Chapter 185
A Father’s Love
Johnny Donnan lumbered into the stables—his boots caked with mud so thick that he seemed taller than usual. He was wet to the skin from the monstrous downpour and the stiff winds had arranged his graying black hair into a wild, dripping mane.
Ellen, with the help of Lennie, rose from the spot in the hay where she’d been recovering from the blow to her head.
“What is it?” Ellen asked her “father.”
“Finlay.” Johnny barked.
“Oh.” Ellen rolled her eyes. “What’s he done now?”
“He’s dead.” Johnny bellowed.
Lennie stepped back, pressing her hands together as she watched the two interact. She could feel, in the pit of her stomach, the strange emotions which poured forth from the man who had fathered her. The feelings frightened her and she felt, for a moment, as if she might vomit. She recalled Mr. Punch’s pleas to stay at the castle and began to doubt her decision to get the upper hand on Ellen.
“Did the Duke get him?” Ellen asked.
“No, Lass.” Johnny shook his head—sending droplets of cold water flying into the hay. “The African.”
“Oh…” Ellen wrinkled her nose. “You must be mistaken. Gamilla is powerless. She’d not hurt a gnat. She couldn’t. She’s too weak.”
“I saw her, Lass.” Johnny growled. “She had him by the hair. The lad broke away and flung himself into the well.”
“So he killed himself?” Lennie spoke up—immediately wishing she hadn’t.
“No.” Johnny narrowed his eyes. “No Donnan would ever do somethin’ so cowardly. Not even Finlay.”
“The African girl didn’t throw him into the well, then?” Ellen frowned.
“No.” Johnny grunted. “The lad tried to save himself and fell.”
“Father,” Ellen shook her head. “It sounds as if he did it purposefully. Let’s not fool ourselves. Finlay was not the picture of masculine bravery.”
“Yes he was.” Johnny glowered.
“Is that so?” Ellen laughed. “How many times did you take the strap to him to toughen him, to make a man of him.”
“And it did.” Johnny barked.
“Mr. Donnan,” Lennie spoke up. “I’m so sorry.”
“Aye.” Johnny nodded. “He were a good lad.”
“You never thought so before.” Ellen laughed. “Now that he’s dead, you can make him into anything you want.”
“Ach, now you’re gonna be cruel to me? What of your brother’s memory?” Johnny snapped.
“Memory?” Ellen shouted. “The man was useless.”
“How could you say that?” Johnny spat. “He was your kin, Lass.”
“He was a burden. You, of all people should recall the troubles we had with him.”
“I loved him!” Johnny growled.
“You loved him so much that you brought his blood out with your strap!” Ellen countered.
“I made a man of him.”
“Did you, then?” Ellen giggled. “Was he a man? Was that the work of his father’s love?”
“You’re heartless. I see that now.”
Lennie began to feel quite nervous. “Sir, many feel grief so deeply that they must hide their true emotions in order that they not be carried away.”
“Aye.” Johnny nodded. “You’re a sensible lass. Would that my own girl was as such.”
Ellen narrowed her eyes and looked at Lennie who blushed.
“This one understands.” Johnny wagged his finger at Ellen. “This one is clever. I’d wager, then, she knows what we must do.”
“We must not let this distract us. Surely, we’re better off without his bumbling.” Ellen snapped.
“Ach. Sometimes I can see in you so much of your mother. She was a cruel wench, too.”
“I don’t endeavor to be cruel, Father. Simply practical.”
“For all your practicality, you seem to forget what matters.” Johnny bellowed.
“And, what’s that?”
“Kin.”
“Kin?” Ellen scoffed. “You weren’t so concerned about your kin when you beat Finlay with your belt each day. You didn’t worry about kin when you handed your daughter to others to raise!” She looked at Lennie. “Isn’t that right?”
Lennie sniffed. What could she say? How could she agree without revealing her true identity to Johnny?
“Your life was not an ordeal, it seems. You had food in your belly. You had warmth and you learned to read. You even had a fine maid—this very girl here—to look after you.” Johnny scowled. “I done the very best by ya. You should be thankful to me.”
“Thankful? For casting me aside, for lying to me?”
“Ellen, please…” Lennie whispered.
“This is not your concern.”
“Aye, it is!” Johnny snapped. “Would this girl were mine own. She’ll help me. Won’t ya, Lass?”
“Help you, Sir?”
“Avenge me son’s murder!” Johnny groaned.
Did you miss Chapters 1-184 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 186.
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