Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 373

Gerard laughed when he’d realized what he’d done. He’d been so accustomed to being ordered around by Arthur that he’d forgotten that he could act on his own. Still, he knew he’d better get moving. Taking one last glance at the two men that he’d knocked out—each with one punch—he rushed toward Charles and untied him.


“Get the girl,” Gerard grunted as Charles weakly rose.

“You fools!” Marie shrieked, realizing that two of her men had been felled. “Stop them!”

Ulrika hastily untied Giovanni and took his hand. They ran out together, happily abandoning the others.

“Barbara, listen,” Charles rasped as he untied the woman. “You’ve got to come with me.”

“Not now, Arthur,”” Barbara scolded. “Can’t you see I’m resting?”

“Arthur is dead!” Charles spat. “He’s ashes!”

Gerard hurried over and picked up Barbara, flinging him over his shoulder. “Come on, then!”

Marie watched in horror as they hurried off.

“Miss Marie?” Several of her followers said, rushing forward. “Want we should get them back.”

Marie Laveau shook her head and grinned. “No. I don’t need them after all.”

“But?” One of the man chirped.

“Let them go.” Marie sighed. “I have other plans now. Nothing can ruin this night.”

Meanwhile, Charles stumbled along after Gerard who still carried Barbara.

“Where are we going?” Charles panted.

“Back to the Duke,” Gerard replied breathlessly.

“He won’t take Barbara in.” Charles protested.

“Sure he will. She’s his sister. Ain’t she?”

“You don’t understand.” Charles moaned.

“You got a better idea?” Gerard snapped.

Charles was silent.

“That’s what I thought.” Gerard grunted.

Further the other direction, Ulrika Rittenhouse shrieked with glee. “Wasn’t that delicious?”

“I didn’t find it so.” Giovanni muttered. “I don’t think I would call being bound and threatened a good time.”

“It was so exciting! All of those dancing beasts and the fire! It was positively savage!” Ulrika continued.

“You’re a queer girl,” Giovanni laughed.

“Aren’t I?” Ulrika mooed. “Now, come my darling. We shall return home.”

“Home?” Giovanni snorted. “Do you really think that Edward Cage is going to let me continue to stay in his house with an unmarried girl?”

“Not his home, my dear. My home! Marionneaux.”

“Where is this?”

“You’ll love it.” Ulrika grinned. “Fields of sugar cane. The bayou—it’s deep, warm, red like blood. The moss in the trees and our house—oh, our beautiful house. It’s all so perfect.”

“What of your family?”

“They’ll do what I tell them to do.” Ulrika winked.

“You’re sure of that?”

“Of course, darling.” Ulrika spun around and embraced Giovanni. “Everything you ever desired will be yours.”

“I approve.” Giovanni smiled.

“There’s just one little detail we need to take care of before we leave.” Ulrika pouted.

“What’s that?”

“It should be simple enough for you to do.”

“Go on.”

“I just need you to murder Barbara Allen for me.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-372? If so, you can read them here.