Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 220

Chapter 220

Force a Body

“The masters oughta be spyin’ ‘their surprise just ‘bout now,”  Gerard smiled at Gamilla who sat next to his bed.

“I ‘spect so,”  Gamilla nodded.  “Sure was a fine idea Mr. Speaight had.  I’d bet them gentlemen will smile real big when they see that holly bush all done up.”

“I’ll wager they will.”  Gerard replied.  “Nice of Violet to watch Colin for awhile.”

“Poor little thin’,”  Gamilla shook  her head.  “Got her heart broke by that terrible awful Mr. Hutchinson.  I think that’s why she wanted to watch the baby.  She done said somethin’ ‘bout if she didn’t have no love didn’t mean that other folk shouldn’t.  Told me she thought we should take some time together when we could.”

“Right nice of her, it sure was.”  Gerard nodded.  “She’ll find herself a beaux soon ‘nough.  She’s pretty and if she can keep her temper, she’d make a fine wife.”

“Oh,”  Gamilla chuckled.  “Given it much thought, have ya?”

“No for my own sake, mind.”  Gerard winked.  “I got me a girl what I wanna marry.”

“Do you now, Mr. Gurney?”

“I do.”  Gerard smiled.  “Just gotta heal me-self up a bit.  See, I gotta hole  in me what oughtn’t be there.”

“I know, I done seen it up close.”  Gamilla sighed.

“What were it like when ya looked inside ‘o me?  What’d ya see?”

“Nothin’ I care to see again.”

“I know what ya saw.”

“Do ya?”  Gamilla laughed.

“You saw a big heart with ‘Gamilla” written on it.”

“Well, well.”  Gamilla blushed.  “You are feelin’ better, ain’t ya?”

“Better each day.”  Gerard answered brightly.  “But, that’s no surprise.”

“No?”

“No, a man in love heals fast.”

“You’re full o’ all kinds of sweet words tonight.”

“I mean all of ‘em.”  Gerard said seriously.

“I know ya do, honey.”  Gamilla answered softly.

“I wish everyone could feel like I do.”  Gerard sighed.  “His Grace and the doctor, they do.  But, what of Charles?  Ain’t it funny?  But, when you told me of Hutchinson breakin’ Vi’s poor heart, I thought, ‘Now she can marry Charles.’”

“I don’t think they want to marry each other.”  Gamilla raised her eyebrows.  “I don’t think they even like each other so much.”

“Sure they do.”  Gerard shook his head.  “I seen ‘em chat many a time.  All nice and polite by the fire at night.”

“Honey, Charles talks to me and you the same way.  Same as he does Ethel and Jenny and Mrs. Pepper and Georgie.  Don’t mean he loves Vi.  He’s just polite.”

“I don’t believe it.”  Gerard said.

“Besides that, Charlie ain’t got no time for to worry ‘bout gettin’ married.  He’s doin’ the work o’ two men right now.  Plus we got all them troubles with them ladies.  He’d gotta stick close to the Duke and the doctor for to protect ‘em.  See, he done got too much to think ‘bout to be fallin’ in love with Violet.”

“He just don’t know he wants to love our Vi.”  Gerard smiled.

“My mama used to tell me, honey, that when folks was in love, they wanted to make everyone else be in love, too.  But, it don’t work like that.  Ain’t somethin’ a body can force.”

“Don’t need forcing, ‘Milla.”  Gerard shook his head.  “It’s a fine thing.  Everybody wants it.”

“Sure.  When they’re ready.  When Charlie’s ready, he’ll start thinkin’ ‘bout it.  Remember, weren’t too long ‘go he thought he was in love with the Duke’s other sister.”

“He didn’t love her.”  Gerard frowned.  “He was just taken with her beauty.”

“She was pretty.”  Gamilla admitted grudgingly.  “And, I could see how a fella might find her excitin’.  Danger’s always excitin’.”

“But, she’s got nothin’ on our Vi.”  Gerard smiled.

“Honey…”  Gamilla chuckled.  “You is too much.”  She stood up.  “Speakin’ of our Vi, I’d best get back to her.  She’s got her own duties.”

“You like your new room in the nursery?”

“Sure I do.”  Gamilla said sincerely.  “It’s the finest room I ever saw.  It’s just like one o’ the bedchambers for guests.  Never thought I’d…”  She sighed.  “I just never thought.”

“When things settle down, you’ll be gettin’ a nursery maid, Mrs. Pepper tells me.”

“Ah, I don’t need a girl.”  Gamilla shook her head.  “Vi needs the help more.  Actin’ as lady’s maid for Miss Lennie and doin’ my old work.  Just think, Gerry, if we get a new girl, it’ll be one more for Charles to fall in love with.”

“You tease me, but you know I’m right.”  Gerard replied playfully.

“You quit worryin’ ‘bout other folk fallin’ in love and put all your strength to getting’ well again.  Ya hear?”

“Yes, Miss Gamilla.”  Gerard winked.

Did you miss Chapters 1-219 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back tomorrow for Chapter 221.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 220

Charles buckled his shoes and grunted as he stood up. “Not the most comfortable accommodations, I must say.”


“Really?” Barbara Allen grinned. “I had a very restful night. You’re quite nice to sleep next to.”

Charles blushed, “Thank you.”

“You’re not going to leave me, are you?” Barbara fluttered her eyelashes.

“I must,” Charles sighed. “I’m sure that His Grace and Dr. Halfax are not thrilled with me for not coming home last night.”

“I’m sure they have other things on their minds.” Barbara frowned.

“All the more reason that I should return to them. I do have a responsibility.”

“You have many responsibilities.” Barbara answered quietly.

“I do.” Charles smiled, pulling Barbara close to him. “And, you know that I take them all very seriously.”

“I do appreciate that you risked your position with my brother to stay with me last night.”

“You needed comfort.” Charles hugged her.

“I’ll never stop needing your comfort.” Barbara buried her face in his chest and breathed in his scent.

“I’ll return to you later.” Charles said, still holding her.

“Will you tell Julian that you’ve been with me?” Barbara asked.

“If His Grace asks where I’ve been, I’ll be honest with him.”

“Do you think that will jeopardize your employment?” Barbara asked.

“No.” Charles smiled. “I don’t. His Grace cares about you deeply. You’re not his enemy. You’re his sister. He doesn’t want you to suffer.”

“Does that apply to Mr. Punch as well?” Barbara joked, stepping away from Charles.

“It applies to all the many facets of His Grace.” Charles grinned.

“Would that I were so confident.” Barbara mumbled. “You’ll tell me, won’t you?”

“What’s that?”

“You’ll come back and tell me how my son is?”

“Of course.” Charles said reassuringly.

“Thank you.” Barbara looked to the ground, trying to compose herself. She took a deep breath and looked up. “Now, what am I to do with myself? I can’t go back to Marie’s. I certainly can’t go to Iolanthe. I’ll need to find some sort of position somewhere.”

“Why don’t you just stay here for a few days? You need the rest.”

“But, won’t your friend mind? This is his home.”

“Louis wouldn’t care. Besides, he won’t be back for several days.” Charles shook his head.

“Perhaps I will.” Barbara looked around.

“Good.” Charles said. “I’ll return as soon as I can.” He kissed her on the cheek.

“How can you be sure that Julian’s at their house?” Barbara asked.

“I can’t.” Charles shrugged. “I’ll start there. Surely Mr. and Mrs. Halifax will know where he is.”

“I hope so.” Barbara nodded. “Charles?”

“Yes?”

Barbara blushed. “Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it.” Charles winked.

Once he’d left, Barbara curled up on the pile of blankets on the floor and sighed. “I have no right to feel such joy.” She crinkled her brow. “I’m a married woman.” She thought of Arthur and wondered if she’d ever see him again.

Little did Barbara know that Arthur was also awaking on a bed of dirt. Grunting, he looked up and squinted into the sunlight. He rolled over and smacked his friend on the side of his head. “Here, Gerry. Wake up.”

Gerard grunted. “Let me sleep, you pig.”

“No!” Arthur shoved Gerard. “We got to get moving.”

“I’m hungry.” Gerard grumbled.

“You won’t be hungry much longer, mate.” Arthur growled. “But, if you want to get some food in your belly, you got to get up!”

“Fine.” Gerard yawned, sitting up and brushing the dirt from his arms. “Where we goin’ anyway?”

“To find my lovely wife.” Arthur grinned. “She’ll make sure neither of us is ever hungry again.”

At that very moment, back at the Halifax’s borrowed house on Royal Street, Marjani narrowed her eyes at Marie Laveau.

“Are you suggestin’ that I would want to have some association with you?” Marjani asked angrily.

“I think it would be in your best interest.” Marie said. “Woman, you should take advantage of this rare opportunity. You done got me to set aside my anger and think with my head and not my hate. It’s not somethin’ that happens too often and I don’t know how long it’ll last.”

Marjani spat at Marie’s feet. “No. There’s nothin’ that would make me crawl on the ground with you.”

“Let me put it this way, Woman,” Marie growled. “You join me or you die.”

“Kill me, then.” Marjani stiffened. “Go ahead.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-219? If so, you can read them here.