“I don’t know.” Adrienne shook her head slowly. “Nellie took him.”
“Nellie?” Punch squawked. “What’s she got to do with it?”
“She came with two men—they were wearing masks. They overpowered Mama Routhe and she—Nellie--took the child.”
“Where was Charles?” Robert exclaimed.
“He’d gone to get milk.” Adrienne explained. “He’s presently in pursuit of Nellie and the men.”
“He ain’t gonna find them.” Mama Routhe mumbled.
“Why not?” Punch spat.
“Cuz, Sir,” Mama Routhe wrung her hands. “That woman weren’t actin’ on her own, she was workin’ for someone—someone a lot more powerful than she.”
“Who?” Robert asked.
Adrienne shrugged despondently.
“Iolanthe?” Robert continued.
“No, I don’t think so.” Adrienne said. “She seemed glad to be free of Iolanthe.”
“That Edward Cage, then?” Punch asked. “Would he employ such a woman to do his bidding? After all, he must know her from his association with that Ogress.”
“It’s possible,” Adrienne whimpered. “I feel so dreadful.”
“It ain’t your fault,” Marjani said, hurrying over to Adrienne to comfort her. “You ain’t hurt, are ya?”
“No.” Adrienne whispered.
“It ain’t her fault.” Mr. Punch shook his head. “It’s my own fault.”
“No, Mr. Punch.” Adrienne said.
“If we’d just left the child where he was.” Punch began to cry. “If I hadn’t insisted that he come with us. Edward Cage isn’t a good man, but he wouldn’t hurt that baby. I was selfish, and now the little fella’s in danger. Stupid! Stupid, Mr. Punch! Naasir said the child couldn’t be mine. He said it wasn’t meant to be.”
“I don’t understand,” Adrienne said quickly. “How did…”
“He came to me. I can’t ‘xplain it.” Punch replied. “I can’t ‘xplain nothin’ cuz I’m so bleedin’ stupid!” Punch slapped his leg with his open palm.
“Stop,” Robert put his arm around Mr. Punch’s shoulders. “This isn’t your doing. And, you’re not stupid. I insist that you stop saying that of yourself.”
“But, it’s true, Chum.” Punch moaned.
“Where’s the man who beat the Devil?” Robert asked. “This isn’t like you!”
“I can’t beat nothin’ no more,” Punch cried. “I can’t. It’s over.”
Did you miss Chapters 1-277? If so, you can read them here.
No comments:
Post a Comment