Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 204

Chapter 204
Seized 



The carriage rattled hurriedly toward Buckingham Palace.

“I want that bloke out o’ me house before nightfall.” Mr. Punch bellowed.

“He knows he’s sacked.” Robert shook his head. “My only concern is that while we’re with Her Majesty, he’ll steal the carriage and horses.”

“No.” Mr. Punch shook his head. “I’m gonna make sure he don’t do no such thing. The minute we stop, I’m havin’ the Palace Guards take ‘im into custody. Her Majesty will supply us a driver to get us back to Belgrave Square.”

“If the Queen isn’t too annoyed with us for being an hour late.”

“When we tell Her Majesty what just happened, she’ll understand.”

“Surely, you’re not going to tell everything to the Queen?” Robert’s eyes widened.

“And, why not?” Mr. Punch smiled slightly.

“But, the scandal.” Robert said quickly.

“I trust Her Majesty. She ain’t as prim as folk suggest. There’s a passion in the woman what makes her able to understand much more than folk realize.” Mr. Punch replied. “Look how she took to me. Here, the Queen coulda just as easily cast me from the palace, callin’ me a lunatic. But, no, Her Majesty took the news of me livin’ Julian’s life for ‘im with good humor.”

“True.” Robert sighed. “I’d just hate to see your relationship with the crown be jeopardized.”

“It won’t be.”

“Dear Punch,” Robert shook his head. “Eudora, Hortence and Ellen are blackmailing us.”

“A crime, my Robert. A crime.”

“However,” Robert began. “In reporting said crime we must reveal the truth of Colin’s parentage.”

“I have no problem tellin’ the truth to Her Majesty.” Punch replied. “She’ll understand.”

“Will she?”

“My dear,” Punch said gently, “Her Majesty is a mother. She loves her children as we love Colin. Their well-being is important to her. When she hears that those three women have threatened harm to our son should we not comply with their demands, she’ll be furious. The Queen will help us, she will. I know it.”

“How will you begin?” Robert asked.

“I’ll tell her simply, as best I can, all what’s happened. I’ll tell her that Lady Barbara fled to America to sell her illegitimate child and that she remains there. I’ll tell Her Majesty that we rescued the boy and he’s our Colin. We shall simply inform Her Majesty that this Orpha Polk or Ellen or whatever she’s called masqueraded as my illegitimate half-sister, wormed her way into our household and is now blackmailing us, telling us that should we not give her an outrageous sum of money, she will not only tell all of London that Colin is my sister’s bastard, but that Barbara is a prostitute and, furthermore, do harm to our son.”

Robert nodded.

“You and I have nothing what we gotta be ‘shamed of. We ain’t the ones what done anything wrong.”

“Yes.” Robert said softly.

“Now, listen, Chum, we’re coming to the palace. We gotta get outta this thing quick-like and have the guards seize Hutchinson.”

“I’m prepared.” Robert replied.

As the carriage rolled to a halt at one of the private entrances of Buckingham Palace, Punch prepared to disembark the carriage, but found that there was no footman waiting for them, only guards.

Mr. Punch opened the door himself and found that a guard was quickly upon him.

“Sir, remain in your carriage.” The guard barked.

“I’m the Duke of Fallbridge,” Punch replied. “We’ve an appointment.”

“Not anymore, you don’t. Her Majesty has stated that she won’t see you.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-203 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 205.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 204

Corliss Cage shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Tapping her fingernails on the wooden arm of the chair, she sighed, trying to avoid the eyes of the woman who sat across from her.


“My husband should be along shortly,” Corliss said breathlessly. Her face turned pink as she considered her situation. She trembled slightly as she tried to process the many emotions which coursed through her veins like a hot acid—anger, fear, despondency, outrage, embarrassment. She’d never have thought she’d have such a person in her home—never! What would people think? How could Edward have done this to her?

“I know what you’re thinkin’, Mrs. Cage,” Iolanthe Evangeline smiled. “And, I don’t want you thinkin’ that I don’t. I know you’d rather eat your own hair than have me in your house. I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t want me either.”

Corliss coughed, unsure of what to say. She tapped her nails on the chair again. “My husband should be along shortly.” She repeated.

“I know that the last thing a lady like you would want,” Iolanthe continued, keenly aware that she was making Corliss uncomfortable, and frankly, enjoying it, “is comfort from the likes of me. What do I know ‘bout comforting a lady? My comfort is all for men. I’ve comforted a lot of men. Many of your fine, high-tone neighbors, Mrs. Cage.”

Corliss’ eyes widened as she sputtered.

“Now, now,” Iolanthe laughed. “I don’t want you thinkin’ I don’t understand what you’re enduring. I do. I’m a mother myself.”

Corliss nodded.

“My little boy—he’s different. He couldn’t’ stay with me. So, I know what’s goin’ on in your heart. It’s a terrible thing to be separated from your child. But, I aim to help you. That’s why your husband sent for me.”

Corliss’ anger got the better of her. “I don’t see how you could possibly help.”

“Don’t you know?” Iolanthe chuckled. “I’m capable of many things, Mrs. Cage.”

“I have no doubt of that.” Corliss muttered.

“I got you the boy in the first place, didn’t I?” Iolanthe winked.

Corliss nodded stiffly.

“So, just know that I’ll get him back.” Iolanthe smirked.

Mrs. Cage rose eagerly when her husband entered the room. She staggered a bit when she saw that Edward was followed by Ulrika Rittenhouse.

Both Ulrika and Iolanthe scowled upon seeing one another.

Edward ignored all of their emotions and grunted at Iolanthe. “Miss Evangeline, your girl has stolen my child.”

“She’s not my girl anymore.” Iolanthe answered. “She’s Marie Laveau’s girl now.”

“Dear God!” Corliss gasped. “Marie Laveau!”

“Silence!” Edward barked. Corliss quickly retreated back to her chair.

“Don’t misunderstand me, Iolanthe.” Edward snarled. “I demand that you find my son.”

“You demand?” Iolanthe laughed heartily. “You demand. I don’t think you’re in any position to make demands of me.”

“Am I not?” Edward growled.

“Sit down, Edward,” Iolanthe chuckled. “I’ll help you.”

At that very moment, Marie Laveau was also laughing. “You’re not a Lady no more, Barbara Allen. You can’t give me orders and tell me what I done saw and what I didn’t.”

“Please,” Barbara pleaded, holding the child close to her bosom. “I beg you. You’re a mother. You know what I’m feeling.”

“I’m a mother, for sure.” Marie smiled. “I’m a lot of things. But, Girl, I never stole any babies.”

“He’s mine!” Barbara cried.

“Miss Laveau,” Charles began.

“Miss Laveau? Well, ain’t we nice and refined, Mr. Van Eyck?” Marie winked. “Now, why are you showin’ me such deference?”

“I’m showing you kindness, not deference,” Charles answered softly.

“I ain’t used to it.” Marie smiled.

“I believe that we should all treat one another with kindness.” Charles responded.

“You just want me to let your little girl go and pretend I never saw her with Edward Cage’s son.” Marie nodded.

“The longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes.” Charles said, thinking of Mr. Punch and the promise he had made to return the child to Punch and Robert. “You never know who is watching.”

Little did Marie know, but someone was indeed watching. From the hedgerow, Marjani peered at the scene which was unfolding.

Marjani closed her eyes and concentrated.

Suddenly, at their house on Royal Street, Robert perked up his head.

“What is it, Chum?” Mr. Punch asked.

“We need to go to the cathedral.” Robert muttered.



Did you miss Chapters 1-203? If so, you can read them here.