Mr. Punch paced slowly and deliberately in front of the mantel in his room.
“You’re going to have to get back in bed, you know.” Robert sighed.
“Can’t.” Mr. Punch grunted. “I got too much in me head.” He paused. “Funny, isn’t it? Me having somethin’ in me head where there weren’t nothin’.”
“You’ve always had thoughts, Mr. Punch. You were never just a puppet.” Robert smiled.
“But, I was. I weren’t nothin’ ‘til me master made me somethin’ more than I was. I owe him the thoughts in me head. I owe him lots.”
“Including raising his nephew?”
Mr. Punch chuckled. “I see you’ve got me figured out.”
“As best as anyone could.” Robert nodded.
“Sure, you’re spot on.” Punch shrugged. “I owe me master an heir. What’s more I owe it to him to take better care of that baby than I did of me master himself.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Robert asked. “From within him, you’ve done more to protect and preserve Julian than anyone outside of the two of you.”
“’Cept for you.” Mr. Punch sighed. “Listen, I ‘preciate you sayin’ so, but I didn’t do enough for Julian. So much happened to him what could have been avoided. All I could do was to keep him from rememberin’ it all. But, even that’s been ruined now. He’s rememberin’ and he’s sure to learn more.”
“And, he should.” Robert said. “He’s grown and changed. He’s ready to face the past so that he—and you—can have a strong, healthful life.”
“And so should that child.” Mr. Punch mumbled. “He ain’t gonna suffer the way Julian did.”
“No.” Robert shook his head slowly.
“But, see, with all three of us—you, me and Julian—looking after the boy, he’s gonna have no pain nor no worries what will make him afraid of life.”
“You can’t shield someone from all pain, “ Robert replied gently. “It’s not possible. Nor is it right. Pain is part of life. Without it, we’d never know true joy.”
“I ‘spose.” Mr. Punch replied thoughtfully. “But, there’s a difference between pain and tragedy, there is.”
“True.” Robert nodded.
“So, have you thought all of this out?” Robert wondered.
“As best I can. I figure we’ll take the boy to London. We can live at me master’s house in Belgravia for a spell. When things calm down with Edward Cage, we can all go back to Fallbridge Hall and make it our own. We can show the lad all what’s gonna be his one day and teach him what it means to be called, ‘Your Grace.’ He’ll live the life me master shoulda lived.”
“And, won’t people question from where the child came?”
“So what if they do?” Mr. Punch shrugged again. “Let ‘em question. Ain’t nothin’ they can do ‘bout it. We’ll just tell ‘em that we found the child in America and made him my ward. I never want him to know his parentage.”
“You’d deny him the right to know that he has Molliner blood in his veins?”
“Who cares what blood runs in his body? He’ll be a Molliner because he was raised as such. What’s more, he’ll inherit my title—me master’s title, I mean—and I’ll make sure he’s the kind of Duke of Fallbridge what hasn’t been in years and years. The kind of man what looks after the people. The kind of man what’s kind and supportive and looks after our history and our present. Better still, he’ll have your influence. He’ll learn to be gentle, but strong and what it means to take care of those ‘round him.”
“I’ll try my best.” Robert smiled. “I never thought of myself as the paternal sort. Having a child is not something I ever fancied.”
“Me neither.” Mr. Punch said. “But, I never ‘xpected none of this. So, you learn ‘bout it as you go.”
“Mr. Punch with a baby,” Robert chuckled. “Who would have thought?”
“Not I. Didn’t even like babies ‘til I met Fuller. But, what do I know? Right? Only baby I ever knew was one made of wood.”
Robert laughed.
Punch began pacing again. “Course, none o’ this will happen if Charles don’t find them.”
“He’ll find them.” Robert answered. “I know he will. Furthermore, Marjani…” He stopped.
“Marjani what?”
“Marjani told me that Charles would find them. I never believed it until I met her—that someone could have a sense of what might happen before it does, but somehow, I trust her instincts. It doesn’t make perfect sense, but she’s not been mistaken yet.”
“That comforts me.” Mr. Punch nodded, walking over to the bed and sitting on the edge of it.
“In fact, she’s followed Charles.”
“Good to know. He may need her help.” Punch said.
“Though he may not realize it.” Robert sighed.
Meanwhile, behind St. Louis Cathedral, Barbara Allen sat on the ground with her child on her lap. Despite the cold night wind, she was perspiring and her wig had become itchy, irritating her forehead and neck. She tried to remain unflappable for the sake of the child who was clearly confused—and hungry.
She could tell that the baby was becoming fussy and though she knew nothing about children, her maternal instincts told Barbara that her child wanted food.
“I have nothing for you, Colin.” Barbara whispered. “Not yet, but soon.”
Barbara heard footsteps on the path and drew the baby closer to herself. She whispered a short prayer and looked up.
“Oh!” Barbara gasped. “Thank God! I prayed you would come!”
“You knew that I would.” Charles whispered.
“You’re coming with us?” Barbara asked.
“Barbara,” Charles began.
“No.” Barbara shook her head. Not you, too. I can’t believe that you’d ask me to give up my child.”
“It’s for the best.” Charles smiled. “His Grace and Dr. Halifax can give him a good home. No one will question it. Meanwhile, you’d always be living in secret, flitting from one place to another. What kind of life is that? For either of you?”
“He’s my child.” Barbara replied.
“Yes, he is. And, that’s all the more reason to ensure he lives that best possible life. Barbara, I know what it’s like to always be running. Is that what you wish for your boy? Is that what he deserves?”
“He deserves to be with his mother!” Barbara spat. “If I thought he should be without me, I’d have left him with Edward Cage!”
“Isn’t that interesting?” a woman said deeply from the shadows.
Barbara gasped—thinking that the voice was that of Iolanthe. She was almost relieved to see that it belonged to Marie Laveau—almost relieved.
“Marie,” Barbara said quickly.
“What are you about?” Marie smiled.
“Please, Marie,” Barbara said. “Leave. Put this from your mind. You never saw us here.”
“Now, I wish that were true.” Marie chuckled. “But, it ain’t. Don’t I got enough troubles without you stealin’ babies from one of my best customers?”
“A child belongs with his mother,” Barbara said.
“Is that what you think?” Maries asked. She looked to Charles, “Mr. Van Eyck, do you think so?”
“I think a child belongs in the situation which will give him the best life.” Charles responded nervously.
“I can’t argue that,” Marie grinned. “That’s why I’m gonna give it to him.”
Did you miss Chapters 1-202? If so, you can read them here.
