Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 198

Chapter 198
Standing in the Abbey 



Mr. Punch closed the music box and sighed. He began to chatter softly to himself. “For Queen and country, they say. Like the Queen, I do. Nice lady. Smells like boiled sweeties. Likes her dogs, she does. A good lady with lots of babies, she has. Dunno. Dunno. Dunno.”

“Dear Punch,” Robert smiled, patting the other side of the settee on which he sat in the library of No. 65 Belgrave Square. “Come sit next to me so we may talk.”

“What’s to talk about?” Punch shrugged. “Don’t see as we have much choice.”

“Come and sit with me,” Robert said softly. “The house is quiet. Colin’s asleep. The staff has retired for the evening. Even Dog Toby is resting. And, I suspect that he thinks that you should as well.”

Punch looked at the terrier who was snoring softly—nestled into one of the plush chairs near the fire.

“He does want me to be still, don’t he?” Punch mumbled.

“He does.” Robert grinned.

Punch scurried to the settee and plopped down next to Robert.

“See,” He continued, “I knew that when Her Majesty wanted to see us that she had somethin’ what she needed us to do, Chum.”

“I know.” Robert nodded. “I had the same feeling.”

“And, then, she sent us back with that gift, and…”

“You don’t have to do it, dear Punch.” Robert said soothingly. “Her Majesty said that she could get a man from Garrard’s or from Rundell’s.”

“I hate those blokes.” Mr. Punch muttered.

“Do you?” Robert chuckled.

“Well, no.” Punch sighed. “Not really.”

“I’ll go with you, should you decide to do it, my dear.” Robert said.

“Oh, I know.” Punch nodded. “But, it’s a big responsibility, it is.”

“One not out of your abilities.” Robert replied. “Who better than you?”

“Julian.” Punch whispered.

“You possess all of Julian’s knowledge, dear Punch. I’ve seen it myself. You know all that he knows.”

“Still…I ain’t never purchased nothin’ for the Queen.”

“Haven’t you?” Robert smiled. “My dear, I’ve seen you select stones for their Majesties before. Each gem that you’ve set for the Prince Consort or the Queen. You’ve never failed to please them.”

“But, this is an important gem.” Punch muttered.

“All gems are important.” Robert smiled.

“’Spose.”

“Could it be that you’ve drawn the same conclusion that I have?” Robert asked.

“What conclusion did ya draw, Chum?”

“You know very well.” Robert smiled. “Her Majesty said that a merchant has offered her a rare blue diamond which was imported here from a private collection in America. A blue diamond of considerable size and unusual color.”

“Yep.” Punch sighed. “And, she wants me to decide for her whether or not to buy it. But, Chum, surely it’s our pa’s diamond. Surely it’s the Molliner Blue.”

“I’m sure that it is.” Robert said. “And, if it is, wouldn’t it be grand to think that the stone would end up in the collection of Her Majesty, the Queen? Wouldn’t that please your father to know that his diamond would forever be in the Royal Collection?”

“It’d have pleased ‘im more if it stayed where he put it.” Punch shook his head. “But, thanks to my sister, Barbara, that wasn’t to be.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Robert smiled. “Your father would have been the first to suggest that we trade the diamond for Colin’s freedom.”

Punch took a deep breath.

“My dear, just because the diamond is up for purchase again doesn’t mean that Colin’s in any danger. The initial transaction bought our son’s life. No one can reverse that.”

Tears sprang up in Punch’s eyes. “I hope not.”

“Is that what worries you?” Robert asked.

“Yes.” Punch whispered, wiping his eyes.

“Colin is safe. He’s here with us and this is where he’ll stay until he’s a grown man ready for a life of his own.”

Punch nodded.

“We traded that young woman the diamond for her son so that we could, in turn, give that baby to Mr. Cage. Mr. Cage simply wanted a male child. He didn’t know that the baby in the cradle was not the same boy. I’ve no doubt that he never noticed a difference. We know that the girl sold the diamond to someone named Cloutier. Doubtlessly, that Cloutier sold the diamond to some merchant who imported the stone here. It’s a stone fit for Royalty. If Her Majesty doesn’t buy it, you know that he’ll shop it to France or Germany. I think we’d prefer that the stone stay in England.”

“I’d prefer that it stay here.” Mr. Punch said quietly. “Here in this house so Colin might have it one day.”

Robert smiled. “I think that might displease the Crown.”

“I s’pose.” Punch replied. “Unless I tell Her Majesty that it’s no good.”

“But, you wouldn’t.”

“No.” Punch sighed.

“So, we’ll meet with the man tomorrow, and that’ll be the end of it.”

“Will it?” Punch asked, becoming emotional again.

“Certainly.”

“You promise that Colin is safe? That Mr. Cage ain’t gonna come ‘cross the ocean and take him away from us?”

“I promise.” Robert answered.

“I think of it every night when I kiss his little, fuzzy ginger noggin.”

“I know that you do.” Robert nodded. “But, dear Punch, think of Edward Cage. I’ve no doubt that at this very moment, he’s lumbering about one of his waxworks, nowhere near either of his sons, not giving his family any thought. For him, the boys are nothing but an investment. As long as he has them, he’s not going to give them a moment of thought. You saw the last letter from my brother.”

“Sure,” Mr. Punch nodded. “Cecil said that Mr. Cage is openin’ up a new exhibition. Some chamber of horrors.”

“That’s right.” Robert smiled. “So, with that as well as his plantation to preoccupy him, thoughts of babies are quite far from his mind.”

“But, what if one day, when the child grows, he sees that it’s not the same child what he bought from Iolanthe Evangeline?”

“A dark-haired, blue-eyed boy with fair skin.” Robert shook his head. “He didn’t love Colin as we did. He didn’t see anything beyond the child’s existence. He didn’t see when the baby’s first tufts of dark hair fell away to that lush growth of auburn. He didn’t notice the small birthmark on the child’s leg. He didn’t listen to his gurgles and coos or watch Colin sleep. If he had, he’d have noticed the difference immediately. But, he didn’t. Time will only bury any question he may have had.”

“I imagine that’s true.”

“It is.” Robert said emphatically. “Tomorrow, when we look at the diamond, we should think of it as a homecoming of your father’s legacy, a reminder of our joy and triumph. It’s the final chapter in that book.”

Punch nodded again. “Would be nice to think that future Kings and Queens would wear the very diamond what brought Colin back to us. It’d be like part of us bein’ here long after we’re all gone.”

“Imagine some grand Royal wedding. Some blushing prince standing in the Abbey, two hundred years from now. His bride appears and around her neck she wears a magnificent blue diamond.”

“It’s a nice thought.”

“You can make it happen.” Robert said gently.

“And, so I will.” Mr. Punch smiled.



Did you miss Chapters 1-197 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 199.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 198

Mr. Punch was already at the bottom of the stairs as Robert, Marjani and Charles started down.


“Where’s me nephew?” Punch shouted as he rushed into the parlor, his dressing gown fluttering out behind him like a red cape.

“Mr. Punch!” Adrienne rose.

“Hullo, Lady Chum!” Mr. Punch chirped. “Where’s the boy?” He glanced at Barbara and remarked stiffly, “I see you finally done somethin’ right.”

“I’m glad someone thinks so.” Barbara muttered.

“So?” Punch moaned, hopping up and down on one foot.

“The child has been taken to the nursery. Meridian is watching him with Fuller and Columbia.” Cecil smiled.

“Right!” Mr. Punch said, hurrying out of the room.

“Goodbye, Julian.” Barbara chuckled. “Or whomever you are presently.”

“Perhaps I’d better go with him.” Adrienne said.

“I’ll go,” Marjani shook her head as she came into the parlor with Charles and Robert. “Ya’ll talk this out.”

“Thank you, Marjani.” Robert smiled.

“’Course, Doctor.” Marjani winked.

“Oh, Charles,” Barbara sighed, extending her hand toward the man.

Charles walked over and took Barbara’s hand.

Cecil nodded at him, and Charles sat next to Barbara.

“I’ve done it now.” Barbara murumured.

“I’d say so.” Charles nodded.

‘Do you hate me?” Barbara asked.

“I haven’t thus far.” Charles smiled.

Barbara blushed.

“Very well, now.” Robert grunted. “What are we going to do about this?”

“We’ve got to get Miss Allen and the child out of Louisiana as quickly as possible.”

“I agree,” Adrienne nodded.

“As do I, but where?” Robert asked.

“I think the safest place for her—presently, is somewhere familiar for her. So, England.” Cecil said.

“But, she can’t go back to Fallbridge Hall.” Robert said. “She’s sure to be found there.”

“True.” Cecil nodded.

“Where else do I have to go?” Barbara asked. “I have no money. I have nothing!”

“Don’t worry about that, Miss Allen.” Cecil shook his head. “We’ll see that you have all you need.”

“I couldn’t!” Barbara argued. “I couldn’t take anything else from you. I’ve already taken so much.”

“What choice do you have?” Cecil spat angrily.

Barbara’s cheeks turned pink.

“She could go to my flat. I’ve paid up for months in advance.” Robert suggested. “Furthermore, neither the Cages nor Iolanthe would think to look for her there because my animosity for the woman is well known.” He glanced at Barbara. “Sorry.”

“No bother.” Barbara shrugged. “I know you’re not fond of me.”

Robert nodded.

“I’ve sent one of the men to the docks for a schedule.” Cecil said. “We’ll soon know when she can depart. Now, we only have to worry what to do with them in the interim.”

“Cecil, I can’t help but wonder if it would be unwise for a woman and child to travel across the sea alone.” Adrienne spoke up.

“It’s not as though I can take my husband with me.” Barbara grumbled.

“Not your legal husband.” Charles said. “But, the other passengers wouldn’t need to know that I’m not actually your husband.”

“You?” Barbara’s eyes widened.

“Why not?”

“You couldn’t!” Barbara said quickly.

“It’s not a bad idea.” Cecil replied thoughtfully.

“But, what of your employment?” Barbara asked. “You’ve only just started with Julian.”

“His efforts would be better spent on this, I think.” Robert nodded—secretly relieved at the thought of being rid of Charles.

“What say you, Miss Allen?” Charles asked.

Meanwhile, Mr. Punch and Marjani quietly made his way into the nursery.

Meridian looked up and smiled.

“Coo!” Mr. Punch gasped when he saw his nephew playing happily with Fuller Halifax and Columbia. “Look at him!”

“You wanna meet our guest, Mr. Punch?” Meridian asked.

Punch looked at Marjani.

“Go on,” Marjani smiled.

Punch walked slowly toward the children and sat on the floor next to them.

“Hullo, Columbia.” Mr. Punch smiled.

Columbia smiled and responded sheepishly, “Hullo.”

“You like playin’ with these fine boys?” Mr. Punch asked.

“I do.” Columbia nodded.

“Do you know who they are?”

“Sho’.” Columbia giggled. “That’s Fuller and this is Colin.”

“Colin?” Mr. Punch whispered, his eyes welling up with tears. “Like me pa.”

“Was that what they called your pa?” Columbia asked.

“Yes.” Mr. Punch nodded, wiping his eyes.

Meridian and Columbia looked at one another and smiled.

“See, these boys are me nephews.” Mr. Punch said to Columbia. “Fuller’s me nephew cuz he’s me Lady Chum’s son and Robert’s nephew. And…Colin…” Mr. Punch gulped, “is me nephew cuz he’s me master’s sister’s son.”

“You got a master?” Columbia asked—her eye’s wide.

“Columbia, Honey, everyone’s got a master o’ one kind or another.” Marjani said softly.

“Oh.” Columbia nodded, looking lovingly at her grandmother.

Mr. Punch reached over and picked up Colin, burying his nose in the child’s thick chestnut hair. “Hullo, Colin. Do ya know me? I’m yer Uncle Punch. And, I’m also yer Uncle Julian. But, you don’t need to worry ‘bout that right now.” The baby giggled as Mr. Punch held him high in the air.

“You look like yer mama did when she were a little babe. Guess you look like me, too.” Punch continued. “I just want you to know you got folk what love you. See, I’m gonna see to it that you get everything that’s yours. There’s a big house far away from here. It’s a fine house—grand and wide with many, many rooms and lots of land. Horses and trees and game and a big pond full o’ fish with duckies and swans floatin’ on it. And, there’s a fine, fine house in a city called London. It’s tall and white and clean with stairs what seem to go on forever. Someday, that’ll be yours, too. Someday folk will know what a good man you are and they’ll respect you and call you by your right name. And, they’ll call you, ‘Your Grace’ like what they do me—or me master—and you’ll be a Duke. Someday. See, Colin, I aim to see that you get all what you deserve. Your Uncle Punch is gonna do whatever he can to protect you and keep you safe and happy.”

Colin reached for a clump of Julian’s hair as Fuller climbed up on his lap, feeling a little left out.

Mr. Punch sat with both babies on his lap as Columbia came over and put her head on Julian’s arm.

“Meridian?” Mr. Punch said softly.

“Yes, Sir?” Meridian smiled at the pleasant scene in front of her.

“Would you do somethin’ for me?”

“Sure.” Meridian nodded.

“Would you get me dog and me puppet?” Mr. Punch asked.

“’Course,” Meridian chuckled. “You done want your whole family with ya?”

“I do.” Mr. Punch sniffed. “I do. For as long as I can.”

At that very moment, Edward Cage threw a ceramic pitcher across the kitchen. His wife, Corliss, flinched as tears darkened her dress.

“You stupid, stupid girl!” Edward raged at Zettie who sobbed openly. “How could you leave him with a stranger?”

“She seemed so nice! Holt done liked her!” Zettie wept.

Edward slapped her hard against her ears. Zettie screamed.

“Who was she?” Edward screamed. “What was her name?!”

“I don’t know!” Zettie stumbled backward.

“I know, Mr. Cage.” Odo said, creeping down the stairs like a puff of smoke.

“You know?” Edward spun around. What do you know?”

“Her name was Barbara Allen.” Odo smiled.

Did you miss Chapters 1-197? If so, you can read them here.