Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 347

Chapter 347
After the Fete



Punch plopped into bed next to Robert and sighed.  "Think, Chum, our Lennie's gone and gotten 'erself engaged to an earl."

"It's not a huge surprise.  Now, is it?"  Robert smiled.

"No."  Punch chuckled.  "Only, well, I thought maybe it'd take a little longer than it did for 'im to work up the nerve."

"I thought he was about to have an apoplectic fit when she initially refused him."  Robert laughed.

"Glad she changed 'er mind.  I think he'll be good to 'er."  Punch nodded.  "Only, it'll be odd, it will, to not have 'er 'round the house."

"They've not even decided when the wedding is to take place."  Robert replied.  "Lennie will be with us for quite some time to come, I'm sure."

"Good."  Punch smiled.

"The servants were so delighted to join in the celebration."  Robert began.  "Gamilla and Gerard especially.  I thought it sweet how Gamilla wept with joy and said she was glad for Lennie.  I suspect Gamilla's emotions are high since she herself will be a bride in...well, the day after tomorrow."

"She and Lennie've become very close of late, too."  Punch responded.  "I know they have many a private chat, they do."

"Dear Punch, did you notice that while everyone else was quite caught up in the spirit of revelry, that Charles seemed a bit reserved?"

"I did, sure.  Him and Violet."

"I wonder why."  Robert asked.

"Ain't it obvious?"

"Not especially, but you know how thick I can be when it comes to such observations."  Robert grinned.

"Vi is worried that when Lennie marries, she's gonna have to leave here and go with her mistress to Cleaversworth House."

"Oh, I hadn't considered that."  Robert squinted.

"It's usual for a lady to take her maid when she marries."

"I suppose it is."  Robert nodded.  "Violet should be pleased to know she's wanted and will continue to remain employed."

"Not when it means leavin' her friends here.  And, one friend in particular."  Punch answered.

"Oh?"

"Chum..."  Punch shook his head.

"Charles?"

"Well, then, you win the prize, my Robert."

"I didn't know that Charles and Violet are..." He trailed off.

"I don't know that they are.  But, I think Gerard and Gamilla 'ave worked enough of their meddling that the idea is there, it is."  Punch laughed.  "And, just when they're gettin' used to the idea, this changes things."

"Oh dear."  Robert sighed.

"Let's not worry on it right now.  These things 'ave a way o' sortin' themselves out, they do.  Tonight, let's just rest.  Our Lennie's got a fiance, our Gamilla and Gerard are to be wed, Colin is safe, the house is quiet, and here we are together with our Dog Toby.  For a change, ain't no trouble--well, new trouble."

"Indeed."  Robert nodded.  He chuckled.

"What's funny?"

"I was just thinking of Matthew.  He looked a little overwhelmed when we invited the servants up to join in the celebration."

"I forget that our household is unlike most.  Matthew'll get used to it."  Punch grinned.  "If he didn't think he could, he'd not have put that yellow diamond on our Lennie's finger."

"Very true."  Robert agreed.  "Let's get some sleep, then, shall we?"

"Let's."  Punch nodded.  "Before anything interrupts us."

"Not tonight.  Nothing will."

Meanwhile, downstairs, a soft knock on the area door caught Charles' attention.  He walked through the hall to peer through the window and saw, on the other side, Johnny Donnan.

Quietly, Charles opened the door.  "Mr. Donnan, has something happened?"

"No, no."  Johnny replied.

"You know you're not supposed to be seen here."

"I been sent by Miss Rittenhouse."

"Oh?"  Charles narrowed his eyes.

Johnny presented an envelope which rattled with coins.

"Miss Rittenhouse wanted to pay for the doctor's services.  She said she dont' want no debt to the man even if all he said was wrong.  Them's her words, not mine.  I got nothin' but respect for the doctor."

"I'll pass this on the Lord Colinshire."  Charles said.

"Aye, I forgot he was called that now."  Johnny nodded.  "I can give it to 'im me-self if he's afoot."

"His Lordship and His Grace have retired for the evening.  In fact, the household has all gone to sleep."

"A bit early for 'em."

"Yes, but, we had a bit of a celebration tonight and..."  Charles stopped himself.

"Celebration?"  Johnny asked.

"Yes."  Charles answered.  "Good night, Mr. Donnan."

"I suppose it were for the African girl and the Australian man.  Their weddin' is nigh, yes?"

"Yes, but..."

"Is there more to celebrate?"

"It doesn't really concern you, Mr. Donnan.  I know that you're really trying to improve your life, and I know His Grace appreciate what you're doing for them, but..."

"It's about Her Ladyship, then?  Otherwise, you'd tell me."  Johnny interrupted.

"You know where you stand."  Charles shook his head.

"Just tell me, lad."

Charles inhaled.  "Her Ladyship has accepted the marriage proposal of the Earl of Cleaversworth."

Tears rose in Johnny's eyes.  "Is that so?"

"Now, good night, Mr. Donnan."  Charles concluded.

"Good night to ya."  Johnny nodded.

Charles closed the door.

As Johnny climbed the area stairs to the street, he glanced up at the house.  "My little girl's to be a bride."  He shook his head.  "She'll need the kind words of her pa just now.  It's only right..."


Did you miss Chapters 1-346 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back tomorrow for Chapter 348.

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 347

Julian tried to brush past Prince Albert and retreat from the elaborate hallucination into which the image of the Prince had led him.


“Where are you going, Your Grace?” The Prince smirked.

“I shall not watch this.” Julian shook his head.

“What could be the matter?” Prince Albert replied, pushing Julian back toward the scene of Nanny Rittenhouse, the child and the Duchess of Fallbridge. “You lived through the day once. It is, simply, daily nursery business, is it not? The child is being given a bath.”

“Is that what it is?” Julian growled. “Is it?”

“Isn’t it?” The Prince grinned.

“Watch, then!” Julian spat. “I shall stand with you. We shall see daily nursery business! We shall see, then, if this is what happens in the nurseries in the palace. Is this how your children were treated? Your eldest son? Tell me, then, as you watch, if this is how your son was bathed!”

“I will.” Albert nodded.

Julian watched as the specters of attendants whose names he’d long forgotten carried the bathtub into the nursery. The water steamed and spat as it was poured into the tub.

“Characterize the water for me, Your Majesty,” Julian challenged the prince.

“It appears angry.”

“It’s boiling!” Julian shouted. “Boiling!”

Julian flinched as he watched the image of his young self scream with terrible pain as he was lowered into the bubbling water.

“Clean the pig!” Nanny Rittenhouse laughed as she scrubbed at the boy’s pink, tender skin with a rough flannel.

“Make sure he’s very clean,” The Duchess cooed. “Very clean.”

“Well?” Julian turned to the prince defiantly.

“That was probably quite awful.”

“Probably?” Julian spat. “It was torture!”

“So, put a stop to it.” The prince challenged.

“How shall I put a stop to something that has already happened?”

“You cannot. That is true. However, you can keep it from playing out in your thoughts again and again forever.”

“I had not thought of this for years until you forced me to!” Julian argued. “It is not a thought that was repeated.”

“Wasn’t it?” Prince Albert clucked his tongue. “And what, do you think, fuels Scaramouche’s anger? No, you may not have recalled this personally, but someone did. One of you did, and has, over and over.”

Julian frowned.

“So, Your Grace, put an end to it.”

“How?” Julian snarled.

“Stop them. Walk over there and stop them.” The Prince pointed.

“They’re not real. This is a vision!” Julian snapped.

“And, presently, so are you.”

“Yes, Julian,” The image of the Duchess said, looking up. “You are the same as we are. Stop us, if you dare.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-346? If so, you can read them here.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 347

Julian recoiled as Prince Albert pressed on his back and physically moved him into the shadow of his former nursery.


"Look at it!" The prince demanded.

"I don't dare." Julian moaned.

"She is the same color as the walls. Is she not?". Prince Albert pointed to the vision of Nanny Rittenhouse--younger than she was in the reality of the Royal Street house,, but still desiccated, dry, crunchy, brittle and gray like a pile of dead leaves fit only for burning.

"I couldn't say," Julian trembled.

"Come now, Your Grace. Don't be so stubborn. You were raised to be agreeable. Would your mother, the duchess, say?"

"My mother is dead. Dead at the hands of that murderous prostitute. She'll say nothing."

"Outside," the prince grinned. Outside, she's dead. Not in here."

"No." Julian shook his head.

"Listen," Prince Albert pointed to the figure of the nanny. "it begins."

Julian forced himself to look forward. He watched though his whole body--if you could call it such--quivered with fear and disgust.

"Master Julian," the specter of the nanny barked. "No more hiding. Your mother, Her Grace, is nigh."

Julian gasped as he saw the ghost of himself--aged three tears--emerge from his favorite hiding spot behind the big, crimson chair by the cold, flame-less hearth.

"There you are, you naughty little pig." the nanny growled. "Have you nothing to say?"

"I'm sorry," the little boy whispered.

"Look at him." Julian said, beginning to sob as he gazed upon his child-self. "Look how fresh and rosy he is against this background of death and pain. He hasn't faded yet."

"Only you decide when he fades." the prince snapped. His eyes brightened. "She comes."

The massive, carved door at the end if the vision of the room belched open as the duchess entered.

"Nanny?" the duchess cooed. "He is still dressed!"

"Yes, Your Grace. He is a foul piggy."

"Hurry then, before the water calms." the duchess growled. She narrowed her eyes at the boy. "Now, Julian. It is time for your bath."



Did you miss chapters 1-346. If so, you can read them here.