Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 279

Chapter 279 

Expansion 


Charles, ashen and visibly shaking, unlocked the area door and entered the servants’ hall.

Gerard, Gamilla, Violet and Mrs. Pepper smiled at him.

“Hullo, mate.” Gerard said brightly. “Did you get them collars for His Grace?”

Charles nodded and, walking past Charles extended the box of collars to Gerard who took it.

Silently, Charles sat in his usual spot by the hearth.

“What’s it all about?” Mrs. Pepper asked.

“Charlie?” Violet looked up from her needlework.

Gamilla rose from the table where she was folding some of Colin’s linens and walked over to Charles. She sat across from him. “You saw that woman, didn’t ya? Miss Rittenhouse.”

Charles nodded.

“Oh…” Gerard shook his head, joining Gamilla cross from Charles. “I’m awful sorry, Charlie. Did she say terrible things?”

Charles nodded again. “She wasn’t the worst of it.”

“Did she make you see your brother, then?” Violet asked.

“Maybe we’d best leave Charles in peace.” Mrs. Pepper suggested.

“No.” Charles said quickly. “Please don’t leave me alone!”

“Sure, Charlie. We won’t leave ya.” Gerard said gently. “So, you saw Giovanni, did ya?”

“Yes, but that wasn’t the worse of it.” Charles moaned.

“No?” Violet joined the others by the hearth.

“Where are the young ones?” Charles looked around.

“Maudie and Ethel are in the scullery.” Mrs. Pepper said. “Georgie’s in the pantry takin’ inventory. Or, he’s meant to be. Likely he’s talkin’ to them girls.”

“Would you, please, close the door to the kitchens?” Charles asked softly.

“I’ll do it.” Violet volunteered. She scurried to shut the door and came back.

“What happened, then, Charlie?” Mrs. Pepper asked. “You can tell us. Mr. Speaight’s upstairs directing the men who’ll be takin’ down the nursery wall. It’s just us here.”

“Where’s Master Colin?” Charles asked.

“Up in the nursery. They ain’t gonna start the work today. Mr. Speaight’s got an eye on him so I could come down and do the linens.” Gamilla responded.

“Maybe you’d like a nice cuppa?” Mrs. Pepper suggested. “It’ll brace ya.”

“No.” Charles answered. “I couldn’t. I understand now.”

“What’s that, mate?” Gerard asked.

“Why Ethel’s the way she is now. If she saw what I did…and Miss Fern…I understand.”

“Did Giovanni hurt you?” Violet asked.

“No, not really.” Charles asked.“Orpha…”

“Orpha?” Mrs. Pepper leaned in. “So, it is true? She’s with the American?”

“Yes.”

“What’d she do to you?” Gerard asked, incensed.

“She introduced me to her son.” Charles answered quietly.

“Is it…?” Gamilla gulped.

“It’s a monster of a thing. A two-headed beast, a gargoyle. But, that’s not the worse. It’s…it’s so…sentient. It’s alert. It looked into my soul with four eyes. There’s no sweetness to it, it’s not…it’s not…a baby like Master Colin. It’s…” Charles bent over and put his head in his hands. “I don’t know what.”

‘There, now.” Mrs. Pepper stood and put her hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “You’re safe here.”

“I don’t know that we’re safe anywhere.” Charles moaned.

“Gerry,” Mrs. Pepper whispered. “Maybe you’d best take ‘im up to Dr. Halifax and His Grace.”

“They’re both in the library now.” Gerard nodded, rising. He extended a hand to Charles. “Come on, mate. Dr. Halifax can help ya.”

Charles nodded and took Gerard’s hand. Gerard slipped his arm around Charles’ trunk to steady his friend.

“I’ll follow ya.” Gamilla said. “I’ve gotta get up to the nursery, but, Gerry, honey, come and tell me what the masters say, please.”

Gerard nodded. “’Course, Love.”

Gamilla and Gerard helped Charles up the service stairs to the hidden entrance to the library.

“It’s gonna be all right, my friend.” Gamilla patted Charles’ arm. “We’ll see to it. His Grace and Dr. Halifax’ll know what to do.”

“I’m gonna stay with ‘im, Love.” Gerard said softly. “But, I’ll come up in a bit.”

Gamilla nodded and made her way up the next flight of stairs to the nursery floor. She could hear the men in her chamber talking about the best way to enlarge the room into the cloak room and storage area on the other side, so, she decided it best to go into the day nursery in order not to interrupt them.

Entering the day nursery, Gamilla dropped the stack of linens which she had tucked under her arm.

“What are you doing?” Gamilla shrieked. “Miss Fern! Put him down!”



Did you miss Chapters 1-278 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 280. 

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 279

Ulrika Rittenhouse ran her fingers through her long, loose, ginger hair. She felt quite decadent and wild, being out in public with her hair down and her head uncovered. As the effects of the drug that Arthur had given her began to wear off, she began to feel exhilarated and she purred as the smooth skin of her face and wide, masculine neck began to tingle with the cool dampness of the foggy evening.


“Quit your noise,” Iolanthe grumbled as they walked together.

“It’s just too delicious, really,” Ulrika sighed. “My body feels alive as if I’ve just plunged into an icy lake.”

“You’re an odd woman,” Iolanthe shook her head.

“At least I’ve never killed anyone.” Ulrika sniffed.

“You’d do well to keep quiet.” Iolanthe barked.

“If you want me to be still, Iolanthe, really, why did you ask me to come with you?” Ulrika grinned.

“I regret it deeply.” Iolanthe muttered.

“I can’t say I’ve ever been in this part of the Quarter,” Ulrika continued.

“It ain’t for the likes of you,” Iolanthe replied. “It’s really all just too exciting! Think of it, any moment, a vicious man could jump out onto the banquette and overpower us.”

“Since you’re broader than most men, I don’t fear for my safety and I don’t want you thinkin’ that I do.”

“You are too cross,” Ulrika shrugged. “What’s troubling you? Is it that you’ve been in prison? Is it that your son is still at Edward Cage’s house? Is it because you’re failing miserably? Or is it that you’ve jumped at a message from Marie Laveau like you’re her servant?”

“I am no one’s servant!” Iolanthe spun around and spat fiercely. “I answer to no one! I’ve only responded to Marie’s note because I’m curious as to what she has to offer me!”

“Certainly, you are.” Ulrika nodded. “So, what wicked business do you think the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans is about now? She’s certainly not fond of you. What could she want with you now?”

“I don’t know, Ginger,” Iolanthe snapped. “That’s why we’re goin’!”

“I do hope her home is near,” Ulrika took a deep breath. “My legs are growing weary.”

“You are annoying, aren’t you?” Iolanthe hissed.

“Some people find it alluring.” Ulrika winked.

“I’m not among them.” Iolanthe grumbled. ‘Marie’s house is just over there.” Iolanthe pointed.

As they approached the door, they heard the sounds of a baby crying.

Iolanthe’s eyes widened. “She couldn’t have!”

“Oh,” Ulrika laughed. “It’s just too glorious. Marie Laveau has succeeded where the great Iolanthe Evangeline has failed!”

Iolanthe drew back her arm and slapped Ulrika across the face.

Ulrika squealed.

Just then, Marie opened the door and grinned at the two women. “Ain’t no use punishin’ the girl for speakin’ the truth, Iolanthe. Now, come on inside and see what I have for you.”

At that very moment, Mr. Punch stood strangely still in the center of the tiny apartment above the Routhe’s dress shop.

Adrienne, Robert and Mama Routhe watched with increasing fear as Punch seemed frozen in time like one of Edward Cage’s wax effigies. Though his figure seemed still, the many voices within him were quite active.

“Mr. Punch,” Julian said in a voice that only Punch could hear, “You must compose yourself.”

“Take what you can!” Scaramouche squeaked over Julian.

“I…” Punch’s voice responded. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Gather yourself up and carry on!” Julian said firmly.

“Make ‘em suffer!” Scaramouche argued, his voice growing stronger and deeper again.

Adrienne looked desperately at Robert. “We’ve got to do something.”

“I know.” Robert nodded. “But, how can we reach him?”



Did you miss Chapters 1-278? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday for Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 280.