“
Hullo, Sir.” Columbia smiled at Edward Cage.
“Good evening, little girl.” Edward replied, forcing himself to be pleasant. “You say you want to play with the ‘boys’? Which boys do you mean?”
“Uncle Punch and Uncle Robert,” Columbia answered.
“Uncle Punch and Uncle Robert,” Edward grumbled. He glared at Mr. Punch. “So, Your Grace, now you’ve got your servants’ children calling you by that fool name?”
Mr. Punch nodded, speaking as Julian, “Mr. Cage, it’s a term of affection. Something, I’m sure that you’d not understand.”
“That’s fine, Columbia.” Marjani said quickly. “His Grace and Dr. Halifax will join you downstairs when the big people are through with their talking.”
Columbia nodded.
“Wish Mr. Cage and Miss Rittenhouse a good evening.” Marjani said softly.
“Good evening,” Columbia curtsied. She smiled at Ulrika. “Your hair is the color of fire.”
“Fire burns, little girl.” Ulrika cooed.
“I ‘spose it does.” Columbia shrugged. “Hope it don’t hurt your head.” With that, Columbia ran off to go play with Toby.
“Edward,” Cecil spoke up. “As you can see, your son is not here.”
“I see nothing of the sort.” Edward spat.
“Mr. Cage, do you really think His Grace would put himself out to do anything to assist his sister?” Robert asked.
“You’re asking me to predict the actions of a man who fancies that he’s some sort of incarnation of a wooden-headed puppet?”
“In my case,” Punch smiled, still speaking in Julian’s voice. “I was partly papier mache. You see, I was not a regulation Mr. Punch, but rather one created for a child.”
“You see?” Edward bellowed. “He’s mad. There’s no telling what he’d do.”
“You can tear the house apart.” Robert said, “but you won’t find that child here.”
“This isn’t over.” Edward said.
“You’re not going to leave, really?” Ulrika gasped. “You must make them pay for what they’ve done.”
“Dwelling here, Ulrika, isn’t going to bring Holt back to me. These people aren’t going to cooperate.” Mr. Cage snorted.
“Edward!” Ulrika argued.
“Quiet, you.” Edward growled.
“We wish you all the best of luck in finding what you seek.” Adrienne said.
“And, I wish you the best of luck, Mrs. Halifax.” Edward snarled.
“Whatever do you mean?” Adrienne asked.
“I hope you all enjoy being watched.” Edward grinned. “I will make sure that no one exits or enters this house without my knowing. I will know whenever a candle is lit in any room. I will monitor every breath you take. Until I find my son, I will study every blink of your eyes.”
“Do as you wish, Edward, but please leave my home,” Cecil answered.
“No, this isn’t over,” Edward repeated. “You’ve made a terrible enemy in me.”
“Everyone is your enemy.” Cecil shook his head. “Perhaps that’s why your child has been taken from you. You’d do better to focus on the people who’d do you harm than those who simply wish to be left alone.”
“Come, Ulrika!” Edward groaned.
“Edward, really.” Ulrika whispered.
“Come!” Edward spat. He laughed, looking at each face in the room, “I’ll be seeing you.”
With that, Edward left, followed by a reluctant Ulrika Rittenhouse.
“I’ll show them out,” Marjani volunteered.
“Thank you, Marjani.” Adrienne nodded.
Everyone in the nursery stood perfectly still until Marjani returned.
“They left,” Marjani said several moments later when she came back. “But, they ain’t far.”
“This is too much,” Cecil barked.
“You were brilliant, my dear.” Adrienne said, putting her head on her husband’s shoulder.
“I’m so terrible sorry ‘bout Columbia.” Marjani sighed.
“No!” Mr. Punch protested. “She was wonderful.”
“Do you think she knew what was happening?” Robert asked.
“I don’t think so.” Marjani sniffed.
“Meridian,” Cecil began. “You’d best go let Miss Allen and the child out of that cupboard. We’ve got to find a way to get them out of here.”
“All of us.” Charles interrupted as he came in from the passage where he’d been lurking while Edward was in the room.
“Yes, indeed.” Mr. Punch said firmly. “All of us. Right, Chum?”
“Right,” Robert nodded, smiling.
“I’ll fetch her.” Meridian said, hurrying off.
“How are you going to get out of here without Edward seeing?” Adrienne asked. “You heard him. He’ll be watching the house. I’m sure he’ll have someone spying on all the doors!”
“We’ll figure out something.” Robert said quietly. “There’s got to be a way.”
Frenzied footsteps above them made the group pause. They listened as they heard Meridian’s hurried feet on the attic stairs.
She came breathlessly into the room.
“Meridian?” Robert asked. “Where’s…”
“She’s gone!” Meridian gasped. “They’re both gone! Miss Allen and the baby!”
Did you miss Chapters 1-200? If so, you can read them here.
