Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 356

Chapter 356
Luck


"Ruthy?"  Gerard smiled as he poked his head through the night nursery door.  "Is Gamilla in our new rooms?"

"Yes,"  Ruthy frowned.  "She came up her not half an hour ago."

"So, I take it that the hen-do has finished for the evening?"  Gerard smiled.

"Don't ask me."  Ruthy snapped.  "And, you shouldn't be so flippant when referring to a gathering which included Her Ladyship."

"I heard Her Ladyship call it just that this afternoon."  Gerard replied.  "Listen, Ruthy, why do you have to be so sour all the time?"

"I don't know what you mean."  Ruthy turned her head away.  "And, I'll thank you to keep your voice down.  I've only just gotten the baby to sleep and it was no easy task with all the noise in the house."

"Well, the noise 'as stopped now."  Gerard raised an eyebrow.  "Everyone's gone to their beds, and I think it's high time you do the same."

"And leave the baby?"

"Ruthy, it ain't like you sleep in here."  Gerard answered.  "Gamilla's right here.  If the baby cries, we'll hear 'im."

"You just want me to leave so you can be alone with Gamilla."

"Right you are."  Gerard nodded.  "And, you'd best get used to it, too.  When we return from our wedding trip, Gamilla and me..."  He pointed to the door to their new suite.  "Will be sleepin' right in there.  Together.  And, we will not want you to be sittin' out here in the night nursery all the time.  You got your own room to yourself in the attics.  So, why don't ya go up there and get some sleep?  You'll be busy tomorrow and the next two weeks.  Rest while you can."

"You are not the person to whom I answer, Mr. Gurney."

"No, you answer to my bride-to-be."

"I answer to the Duke of Fallbridge!"

"Ultimately we all do."  Gerard laughed.  "But, first you got Mr. Speaight, and Gamilla and even Mr. Iantosca and me.  We're valets and the masters' footmen.  So..."

"Very well."  Ruthy said stiffly.  "I shall leave."

"I know you're gonna 'ave it rough here with Gamilla gonna be gone for awhile, havin' to take care o' things all by yourself, but, I heard His Grace say he was gonna see to it you got help and..."

"I manage alone quite well.  God knows I'm mostly alone here anyway."  Ruthy scoffed as she walked out of the room.

"Lord..."  Gerard shook his head.  He straightened his livery and smoothed his hair before knocking on the door to the rooms he'd soon be sharing with Gamilla.

"Yes?"  Gamilla called out.

"It's your groom."  Gerard teased.

"Oh!"  Gamilla exclaimed, rushing to the door.  "Don't come in.  You ain't supposed to see me before the weddin'!"

"The wedding is tomorrow.  I can see ya all I want tonight."

"Oh, no you ain't!"  Gamilla laughed, leaning against the door to prevent Gerard from opening it.  "It's after midnight.  Today IS tomorrow!"

"I see."  Gerard replied.  "Maybe...maybe, it don't count 'til the sun rises."

"No, no."  Gamilla replied playfully.

"Well, at least tell me how your party went."  Gerard laughed.

"Through the door?"  Gamilla asked.

"You're the one what won't let me in, Love."

"All right,"  Gamilla chuckled, opening the door.  "But, if we get bad luck, it's all on your head."

"No bad luck, Love.  Not ever again.  It's gonna be you and me.  How could we 'ave bad luck?"

Gamilla grinned and embraced Gerard.  "I believe it, honey.  For true."  She took him by the hand.  "Come on in.  Tomorrow, this is your home, too."  As she closed the door, she looked over her shoulder.  "Is Ruthy gone?"

"I sent her to bed.  Love, why is she so sour?  She's always been a bit stiff, but, she's gotten all the more unpleasant over these weeks."

"I don't know."  Gamilla shrugged.  "I think maybe she don't feel like she's part of everythin' here.  Like tonight, she didn't get to join us."

"I can see her bein' bitter 'bout tonight,"  Gerard nodded.  "But, it ain't like we don't try to include her."  He shrugged.  "I can think of many times when one of us 'ave offered 'er a place at table next to us and she takes her tray and leaves.  If she wants to be friends, she don't make a good show of it."

"Long as she does her job, I don't care."  Gamilla laughed.  "Right now, all I care 'bout is you? How was the evenin' with the men?"

"No, I asked you first."

"Oh, honey, it was beautiful."  She grinned.  "They were so sweet."

"What'd you do?"

"Oh, we laughed and ate and played silly games, but mostly talked.  And, look."  She pointed. "Look at all them gifts they done gave me."

"That was sweet."  Gerard nodded.

"You didn't look."

"I only wanna look at you." 

"Oh, Gerry."

"It's true, Love!"  Gerard patted her hand.

Gamilla looked away bashfully.  "How was the evening with the men?"

"Great fun.  Mr. Punch led us all in some bawdy songs.  I should say, the Duke did.  But, he was all Mr. Punch tonight."

"Even in front of the Queen's groomsman?"

"Sure was."  Gerard laughed.  "All but Dr. Halifax and Mr. Punch smoked cigars and we told jokes and they teased me.  His Grace  gave me a handsome groomin' set and five lovely new suits of clothes to wear on our trip.  Charlie gave me a fob."

"You don't gotta watch."  Gamilla giggled.

Gerard reached into his pocket.  "I do now."  He retrieved a handsome gold pocket watch.  "A gift from Dr. Halifax."

"Oh my goodness."  Gamilla gasped.  "Ain't it handsome?"

"It is."  Gerard returned the watch to his pocket.  "Yet, all I can think of is you.  Ya know, I been thinkin' 'bout Scotland.  Ya know...before it all went bad.  The night of the ball when you and me danced."

"I remember."  Gamilla smiled sweetly.

"Dance with me."  Gerard stood and offered his hand to Gamilla.

"Now?  There ain't no music."

"Don't need it."  Gerard shook his head.

"I will dance with you, Mr. Gurney."  Gamilla stood.

"Thank you, Mrs. Gurney."

"But, then ya gotta go."

"I will."  Gerard nodded.  "I'll be good.  I just can't wait tomorrow for our first dance as husband and wife."

"We ain't married yet."

"Close enough."  Gerard winked.  "It's gonna be the first of many dances."

"It sure is, honey, it sure is."


Did you miss Chapters 1-355 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back on Monday for Chapter 357 and some BIG SURPRISES.

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 356

“Stop crying, you little beasts,” Agnes Rittenhouse panted as she struggled into the cold night hair, the weight of two babies making angry pins rise in her straining, withered arms. She stumbled as her stick-like legs carried her behind one of the other handsome Royal Street residences.


She spotted an outbuilding—windows dark like sleeping eyes—and groaned as she went toward it. Ducking behind the building she leaned against the wall and slowly slid toward the wet ground, slumping as she supported the weight of Colin and Fuller on her lap.

“I said to stop crying.” The nanny hissed at the babies. “Boys are such little piggies!”

Placing the boys heavily on the ground she clawed her way back to her feet and peered into one of the windows of the building. It was empty—clearly used as storage. “Stay here,” She spat at the infants as she felt her way around to a rear door. Trying the handle, she was relieved to find it unlocked.

“This will do for now,” Agnes grinned. She looked at the boys. “Yes, it’ll do for now.”

At that very moment, at Dr. Biamenti’s Royal Street mansion, Marjani cringed as she heard Adrienne Halifax’s screams of horror. The clatter of footsteps on the stairs signaled the return of the Halifax’s.

Marjani looked up to see Robert and Cecil carrying Meridian down the stairs. Meridian groggily protested. “I can walk on my own feet. I’m so sorry. So sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, Meridian.” Robert said gently—belying the look of agony on his face.

Marjani quickly turned to her granddaughter. “Honey, you stay with Mr. Punch. Ya hear? Grandmama’s gonna go help Meridian.”

“Is she dead like mama?” Columbia gulped.

“No, chil’, you hear her talkin’, don’t ya?” Marjani smiled.

“Yes.”

“Then, she ain’t dead.”

“Good.” Columbia smiled. “But, Missus Adrienne, she’s cryin’.”

“She’s scared, honey.” Marjani said.

“Cuz o’ that ol’ lady?”

“Yes, honey.” Marjani said. “Now, you stay here and keep talkin’ to Mr. Punch. Remember, he can hear ya.”

With that, Marjani rushed toward Robert and Cecil.

“We’ve got her,” Cecil barked. “Try to comfort my wife.”

Marjani put her arms around Adrienne.

“It’ll be all right, Missus.” Marjani whispered.

“My boy!” Adrienne screamed. “This is my fault. My fault!”

“Ain’t no one’s fault. We’ll find your boy. We’ll find both them boys. That old bitch couldn’t have gotten far.”

Cecil emerged from the kitchen where he and Robert had brought Meridian.

“Stay here with my wife.” Cecil commanded. “I’m going to find my son and my…and Colin.”

“I’m coming with you!” Adrienne screamed.

“No.” Cecil shook his head.

“Don’t waste time!” Adrienne bellowed.

“Very well, come on.” Cecil took his wife by the arm.

Marjani took a deep breath and hurried into the kitchen.

“Will Meridian be all right?” Marjani asked.

“I’m fine. I’m fine.” Meridian murmured. “I don’t know how she done it. She must have hit me. I tried to stop her.”

“I know you did, Meridian.” Robert said, studying the woman for signs of injury. He looked up. “Any change in His Grace?”

“No.” Marjani shook her head. “I left Columbia with him. She’s talkin’ to him.”

Robert pressed a cool cloth against Meridian’s head. “I don’t know how much more we can endure.”

“You’d be surprised, Doctor.” Marjani said sweetly. “Just when you think your body’s gonna give out is when it’s at its strongest.”

“What about my mind?” Robert sighed.

“That, too.” Marjani replied.

“I only hope that His Grace—in his unconscious state—is somewhere more peaceful than this.”

“I hope so, too, Sir.” Marjani nodded.

Their wishes, however, went unanswered. Trapped in his own body, the Duke of Fallbridge watched as the image of his dead mother turned to face the image of his other personality.

“So, Mr. Punch,” The Duchess of Fallbridge grinned. “You’ve come to rescue my son again, have you?”

“Sure, I have,” Punch nodded. “I always done and so I always will.”

Punch looked up and smiled at Julian. “Hullo, master chum, who’s the gentleman?”

“The Prince Consort.” Julian replied in confusion.

“Coo!” Mr. Punch laughed. “Is he one of us, too?”

“No.” Julian replied. “He’s a hallucination.”

“Here, that’s good.” Punch nodded. He took a step backward and looked around. “Now, what else we got here? We got the crusty Duchess, the damned nanny, and look—little Julian. Here, I remember when you was real. What you doin’ in that bath tub?”

The vision of the child Julian shrugged.

“Well get out of it, then?” Mr. Punch said, walking to the tub and picking the child up.

“What are you doing?” The spectral nanny asked.

“Makin’ this stop once and for all.” Mr. Punch grumbled.

“Put him down!” The Duchess bellowed.

“No.” Punch squinted. “You go away.”

With that, the Duchess disappeared.

“You, too.” Punch spat at the nanny.

And, with that, he image disappeared, too.

Punch wrapped small Julian in a blanket. “There you go, wee master. Nice and cozy.”

Prince Albert laughed.

“What’s so funny, Bertie?” Punch narrowed his eyes.

“I…” The Prince began. “It’s simply that His Grace could have done that himself. This is, after all, his imagination.”

“Not entirely, it ain’t.” Punch shook his head. “It’s mine, too. It is.” Punch sighed. “I don’t know how it all works, I don’t. Only I know how it works better than me master does. See, I been takin’ care of all this for a long, long time.”

“Yes, you have.” Julian nodded.

“Now, listen, I’m gonna send the boy away for now.” Punch said calmly.

“Very well.” Julian nodded.

“And, the Prince, too.” Punch continued.

Julian looked over his shoulder to see that Prince Albert was also gone..

“Now.” Punch said, taking a deep breath and offering his hand to Julian. “Let’s have a chat, you and I.”

Julian took Mr. Punch’s hand. “As you wish.”

“I can ‘preciate what you’re thinkin’. Seems you want to know stuff. Maybe you’re ready. Maybe you ain’t. But, if we do this together, then, I ‘spose we’ll get through it.”

“I imagine we can.” Julian nodded.

“But, if anyone’s gonna lead you through all these memories and whatnot, it’s gonna be me and not some fool Prince what don’t have no idea what nothin’ is.”

Julian smiled.

“Sometimes, master chum, you make things much more complicated than they need to be.”

“I do.”

“Yep.” Punch chuckled. “Now, are you with me?”

“I am.”

“Good, then, let’s go.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-355? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday, October 3, 2011 for Chapter 357 of Punch’s Cousin.