Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square will continue on Monday

Since Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square debuted, our Duke of Fallbridge and Dr. Robert Halifax have had some interesting experiences.  To begin with, they had to go through the task of staffing their household at No. 65 Belgrave Square as well as finding a suitable governess for little Colin. 

They were fortunate to find a stable governess in Ellen Barrett.  She quickly earned the trust of the two gents who shared the Duke’s secret with her—that he is two men in one body, and most of the time is “Mr. Punch” as opposed to the Duke of Fallbridge.

Overall, the staff was quite reliable and agreeable—with one exception: Hortence the under-house maid.  Hortence proved to be a little icky, especially when she was caught by Ellen listening at the Duke’s bedroom door while Charles, the valet, was dressing His Grace.  Robert had no choice but to dismiss the girl, but she didn’t leave without first declaring war on the household.  Hortence threatened to tell all of London Society that the Duke was mad and that he and Robert had what she deemed an “improper” relationship.  I’m sure you don’t expect that Hortence has just disappeared.  No, we’ve not heard the last of her.

Since Punch and Robert were on their way to Buckingham Palace to meet with Prince Albert, Robert didn’t share the downstairs drama with Punch who was already nervous.  Robert also was keeping another secret.  Robert’s brother had, via letter, urged him to write a book about his experiences with the Duke/Mr. Punch.  However, Robert felt it would be a betrayal.  When Robert even innocently questioned Punch about how his mind works, the poor man flew into a fit of depression.  So, Robert felt he had no choice but no abandon the idea.  However look for Robert to continue to yearn for a career as a medical author.  I wonder how Punch will respond to that.  As Punch tries to create the jewel that Prince Albert commissioned him to make for the very pregnant Queen Victoria, expect a voice from the past to haunt our hero.

Meanwhile, Ellen has been taken aback by a mysterious gift of flowers left for her by someone called “Victor.”  She seemed a bit confused when the kitchen maid, Jenny, described the man as a freckly ginger.  What’s Ellen hiding?  And, what about that strange letter and yellow carnation that Ellen found on the front steps?

A mystery is unfolding which will change life in No. 65 forever as well as have far-reaching consequences which may have roots at Buck House.

Come back on Monday for the next chapter of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.  If you’ve missed any chapters, you can find links to each one as well as a tidy little summary for each in the Chapter Archive.