If you missed any chapters of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square this week, you missed a lot of unexpected twists and turns, a lot of lurking, spying and plotting. Let’s begin with Ellen and Finlay. The week began with Ellen and Finlay lurking in Colin’s nursery. Dog Toby, feeling that something was amiss, began to bark—alerting Punch and Robert who leapt out of bed and went to check on their son. They found Finlay who lied about wanting to look at the baby. The master scolded the footman and sent him to bed. But, Robert and Punch didn’t realize that Ellen was still hiding in Colin’s room. The crazy governess had to wait until the men and their dog fell asleep before she could creep out.
The next morning, Ellen blasted her half-brother for leaving her behind. He argued, quite logically, that he had no choice. Ellen suggested that it was time for another murder at one of the Duke’s residences. Hoping the “mad” Duke would be blamed for it, Ellen told Finlay that it was his job to initiate the murder of someone close to them. She also said that they needed to get Charles and Gerard out of the way. Finlay pushed back, but Ellen, in typical form, threatened him. Finlay is happy to alert Ellen to the fact that her former employer and former lover, Baron Lensdown, is arriving in Aberdeenshire with his wife. Ellen is furious, but calmly tells Finlay that he’ll enjoy the task she has planned for him.
Later that day, Punch and Robert have taken Dog Toby and Colin to the clearing. Robert is happily watching the clouds roll by while Punch works on a drawing. Punch reveals that he’s working on one of three sketches which the Prince had commissioned for the International Exhibition which is to be held in New York as America’s answer to the 1851 London Exhibition. Punch is working on a drawing of a brooch which Julian had envisioned in 1840, but he’s made some changes symbolic of their new life. Punch tells Robert about Julian and Prince Albert’s first meeting just before the Prince’s marriage to Queen Victoria. He also explains that he intends to use fancy-color diamonds instead of just white diamonds. The two men recall their early days together looking for Barbara, Colin and the Molliner Blue. Mr. Punch begins to feel uneasy again and just as he’s about to speak, a stranger appears.
The stranger turns out to be Baron Lensdown who is peculiarly emotionless. He makes some odd comments to our heroes and scoffs at the idea of both of them acting as Colin’s father. Quickly changing the subject, the baron reminds the Duke of their shared childhood. Punch later confesses to Robert that he, oddly enough, doesn’t remember the baron, but somehow knows who he is. Robert masks his concern as Punch thinks he saw the baron go to the hunting cottage.
In fact, the baron did go to the cottage where he met Finlay of all people. It seems Finlay and the baron where once lovers as well. Finlay has been colluding with the baron on some odd plot of his own which appears to be designed to destroy Ellen—also the baron’s one-time lover. Finlay speaks cryptically about their plan and reveals the locations of Colin’s nursery and Ellen’s room, stating that he’ll signal for Lensdown to enter when the Duke and Dr. Halifax are occupied with the arrival of the rest of the staff from Belgrave Square.
One of the more shocking aspects of their conversation is the baron’s recollection of a time from his youth during which a young Julian spied him do something shocking. Fearful that Julian would reveal this unknown secret, Lensdown plotted with Julian’s Nanny, the late Agnes Rittenhouse, to silence to boy. Lensdown confesses to Finlay that he feels he may be responsible for the Duke’s alleged madness.
Later that evening, Ethel, Jenny, Violet and George Pepper arrive at Grange Molliner. Mr. Punch/the Duke had them brought from London to treat them with the Servants’ Ball. All except Vi are excited. Vi seems to be pouting at having to leave Hutchinson behind at No. 65. Charles informs the group that the Duke and Dr. Halifax wish to greet them in the Great Hall. Meanwhile, Finlay is waiting to signal Baron Lensdown.
As you can see, it was a pretty exciting week. This coming week will be filled with even more surprises. So, if you missed a chapter, you can catch up with the summaries and links to each installment in the Chapter Archive.
You will not want to miss a moment. Thanks to everyone who’s been reading!
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