Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 246

Chapter 246 
Monogrammed Linens 


“You’d never know somethin’ was wrong by lookin’ in here.” Gerard smiled as he came into the nursery.

“Honey, you shouldn’t…” Gamilla began, but she stopped herself. “Come sit by the fire. Colin’s jus’ had his bath.”

Gerard limped over to the cradle and smiled at the baby. “He smells good.”

Gamilla nodded.

Glancing to the chair by the fire, Gerard grinned. “I may have to sit on the floor.”

Gamilla squinted as she noticed that Dog Toby had curled up in the cozy chair.

“Now, Toby.” Gamilla said softly. “You let Mr. Gurney sit.”

The terrier looked up and licked his nose before sighing the exasperated sigh that only a dog can release. Dog Toby rolled over slightly, making just enough room for Gerard to sit.

Settling into the chair, Gerard inhaled. “How you doin’, love?”

Gamilla shook her head. “I can’t stop thinkin’ ‘bout Jenny.”

“Nor can I.” Gerard nodded.

“She was stabbed, Gerry.” Gamilla pressed her hands together. “Just like you was.” She shook her head again. “I keep thinkin’ that if you hadn’t been with Dr. Halifax when it happened, you’d not have lived neither. And, then, I keep thinkin’ that maybe if…”

“What is it that the Duke always says?” Gerard interrupted.

“That it’s time for breakfast.” Gamilla responded.

“You know what I mean.” Gerard tilted his head to one side. “His Grace always says that we can’t worry ‘bout what coulda been.”

“It’s hard not to.” Gamilla answered softly. “I wanna cry and scream, Gerry.”

“Go ‘head.”

“I can’t. I can’t scare Colin. He don’t know what’s happened. I hope he never knows.”

“Then, he’d never have known Jenny.” Gerard responded. “I think when Colin grows up, we should tell ‘im that there were a fine young lady what worked in this house. One what was good to ‘im and what made up little plates of sweeties special for ‘im.”

Gamilla nodded. “Do you think he’ll remember her?”

“Not without us to remind ‘im.” Gerard answered.

“Then, we should.” Gamilla replied. “I keep thinkin’ that it’s all a dream. That…that if I go downstairs she’ll be in the kitchens, cuttin’ up potatoes or gratin’ cheese or gigglin’ with Ethel in the scullery. It ain’t fair, I guess, that I never gave her much thought before. She was there…always…and I liked her. But, she was just Jenny to me. I didn’t realize all the joy she done brought to the house in her own little ways.”

“We don’t miss the things we got ‘til they’re gone.” Gerard answered.

“Makes me keep wonderin’ what else I’ll miss.” Gamilla turned away.

“If you mean me, I ain’t goin’ nowhere.” Gerard replied.

“Gerard,” Gamilla began, “I jus’ don’t wanna miss nothin’.”

“You ain’t gonna.” Gerard smiled.

“How do we know that? Jenny thought she’d have to get up and start crackin’ eggs for Mrs. Pepper. Mrs. North thought she’d have to see the mess from the ball cleaned up. Naasir thought that he’d have to press the Duke’s collars for dinner. My sister…my sister…and…”

She clenched shut her eyes.

“It’s true we don’t know what’s gonna happen, ‘Milla.”

“I wanna be your wife, Gerard.” Gamilla whispered.

Gerard was silent.

“If you’ll have me.”

“Well…” Gerard grinned, tears forming in his eyes. “It’s me what should worry ‘bout…I mean…I ain’t good ‘nough for ya.”

“You’re perfect for me.” Gamilla replied.

“Only shouldn’t I be the one what asks you?”

“Does it matter?” Gamilla smiled.

“No.” Gerard wiped his eyes. “But, I still wanna.” He rose from the chair and knelt in front of Gamilla.

“Gamilla…” He began, but paused. “Cor, you don’t got another name do ya?”

Gamilla shook her head.

“Well, you’re gonna.” Gerard nodded. “Gamilla, will you…will you be my wife? Will you take me, low as I am, for your husband?”

“I will.” Gamilla smiled. “Now, get up off the cold floor, Honey. Ain’t gonna do your side no good.”

Gamilla helped Gerard to his feet and the two embraced.

Once they parted, Gerard’s smile faded.

“What is it, Gerry?”

“I dunno if we can get married.” He said softly. “What with…”

“You bein’ white and me not.” Gamilla smiled. “It don’t matter. Even if we can’t. I’ll be your wife. I’ll be your partner. I’ll be Gamilla Gurney.”

“And…and…we can share the monogrammed linens.” Gerard chuckled.



Did you miss Chapters 1-245? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 247 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 246

“Let me pass,” Charles growled.


“Why such a hurry, Brother?” Giovanni grinned.

“It doesn’t concern you.” Charles shook his head.

“I think it does,” Giovanni winked. “You’re my brother, Carlo. Everything you do concerns me. I think you’ve fallen in with a bad lot. These wealthy English people, they’re not as charming as they appear.”

“Says you,” Charles grumbled. “I suppose you think that you and your cohorts are better companions?”

“More profitable, for sure.” Giovanni chuckled.

“I’m not interested in profit—not the way you mean. Any wealth I amass in my life will not be dripping with blood.”

“It washes off, Carlo.” Giovanni snorted, shoving Charles back into the mist.

“Giovanni, I don’t want to fight you,” Charles barked.

“Then, don’t.” Giovanni smiled. “We just want to talk with you.”

“We?” Charles asked, pushing his brother’s hand off of his chest.

“Yes, Carlo. This lovely woman and I.”

From out of the mist, Marie Laveau appeared—her grin preceded her body as she emerged from the fog. Charles blinked upon seeing her.

“We meet again, pretty man.” Marie hissed.

“What’s it all about?” Charles asked.

“Your well-being, Brother.” Giovanni laughed.

Meanwhile, deeper in the city, Ulrika and Arthur emerged from the courthouse and stepped out into the fog.

“Are you sure that you don’t want to wait?” Arthur asked.

“Most sure,” Ulrika sighed.

“Iolanthe’s going to be furious to have to wait another night in prison on her own.” Arthur said.

“Are you questioning me?” Ulrika spat.

“No. Believe it or not, I’m looking out for your best interest. When she is released, she’s going to come after you.” Arthur replied sharply.

“Aren’t you precious?” Ulrika chuckled. “Arthur, there’s nothing that can be done about it. The proper authorities have gone home for the evening. We can’t profess Iolanthe’s innocence to some fool guard! It will have to wait until the morning.”

“Shouldn’t we, at least, stop off and tell Iolanthe’s maid—the ugly one…what’s her name?”

“Mala?” Ulrika laughed shrilly. “What could she possibly do? Haunt the prison and frighten the guards?”

“You don’t have to be insufferable.” Arthur muttered.

“Put you in a gentleman’s clothes and you become sensitive.” Ulrika cooed. “It’s too delicious, really.”

“You are a sow.’ Arthur snarled.

“But you want me.” Ulrika murmured into Arthur’s ear.

“Yes.” Arthur replied.

“Then, you shall have me.” Ulrika took Arthur’s hands.

“What? Where?” Arthur shook his head. “Let’s go back to the Cages’ house.”

“No. I don’t feel like sneaking you in. I know where we can go.”

“But, I would prefer to go back to the Cages’.” Arthur argued, thinking of the blue diamond that he hoped to find.

“Why?” Ulrika asked.

“I…I left Gerald there.” Arthur said, hoping that would be enough of a reason to return to Royal Street.

“So?” Ulrika shrugged. “He’s sleeping in the stable. No one will spy him.”

“And if they do? He may not be much, but he’s been loyal and I’ve promised to protect him.” Arthur replied.

“Your attachment to that seedy man is touching.” Ulrika sighed. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”

“I can be loyal when I want.”

“And what of your loyalty to me?” Ulrika whispered.

“I came back to you, didn’t I?” Arthur answered quickly.

“I’m beginning to wonder why.” Ulrika snapped.

At that very moment, in the room within Punch and Julian, Mr. Punch gasped as the space around Naasir’s spirit glowed with a brilliant amber light which crept into the carved nooks and volutes of the ornate adornments around them.

Within seconds, the entire room radiated with the warm color of bronze.

“Coo!” Mr. Punch exclaimed as his body became warm.

Naasir sat—cross-legged—in the center of the room.

“Go to him, Mr. Punch.” Julian whispered.

“Come, Punch,” Naasir smiled. “I wish to tell you a tale.”

Punch sat across from Naasir, looking over his shoulder at Julian. “Are you coming, Master?”

“I know the story already,” Julian said. “I’ve had time to understand it. Now, it’s your turn.”

“I don’t understand.” Punch replied, wide-eyed.

“Listen, and you will know.” Naasir grinned.

“What’s this story?” Mr. Punch asked.

“I’m going to tell you the tale of a boy named ‘Holt’ and the family known as ‘The Cages of Marionneaux.’” Naasir said as the light around him turned from amber to blue. “And, how this will change the world.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-245? If so, you can read them here.