Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 231

Chapter 231 

Practice 



“Why are you back here?” Eudora Stover barked at Orpha.

“Quiet!” Orpha spat.

“You were the one said what we needed to do was to keep ourselves apart.” Eudora said.

“I’ve come to check on my investment.”

“Meaning you failed.” Eudora smirked.

“However could you mean?” Orpha scowled.

“Well, where’s the man?” Eudora said. “Clearly, the Duke and his fancy man didn’t meet your demands.”

“Maybe they did.” Orpha wrinkled her nose.

“If they did, you’d not be here. You’d be buryin’ the baron—your brother.”

“Perhaps I’ve already done it.”

“Nah,” Eudora shook her head. “You don’t look satisfied. Either they did what ya asked, and your baron won’t come to see ya, or they’re too smart for ya. I’d guess the latter.”

“I…”

“Come, then, Orpha. You can’t fool me. Ya failed. Let’s just bring those tots back to their ma’s, then. We’ll find another way to get what we want.”

“When did you go soft?”

“I always had a soft spot in me heart for little ones.”

“Is that so?” Orpha chuckled. “It’s not evidenced in the treatment of your own children. I trust you’re keeping these cleaner than your own.”

“They’ll be just fine, don’t you worry none ‘bout it.” Eudora said.

“Where’s Hortence?”

“Sleepin’.”

“In the middle of the day?”

“She were up all night waitin’ for you to come back with blood on your hands. You know what she thinks? She thinks that your good friend, Lady Constance, has betrayed ya to save her own hide. Did ya really think she’d go to the Duke of Fallbridge and do what ya said?”

“If she wants her child back, she won’t stray from our agreement. So…so maybe it will take longer than we thought. I’m a patient woman.”

“Are ya, then?” Eudora sniffed. “That’s why you’re back here and not waiting for your baron to be delivered to ya.”

“They won’t do it in the daylight. Nevertheless, they’ve gone to the palace, the Duke and Dr. Halifax.”

“Oh, ain’t that just fine? Just what we need. The horse guards to come and put us with ol’ Hutch.”

“That won’t happen.” Orpha shook her head. “I’m sure that Lady Constance will know I’m serious. She’d not dare betray me. I’ll see to it. And, furthermore, she’ll see to it that the Duke and the Doctor keep the Queen out of this.”

“How do ya figure to do that.”

“Bring me a knife and the child called Fern.”

“Lady Constance’s daughter.”

“Also my niece. Remember. The baron is my brother.”

“What are you gonna do?”

“Do as I say or I’ll practice on your own children!” Orpha snapped.



Did you miss Chapters 1-230? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday for Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 232.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 231

Charles’ hands shook has he knocked on the door of Marie Laveau’s low, mean house. He was unsure who would come to the door. When it was Marie herself who answered his soft knocking, he was at once relieved and terrified.


“Well, if it ain’t the pretty manservant?” Marie grinned. “Whatchoo want?”

“If you’ll pardon me, Miss Laveau…” Charles began.

“Oh, such pretty talk from the pretty man.” Marie laughed.

“I’ve come to ask you for your help.”

“For true?” Marie chuckled. “With what?”

“Marjani—she’s in a terrible way. She keeps askin’ for you.” Charles explained.

“She’s right to ask for me,” Marie grinned. “I’m the only one that can stop the fire in her belly.”

“How did you know?” Charles asked.

“Boy, who do you think done put it there?” Marie howled.

“Please, make it stop.” Charles pleaded. “She’s in awful pain.”

“Serves her right.” Marie spat.

“Please, ma’am.”

“So polite.” Marie winked. “Treatin’ me like I’m some kind of lady.”

“Marjani is needed, Miss Laveau. The Duke of Fallbridge and Dr. Halifax have been killed. Marjani must help the family. The child is dead, too. The poor lad.”

Marie squinted. “They’re dead?”

“Yes, Miss.” Charles nodded. “Murdered by Iolanthe Evangeline.”

“Is that so?” Marie murumered, squinting into the distance. She shook her head, not believing Charles. Nonetheless, she was curious as to what was happening and thrilled that Iolanthe was in trouble.

“Will you go to her? Please?” Charles begged. “Make her pain stop.”

“Where is she?” Marie asked, stepping out of the house and shutting the door behind her.

Charles told Marie in which hotel Marjani was still lying.

“I’ll go.” Marie grinned. “If you do somethin’ for me.”

“What’s that?” Charles asked.

“Make sure you go an’ tell Barbara Allen that her brother and son are dead. Make it hurt.”

“I have no desire to hurt Miss Allen,”’ Charles growled.

“Whether you wish it or not, it’s gonna hurt her anyway.” Marie chuckled. She slapped Charles on the back. “Now go to her before you do anything else.”

Without another word, Marie hurried off in the direction of the hotel. Charles watched her for a few seconds and then rushed toward the shanty where he’d left Barbara.

When he arrived, he was shocked to find Barbara standing over the bloodied body of his brother.

“Giovanni!” Charles gasped. “What’s happened?”

“He arrived unexpectedly and tried…he tried to…” Barbara began to sob.

Charles wrapped his arms around her. “Have you killed him?”

“No.” Barbara wept. “I’ve only knocked him unconscious. I’d hate to think that I’d killed your brother. You may be estranged, but he’s still your family. I’m sure you don’t wish him dead.”

Charles released Barbara from his embrace. “My dear, I have something to tell you.”

At that moment, Mr. Punch was handing the baby to Robert and rushing out of the carriage after Edward Cage who was dragging Adrienne into the house. She screamed and struggled, but Edward’s grip was too strong.

“Let her go, Cage!” Mr. Punch shouted angrily.

“Give me my son!” Edward barked.

“If you love the boy, you’ll know he’s better off with me than he is with you.” Mr. Punch yelled.

“You—a lunatic! I think not.”

Cecil joined Mr. Punch and took off his coat, throwing it on the ground.

“Edward!” Cecil demanded. “Unhand my wife!”

“Not until my son is returned to me!” Edward said.

“Dear God!” A woman shouted from behind them.

Mr. Punch turned to see Ulrika Rittenhouse approach. In her arms, she carried a wriggling bundle. Mr. Punch squinted at it and recognized it as a child albeit a deformed child.

“I knew you hadn’t really been killed!” Ulrika whooped.

“Help me, Ulrika!” Edward shouted and he squeezed Adrienne’s arm even tighter.

“What do you think I’m here for?” Ulrika smiled.



Did you miss Chapters 1-230? If so, you can read them here.