Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 261

Chapter 261
Marduk’s Queen 

“No one move.” Orpha howled from the front bedroom when she heard the knock on the front door. “The visitor is for me.”

“Sure, I’ve got me hands full lookin’ after poor Lady Constance.” Eudora answered.

“About that,” Orpha narrowed her eyes as she stepped into the hallway. She peered into the filthy parlor and glowered at Eudora. “If she’s not gone by the morning, I’ll give her some of my own medicine. And, if you let her see her daughter, I’ll see that you receive a dose as well.”

Eudora and Constance exchanged quick glances.

“Furthemore,” Orpha continued. “You’re not to look upon my visitor. Lower your eyes!”

Constance and Eudora did as instructed.

“Stay here.” Orpha commanded.

With that, she forced a smile and went to open the front door. She grinned broadly upon looking at the thick-necked giantess who stood before her.

“Miss Polk,” Ulrika began. “I am…”

“I know who you are, Great One.” Orpha bowed. “I know you, Marduk’s Queen.”

“And, I you.” Ulrika nodded. “But, you…really, you are the great one. The mother of our newborn king.”

“Would you like to see him?” Orpha gestured theatrically. “They’re waiting for you.”

“I’ve thought of nothing else for weeks.” Ulrika cooed.

“Come with me.” Orpha responded.

Ulrika glanced into the parlor as she passed. “Who are those women?”

“Nothing but an inconvenience, but sadly, a necessary piece of the puzzle. I’ve much to tell you.”

“I look forward to it, really.” Ulrika replied. “But, first, I must see him.”

“Of course,” Orpha winked, opening the door to her room. “There they are. He awaits you.”

“Oh…” Ulrika groaned with pleasure as she entered the room. “He’s magnificent.”

“Isn’t he?” Orpha said proudly. “Look upon his faces.”

“One is so perfectly hideous, and, the other, like a sickening angel. Truly superb. And, look at his fifteen, darling little fingers. There are fifteen, yes?”

“Sixteen.” Orpha answered humbly.

“Even better.” Ulrika purred.

“He likes you. Look at the way they follow you with his eyes.” Orpha continued. “They want to touch you. Let him.”

Ulrika extended her hand, and, Marduk reached for her index finger with his third arm.

“He knows you.” Orpha said softly. “He knows you will rule for him. He knows you are his Queen.”

“If I could, I would cry.” Ulrika nodded. “Have you found a mate for him yet?”

“Yes.” Orpha nodded. “His half-sister. Fern, also born of a wicked woman.”

“How wicked?”

“Matricide.” Orpha giggled.

“Oh, very nice.” Ulrika grinned. “Is her mother one of the women in the other room?”

“Yes.” Orpha nodded.

“Does she know of your intention?”

“No.” Orpha said. “I’ve got them all believing that I seek revenge against my brother for abandoning me in the workhouse.”

“It isn’t so much of a lie,” Ulrika chuckled.

“No.” Orpha said.

“You’re sure he is the girl’s father?” Ulrika asked.

“Oh, yes.”

“Excellent. When they’re old enough, they may mate.”

“If only I could have given him a true sister. However, it’s just not possible. His birth left me…”

“It was meant to be.” Ulrika dismissed the thought. “You’ve been very thoughtful.”

“And, they really do like Fern. You should his faces when she’s near. I’m sure he knows that she’s for them. Mummy’s little monster.”

“Oh touching,” Ulrika sighed sweetly. “How is his appetite?”

“Voracious.”

“Both of him?”

“Yes.” Orpha nodded.

“And, you’ve been feeding him as instructed?” Ulrika asked.

“I’ve followed every direction in each of your letters.”

“I’m so pleased.” Ulrika replied. “Have you offered sacrifices?”

“Several.” Orpha responded with pride. “The brother of the other woman in there, the old housekeeper of the Duke’s, several single women, a sour-faced Scot, and, most recently, a young woman from the Duke’s London home.”

“Brilliant.” Ulrika approved. “And next will be Marduk’s father, yes?”

“As instructed.” Orpha nodded.

“You’ve been wonderful,” Ulrika gushed. “And no one is the wiser?”

“No.” Orpha replied. “It hasn’t been easy.”

“I’ve had faith in you all along, ever since I heard of the miracle birth. And, really, Orpha…it’s just divine that you already had ties to the Duke of Fallbridge.”

“I’ve been working for years to get into that household. Even before my little monster was born. I’ve always known that I should have the Duchess of Fallbridge’s fortune. If there was any woman to whom I was most similar, it was she. It’s a pity she wasn’t really my mother.”

“You mustn’t say such things.” Ulrika answered with a queer gentleness. “Would it had been true, you’d never have given Marduk back to us.”

“It’s my great failing.” Orpha shook her head. “I’ve still not mastered the Duke. He continues to evade me. I even managed to involve him in my search for Marduk’s mate…when I borrowed my little darlings’ siblings. I’d hoped the Duke’s sense of duty would have led him to me, but, no. I continue to punish him as best I can.”

“You’ll best him.” Ulrika nodded. “I wasn’t able to. If anyone can, it’s you. And, your triumph will be all the more spectacular. I wrote you of my attempt to get his fortune.”

“Yes.” Orpha sighed.

“You’ll succeed where I failed.” Ulrika grinned. She looked at Marduk. “He’s so magnificently repulsive.”

“Thank you.”

“I think he may be hungry. Look at the way his mouths are moving.”

“You’re correct.” Orpha grinned. “Would you like to feed him?”

“Could I?” Ulrika squealed. “Oh…what an honor!”

“You are his Queen.” Orpha smiled.

“Well…” Ulrika responded demurely.

“There’s a fresh rat in the basket near the bassinette.” Orpha pointed.

“How exciting,” Ulrika cooed as she pushed up the sleeves of her gown.



Did you miss Chapters 1-260 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 262.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 261

“You want to help me?” Arthur growled at Odo. “Get out of here.”


“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Odo said. “I got a duty, see. Mr. Cage done entrusted me with the runnin’ of his house, and I gotta be loyal to him. See, I come in here and find you doin’ somethin’ with Miss Ulrika. I know who you are. You’re that fella that used to work for the Duke. Don’t know why you’re in here nor why Miss Ulrika’s in the shape she’s in, but I know you don’t belong here. Now, I’d hate for to have to tell Mr. Cage that you’re here.” Odo grinned. “Still, Miss Ulrika never had a kind word for anyone in this house. I know that Mr. Cage wouldn’t mind her bein’ gone. So, you see, I find myself in a terrible position. On the one hand, I’d be doin’ him a favor by helpin’ to rid this house of Miss Ulrika. On the other, it seems a trifle disloyal not to tell him that some blackguard and his companion done come into his house without him knowin’. Perhaps you can help me make up my mind. If you want me to leave, I’d just as well go to Mr. Cage. If you want me to stay, I’ll help you with what you’re doin’. Of course, I’m sure you’d be willin’ to help me out, too.”

“What is it ‘xactly that you want?” Arthur asked in a hushed voice.

“Nothin’ out of the ordinary. I’m a business man same as you. I gotta be paid for my work. Either I’m gonna be paid by you or be paid by Mr. Cage. It’s up to you.” Odo answered.

“You gotta get rid of him, Artie,” Gerard whispered.

“Hush up!” Arthur spat. “Listen, you, I don’t got nothin’ to pay you with.”

“Is that so?” Odo smiled. “Looks like you got yourself a fine new suit of clothes. Those ain’t the livery of a man in service. No, those are the clothes of a gentleman.”

From the heap in which she lay on the bed, Ulrika moaned.

“She’s comin’ to, Artie!” Gerard hissed.

Arthur groaned nervously and put down the cushion that he was holding. He grabbed Gerard’s arm and croaked. “Let’s just get out of here. We got what we came for.”

As Arthur and Gerard pushed past Odo, they found their exit was blocked by a rigid figure in purple. Arthur looked up into Iolanthe’s smiling face.

“Back from sea, are you?” Iolanthe winked. “I must say, I’m surprised. Usually, when I get rid of a man, they stay gone. And, I don’t want you thinkin’ that they don’t.”

“Miss Iolanthe was the visitor that I mentioned was at the back door,” Odo laughed. “I done caught these two men botherin’ Miss Ulrika.” Odo explained.

“If anyone’s gonna bother Ulrika, it’s me,” Iolanthe grinned. “You can leave us, Odo. You’ve been most helpful.”

“Yes, Miss Iolanthe,” Odo nodded.

“Now,” Iolanthe sighed. “You say you got what you came for. What might that be?”

“It don’t concern you,” Arthur trembled.

“I think it does,” Iolanthe shook her head. “After all, if it’s what I’m thinkin’, it’s mine to begin with.”

Meanwhile, in their internal room deep within Julian’s body, Mr. Punch watched as Scaramouche ranted.

“I’m owed!” Scaramouche shouted. “Have you any idea how much has been taken from me?”

“I have,” Punchnodded impatiently. “Don’t forget, Scaramouche, this is me master’s body and his life. You’re just one aspect of him, just as I am.”

“I’m my own man!” Scaramouche declared.

From outside their body, Julian could still hear his other two parts talking within. “No!” Julian shouted.

Mr. Punch raised his eyebrows. He’d never heard his master raise his voice before. He shouted back so that Julian could hear him. “That’s the way to do it, Master!”

Julian looked up to Robert whose wide eyes expressed confusion and concern.

“They’re arguing in there,” Julian pointed to his chest. “Mr. Punch and that Scaramouche.”

“Where’d he come from?” Robert asked.

“I don’t truly know.” Julian shrugged. “He’s a nuisance, isn’t he? I didn’t realize that I had it in me.”

“Every man has an unsavory side. It seems yours has been hidden so long that it’s taken on a life of its own.”

“It would appear so.” Julian responded, squinting as he listened to the voices within him.

“I wish I could hear what was going on inside of you.” Robert sighed.

“I’m glad that you can’t.” Julian shook his head. “Isn’t it funny? Wishes.”

“What’s your wish, Julian?” Robert asked.

“To have some of the power that Scaramouche seems to think he has.” Julian shrugged.

“You do!” Robert exclaimed. “You already do!”

“Do I?” Julian frowned.

“If you could, what would you say to Scaramouche right this very moment?” Robert asked.

Julian shut his eyes and concentrated. Suddenly, he was overcome with a terrible frustration, the likes of which he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in nearly thirty years. He began to shout.

“There’s so much I wish to say!” Julian bellowed.

Inside of their body, Punch whooped and grinned. Scaramouche grew pale as Julian continued to shout.

Both Punch and Scaramouche listen from inside as Julian finally said what he was thinking. “Scaramouche, you go on about what you’ve lost. Look at what I’ve lost. My mother—though she was most unpleasant—is dead. My father is, too. My sister is lost to me as is her child who I cannot seem to rescue as we had planned. I’ve lost my independence and my safety. I’ve been ripped from the comfort of my home and my routine! I’ve been taken from the only places wherein I feel safe! My possessions have been stolen from me as has my autonomy, and most importantly, I’ve lost my ability to trust! I have been burned, beaten, shot and battered! What have you lost that I haven’t? Nothing! You are only a small part of who I am—no more significant than a stand of hair or a discarded fingernail!”

Soon, Punch noticed that Scaramouche was becoming transparent.

“Not so strong, are you now, Mr. Scaramouche?” Punch laughed.



Did you miss Chapters 1-260? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday, June 6, 2011 for Chapter 262 of Punch’s Cousin.