Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 333

Chapter 333 

Let Him In 



“Yes?” Ulrika smiled as she opened the door of Hamish House.

“Pardon me, Miss, I’m lookin’ for Miss Polk.” Johnny Donnan nodded, his hat in his hand.

“Miss Polk doesn’t receive visitors.” Ulrika replied, beginning to close the door.

“She’ll see me. Aye, she will. I’m called Donnan. Johnny Donnan.”

“Oh, yes. I know your name.” Ulrika grinned. “You’re chief among the list of those whom Miss Polk will not see.”

“Why is that?”

“Really?” Ulrika squinted. “I shouldn’t think I’d have to explain that to you.”

“Once she called me, ‘father.’” Johnny answered.

“And, that’s precisely the reason she shouldn’t see you.” Ulrika laughed. “You’re not her father.”

“I’m no one’s father now.” Johnny shook his head.

“Oh…” Ulrika leaned in. “You’re sad. How exciting.”

“My son is dead. My only livin’ kin won’t speak to me even when I done ‘em a good turn. Seems that’s good ‘nough reason for a man to be sad.”

“It’s a glorious reason.” Ulrika cooed. “Your only living family? Would that be the Duke of Fallbridge’s sister?”

“Aye.” Johnny nodded. “The one Miss Polk told me she was.”

“She did a splendid job of it, didn’t she?” Ulrika nodded.

“Fooled me, she did.”

“Brilliant.” Ulrika sighed contentedly. “So, there, you’ve rather answered your own question as to why I can’t let you see Miss Polk. Surely you must hold a grudge against her for her deception…and…the beautiful result therein.”

“Miss, I just come from the kitchens of the Duke of Fallbridge after doin’ a good turn for Lady Fallbridge and the Duke and his doctor wouldn’t even let me speak to the girl. Aye, in fact, she showed no interest in wantin’ to see me at all. Turned her back, she did. Like I weren’t even there.”

“It gives me shivers to think of it.” Ulrika widened her eyes with delight. “You must have been utterly dejected.”

“Aye.”

“But, why come here?”

“Miss Polk was more of a daughter to me than me own blood.”

“Ah.” Ulrika nodded. “Still…didn’t you blame her for the death of your son?”

“I did. But, that was wrong. It was me own cruelty what sent Finlay wrong.”

“I’d love to have seen that.” Ulrika hugged herself. She turned around slightly and peered into the house.

“Do I hear the cry of babies?” Johnny asked.

“In a way.” Ulrika laughed. “That’s Miss Polk’s son.”

“I thought I heard two cries.” Johnny squinted.

“You did.” Ulrika smiled.

From within, a deep, weary voice—Orpha’s—called out. “Ulrika, let him in. I want him to meet Marduk.”

“Marduk?” Johnny asked.

“That’s the child’s name.”

“What sort of name is that?” Johnny asked.

“Royal.” Ulrika said proudly.

“I see.” Johnny nodded. “The lady said I could come in.”

“And so you shall, you sad little man. So you shall.” Ulrika opened the door wider.



Did you miss Chapters 1-332 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 334. 

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 333

Cecil shuffled out into the upstairs corridor, rubbing his eyes.
“What is this?” Cecil grumbled as he staggered into Mr. Punch’s room where he found Punch hurriedly attempting to put on his own boots.

“Puttin’ me boots on me feet!” Punch said quickly.

“Why?” Cecil frowned. “It’s the middle of the night.”

“I know ‘tis.” Punch shrugged. “But, we got somethin’ to do, we do.”

“And, what is so pressing at this hour that you’re rummaging about so loudly that you might wake the children as you woke me?” Cecil asked, settling onto Punch’s bed.

“We got troubles.”

“Not surprising.” Cecil yawned. “We have had a surfeit of those lately. But, surely, we’re on our way toward better times. After all, we have your nephew. We’ll be departing tomorrow. What could be so urgent that you’ve gotten yourself so alarmed?”

“Iolanthe,” Robert explained as he joined Cecil and Punch. “And, Marie.”

“They can’t touch us now.” Cecil sighed. “We’ve done all we could. Barbara Allen has made her own decisions. We’re not going to get her to change her mind. If she wants to stay with those women, then, let her. We have the child. That’s what matters. So, you didn’t get your diamond back. How many diamonds would you be willing to trade for Colin?”

“It ain’t no diamond what I want nor is it Barbara Allen!” Punch chirped. “It’s that I gotta put things right.”

“For whom?” Cecil asked.

“For…” Punch stuttered. “For everyone, for all of us. Even Charles.”

“Charles? What in Heaven’s name does he have to do with anything?” Cecil growled.

“He’s gotten himself in a predicament. It seems that Marie Laveau is staging some sort of ritual—one she claims has conceived a powerful child within her. She stole Arthur’s corpse as part of this and now she seems to be using Charles for the same purpose.” Robert explained.

“How do you know this?” Cecil narrowed his eyes.

“We received a letter from Marie herself. Not with all of those details, of course. Those were supplied by Gerard who saw it with his own eyes.”

“Gerard? The idiot?” Cecil grumbled.

“I don’t think he’s as much of an idiot as he wants people to think that he is.” Robert shook his head.

“Fine. So, Gerard is no idiot. And, Marie has Charles. What of it? He’s a servant. We can find Punch and His Grace another footman.”

“Brother,” Robert scowled. “I’m surprised at you. Have you been affluent for so long that you’ve forgotten the circumstances of our youth? Have you forgotten the humanity of each man?”

“I’m sorry, Robert,” Cecil sighed. “You’re right. But, you have to agree that it’s not as if Charles has been the most loyal of men to us. From the outset, his priority has always been his misguided affection for that whore Barbara. No offense, Mr. Punch.”

“None taken,” Punch shrugged. “You’re correct. That’s what she is.”

“Be that as it may,” Robert interrupted, “We can’t very well leave the man in the clutches of Marie and Iolanthe.”

“What has Iolanthe got to do with this?” Cecil asked.

“We don’t know. That Ulrika what’s got the wide neck and the deep voice is there, too. See, they’re the monsters, they are. Them ones what Naasir told me ‘bout. I gotta make sure they can’t hurt no one. Naasir told me that that’s what was written.”

“Nonsense.” Cecil argued. “I’ll tell you what’s written! In this house there are two infant boys, my wife, me, Marjani and her grandchild who are all ready to be taken to England to safety. We owe it to those people to do as we promised. Risking your lives once again to carry out some prophesy told to you by your deceased African valet is sheer lunacy.”

“I gotta do it, Chum.” Punch shook his head.

“No.” Cecil replied firmly. “I won’t allow it!”



Did you miss Chapters 1-332? If so, you can read them here.