Chapter 166:
Another Stone on Your Grave
“Don’t be shy,” Mr. Punch said as he and Dr. Halifax escorted Lennie into the bedchamber in which the entire staff had huddled.
Gamilla squinted at the woman. She resembled Miss Barrett to a certain degree and, instantly, for this reason, Gamilla distrusted her.
Ethel, Jenny, Georgie and Mrs. Pepper exchanged glances, but Mrs. Pepper soon became distracted when Colin, who was cradled in her arms, began to stir. Mrs. Pepper wondered if the baby would start crying, but he didn’t. Instead, he simply opened his eyes as if he too wanted to investigate this newcomer.
Even Dog Toby was curious. From beneath Georgie’s chair, the terrier strained to see the woman, perking up his ears in anticipation of her voice.
“Since everyone in here seems to know I’m Mr. Punch and that I don’t always speak like a Duke ought to, I’m just gonna talk the way I normally do.” The Duke began. “Unless anyone minds…”
“We like when you talk like the rest of us.” Ethel said quietly, unsure if she should speak to the Duke of Fallbridge so personally. “Makes you that more our…” She paused, fearing she’d gone too far.
“Friend?” Mr. Punch smiled. “I hope that’s how you all see me. Me and Dr. Halifax both.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Many of them responded in unison.
“Charlie,” Georgie whispered, “who is the woman?”
“Just listen…” Charles replied quietly.
“Now,” Punch continued. “We had a rough time of it, these last few hours. Ain’t we?”
The staff murmured their agreement.
Robert spoke up. “Not only have we lost Mrs. North, and seen the Countess Hamish killed, but we’ve all—each in our own way—been tortured by the woman who called herself Ellen Barrett and this worm…” He pointed to Finlay who was still tied up on the floor near the hearth. “Furthermore, His Grace has been told that the awful woman who seems to have led this campaign of torture is his half sister.”
“She was my sister, too!” Finlay howled. “My poor, dead sister!”
“Shut yer gob, ya scum!” Mr. Punch snapped. “If you say another word, I’ll crush your skull under me boot and feed the stuff inside to the fish in the loch!”
Lennie—who until that moment had been eerily quiet, almost to the point of not breathing—gasped loudly.
“He won’t really,” Robert whispered to Lennie.
With trembling fingers, Lennie rubbed her eyes.
Ethel chuckled. “We were gonna make him into a curry.”
“Quiet, girl.” Mrs. Pepper snapped.
“Well, we were.” Ethel giggled.
Mrs. Pepper smiled. “We did talk about it, then.”
Mr. Punch laughed. However, this proved to be too much for Lennie who started to back out of the room.
Robert gently took her elbow in his hand. “No, no. They don’t mean it.”
“You can’t go runnin’ out now.” Mr. Punch said softly.
“I do want to tell all of you how proud His Grace and I are of you. You’ve rallied together, truly as a family, and shown your support not only to each other, but to His Grace and myself.” Robert said to the group.
“It’s all been a bit confusin’, it has. And, I know we’re all tired and sick with sadness. Some of us is hurt—like our Gerard and poor Speaight there. But, I want ya all to know that Dr. Halifax and I are gonna see to it that you’re all safe and well. We’ll soon get our household sorted out again and shortly we’ll return to Belgrave Square and carry on, we will. We’ll dispatch the evil from our midst…” He looked to Finlay. “And see to it that them what made us hurt and gave us fright will see the punishment what they deserve.”
Mr. Punch paused and, over his shoulder, nodded at Lennie—indicating that she should step forward. She did, hesitantly.
“I know you’re all wonderin’ who this lady is.” Mr. Punch took a deep breath. “I wondered myself not just a few moments ago. She were discovered by Charles and Violet when they was carried off. Seems that this lady is a victim of the same evil what we been dealin’ with.”
“Oh…” Ethel said quickly. “Poor dear.”
“This lady has been deceived and tortured, too. I won’t be able to ‘xplain all of what she’s suffered. She’ll be able to tell us all that herself, in time. But, I can tell you who she is as she’s told me. I believe what she says. Somethin’ I can see in her eyes tells me it’s true.”
Robert nodded. “I, too, believe her claims.”
“Chum,” Punch sighed. “Maybe you can tell it better than I.”
“I’ll try.” Robert nodded. “You see, the woman who lived in our home and cared for our son was not who she claimed to be. She told us that she was Ellen Barrett.”
Finlay looked up from the floor, puzzled.
Robert continued. “She told this to Finlay, too. She claimed that she was the…” Robert cleared his throat. “The offspring of the Duchess of Fallbridge and Johnny Donnan. She was not. Her true name was Orpha Polk. Is that correct?” He looked to Lennie who nodded. “That terrible woman deceived many people and used the identity of the woman who stands before you now.”
“No.” Finlay barked.
“Skull. Boot. Fish.” Mr. Punch warned.
“The woman here with us is the true Ellen Barrett. She is the Duke’s sister. And, it seems, Finlay’s as well.”
“You’re lyin’!” Finlay shouted, struggling against his bonds. “Don’t ya think I’d know my own sister?”
“No.” Mr. Punch replied. “The resemblance between the two women is striking, yes? Furthermore, Finlay, you were ready to believe Miss Polk because of one thing and one thing only. Greed. Anything that would have gotten ya a more comfortable life seemed well to you.”
“That’ll be enough from you, Finlay. You’ll have your chance to speak momentarily. Now that you realize that you, too, have been fooled, perhaps your loyalty to your accomplice will wane.” Robert said firmly. “I trust you’ll be upfront with us now and help us put our household back to rights. If you do, you’ll find that His Grace and I are capable of much leniency. If you don’t…well…”
Finlay grunted, but remained silent.
“So…” Ethel spoke up. “Miss, you’re really Miss Barrett?”
Lennie nodded. “I am.”
“But, we can’t call ya Miss Barrett, miss. Not with the way we feel ‘bout the name.” Ethel replied.
Mrs. Pepper considered reprimanding the girl, but she concluded that Ethel had a good point.
“I think it best that we refer to our newfound friend as Miss Lennie.” Robert suggested.
“Will Miss Lennie be Master Colin’s governess now?” Georgie asked.
“No.” Mr. Punch said quickly. “The only nurse for Colin is Gamilla. If she’ll agree to it.”
Finally, Gamilla smiled. “Of course I will, Your Grace. You know I will.”
“I’m glad.” Punch smiled. “Miss Lennie is not here to work in our household. She’s not to take up where the imposter left off. No. Miss Lennie is a free person who shall do as she pleases. I know that Dr. Halifax and I…and all of you…would be happy to welcome her into our home. Colin’s got the best nurse in the world, but what he don’t have is an auntie. The boy’s got two papas, but no auntie and I know he’d like to have an auntie. And, I’d like to be able to get to know me half-sister. But, Miss Lennie can do as she pleased. We will help her rebuild her life and see that she’s always comfortable in whatever path she so chooses.” He smiled at Lennie. “You’re welcome to stay here at Grange Molliner. You may take up residence at Fallbridge Hall in Yorkshire or you may return with us to London and live at No. 65 Belgrave Square with me, your nephew and me companion. Or…if you prefer, we can find you a new house all your own. We’ve time to decide that. Just know that you’re welcome.”
“Thank you.” Lennie replied quietly.
“First, however, we’ve many questions what need answerin’.” Mr. Punch growled at Finlay. “And, you’re gonna answer ‘em—not just for me, but for all the folk in this household what been harmed by ya. And when we’re satisfied we understand and know who needs to be accountable for what, we’ll bury our dead and carry on with the business of livin’.”
“Untie me first.” Finlay pleaded.
“No.” Punch shook his head.
“I’m just as much of a victim as you in all of this.” Finlay begged.
“No you ain’t!” Mr. Punch spat.
“That woman deceived me as much as she did all of you.”
“Maybe so.” Punch growled. “But, we didn’t act out in wickedness for it.”
“You killed the woman. Murder is wicked, Your Grace.” Finlay hissed.
“I was protectin’ my household.” Punch glared. “From you and the likes of you. I admit to my wickedness, but at least mine weren’t for sport like yours was.”
“Finlay, you may continue to argue, if you wish.” Robert interrupted. “However, you should know that each moment you waste is another stone on your grave.”
“Fine,” Finlay grunted. “I’ll tell you all I know.”
“Wise choice.” Robert nodded.
“Where do I start?” Finlay asked.
“The day you first met the woman what claimed she was your sister.” Punch narrowed his eyes. “And, what led you to bathe my house in blood.”
Did you miss Chapters 1-165 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 167.
