Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 175

Chapter 175
Your Name is On Their Nails 


“What are you gonna do to me?” Finlay asked with more than a hint of legitimate fear creaking in his voice.

“Well,” Gamilla shrugged, sitting down on the cold, stone floor next to Finlay. “That done falls upon you to decide, Finlay Donnan.”

“How?” Finlay asked.

“See…” Gamilla set the small earthenware vessel and leather pouch on the floor just in Finlay’s sight. “It depends on a good many things.”

“Such as?”

“These things here,” Gamilla pointed to the items on the floor in front of her. “They got questions in ‘em.”

“I don’t understand you.”

“Cuz you ain’t lettin’ me talk, Finlay. You’ll have a chance to say all ya want, but right now, I’m talkin’. And, you—you’re listenin’.” Gamilla frowned.

Finlay nodded.

“This little bottle here…” Gamilla continued. “What do you think it is?”

Finlay sniffed.

“Now’s one o’ the times you can talk.” Gamilla narrowed her eyes.

“I don’t know.”

“Didn’t think ya would.” Gamilla shook her head. “Now, turn your head to the side.”

“Why?”

“Do it.” Gamilla said in a deep voice.

“If I don’t?”

“It’ll be worse.” Gamilla replied.

“First tell me what’s in there.”

“You ain’t in a position to command me, Finlay Donnan.” Gamilla snapped. “But, since I’m a gentle woman, I’ll tell ya anyway. It’s a mixture my mama done taught me to make. It’s somethin’ her mama made, and her mama before her, and so on. See, Finlay, it knows what’s in your heart. Any man or woman who takes this mixture will have all that’s in his heart revealed.”

Finlay’s lip began to quiver. “Is it poison?”

“What do you think?” Gamilla asked. “You’re the one who knows all ‘bout poisons. Right? That’s what Mr. Speaight done tol’ me.”

“You said you wouldn’t kill me.”

“I ain’t gonna.” Gamilla shook her head. “Not exactly. I just want to know what’s in your heart, Finlay Donnan. Can ya tell me what’s in your heart?”

“Fear.”

“Is that so?” Gamilla nodded. “I thought it’d be hate. But, hate and fear are bosom friends, I reckon. So, you got fear inside ya, Finlay? What’s a big, smart man like you afraid of?”

“Same things any man who’s different fears.”

“Any man who’s different?” Gamilla raised her eyebrows. “What ‘bout the Duke? He’s different. Are them things you fear the same as those he does?”

“Probably.” Finlay whimpered. “Only he didn’t have a pa what beat ‘im.”

“No. He didn’t. But, he had a mama who done beat him—not just with hands. And, he had a nanny who done terrible things to ‘im. Don’t know all what, but, I know some of ‘em. Many folk have done awful things to the Duke. Even you. Do you think he’s afraid?”

“Yes.”

“He don’t seem afraid.”

“Why is he the way he is, then? Why does he think he’s Punchinello?”

“Well, that’s cuz the Duke found a way to face his fears. A way that didn’t make other people die, and feel pain, and feel their own fear.”

“Fine, he’s a better man than I.” Finlay retorted. “It’s easy to be better when you got piles of gold in your coffers and you got the Queen wrapped ‘round your finger.”

“That ain’t why he’s a better man than you.” Gamilla chuckled. “What else is in your heart, Finlay.”

“That’s all.”

“Fear—that’s all that’s inside you?”

“Yes.”

“We’ll see about that.” Gamilla nodded. “Tilt your head to the side.”

“Which side?”

“Face away from me.”

“What are you gonna do?”

“I already told ya. I’m gonna let these things ask their questions.”

“How?” Finlay whimpered.

“You’ll see.” Gamilla said firmly. “Move you head to the side.”

“No.”

“It’ll only be worse if you don’t.”

Finlay did as instructed.

“This may feel cold in your ear.” Gamilla said softly.

Finlay flinched.

“Don’t move. We don’t want to spill it.”

Finlay began to shiver.

“Now, I ain’t done nothin’ yet.” Gamilla sighed. “What you shakin’ for?”

“Are you gonna pour that into my ear?”

“It’s the only way. Since you can’t reveal all that’s in your heart, I gotta let the mixture ask its questions.”

“I’ll tell you.” Finlay shouted, his head darting up. “I’ll tell you! Please. Please don’t put that in my ear.”

“What are you gonna tell me, Finlay Donnan?”

“What’s in my heart.”

“That’s just the first part of it, Finlay.” Gamilla said, tapping the leather pouch with her index finger.

“I’ll do whatever you want.”

“We’ll see if you will.” Gamilla nodded.

“I will. I swear it!”

“If you don’t, into your ear this goes.”

“What about that?” He gestured to the pouch with his chin. “Where does that go?”

“Where do ya think?”

“My eyes?”

“Might be.” Gamilla nodded. “Depends on what’s in your heart.”

“Please, Gamilla.” Finlay pleaded.

“You’d best start talkin’, then.” Gamilla grinned. “I can hear the questions in these vessels scratchin’ to get out. Just scratchin’. Your name is on their nails.”

“I’ll tell you anything you want to know. I’ll do anything you ask.” Finlay began to sob.

“I knew you would.” Gamilla smiled.



Did you miss Chapters 1-174? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday for Chapter 176 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 175

Robert squinted at Meridian. He was tired and his eyes burned. He hadn’t slept much the night before—getting up frequently to look-in on Julian.


“I’m sorry,” Robert mumbled. “Could you repeat that?”

“There’s a man here for to see ya, Dr. Halifax.” Meridian repeated.

“A man?” Robert asked. “Who is this man?”

“He says he’s called Charles Van Eyck.”

“I know no one by that name.” Robert shrugged. “Van Eyck? A Dutchman? No, I don’t know him.”

“No, sir, I don’t believe you do.” Meridian continued. “He’s come ‘bout the position of valet.” She nodded, adding, “for His Grace.”

“Valet?” Robert grumbled. “We’ve not advertised for the position. How did he know?”

“I’m not sure.” Meridian said.

“Send him away, please.” Robert sighed. “Tell him that…I don’t know. Get his information, if you would. We’ll contact him another time. We’ll send him a letter or something…”

“If you’ll pardon me sayin’ so,” Meridian began, “I think it’d be worth seein’ him. He seems like a nice enough fella, smart and not so bad lookin’, if you know what I mean.”

“I don’t much care what he looks like,” Robert grumbled. “I’ve got too many things that need my attention at present to…”

Meridian nodded.

“Very well.” Robert muttered. “Perhaps we could use the help.”

“Now, Sir, I don’t mean for to pressure ya.” Meridian smiled gently. “We got plenty o’ help ‘roud here. One of the men outside can come in and help if we need ‘im.”

“Well, we do need someone trained in assisting a gentleman.” Robert grunted. “I’ll see him. If you would, please, have him wait in the front parlor. I’ll be there in a moment.”

“Of course, Doctor.” Meridian grinned.

Robert looked around the empty kitchen where he’d been sitting, mixing medication for Julian and Gamilla.

Marjani entered via the back passage and cleared her throat so as not to startle Robert.

“Ah, Marjani.” Robert stood up and smiled.



“Anything I can do for ya?” Marjani asked.

“Surely you’re exhausted.” Robert answered. “You’ve not gotten any more sleep than I.”

“I feel fine,” Marjani grinned. “Columbia’s gotten her bath and is out back playin’ with little Fuller. Gamilla’s been given her supper. I done helped Meridian with the supper for the Halifaxes. Last I checked on His Grace, he was playin’ with his puppet. So, I got some free time if ya need anything.”

“Would you mind finishing these tinctures?” Robert asked. “They just want mixing.”

“Be happy to.” Marjani nodded. “You gotta get out there to talk to the new valet.”

“How did you…” Robert began, pausing to chuckle. “What am I saying? Of course you know. You know everything, don’t you?”

Marjani winked.

“But, we’ve not hired the man yet.” Robert smiled.

“You will.” Marjani nodded.

“How can you be so sure?” Robert asked.

Marjani grinned.

“Of course, you’re sure.” Robert sighed. “Well, Marjani, you never know. I might surprise you.”

“You might,” Marjani nodded again.

As Robert walked from the room she whispered to herself, “but you won’t.”

Robert entered the front parlor and was surprised to see Adrienne and Cecil talking with a dark-haired man with piercing blue eyes.

“You must be Charles,” Robert said politely.

“Yes, Sir.” Charles bowed his head.

“Robert, dear,” Adrienne began, “We’ve just been talking with Charles. He comes very highly qualified.”

“From where do you come?” Robert asked.

“I presently work for Dr. Odil L'Ebène and his sister, Miss Heralda.”

“L'Ebène?” Robert repeated.

“We know him,” Cecil said. “And his sister. An interesting family…”

“If you’re currently employed, why are you here?” Robert asked.

“Well, Sir, I think every man has a right to better himself. I don’t want to be just a footman all my life. I’d like to see something of the world. I thought working with titled people would give me a chance to be in a position where I could grow and do some good.”

“I see.” Robert answered. “And, just how did you know that His Grace needed a valet?”

“Sir, New Orleans is a small place.” Charles answered. “Especially amongst free, white servants. We do tend to talk.”

“Ah,” Robert nodded.

“However, I want you to know, Sir, that discretion is always of the utmost importance to me. I never talk about the people for whom I work. The privacy of the family is very important to me.”

“That’s good to know.” Robert replied. “If you were to work for His Grace, you’d have to understand that you would be privy to information and occasions that must be kept strictly secret at all times.”

“I understand completely.” Charles nodded.

“Do you have references?” Robert asked.

“He does.” Adrienne spoke up, reaching toward the trestle table behind her and retrieving a bright, white envelope. “Quite good.”

Charles glanced quickly at the envelope. The motion of his eyes didn’t escape Robert.

“I should like to look at that.” Robert said. “Of course, you realize that the final decision belongs to the Duke of Fallbridge. You’ll be serving him primarily.”

“I’d very much like to meet the Duke.” Charles smiled. “I hear he’s a most exceptional man.”

“He is.” Robert nodded.

“Would it be possible for me to meet him this afternoon?”

“No.” Robert shook his head. “His Grace has been injured. He’s recovering. We can’t have him disturbed presently.”

“I would not disturb him, Dr. Halifax.” Charles shook his head. “If anything, I could be of some assistance. I’d very much like to begin right away.”

“What’s your hurry, Charles?” Robert narrowed his eyes.

“No hurry, Sir. I suppose I’m just eager.”

“So eager,” Robert said, squinting at the paper he held in his hands, “that you’d forge this letter of recommendation?”



Did you miss Chapters 1-174? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday, February 21, 2011 for Chapter 176 of Punch’s Cousin.