“You look tired,” Gerry nodded as Charles returned to the little closet in Marie Laveau’s house in which they had been allowed to stay.
“Not terribly,” Charles smiled.
“I feel pretty bad, you havin’ to do my work for me.” Gerard said.
“You’ll be back on your feet soon enough. I think the voyage will be good for all of us—the Duke and the doctor included. We’ve all been through an ordeal and could use a rest. Before you know it, you’ll be back to your old self.”
“I will.” Gerard answered quickly. “And, when I am, I want you to know that I’ll make it up to you.”
“There’s nothing to make up.” Charles chuckled. “We’re in this together.”
“Never thought I’d hear that from you,” Gerard laughed.
“We did get off to a rather bad start, then, didn’t we?” Charles shook his head. “I hope you’ll accept my apologies for that. I was…under a spell of sorts.”
“Sure. It’s nothin’.” Gerard grinned. “Think no more of it.”
“I was unkind to you.”
“And, maybe I deserved it.” Gerard shrugged, cringing a bit as pain darted between his shoulders. Though he was much improved, he still was suffering from the beating he’d received from Marie’s men. “I think we were both under a spell of sorts. Don’t you? You had Miss Allen in your ear, and I had Arthur. He had all sorts of promises, that one. Sad to say, but I’m glad the fever got him. It set both him and me free. If it wasn’t for the Duke, I’d be out on the street, so I’m thankful for each day.”
“As am I.” Charles nodded. “I suspect we can learn quite a lot from His Grace.”
“Sure we can,” Gerard responded. “He’s a fine fella. Once yet get past him bein’ a bit…err…different.”
“I confess I had difficulty with that at first.” Charles sighed. “I shouldn’t have judged him.”
“It’s hard not to.” Gerard said. “I did it, too. Had Arthur whisperin’ to me ‘bout how much a loon the Duke was.”
“Arthur.” Charles shook his head. “He was the ruin of many.”
“And now he’s gone.”
“And, here we are in Marie Laveau’s house.” Charles teased.
“Never thought I’d be here as a guest—not after what she done to me.” Gerard muttered.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better.” Gerard smiled. “Still stiff. But, I’m better each day. Thanks again for lookin’ after His Grace and the Doctor tonight. Like I said, I’ll be back at my post in a few days.”
“We’re not going to say anything more about it.” Charles tossed a pillow at Gerard.
“Remember?”
“Right.” Gerard laughed. “Glad we’re friends, you and I.”
“Me, too.” Charles settled back onto his cot. “Just think, soon we’ll be back in England—in a fine house in Belgrave Square, takin’ care of two proper gentlemen.”
Gerard nodded.
“One of whom is a Duke with ties to the Queen and the Prince Consort.” Gerard chuckled. “Wouldn’t me mum be proud?”
“I’ll wager.” Charles sighed.
“And, a fine boy in the household, too. Always nice to have a child about.”
“They’ll need a governess.” Charles replied thoughtfully.
“They’re plentiful in Belgravia.” Gerry laughed.
“True enough.” Charles answered. “Pity Gamilla can’t come. I know you’re fond of her.”
“I am.” Gerry frowned. “More than I should be, I think.”
“I understand.” Charles said softly. “It’s a shame.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t know.” Charles rolled over. “That—well, you like Gamilla, but you can’t court her because she’s…”
“Different than me.” Gerry suggested.
“Sure.” Charles nodded.
“I know what that’s like—in a way.” Charles snorted. He sat up. “If Barbara Allen had still been a lady, well, she’d never have fancied me.”
Gerard was about to remind Charles that before him, Barbara had “fancied” Arthur, another valet, but he thought better of it—especially since they had just begun to be friendly with one another.
Instead, he asked. “Did you love her awful much?”
“I did.” Charles mumbled. He took a deep breath. “Ah well.”
“The world is strange.” Gerard sighed. “Ain’t it?”
“It is.” Charles responded. “Still, I suppose there’s hope. Look at the Duke and Dr. Halifax. They’re both different in their own ways. Yet, they’ve quietly made a family of themselves.”
“Yeah.” Gerard answered. “But, they’re rich, eh? They can afford to be different.”
“The doctor’s not rich.” Charles cocked his head to one side.
“He is now, ain’t he?” Gerry nodded. “Now that he’s gonna stay with the Duke. His Grace is very wealthy.”
“Hmmm…I guess so.”
“Either way, they’re both richer than us.” Gerard chuckled.
“Isn’t that the truth?”
“Gold gives you a little more freedom.” Gerry sighed.
“Maybe just a little.” Charles shrugged. “But, the Duke and Dr. Halifax—people in their class may not ask questions, but you can bet they’ll talk amongst themselves. There isn’t freedom in the words of others. You and I—no one cares so much what we do as long as we seem to stick to the rules.”
Gerry snorted. “I guess no one’s so awful free, are they?”
“No.”
They sat in silence for awhile.
“Yep, it’ll be a good rest.” Gerry mumbled after awhile. “Rockin’ back and forth on that ship.”
“A good rest,” Charles repeated drowsily. “And, then, home.”
“My first…” Gerry whispered.
“Mine, too.” Charles sighed as they both fell asleep.
Did you miss Chapters 1-495? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday, March 26, 2012 for Chapter 496 of Punch’s Cousin. There are only four chapters remaining in this series. So, make sure to not miss the conclusion of Punch’s Cousin. On April 2, 2012, a new series—Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square—will debut in this spot.
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