Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 339,

Chapter 339

Do No Harm

"Cor," Ethel grinned.  "Maybe I oughta get me-self married."

"What for?"  Maudie asked.

"Well, look at this fine suite of rooms."  Ethel smiled.

"The workmen did a fine job, Your Grace."  Speaight interrupted the girls.

"Sure,"  Punch nodded.  "I know I'm pleased with it, but what matters most, it does, is whether or not the bride to be and her groom like 'em.  After all, it's them what's gotta live here."

Maudie giggled to hear the Duke of Fallbridge speak in his normal voice.

Ethel pinched her friend.

"It's all right, Maudie."  Punch giggled, too.  "I know this ain't the way a Duke should talk only it's how I talk."

"I like it."  Maudie replied.

Speaight frowned.

"Your Grace."  Maude added.

"So,"  Robert piped up.  "What do you think, Gamilla?"

With tears in her eyes, Gamilla took Gerard by the arm and stepped forward.  "They're beautiful rooms, Your Lordship.  We can't thank you and Your Grace and Lady Fallbridge enough for all ya done for us."

"It's our pleasure."  Robert smiled.

"It sure is."  Mr. Punch agreed.

Ethel chortled and spoke up.  "So, if any of us gets married, Your Grace, will we all get a fine suite like this?"

"Who'll marry you?"  George Pepper whispered.

"That'll be quite enough."  Speaight snapped.  "There's quite a lot of difference between what's provided the nanny and the valet of the Lord of Colinshire than what would be offered a scullery maid."

"Oh, now."  Lennie smiled.  "Everyone in this house will always have the best possible accommodations at every phase of their life."

"Today's a happy day,"  Punch continued.  "So, let's be joyful."

"It most surely is, Your Grace."  Mrs. Pepper chirped.  "To think, in two days, our Gamilla will be Mrs. Gurney."

"Not only am I gettin' the best husband, but I'm gettin' finally gettin' a surname."  Gamilla teased.

"Surname, maybe,"  Charles joked.  "But, I don't know about the best husband."

"I can't think of one better."  Gamilla laughed.

"What about me?"  Charles grinned.

"Here, now."  Gerard jokingly scowled.

"Oh, you are bad, Charlie."  Mrs. Pepper shook her head playfully.

"As much as I'd like to stay here all day,"  Gamilla inhaled.  "I'd best get back to the day nursery and to Master Colin.  Ruthy still ain't too steady with his bath."

"And, I'd best get Her Ladyship's dinner gown ready."  Violet nodded.  "Just came from the dressmaker.  Oh, it's a fine one.  Lord Cleaversworth will nor be able to take his eyes off of you tonight., My lady."

Lennie blushed.

"Violet, please."  Speaight hissed.

Punch laughed, pleased to see the playfulness of the extended make-shift family.

"Here, what's that?"  Mrs. Pepper cocked her head to one side.

"Someone poundin' on the front door, I think."  Violet whispered.

"I'll go."  Charles said.

"The rest of you, thank His Grace, Lord Colinshire and Lady Fallbridge for inviting you upstairs."

"Thank you."  The others said in unison.

Punch nodded.

"Now, downstairs with the lot of you."  Speaight ordered.

"You're in a mood today, Mr. Speaight."  Mrs. Pepper whispered.

"Never you mind, Mrs. Pepper."  Speaight shook his head.

Robert and Punch chuckled as the group filed from the newly finished suite of rooms just off of the nursery.

"They are beautiful."  Gamilla said.  "We don't know what to say."

"We don't, truly."  Gerard added.

"Say you'll be happy here."  Punch nodded.

"We will, Your Grace."  Gerard answered.  "We will."

"That's all we ask."  Lennie smiled.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd best get into the day nursery."  Gamilla said.  She glanced at Gerard who winked at her.  Gamilla hurried out.

"And, I'll be settin' out your duds for tonight, Doctor...I mean, Your Lordship."

Robert nodded.  "I'll be in shortly."

As Gerard was exiting, Charles rushed into the room.

Punch felt his stomach sink.

"Your Lordship, there's..."  Charles panted.  "Miss Rittenhouse is here."

"Whatever for?"  Robert growled.

"She needs a doctor."

"I didn't think that woman was human enough to be ill."  Lennie muttered.

"It's not her, Lady Fallbridge.  It's the child."

"Fern?"  Punch raised his eyebrows.

"No."  Charles shook his head.  "The other one.  Marduk."

Did you miss Chapters 1-338?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back tomorrow for Chapter 340 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.  

 

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 339

“Do come in,”’ Adrienne said, rushing over to Agnes Rittenhouse and guiding her to a chair. Cecil began to speak, but a quick glance from Adrienne silenced him. “Tell me what’s troubling you.”

“Lady Barbara has left the house,” Agnes replied breathlessly.

“Which house?” Robert frowned.

“You know very well which house,” Agnes snapped.

“Ah, yes, the bawdy house where she has once again settled.” Robert nodded.

“She’s still an innocent young woman.” Agnes gasped.

“Robert, would you like to continue judging Barbara for her place of residence—a place where I myself once lived—or may we continue?” Adrienne asked.

“I beg your pardon,” Robert whispered.

“No one knows where she’s gone,” Agnes said. “But, I suspect that she’s gotten herself involved with trouble again. Not even Mala can say where she went, and though the woman is hideous, she does seem to know everything that happens in that house.”

“We know where she’s gone.” Robert replied stiffly. “She’s with Marie Laveau, and, you’re correct. She’s in danger.”

“Oh dear!’ Agnes said, putting her hands to her mouth.

“His Grace, the Duke, has gone to fetch her.” Adrienne said comfortingly.

“I suppose I’m to take comfort in that?” Agnes sighed.

“I suggest that you do.” Cecil sneered.

“Please, can’t you two gentlemen go, too?” Agnes asked.

Adrienne looked at her husband and brother-in-law.

“I had already planned on doing so. But, not, I should note, for Barbara’s sake.” Robert nodded. “Unless, of course, my brother wishes to object further.”

“No. I will accompany you.” Cecil answered gravely.

“And you shall wait here with me.” Adrienne said to Agnes.

Cecil raised his eyebrows.

“Do you have a comment, my dear?” Adrienne asked.

“No.” Cecil said as he exited to get dressed.

At that very moment, Mr. Punch was struggling to free himself from the ropes which bound his wrists. The heat from the fire blazed against his back and made him sweat. He looked over at his sister who sat next to him on the ground, slack-jawed, her arms also bound.

“Here, Barbara,” Punch hissed. “If we help each other, we can break free of this and go get Marjani.”

“Charles,” Barbara whispered.

“We can get Charles, too.” Punch nodded. “Only I don’t know where he’s gone to. Last I saw his brother carried him off, he did. But, he’s still here somewhere.”

“Charles,” Barbara repeated.

“Oh, you’re no good to me!” Punch spat.

Mr. Punch looked over his shoulder at the fire where he could barely make out the burning corpses of Arthur and Nellie.

“Well, least there’s some justice, I ‘spose.” Punch sighed. “Funny. Once I thought that I’d killed him me-self. Tossed him in the sea. I ‘spose that was too quiet a death for such a man. Serves him right he’d end up dying from fever and burnin’ in fire. It’s the perfect entrance to Hell, it is. And, that’s where he’ll end up.”

“Charles,” Barbara muttered.

“Coo! What you goin’ on ‘bout? We ain’t forgotten ‘bout Charles! What you doin’ here anyway? Thought you were takin’ a bath at Iolanthe’s. Seems to me this all coulda been avoided, it does. Shoulda listened to me chums and stayed home with the dog and the puppet and the babies what are all nice instead of bein’ here tied up by a fire with the likes of you.”

He looked at Barbara who didn’t respond.

“Ain’t that grand?” Punch grunted. “Here, what’s this all ‘bout anyway? Is it some kind of celebration? I ain’t been to many, but I somehow doubt that guests are regularly tied up at these things.”

Barbara didn’t answer.

“Nothin’, huh?” Punch sighed. “Once again I’m on me own.”

From within the body he shared with Julian, Punch heard a familiar voice—his master’s. “You’re never alone, Mr. Punch.”

“I ‘spose that’s true,” Punch replied without moving his lips. “You got any ideas?”

“I think we need some forceful assistance.” Julian answered wordlessly.

“What do you suggest?” Mr. Punch asked.

“I don’t really know,” Julian said privately. “But, I suspect that Mr. Scaramouche may be of some assistance.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-338? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday, September 12, 2011 for Chapter 340 of Punch’s Cousin.