“Do you really think I’m going to let you leave?” Edward growled.
“You’ve no grounds to detain us.” Robert responded. “You purchased a child—a human life…”
“Which your lunatic companion stole from me.” Edward interrupted. “After, I might add, striking an officer of the law.”
“There’s no harm done to the man.” Robert snapped. “It’s a mild concussion which will heal on its own.”
“There’s harm done to me. And my wife!” Edward bellowed.
“Your wife?” Robert laughed. “Your wife who so very quickly revealed the truth? Your wife who is abed at this moment, spitting up blood from the Yellow Fever? Suddenly, you care for her well-being?”
“How dare…” Edward began.
“Please,” Robert laughed. “Mrs. Cage told me herself that she wished that the child would be freed from this house, that he would be returned to the Duke.”
“She’s mad with fever.” Edward growled. “You and your…” He glared at Marjani. “Servant—came into my house with the intention of stealing that child.”
“A child who was already stolen from us.” Robert shouted.
“You heard the voice of the law. The boy is mine. I own him.”
“You can’t own another person!” Robert screamed.
“Really?” Edward chortled, looking again at Marjani.
“He don’t own me, Mr. Cage.” Marjani said plainly. “No one owns me. Not no more. I’m a free woman.”
“Keep thinking that.” Edward howled. “When your dear friend here is taken to prison, you’ll be sold off quick enough. You may have been freed by one man, but that doesn’t mean you’re free in this world! And, you, Dr. Halifax, will know, too, what it means to be confined. You’ll rot in prison—along with your brother and your…companion.”
“The Duke of Fallbridge will not be placed in a prison in this country. Don’t forget his ties to the Sovereign of our native land.”
“Your queen has no authority here. We shook your people loose almost a century ago.”
Gerard stood as still as possible, listening—hoping for a moment that Edward would step away so that he could guide Robert and Marjani out of the house. Yet, Edward showed no signs of stopping or moving.
“You realize, of course, that the Duke of Fallbridge has attacked an officer of the law. It’s not the first time he’s been known to be violent. And, now, he’s taken a child. A menace is a menace no matter what his connection to the monarchy of a foreign land.” Edward rambled.
“And, you, Sir?” Robert narrowed his eyes. “Are you innocent? It’s clear you’ve bribed the authorities. Your partnership with Iolanthe Evangeline certainly calls your integrity into question. I can’t believe that this land is so lawless that…” Robert suddenly caught sight of Gerard who peered around the corner.
“That what?” Edward smirked.
“Why bother?” Robert sighed, making sure not to look at Gerard or call attention to the man in any way.
“I see. Once again, the English give up.” Edward laughed.
“There are more important things at present than arguing with you. Rightness will win. In the meantime, I’d like to check on the officer. Where have your men taken him?”
“He’s out back.” Edward squinted. “What do you need to see him for? You said yourself that he’ll heal on his own.”
“I’m a physician. It’s my sworn duty to…”
“No.” Edward laughed.
“Then, at least let me look in on Mrs. Cage. If not me, then, Marjani.” Robert countered.
“No.” Edward shook his head.
“Aren’t you curious to see how she is?” Robert asked.
“Not especially. If she’s dead, she’s dead. There’s nothing much I can do about it either way.”
Marjani clucked her tongue.
“You got something to say?” Edward spat.
“No, Sir.” Marjani whispered.
Gerard began to grow frustrated as he listened. Silently, he cursed Edward’s stubbornness. Furthermore, he knew that, soon, Zettie would return to the kitchen and to Gamilla—thereby removing their only means of escape.
On a narrow table in the corridor, Gerard spotted a crystal vase. Suddenly, he had an idea. Very quietly and carefully, he picked up the vase and with all of his might, flung it down the corridor. It crashed through a window at the end of the hall.
“This’ll either save us or kill us all.” Gerard thought as he crouched down.
Did you miss Chapters 1-397? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday, November 21 for Chapter 399 of Punch’s Cousin.
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