Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 187

Chapter 187
Catching



Johnny Donnan jumped Charles first, but before Gamilla could scream, she felt Ellen’s hand clamp over her mouth.

Both Charles and Gamilla struggled, but Johnny was too strong for Charles and Ellen possessed the power that only hate and anger can afford. Father and faux daughter pushed the two into Gamilla’s room and shut the door.

Johnny tossed Charles to the floor where he landed with such a thud that the breath was knocked from him. Gamilla was thrown to the bed.

“Don’t make a sound.” Ellen hissed. “Not if you value your lives.”

“Death becomes you,” Charles spat at Ellen.

“I’m sure it’ll flatter you more than it did me, Charles.” Ellen retorted.

It was then that Gamilla noticed a third person in the room—someone who’d apparently already been in there while Johnny and Ellen lay in wait in the shadows of the passage.

Lennie stepped forward slightly so that she’d be seen. She nodded quickly at Gamilla.

“You remember my former maid, Orpha Polk.” Ellen said. “As I understand it, you spent some time with her.”

“What do you two want?” Charles asked.

“This dark bitch killed my boy.” Johnny growled.

“She did no such thing.” Charles replied. “Your ‘boy’ killed himself. His crimes were clearly too much for him and he couldn’t live with what he’d done.”

“He went runnin’ from fear.” Johnny shook his head. “Fear o’ what thus sorceress would do to ‘im.”

“I ain’t a sorceress.” Gamilla sighed. “The only magic in Finlay was a newfound sense of guilt. That’s what done killed him.”

“Quiet, girl!” Johnny barked.

“You’re all hypocrites—you followers of the Duke.” Ellen snarled. “You’re all so keen on finding justice, yet you’re never willing to pay for your own crimes.”

“What exactly are our crimes?” Charles spat.

“Well, for one, didn’t you lie with the Duke’s sister?” Ellen smiled.

“What’s this?” Johnny frowned.

“Not me.” Ellen clucked her tongue. “The other one—Barbara.”

“Aye?” Johnny laughed.

“You laugh, Mr. Donnan?” Charles sneered. “Where did your daughter come from?”

“We ain’t talkin’ ‘bout me, Lad.” Johnny barked.

“You see?” Ellen chirped. “Hypocrisy.”

“Maybe the Duke’s madness is catchin’.” Johnny smirked.

“Thankfully, I’m not saddled with it.” Ellen chuckled.

“You ain’t got any of the qualities that the Duke’s got!” Gamilla snapped. “That’s because you ain’t really his sister!”

Lennie’s eyes widened. She shook her head at Gamilla, hoping to stop the woman from saying more.

“What?” Johnny growled.

“That girl ain’t your daughter, Mr. Donnan. Before you start tossing out your own punishments, maybe you oughta look at your own life.” Gamilla continued.

“Gamilla.” Charles hissed under his breath.

“What’s she sayin’?” Johnny asked.

“Lies.” Ellen growled, looking quickly at Lennie.

Gamilla suddenly realized what she’d said and began to sweat. She’d not wanted to put Lennie in any danger.

“Why’d you say such a thing?” Johnny asked. “And, why’s everyone lookin’ at this Orpha girl?”

“She’s lying, Father.” Ellen said quickly. “She’s trying to confuse us.”

“No, no…” Johnny shook his head. “I know a liar when I see one, and, this girl ain’t that. She may be a witch, but she’s no cheat.”

Gamilla looked pleadingly at Lennie who remained silent.

“What’s goin’ on here?” Johnny demanded.

“We’re losing sight of what we’ve come here to do!” Ellen grimaced.

Lennie took a deep breath. She opened her mouth and began to speak, but words failed her.

Johnny turned to face his real daughter.

As he did, Charles seized the opportunity to lunge forward. Johnny, however, would not be toppled and he swung at Charles who ducked. Sadly, the force of Johnny’s swing propelled him forward and his fist struck Gamilla who had risen to tackle Ellen.

Gamilla fell backward as Lennie screamed. “Father, stop!”

The rage in Johnny’s face dissolved into a countenance of confusion and he spun to face Lennie.

“Shut up!” Ellen snarled.

“Quiet, lass.” Johnny raised a hand. “That girl just called me ‘Father.’ Why?”

“Because.” Lennie inhaled. “I’m your daughter. This woman is an imposter.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-186 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday for Chapter 188.



 

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 187

Charles and Ulrika walked in silence for several minutes before Charles looked at the disheveled, ginger heiress and smiled.


“It’s not my concern, Miss,” Charles began, “but it seems to me that a young lady from a good family shouldn’t be keeping company with someone like ‘The Elegant Ogress.’”

“I am not some insipid little thing. I’m not helpless. I make my own way in this world.” Ulrika grumbled.

“Don’t you think you might make your way toward a better quality of people?” Charles answered with a light friendliness.

“You’re awfully forward for a servant.” Ulrika frowned.

“My apologies, Miss.”

“Really, you’re one to give advice. Look at the company you’re keeping. Barbara Allen isn’t exactly the delicate maiden that she seems to be.”

“I know all about Miss Allen’s life.” Charles nodded. “It’s one thing to have a storied past, it’s another to keep it a secret. She’s been quite upfront with me. Some people, no matter what they’ve done, have a glimmer of hope in them. That makes them worthwhile. Iolanthe Evangeline has no such glimmer, Miss.”

“Did you know that she used to work for me?”

“I did.” Charles nodded.

“You may think you know her,” Ulrika scowled, “but you don’t. I can assure you of that. I could tell you a few things that would curl your beautiful hair.”

“Forget that I said anything, Miss.” Charles shrugged.

“You’d do well to remember your place.” Ulrika nodded.

“I never forget who I am.” Charles sighed. “If only everyone could say the same.”

“That’ll be enough from you.” Ulrika spat.

“As you wish, Miss.” Charles smiled.

Again, they walked toward Royal Street in silence.

“You know she’s married?” Ulrika said finally.

“I know.” Charles answered.

“That didn’t stop her husband from taking up with…” Charles paused.

“Go on,” Ulrika grimaced.

“As you say, Miss, I should remember my place.” Charles smiled.

“He’s missing.” Ulrika whispered.

“That I didn’t know.”

“I was trying to get him back.” Ulrika said.

“So, that he might return to Miss Allen?” Charles asked.

“No, you fool, so that he can return to me!” Ulrika said, shaking.

“Perhaps I can help,” Charles said calmly.

“Perhaps you can,” Ulrika grinned.

Meanwhile, back on the docks, Barbara Allen narrowed her eyes at Iolanthe Evangeline.

“Listen, Traitor, I owe you no explanations.” Iolanthe shook her head. “I owe you nothing.”

“What were you doing with Ulrika Rittenhouse?” Barbara demanded.

“What do you care?” Iolanthe frowned. “She treated you as if you were dirt. She stole your husband. She betrayed you and took your brother’s diamond. She conspired to injure your lunatic brother as well.”

“She’s still a living creature.” Barbara said softly.

“So, you’ve developed a soft streak?” Iolanthe laughed. “How novel. I suggest, however, you not waste your time worrying about that flame-haired sow. You’ve bigger things to occupy your worry.”

“Such as?”

“Such as the fact that presently, your wayward husband is chained below decks on a ship headed toward the Orient.” Iolanthe grinned.

At that very moment, at their borrowed house on Royal Street, Robert watched helplessly as Julian continued his silent battle. Little did he know that a horrific drama was beginning to unfold in a hidden, imaginary room inside of his dear friend.

Mr. Punch watched in terror as the stage before him and Julian began to change. It filled with black smoke which made Mr. Punch sputter. From the smoke emerged a hulking, faceless, figure clad in black knit. Without a mouth, the monster spoke in a gravely voice.

“Agnes!” The man howled. “Bring the boy to me. The knife is hot!”

Mr. Punch shrieked as he watched.

Julian rose from his chair and stood next to his other half, putting his arm around Mr. Punch’s shoulders.

“We must watch, dear Punch,” Julian whispered. “We must.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-186? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday, March 7, 2011 for Chapter 188 of Punch’s Cousin.