Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 252

Chapter 252 

Strength Renewed 


“I don’t understand,” Mr. Punch narrowed his eyes at Lady Lensdown. “What possible objection could I have to two people who love one another wanting to get married?”

“Love…” Lady Lensdown shook her head.

“You listen,” Gerard barked. “I don’t care who you are, you ain’t fit to judge neither me nor my Gamilla.”

“Gerard,” Robert said softly.

“Well, I’m sorry, Dr. Halifax, but, I ain’t gonna stand here and let no one—not even the Queen herself, but ‘specially this one—tell me that I can’t marry Gamilla.”

“Is that what you’re saying, Lady Lensdown?” Punch asked.

“I am merely suggesting that you should not be so fast to give your consent,” Gertrude replied softly.

“Why?” Robert shook his head.

“For a variety of reasons.” Lady Lensdown replied in such a soft voice that she could barely be heard.

“Such as?” Robert coaxed.

“It is not customary for household staff to intermarry.”

“That isn’t what she’s sayin’,” Gerard bellowed. “She thinks it’s wrong because Gamilla is African!”

Gamilla lowered her head.

“Young man…” Lady Lensdown began, but Gerard interrupted her.

“I’ll have you know…it ain’t illegal for folk of two different races to marry here. I asked the vicar after Jenny’s funeral.”

“It isn’t exactly encouraged.” Lady Lensdown replied.

“I don’t care.” Gerard snapped. “Ain’t like I’m some Earl or Marquis and Gamilla’s a duchess. We’re a nursery maid and footman!” He shook his head. “I thought you was different, Lady Lensdown. I didn’t think you was like Lady Constance nor her ma. But, ya are.”

“Now, Gerard, you ain’t done gave the lady a chance to talk. And, it ain’t our place to tell our betters…” Gamilla started.

Gerard sighed. “It is my place. I won’t let no one hurt ya, never. I’d take Prince Albert into the mews if he so much as looked at ya funny. I’d punch the Emperor of France in the eye if he said one unkind word to you, Gamilla.”

Gamilla smiled. “I know you would.” She blinked. “Does France have an Emperor?”

“Oh, I dunno.” Gerard shook his head. “I just know that no matter what, ain’t nobody gonna make you feel bad—not for one minute.”

Lady Lensdown’s eyes filled with tears. “You misunderstand me. I don’t mean to insult you—either of you. I have no issue with your bride being African, though I advise you that many will. I suggested to the Duke that he not allow the union because of my own embarrassment, my own…my own insult. I didn’t doubt you, young man. I doubted the idea of love. I have lost my faith in the concept of marriage. I have lost much.”

Mr. Punch looked up at Gerard and Gamilla. “Go now and post your banns, and come straight back so Gerard may rest. Tomorrow, Dr. Halifax and me, we’ll help ya decide where you’ll be married and make all them decisions what need to be made to keep your place here as comfortable as can be.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.” Gamilla nodded.

“We shall see to it that you have a beautiful wedding.” Robert added.

“All I need is my Gamilla.” Gerard smiled.

“I…I do apologize.” Lady Lensdown interjected quietly.

Gerard nodded.

With that, he and Gamilla left.

“I don’t think your man accepted my apology.” Lady Lensdown whispered.

“He understands more than he appears to.” Robert shook his head.

Mr. Punch bit his lip.

“Dear Punch, are you well?” Robert asked.

“I…am.” Punch answered hesitantly. “I just want…I want Dog Toby.”

“He’s in the nursery, I believe. When Mrs. Pepper brought our trays, she’d mentioned that Vi had taken Toby up there when she went to sit with Colin. Now we know why. Gamilla had plans.”

“I think I’ll go upstairs for a moment.” Punch said firmly. “Will you excuse me?”

“Certainly,” Lady Lensdown looked at the floor.

Robert stood. “I’ll go with you. Pardon me a moment, Lady Lensdown.”

Gertrude nodded.

Once outside the library, Robert put his arms around Mr. Punch allowing the man to cry freely. “I want Colin. I want Dog Toby,” Punch sobbed.

“We’ll go to them.”

“They don’t make trouble. They don’t want nothin’ but to be loved and to love back. All they want—that’s all they want. They ain’t like these folks what make their pain into pain for other people. Don’t matter if it’s on purpose like Orpha or because they can’t help it like that woman in there. It’s all still the same.”

“It is,” Robert agreed.

“You ain’t like that.” Punch shook his head.

“Not everyone is, dear Punch.”

Mr. Punch wiped his eyes.

“When we come across one who is, we must do as we always do, and not judge, but rather offer them the same kindness we would anyone else.” Robert explained.

“I know.” Punch sighed. “But sometimes, it’s harder than others, it is.”

“Sometimes all we need is to hug a dog and a baby, and we’ll have our strength renewed.” Robert patted Punch’s shoulder.



Did you miss Chapters 1-251 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 253.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 252

“Giovanni?” Charles exclaimed. “You…you stabbed him?”


“He lunged at me with a knife,” Robert explained, his hands still shaking. “We struggled and I wrestled the blade from his hand. He came at me again and, in his velocity, was impaled on the knife. He crumpled to the ground.”

“He deserved it.” Charles sighed. “I should not say it of my own brother, but he was a monster. He deserved it—and worse. Is he dead?”

“I don’t know.” Robert wailed. “I ran in here.”

“Of course, Robert.” Adrienne said softly, handing Colin to Marjani and going to her brother-in-law. “Come, let’s wash your hands.”

“No.” Robert pulled away.

“Dr. Halifax is correct.” Charles said. “We can’t just leave Giovanni in the street. We must do something with him.”

“That’s just it!” Robert moaned. “I did nothing! I did nothing! I’m a physician. It’s my duty to assist all men who are harmed. I took an oath. It’s my duty! And, yet, I harmed him and I did nothing to save him. I ran!”

“Calm yourself, Robert.” Adrienne said softly.

“I had a duty!” Robert said, his eyes welling up with tears. “Primum non nocere! First, do no harm!”

“Help me, Charles,” Adrienne whispered, turning to look for the footman. However, he had already left the room.

“Went downstairs.” Marjani shook her head. “Can’t blame him—villain or no, the man’s still Charles’ brother.”

“I must go, too.” Robert said quickly. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Stay here, Robert.” Adrienne argued.

However, Robert ignored his sister-in-law’s pleas. He rushed down the narrow stairs—shocked to find Charles returning.

“Where’s your brother?” Robert asked.

“Gone.” Charles shrugged. “Nothing but a pool of blood left behind.”

“Marie,” Robert gasped. “She’s got him.”

“There’s an unholy alliance—whether or not my brother lived—to have his body in control of Marie Laveau will not benefit any of us.” Charles muttered.

Meanwhile, Ulrika Rittenhouse limply allowed Arthur to slip her dressing gown past her arms and over her shoulders. He laughed as he tied the robe closed in front of her.

“Gotta say,” Arthur grinned, “I don’t mind you like this. All slack-jawed and passive. Sure, you’re not as beautiful as when you’re fueled by your anger, but you’re certainly much more agreeable.”

Ulrika grunted—unable to speak clearly from the potent herb that Arthur had given her.

“Now, then, Pet.” Arthur chirped. “You gotta get your words goin’. You’re no good to me just droolin’ and spittin’.”

Ulrika teetered backward, but Arthur caught her before she fell. He took her hand and squeezed it violently. He knew that his grasp must have hurt her, but she did not respond at all.

“Say, I could get used to this.” Arthur guffawed.

“Listen, Ginger, you’re goin’ to lead me to the diamond. Understand?”

Ulrika walked unsteadily forward with Arthur still grasping her hand.

As they approached the door, Arthur paused as he heard someone approaching Ulrika’s bedroom. A knock on the door made Arthur’s heart race.

“Now, what?” Arthur mumbled to himself.

At that very moment, Cecil took a deep breath and sat down on the bed next to the body of the man he knew as both Mr. Punch and Julian, Duke of Fallbridge. “So,” Cecil began. “You call yourself Mr. Scaramouche?”

“I do.” Scaramouche answered, extending his neck rigidly.

“You’re different than Mr. Punch and His Grace?”

“I should say I am.” Scarmouche said stiffly.

“Are you new?”

“Hardly.” Scaramouche clucked his tongue.

“But, this is the first I’ve heard of you. Neither His Grace nor Mr. Punch has mentioned you.”

“Are you surprised? Punch is no better than a naughty child and the other one—His Grace, as you call him—is a coward.”

“Shall we talk for a moment?” Cecil asked, unsure of how to continue and wishing that Robert was with them. Robert would have known how to handle this unexpected shift.

“Talk? What makes you think I’d want to talk with you? You don’t interest me.” Scaramouche responded curtly.

“Why?” Cecil grunted. “I say, I mean, what do you want?”

“Shall I give you my list” Scaramouche hissed. “Shall I regale you with the litany of the crimes I’ve endured? Would you like to hear what I’m owed?”

“You’re quite an angry fellow, aren’t you?” Cecil sighed.

“You have no idea!” Scaramouche shouted.

“Would it be possible to mollify you?” Cecil shrugged.

“Perhaps,” Scaramouche scowled.

“And how might I do that?”

“You can begin by returning my property.” Scaramouche frowned.

“Your property?”

“Beginning with my dog!” Scaramouche bellowed. “Where’s my Toby?”

“In the kitchen with Meridian.” Cecil responded.

“My Toby is with the servants?”

“Yes.” Cecil nodded.

“Fetch him for me! Immediately!” Scaramouche demanded. “And, then, we shall begin to sort through the inventory of things which I am owed.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-251? If so, you can read them here.