Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 369

Chapter 369
Flower Girl


"Fern, why would you think that those roses aren't for you?"  Robert asked.

"Because...I..."  She frowned.  "No one likes me."

"That's not true."  Punch shook his head.   "Coo!  Maybe we don't like some of the things what you done, but we like you.  Otherwise, you'd not be here, you wouldn't."

"But, when Miss Rittenhouse got me, I...I waited so long."

"We didn't know how to get you out of that house, Fern."  Robert explained.  "We didn't want to just rush in and put you in further danger."

"Do ya understand?"  Punch asked.

"I think so."  Fern nodded.  "Well..."  She paused.  "Thank you for the flowers.  When do I leave for school?"

"After you've had a chance to rest and feel stronger."  Robert answered.

"You can stay here for a bit.  We ain't sendin' you to school as punishment, we're doin' it because it's what a girl your age should be doin'.  We're startin' anew, we are.  Provided you don't do anythin'...like what you done before...we can all get on just fine."

"Is that so?"  Fern asked.

"It is,"  Punch continued.  "It's up to you."

Fern nodded.  

"Miss Fern,"  Ethel spoke up.  "I thought tomorrow, maybe, you might help me in here with gettin' Master Colin's things in order.  I asked His Grace and His Lordship and they said they approved."

"Oh?"  Fern's eyes widened.

"Provided that you remember that Ethel is the authority in Gamilla's absence and that Colin is treated gently and with affection."  Robert responded.

"Oh, yes, Uncle Robert."  Fern answered.  "Could we start today?"

"Not today?"  Gamilla shook her head.  "Ethel will be at my wedding.  So will Colin."

"Oh."  Fern sighed.

"As will you."  Gamilla continued.

"I?"

"Of course, chil'."  Gamilla smiled.

"You want me to come to your wedding?"

"Why do ya think I left those roses for ya?"  Gamilla asked.  "I thought they'd look fine pinned to your lilac dress."

"But...you don't want me.   Not after what I did to you.  Not after I ruined your gown and..."

"That's all done with, Miss Fern.  I got a new gown and it's even made, in part, with the silk my dear friend done give me.  So, ain't too much harm done.  Besides, the whole household's gotta be there.  Ain't good to have any part of the family not present.  Bad enough we gotta leave Mr. Speaight behind to look after the hired folk who're bringing the food and flowers and such for the breakfast and reception.  I'd hate to think you wouldn't be there, too."  Gamilla smiled.

"Does Mr. Gurney know this?"  Fern asked.  "He doesn't like me."

"He does know.  And, he wants ya there.  He said so."  Gamilla replied.  "Now, you better go and get yourself dressed!  Vi said when she finished with my hair and Miss Lennie's she'd come in and help ya put yours up.  We even got a little wreath of blooms for ya to wear in your hair."

"You do?"  Fern's hands began to shake.

"If you want it."  Gamilla answered.

"Oh, I do!"  Fern exclaimed.

"Come with us, Fern."  Robert smiled.  "Uncle Punch and I will tell you what you'll be doing at the wedding."

"Doing?"

"Yes, Gamilla thought you might like to walk ahead of the bridal party and toss rose petals on the aisle."

"I?"  Fern gasped.  "I couldn't."

"I think you could."  Punch nodded.  "Now, come on, let's go get your dress and we can talk 'bout it."

"Yes."  Fern nodded.

She turned and looked at Gamilla.  "Thank you."

"It's my pleasure, Miss Fern."  Gamilla grinned.

"Gamilla, we must finish dressing you."  Lennie spoke up.  "We don't have the luxury of time which we thought we'd have."

"Yes, Your Ladyship."  Gamilla grinned.

As Fern followed Punch and Robert out of the nursery, Fern smiled.  Punch thought, perhaps, it was the first time he'd seen her do that out of actual happiness.

"Are you glad to be home?"  Punch asked.

"Oh, yes, Sir, I am."  Fern answered honestly.



Did you miss Chapters 1-368 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back tomorrow for Chapter 370.

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 369

Agnes Rittenhouse sniffed the air and stared angrily across the room to the spot on the floor where she’d left the two babies to sleep.


“Foul little things,” Agnes grumbled. “Stinking like piggies.” She withdrew a handkerchief from her sleeve and inhaled deeply through it. “Ah, roses. Is there nothing sweeter than the scent of dried roses?” She lay back on the bed, placing the handkerchief over her face. It fluttered as she breathed.

“Agnes, old girl,” she continued aloud to herself. “You’ve done well. Just when you thought all was lost, you’ve managed to right everything. Who says that you’re useless? Won’t my lady be pleased when I hand her this child? She’ll never know the difference. And, then, Mr. Cage can get that other little piggy and I’ll have the diamond.”

She giggled as she looked at the room through the white haze of her handkerchief. She recalled the first time she had seen Sir Colin Molliner bring the large blue diamond into Fallbridge Hall. She wanted it, then, but didn’t think she’d ever have a chance to have such a magnificent thing. Still, she thought, at least her lady would one day get it.

Ah, the things that had passed. Arthur—that fool. He thought he was so clever manipulating lady Barbara as he did. All the while he allowed himself to be manipulated by the Duchess. When Her Grace asked Arthur to get the diamond away from Lord Julian, she had no idea that Arthur was plotting to get his own hands on the diamond. In fact, Her Grace had inadvertently given the rogue her permission to steal it. All the while, Arthur was also stealing her daughter. And, of course, Julian had been clueless.

“You were the only one,” Agnes laughed to herself. “You were the only one who knew what was happening. And, no, old girl, you have your reward. That shall be your prize, Agnes.” She chuckled as she continued to talk to herself. “Your prize for all that you had to endure at the hands of the duchess.”

She removed the handkerchief from her face, scowling as she sat up. Where was Odo? She’d waited long enough hadn’t she? If that servant had tricked her…

“No,” She mumbled. “No, Agnes, you’d never be tricked by such a lowly creature as that. You’ve waited this long. A little whole longer will only make your victory that much sweeter.”

Meanwhile, Ty Odo was creeping back to the Cage’s mansion on Royal Street, hoping that Mr. Cage was not aware that he’d left. Furthermore, he’d hoped that Mr. Cage hadn’t had a moment to speak to Dr. Halifax and Marjani who, he pleaded God, were still tending to Mrs. Cage.

His fears were soon realized when he saw Robert and Marjani hurrying down Royal Street. Odo quickly ducked between two houses and cursed his luck when he realized that he had ended up next to the Halifax’s borrowed house. Odo pressed his body against the side of the house, and, as he did, he spied a curious scene through the window.

Iolanthe Evangeline was kneeling over the Duke of Fallbridge—her raw, pink hands around his throat as the pretty maid, Gamilla, tried to pull the Ogress off of her employers.

Odo grinned. “Maybe I’ll get what I want after all.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-368? If so, you can read them here.