The last couple of weeks have seen Mr. Punch and Robert return home to Belgrave Square with the staff, and, of course, Colin and Dog Toby. After the chaotic journey to Aberdeenshire, the lot of them is looking forward to some quiet time at home. Still, there's a bit of trepidation on everyone's part since the impostor "Ellen" was not found before they left nor was Johnny Donnan.
As Gamilla helped Gerard heal from his stab wound, the rest of the staff pitches in to help. Georgie Pepper has really stepped up and impressed him employers. Violet is filling in for Gamilla who has taken the role of nurse to Colin, and, Violet has been named Lady's Maid to the Duke's newly found half-sister, Lennie (who has decided to use the surname of Molliner). Speaight's still ailing from being poisoned, but returns to work, and Mrs. Pepper is as plucky as ever, as are Jenny and Ethel. All but Hutchinson is doing his or her part.
Hutchinson, it seems, has developed a dislike for the masters. His opinions are quickly shut down in the servants' hall, but Speaight is still suspicious, especially after seeing Hutchinson in the mews with two shady women. Speaight reports Hutchinson's bad behavior to Dr. Halifax, and Robert agrees that they should keep an eye on the man. Still, Robert knows they need Hutchinson to drive the carriage to Buckingham Palace.
You see, the Duke/Mr. Punch has been summoned by the Queen to look over an important diamond that she wants to purchase. Punch thinks the diamond is likely the Molliner Blue--the tremendous stone that they traded in America for Colin's freedom. Punch fears that since the diamond has returned to England, that maybe Colin is not safe. Robert tries to reassure his companion, but something continues to nag at Punch--a weird unease that makes him worry for his son.
As it turns out, Hutchinson was meeting in the news with Eudora Stover--the sister of the man who was killed by "Ellen," and former employee of No. 65, Hortence who, in turn, have colluded with "Ellen" to exact revenge on the Duke. Their plan? Unless the Duke pays all of them off, they'll reveal Colin's parentage as well as harm the boy in some manner. Hutchinson is to be rewarded for bringing the Duke and the doctor to the three witches.
And, he does just that. Instead of taking the masters to the palace, he takes a detour to Eudora's where the Duke and Dr. Halifax are forced to talk to the three women. Of course, Eudora and Hortence have a secret plan to cheat "Ellen" (who is going by her real name, Orpha) and Orpha has a plan to do the same to them.
Back in the carriage, Punch is furious, and when they arrive at the palace, asks for the Queen's guards to arrest Hutchinson. At first they are turned away because Prince Albert is upset that Punch and Robert were late, but one of the Queen's ladies in waiting comes to their aid. She brings them to the Queen and Hutchinson is taken away. Robert and Punch tell their tale to the Queen who affectionately promises to help them.
Later that day, the Robert and Punch return home to discover that Violet is heartbroken over Hutchinson's betrayal, and they make her see that she should stay. Robert and Punch are worried for Colin, but realize that the Queen has the house guarded.
Meanwhile, Lady Lensdown has been taken to tea at Mivart's where she sees a woman who looks a lot like "Ellen." Well, that's because it is. Furthermore, "Ellen" is having tea with Lady Constance, the daughter of the late Countess Hamish. The Baron Lensdown becomes nervous and insists that he and his wife should leave.
Constance and Orpha/Ellen talk and Ellen reveals that she knows of Constance's daughter with the baron. Orpha speaks of her past and says she has a brother--a brother who happens to be the Baron Lensdown. Constance is shocked to learn that Orpha's brother was also their shared lover and, worse still, that Orpha conceived a child with her brother. Orpha insists that Constance help her destroy her brother/lover. When Constance objects, Orpha says the woman has no choice.
That evening, Lady Lensdown visits the Duke's home where she speaks to Lennie and reveals what she saw at Mivart's. Lennie is concerned and just as the baroness is about to leave, Lady Constance arrives with news that her daughter has been kidnapped! What's more, so have the baroness' children!
So, we now have Orpha colluding with Constance, Eudora, and Hortence. She's definitely trying to trick the latter two. But, what of Constance? Surely Orpha is conning her, too. And, is Constance on Orpha's side or just her own? Now that Lennie has formed a friendship the baron's wife, is she in more danger? How can the Queen help our heroes and is Colin still in peril? Will Punch be able to meet his obligations to Prince Albert? Have we seen the last of Hutchinson? What's Orpha up to and how will her scheme affect Punch and Robert? How will the baron react when he learns that one of his many lovers was his sister?
We've a lot coming up this week. You won't want to miss a Chapter, but if you do, you can access each and read summaries in the Chapter Archive.
Thanks for reading!
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