, Mr. Punch. His heart is the right place. Well, it’s actually Julian’s heart, but Punch is using it for the time being. He just wants his sister’s son to have a decent life and gain his rightful inheritance. Of course, that means keeping the boy (who’s been renamed Colin after Julian’s late father) away from the whole slew of people who want to get him back. Of course, there’s Edward Cage, the man to whom Iolanthe Evangeline sold the baby. He wants the boy back and is basically stalking Mr. Punch and all of his friends until he finds the child. Then there’s Iolanthe who is a little put-out (to say the least) that her “business deal” wasn’t respected. Still, Iolanthe pretty crafty. She sees an opportunity to make more money and offers to keep quiet if she’s paid handsomely. Curiously, she’s joined forces (at least temporarily) with the rather creepy, yet alluring, Ulrika Rittenhouse. Ulrika just likes to be involved in painful situations, and she’s really enjoying this one. She’d best watch her back, however. After all, she’s still got that nice big blue diamond that Iolanthe wants so badly.

Then, there’s Marie Laveau. Marie thinks she should have the child. After all, she needs all the help she can get what with her busy schedule being a hairdresser and a Voodoo Priestess. Marie’s also got a grudge against Marjani who accidentally injured the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans in her attempt to protect the child.

And, Julian’s sister, the appropriately named Barbara Allen—the child’s mother—is still mooning over the baby she’s now given up twice. She’s also a little worried because her husband—the odious Arthur—was shanghaied by Iolanthe Evangeline and is missing at sea. But, Barbara’s got other things to distract her, too. Her brother’s handsome, and mysterious, new footman, Charles, seems to have taken a fancy to her. What’s a girl to do? Little does she know that Arthur, in true icky form, has managed to escape his captivity and will soon be on her doorstep with a new, seedy companion.

Meanwhile, Marjani has been bustling back and forth between the Royal Street mansion and the dingy hotel in which she’s installed Punch, Robert and little Colin. Of course, Adrienne and Cecil are rather distressed, too. They were more so concerned when Marjani shared her plan to fake the deaths of Punch, Robert and the child in order to frame Iolanthe Evangeline. That can’t end well, can it? We’ll soon see. That is, of course, if Marjani makes it another day. Imagine how unpleasant it must have been when she woke up to find Marie Laveau sitting at the foot of her bed.

Expect a truly explosive week as Punch’s Cousin continues on Monday. Many thanks for all your kind comments and support. I promise this week’s chapters will not disappoint.