Passage
The long passage between the Duke’s chambers and those of Dr. Halifax echoed with every breath which Gerard took. He tried to be as quiet as possible. After all, after he’d left Dr. Halifax’s rooms, he knew he was meant to go straight to the small, but cozy spot which he shared with Charles. Still, Gerard lingered in the corridor, attempting to look as unobtrusive as possible.
When Charles had exited the Duke’s chamber, after assisting His Grace undress and prepare for sleep, Gerard had ducked around the corner so as not to be spotted by his friend. Charles wouldn’t have minded if he’d seen Gerard in the hallway. He’d have known why Gerard was waiting, but, nevertheless, Gerard didn’t wish to give Charles anything else about which he could tease him. Though their early relationship had been strained at best, since being employed together, Charles and Gerard had developed a fraternal camaraderie—one that, though close and loyal, was given to good-natured ribbing and jokes at one another’s expense.
To be sure, Gerard wouldn’t have cared so much that Charles had spotted him, but he felt a sense of honor to protect the reputation of the lady for whom he was waiting. Gamilla would already be a little shy about meeting Gerard in the hallway. However, if she knew that Charles was aware that she was enjoying a late-night, clandestine chat with Gerard, she would have been terribly embarrassed.
Gerard paced, glancing from time to time at the tall-case clock at the end of the passage. He knew that Dr. Halifax would soon be exiting his chamber and beginning the journey to the Duke’s room where, as everyone knew, but the doctor tried to hide, the doctor spent each night. Gerard didn’t wish to be caught by the doctor. Again, not because he thought that Dr. Halifax would mind his valet lurking in the passage to see Gamilla, but because he wanted to protect Gamilla’s reputation.
Gamilla would never agree to such a meeting. Her sense of honor was too great. However, Gerard concluded that if he “accidentally” happened upon the girl, she’d speak with him. That was all he wanted—just a chat. He’d not had a chance to speak more than a few pleasantries with the woman in two days. He missed her. It was bad enough that he was away from the familiar routine and comfortable surroundings of Belgrave Square (where, incidentally, he saw Gamilla as much as he liked), but to be cut-off from Gamilla’s sweet smile and light laughter was too much to stomach.
Since Charles had finished with the Duke and since he had finished with the doctor, Gerard knew that the two men would be settling-in for the night together within the coming moments. That was always Gamilla’s cue to exit the nursery. She would always say her good-nights to the baby and leave the room when she heard Dr. Halifax’s voice coming from the Duke’s bedchamber. And, so, Gerard continued to wait. What was, actually, only two or three minutes seemed like hours to the impatient young man.
Finally, he heard footsteps coming from the direction of the doctor's room. Gerard grinned and turned around, turning his attention to one of the long, tall chests which lined the walls of the passage. He pretended to be inspecting some of the silver objects which decorated its surface, acting as if he was deciding whether or not the already gleaming metal wanted polishing.
The footsteps seemed somehow odd to Gerard who listened intently. They weren’t the doctor’s usual determined treads. No, it wasn’t even just one set of steps. It was two—both of them light and agitated.
Gerard couldn’t help but look. He turned slowly to see who was approaching. His eyes widened as he saw who came around the corner.
“What are you doin’?” Gerard growled. “You don’t belong here.”
Curling his hand into a fist, Gerard stepped forward—ready to do what was needed.
Did you miss Chapters 1-100? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 102 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.
The long passage between the Duke’s chambers and those of Dr. Halifax echoed with every breath which Gerard took. He tried to be as quiet as possible. After all, after he’d left Dr. Halifax’s rooms, he knew he was meant to go straight to the small, but cozy spot which he shared with Charles. Still, Gerard lingered in the corridor, attempting to look as unobtrusive as possible.
When Charles had exited the Duke’s chamber, after assisting His Grace undress and prepare for sleep, Gerard had ducked around the corner so as not to be spotted by his friend. Charles wouldn’t have minded if he’d seen Gerard in the hallway. He’d have known why Gerard was waiting, but, nevertheless, Gerard didn’t wish to give Charles anything else about which he could tease him. Though their early relationship had been strained at best, since being employed together, Charles and Gerard had developed a fraternal camaraderie—one that, though close and loyal, was given to good-natured ribbing and jokes at one another’s expense.
To be sure, Gerard wouldn’t have cared so much that Charles had spotted him, but he felt a sense of honor to protect the reputation of the lady for whom he was waiting. Gamilla would already be a little shy about meeting Gerard in the hallway. However, if she knew that Charles was aware that she was enjoying a late-night, clandestine chat with Gerard, she would have been terribly embarrassed.
Gerard paced, glancing from time to time at the tall-case clock at the end of the passage. He knew that Dr. Halifax would soon be exiting his chamber and beginning the journey to the Duke’s room where, as everyone knew, but the doctor tried to hide, the doctor spent each night. Gerard didn’t wish to be caught by the doctor. Again, not because he thought that Dr. Halifax would mind his valet lurking in the passage to see Gamilla, but because he wanted to protect Gamilla’s reputation.
Gamilla would never agree to such a meeting. Her sense of honor was too great. However, Gerard concluded that if he “accidentally” happened upon the girl, she’d speak with him. That was all he wanted—just a chat. He’d not had a chance to speak more than a few pleasantries with the woman in two days. He missed her. It was bad enough that he was away from the familiar routine and comfortable surroundings of Belgrave Square (where, incidentally, he saw Gamilla as much as he liked), but to be cut-off from Gamilla’s sweet smile and light laughter was too much to stomach.
Since Charles had finished with the Duke and since he had finished with the doctor, Gerard knew that the two men would be settling-in for the night together within the coming moments. That was always Gamilla’s cue to exit the nursery. She would always say her good-nights to the baby and leave the room when she heard Dr. Halifax’s voice coming from the Duke’s bedchamber. And, so, Gerard continued to wait. What was, actually, only two or three minutes seemed like hours to the impatient young man.
Finally, he heard footsteps coming from the direction of the doctor's room. Gerard grinned and turned around, turning his attention to one of the long, tall chests which lined the walls of the passage. He pretended to be inspecting some of the silver objects which decorated its surface, acting as if he was deciding whether or not the already gleaming metal wanted polishing.
The footsteps seemed somehow odd to Gerard who listened intently. They weren’t the doctor’s usual determined treads. No, it wasn’t even just one set of steps. It was two—both of them light and agitated.
Gerard couldn’t help but look. He turned slowly to see who was approaching. His eyes widened as he saw who came around the corner.
“What are you doin’?” Gerard growled. “You don’t belong here.”
Curling his hand into a fist, Gerard stepped forward—ready to do what was needed.
Did you miss Chapters 1-100? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 102 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.
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