Punch’s Cousin Chapter 323

“Be still,” Ulrika cooed as she covered Giovanni Iantosca with the blankets from the bed. “We don’t want my hosts to know I’ve snuck you in here. I had enough difficulty convincing Edward Cage to let you stay in this house. If he found out that I’d brought you to my bed, he’d throw us both out.”
“I shall be as quiet as a mouse.” Giovanni grinned as the knocking on the door grew stronger.

Ulrika, giving one last glance at the lumpy bed, opened the door and smirked at Ty Odo who stood before her with a letter on a silver salver.

“This just arrived for ya, Miss Ulrika,” Odo grinned unctuously.

“At this time of night?” Ulrika grumbled, taking the envelope.

“Yes, Miss.” Odo oozed.

“Who brought it?”

“Just a messenger.” Odo answered dismissively.

“Thank you, Odo.” Ulrika nodded.

Odo glanced through the partially-open door and smiled at the bed. “Will you and your guest be wantin’ anything else?”

“Just privacy and peace.” Ulrika snapped.

“As you wish,” Odo smirked as he walked away.

Ulrika shut the door and rushed over to the bed, plopping down next to Giovanni who grunted as she settled in next to him.

“Who has sent you a letter?” He asked, sitting up.

“I don’t know.” Ulrika muttered, ripping open the envelope. Her eyes widened as she read the missive.

“What is it?” Giovanni asked, grabbing for the letter.

“It’s from Marie Laveau. It seems she is expecting a child.”

“And she’s just realized this?” Giovanni shrugged.

“Apparently, it’s a very special child. She’s asked for me to join her at Congo Square.”

“What is this Congo Square?” Giovanni asked.

“It’s a place where the Africans gather.” Ulrika explained. “At night, I’ve heard, that the lovals perform their clandestine rituals there.”

“What is it that they call their magic?”

“Voodoo.” Ulrika smiled.

“This Marie,” Giovanni began. “She is one of the important ones, then? I noticed that—when I stayed with her—she was involved in some sort of sorcery.”

“She’s a powerful woman.” Ulrika nodded. “If not for her supposed magic, then for her limitless knowledge.”

“Will you go to her?” Giovanni asked.

“I will.” Ulrika nodded. “And, so shall you.”

Meanwhile, at their borrowed house on Royal Street, Mr. Punch and Robert exchanged glances.

“There’s no way to change our plans now, Marjani.” Robert said softly. “We have no choice but to wait for the ship to depart tomorrow.”

“I think we need to get out of this house.” Marjani answered quickly. “I can’t explain why.”

They were interrupted by a loud pounding on the front door.

“Marjani,” Robert shook his head. “Let me answer it, please.”

Marjani nodded.

“Here,” Punch said hopefully. “Maybe it’s Barbara—changed her mind.”

“That was not Barbara’s knock,” Robert sighed, walking out of the parlor and into the foyer. He cautiously opened the door and peered out—finding no one there.

He did, however, spot a white envelope on the floor of the porch.

Robert picked it up and studied it before returning to the parlor.

“What’s that?” Punch asked.

“A letter,” Robert frowned. “It’s addressed to Julian.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-322? If so, you can read them here.