Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 127

Chapter 127: 
The Buzz of Voices 



Gamilla never had a chance to confess how ill-used she’d been by Finlay and Ellen.

Just as she was about to speak, the Duke and the doctor (and even Colin) had fallen silent in anticipation of Gamilla’s next statement. Her declaration that danger lurked within the house worried her masters, and, so they offered their friend and servant their full attention. A strange anticipatory silence filled the nursery—one which had wholly unsettled Mr. Punch so deeply that even—from within their shared body—Julian could feel Punch’s angst. The addition of this anxiety to his own natural hum of worry caused Julian to stir uncomfortably, causing what could best be described as a dull pain in Punch’s stomach. He stifled the urge to belch as sweat arose on his brow and clung to the shining copper strands of his hair.

Punch and Robert watched as Gamilla wrung her hands and inhaled. As she parted her lips, the silence of the room was sliced by a knife of horrific sound which rose from below—fighting through the buzz of the voices of the guests and, even, the pipers.

Robert jumped when he heard the desperate sound—part cry, part howl and part scream.

At first, Punch thought the wail, which was distant, yet piercing, had come from within him—the manifestation of the pain of one of those who lived within the body he shared with Julian, perhaps even an entity of which he was not yet even aware. However, when he saw Robert’s reaction, he knew that the sound came from without.

So plaintiff, so mournful and besotted with woe was the cry that it elicited a similar response in Colin who pulled his lips into a frown as angry pink rose in his infant face.

“Shhhh…” Punch whispered to the baby, swaying him softly. His outward calm was belied by the expression of terror which glinted in his eyes like the stones of the ring which Robert had given him.

“Sirs?’ Gamilla yelped. She recalled the “spirit” which she had seen and grew pale. “Do ya think it was that poor lost soul?”

“No, Gamilla.” Robert shook his head. “Our worries lie with the living.”

“When I lived in Africa,” Gamilla began. “I once heard a spirit cry in such a way. Do ya think, maybe, it was the specter I saw—that man…”

“It were a woman,” Punch whispered.

Gamilla put her hand over her mouth. “Mrs. North? Cryin’ out from beyond?”

“No.” Punch shook his head. “That was a woman with breath in her bosom.”

A knock on the door made all of them jump and elicited a tired whimper from Colin. Dog Toby barked with as much menace as he could muster for he was as anxious as his masters.

“Your Grace?” Charles said softly as he and Gerard entered the nursery. “Did you hear that scream?”

“Yes.” Mr. Punch answered.

“It came from downstairs, Sir.” Gerard explained.

“From the Hall?”

“No.” Gerard shook his head.

“It sounded as if it was coming from the direction of the Blue Drawing Room.” Charles answered. “Ought we go investigate?”

“I think we’d best.” Robert nodded.

“What of His Grace and the child?” Gamilla asked. “I’d not like for them to be left alone.”

“Not to worry, Gamilla.” Punch said quickly. “I’ll lock the doors. I’ve got Dog Toby and I know how to look after me-self. Remember, I’m Mr. Punch.” He looked around the nursery. “Anyone comes in here, I’ll hit ‘em over the head with…” He shrugged. “With the handle of that bed warmer.”

“As adept as you are at striking people across the cranium, my dear.” Robert shook his head. “I’d prefer if someone stayed here with you and Gamilla. Charles? Will you be so good as to keep your post here so I can be assured that my family is well-guarded?”

“Of course, Doctor.” Charles nodded.

“Gerry, you can come with me, please.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Chum…” Punch began to protest.

“Dear Punch, you are our Colin's legal guardian. You need to stay with him. This is your place. You are his protector.”

“And, yours, Chum.” Punch replied.

“I know.” Robert smiled. “But, Gerard will ensure I’m protected. As Colin is smaller and more helpless, he needs all of your strength to be focused on him presently.”

Punch sighed. “Gerard,” he began.

“I won’t let nothin’ happen to the doctor, Your Grace.”

“Nor will I let nothin’ happen to Gamilla.” Punch nodded. “Nor Charles.” He added.

Charles nodded his appreciation.

“We’d best be off.” Robert said quickly. “I hope we return quickly.”

Robert and Gerard paused until they heard the door lock behind them and, then, hurried down the main staircase to the Great Hall. They needn't have searched for the source of the scream. She’d come out to find them.

The crowd in the Great Hall had parted as the Baroness Lensdown staggered into the center of the room.

Robert and Gerard watched from the landing as Lady Lensdown—whimpering like a child—stumbled toward the staircase. Hushed sounds of alarm arose from those on either side of her as they saw the woman’s gown—upon the front of which a large bloody stain had claimed a nasty spot.

Blood coated the woman’s trembling hands.

She stopped at the foot of the stairs and moaned, falling to her knees.

“Please,” She wailed. “Please help me.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-126 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 128.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 127

Nellie gasped, “You mean to tell me that you want me to return to Iolanthe?”

“Isn’t that what you want?” Robert asked.

“Robert, my dear brother,” Adrienne said softly, “You’re tired. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“Yes, old man,” Cecil added.

“I know exactly what I’m saying.” Robert smiled. “Nellie, you yourself have said that you’d be foolish not to return to Iolanthe’s. I agree with you.”

“But, you shouldn’t want me to go back.” Nellie frowned.

Robert sighed, “I don’t want anyone else to have to suffer because of Iolanthe’s wrath. Do I think it’s healthy for you to be in Iolanthe Evangeline’s house? No. However, I think it would be equally dangerous for you to be found absent, and, then incur her further anger. We’ll help you free yourself from Iolanthe. But, we can’t do it tonight. Furthermore, if Cecil brings you back there, he can look for Mr….His Lordship.”

“Ah, now, I understand.” Nellie muttered. “You’re using me as bait.”

“You’re the one who argued that you couldn’t stay here.” Robert replied with considerable exasperation.

Nellie began to sob. “You’re too cruel, Sir.”

“It was your own idea…” Robert threw his hands up. “I…well, frankly, I don’t understand. There’s a man who is suffering terribly because of Iolanthe’s cruelty. Him—at least—I know I can do something to help. Good evening!” With that, Robert briskly left the parlor.

“I say,” Cecil began. “I can’t help but share in my brother’s confusion. Nellie, we don’t want you to leave. If you want us to help you, we’re happy to do so. I know what Adrienne endured from Iolanthe Evangeline. None of us wants you to have to continue to suffer. However, you’ve insisted that you must return, and when we suggested that you might be correct, you’ve become upset.”

“Well, it is upsetting, my dear.” Adrienne said, putting her arms around Nellie. “Sometimes the things we know we must do can be very upsetting. Nellie, please understand, we want you to stay.”

“Then, I’ll stay.” Nellie replied firmly, “wiping her eyes. But, know that she’ll come after me.”

“We know.” Cecil nodded gravely.

“Come,” Adrienne said. “I’ll take you upstairs and we can get you comfortable. You can wear one of my lovely night dresses. You’d like that.”

Nellie nodded weakly.

“I’ll be back shortly, dear.” Adrienne said to Cecil who nodded and sank into an armchair.

Meanwhile, Robert walked angrily into the servant’s hall. “All this stuff and nonsense. Foolish drama where there needn’t be any…” He paused. “Merciful heavens, Punch has influenced me. I’m talking to myself.”

He entered the room where Marjani was tending to Naasir and forced himself to smile.

“How are we doing?” Robert asked as cheerfully as he possibly could.

“I’ve done put this salve on him. Poor fella, I know it musta stung him terrible.” She looked at Naasir. “But, it’ll help ya to feel better, Honey.”

Naasir didn’t answer. He opened his eyes and looked desperately at Marjani.

“No sense in worryin’.” She said to him, “Things are what they are. You’re here now and this is the path you’re on. We’re gonna take that path together.”

Naasir moaned.

“Have you convinced him to take the medicine for his pain?” Robert whispered.

“He won’t do it,” Marjani replied softly. “He don’t want it.”

Robert grumbled. “Why does he wish to suffer?”

“It’s his pride,” Marjani whispered. She looked Robert in the eyes. “There ain’t much more we can do for him now. I’ll stay with him. You go on and get yourself some rest. You look terrible tired.”

“I am.” Robert nodded. “But, how can I rest knowing that Mr. Punch is out there with Iolanthe Evangeline?”

“He’s comin’ back to ya, Dr. Halifax.” Marjani smiled softly. “I know it in my heart.”

And, Marjani was correct. Mr. Punch was, indeed, headed back toward Royal Street—muttering angrily as he walked. The other people on the street looked at him curiously, some stepping out of his way as he walked. He must have looked quite mad. Punch paid no attention to the people that he passed nor to their judgmental stares. He continued to walk, and chatter…

“Tryin’ to help folk.” Mr. Punch mumbled. “Tryin’ to help the very folk what made me own life Hell. Thievin’ witch stole from me she did, took me puppet body and tore it to pieces, took me master’s diamond, sold her own baby, she did. But, no, I gotta try to help her. Bleedin’ Duchess callin’ me names, tellin’ me I’m stupid just like she did to me master. Still, tried to carry her out, but she’s more concerned with her luggage, she is. Nobody wants me help. Wicked whore goin’ ‘bout burnin’ people and makin’ chaos. Just want to go home, I do. Want to play with me puppet and me dog and eat sweeties and see the panto. Everybody gettin’ in me way. Mr. Punch’s just tryin’ to be a gentleman and do what’s ‘xpected o’ a gentleman and what’s he get? Nasty folk bein’ selfish, that’s what he gets. Came all the way here to get beaten about and have to hit ugly maids with lamps cuz they’re botherin’ me…”

He stopped when he saw Ulrika Rittenhouse and Arthur come toward him.

“Lord Fallbridge!” Ulrika called out.

“Coo!” Mr. Punch grunted. “Ain’t nowhere to go where I ain’t gonna get bothered.”

Ulrika and Arthur drew closer.

“Go ‘way!” Mr. Punch shouted. Passersby paused and stared.

“We just wish to speak with you about your sister.” Ulrika said.

“My wife, Sir.” Arthur added.

Mr. Punch’s eyes flashed with anger.

“Don’t care ‘bout none of that!” Punch said loudly. “Don’t come near me! I’m goin’ home, I am!”

“Arthur, grab him!” Ulrika shouted.

As Arthur lurched toward Mr. Punch, he began to run. But, the footman was too swift. Punch could not make Julian’s legs go any faster. He felt Arthur’s fingers dig into Julian’s arms.

The sensation reminded Mr. Punch of other times when hands had hurt both him and Julian and the feeling filled Mr. Punch with an uncontrollable rage.

At that very moment, back at Dr. Biamenti’s house, Marjani felt an iciness in her heart. She hurried from Naasir’s room and caught Robert just as he was walking down the corridor.

“Doctor!” Marjani shouted.

“What is it, Marjani? Naasir?”

“No.” Marjani panted. “Mr. Punch. He needs ya!”



Did you miss Chapters 1-126? If so, you can read them here.