Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 223

Chapter 223 

In Confidence



“Comin’ to bed so soon?” Gerard asked as Charles came into their room. “’Milla said the masters had ya watchin’ the front door.”

“Nah, I’m just up for a visit.” Charles shook his head.

“Well, ain’t I a lucky bloke?” Gerard grinned. “I had lots o’ company today.”

“You look much better. Even better than you did this morning.” Charles smiled.

“I’m feelin’ better.” Gerard nodded. “Better each day. I’ll be back at me post any day now.”

“We’ll just see what the doctor says about that.” Charles warned.

“Sure, but, you can’t keep doin’ everythin’.”

“I’m all right,” Charles replied.

“Are ya?”

“Sure.” Charles nodded. “Why do you ask?”

“You got that look ‘bout ya.” Gerard squinted.

“What look?” Charles frowned.

“Look, I know ya.” Gerard sighed. “We been sleepin’ in the same room for some time now. Ya get to know a bloke and his moods. I like to think so anyway.”

“I am bothered by something,” Charles whispered.

“Go on, then.” Gerard nodded.

“Well, I…” Charles began. “Listen, Gerry, you’ve got to keep this to yourself.”

“Ain’t I a friend?” Gerard smiled. “Have I ever told somethin’ you said in confidence.”

“No.” Charles answered.

“So, go on…”

Charles looked form side to side as if there could have been someone else they’d not noticed in their cozy room.

“I was downstairs, as the masters instructed.” Charles started. “I heard light footsteps, and, then, Lady Constance came down the stairs. She was looking to leave.”

“Did you stop her?”

“Yes.”

“Well, then.” Gerard smiled. “You done good.”

“I suppose.” Charles answered flatly.

“Did ya tell the masters?”

“No.” Charles shook his head.

“Ain’t ya better?”

“There’s more.” Charles replied.

“Tell.”

“She spoke to me.”

“Lady Constance?”

“Sure.” Charles nodded.

“What’d she tell ya, Charlie?”

“She told me she’s got a child.”

“We knew that. His Grace already told us.” Gerard said.

“I know, but…she said more.”

“What is it, man?” Gerard asked.

“She told me she was the one who killed her mother the Countess.”

“She never did.” Gerard’s eyes widened.

“She did.”

“And, here, all this time the masters thought it were Orpha and Finlay.”

“We all did.” Charles said. “It stands to reason, but Lady Constance told me she done it—like it was nothing.”

“You’ve got to tell the masters.” Gerard said quickly.

“I promised her I’d not.”

“You promised her?”

“I did.”

“Oh, listen, Charlie, it’s Lady Barbara all over again.”

“Don’t say that.” Charles snapped.

“It is. You got a thing for ladies in peril. I know it. You feel like you can take care of ‘em. But, you saw how it worked out with the Duke’s sister, didn’t ya? She broke your heart. She left ya to die. She was mad. Still is—for all we know. Now, this one. She’s a murderer. You can’t get involved with another one like Lady Barbara.”

“You were the henchman of her equally wicked husband.”

Gerard frowned.

Charles quickly realized he’d hurt the man’s feelings.

“I know what I done.” Gerard said softly. “And, I done worse than bein’ associated with Arthur. But, I ain’t like that now. I shown everyone I changed.”

“You have, Gerry. I’m sorry.”

“But, you ain’t changed, my friend.” Gerard continued. “At least Lady Barbara was pretty. This one looks like a horse.”

“She’s not so bad.” Charles shook his head.

“Charles, my kin is all gone. You folk here, you’re my family now, and, Charles, you’re the brother I always wanted. I know your own brother weren’t no treat. I like to think maybe I’m a brother to you, too.”

“Why in hell do you think I’m here telling you all this?” Charles sputtered.

“Well, if that’s the way it is, you oughta listen to me.”

Charles chuckled.

“Tell the masters and don’t let that horsey wench turn your head. She tried, didn’t she?”

“Maybe.” Charles sighed.

“Don’t let her, Charlie. Just don’t.” Gerard pleaded. “I…I love ya. And, I don’t wanna see ya hurt. Why get yourself tangled up with a woman like that when ya got a pretty girl—a nice, innocent girl, right here who you could flirt with.”

“Gamilla’s yours.”

“I don’t mean Gamilla. There’s other girls here.”

“Ethel and Jenny?” Charles laughed.

“You know I mean Vi.” Gerard scowled.

“One thing at a time, Gerry.” Charles shook his head.

“Do this for me. Please. Go to the Duke and Dr. Halifax. Please. When all is said and done, they’re out masters. They give us this home. They made this family for us. Please.”

Charles nodded.

“Will ya?” Gerard asked.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Charlie!”

“I’ll think about the right way to do it,” Charles answered.

“But, you’ll do it?”

“I will.” Charles nodded.

“Fine.” Gerard smiled, finally. “Now, grab that book over there and read to me a bit.”

“Where’s the ‘please’?”

“I used ‘em all up.” Gerard winked.





Did you miss Chapters 1-222? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 224 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.
 

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 223

Marjani grunted as she heard the snip of the scissors next to her ear. Pushing Marie Laveau away, she growled. “What are you doin’?”


Marie smiled triumphantly as she held aloft a lock of Marjani’s black hair. “I’m making sure that you never get to far away from me, Woman.”

“You think your ways are the best.” Marjani laughed. “But, honey, I got ways that done lasted far longer than yours. See, my ways got roots in honesty and peace. Yours are naked and cold. Mine will always win out over the darkness and shadows which you scurry in.”

“We’ll see, Woman.” Marie said, walking toward the door. “We’ll see.”

“Go on,” Marjani barked.

“Expect to feel me near you,” Marie chuckled. “With these strands of hair, you’re mind forever.”

“The Holy Mother will protect me.” Marjani shook her head.

“Woman, I done killed your Holy Mother long ago.” With that, Marie opened the bedroom door and sashayed out.

Marjani watched as Marie left her room. Grumbling, she hurried to find her dress. “Don’t you gentleman worry none.” She muttered to herself. “Marjani’s comin’.”

At that very moment far away from New Orleans, Arthur was admiring himself in an ornate pier mirror.

“Could have been made for me,” Arthur smiled at his reflection.

“’Cept they weren’t.” Gerard shook his head. “That fine suit of clothes was made for whatever man owns this grand house.”

“He ain’t here, is he?” Arthur spat. “So, now it’s mine. And, so is this.” Arthur walked to the dressing table and opened a delicate jewel casket.” He smiled at Gerard. “Put this in your satchel.”

“Come on, mate,” Gerard moaned as he stumbled with his bag. “Let’s hurry out of here. No tellin’ when someone’s gonna come back. You know a house like this has got servants. Someone’s due to find us and I don’t think we’re going to get where we’re goin’ if we end up in prison.”

“Relax, will ya?” Arthur said. “I’m just getting ready for the journey. Speaking of servants, let’s find their quarters. Gotta be a spare uniform around here.”

“For what?” Gerard grumbled.

“For you.” Arthr grinned.

“Me?” Gerard frowned.

“Sure, every fine gentleman needs a valet.” Arthur nodded.

“What are you sayin’.” Gerard narrowed his eyes.

“I’m sayin’ that our voyage will be a lot smoother if people think I’m a well-heeled gentleman and you’re my valet. Don’t you realize that if everyone thinks you got money, they’ll bend over backwards for ya? We can get to New Orleans in high style without payin’ a dime as long as we look like we’re good for it.”

“I won’t say you’re not clever,” Gerard scowled. “Because you are. But, let’s do hurry up, then.”

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Arthur laughed. “Nothin’ at all. I got it all worked out.”

“I hope so,” Gerard squinted.

“Now, Gerry, let’s get your wardrobe ready.” Arthur laughed. “We got a long way to go yet.”

Meanwhile, back in that dim New Orleans hotel room, Iolanthe clapped her hands impatiently.

“That’s enough whisperin’ between the two of you. I know what you’re sayin’ and I don’t want you thinkin’ that I don’t. Now, will you give us what we ask or not?”

“This is most unexpected,” Robert said.

“I told ya you’d have to pay us.” Iolanthe smiled.

“You didn’t say we’d have to pay with our lives.” Robert said.

“Don’t be foolish,” Iolanthe said. “It should be quite simple for you.”

“Listen, witches,” Punch spoke up. “We’re more than willing to give Ulrika the money she wants.”

“I knew that you would. Really, you two aren’t quite the imbeciles that you seem to be.” Ulrika purred.

Mr. Punch frowned, “And we’ll double that amount for you, Iolanthe. But we can’t do what you ask.”

“Why not?” Iolanthe hissed.

“Because it’s not possible.” Robert said.

“How do you know?” Iolanthe snarled.

“You’re asking me to cure your son. This note says that unless I cure your son of what ails him, you’ll take Colin from us.”

“It’s only fair,” Iolanthe shrugged. “One child’s life for another.”

“How can I cure the boy?” Robert asked. “I don’t even know what his ailment is.”

“He’s…he’s different.” Iolanthe sputtered.

“Mentally?” Robert asked.

“In part.” Iolanthe said softly. “But, physically, too. You’re a doctor. You can fix him.”

“Haven’t you brought him to other doctors?” Robert asked.

“Well, of course, I have.” Iolanthe shouted. “Don’t you think I’ve done whatever I could?”

“Then, what makes you think that I can achieve what they can’t?” Robert asked.

“Because them other doctors didn’t have as much to lose as you do.” Iolanthe answered plainly.

“Don’t do it, Chum.” Punch whispered, “it’s a trap.”

Robert took a deep breath. “I’ll do what you ask, Iolanthe. Or, I’ll try, at any rate.”

“I’ll bring him here right now.” Iolanthe smirked. “Then, we’ll see how good a doctor you are.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-222? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday, April 18, 2011 for Punch's Cousin, Chapter 224.