Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 384

Chapter 384
Steady



"You're awful quiet, Charlie."  Violet smiled, sitting down next to Charles who had settled in at one of the tables at the reception.

"Am I?"  Charles looked up.  "Sorry."

"No reason to be sorry."  Violet said.  "Just looks like you got a lot o' things in your thoughts."

"I suppose that I do."  Charles nodded.

"Weddin's do that to a body."  Violet nodded.  "Makes ya think."

"Oh?"  Charles raised his eyebrows.  "And, what are you thinking about Violet?"

"Dunno."  She smiled.  "Maybe about how me and Gamilla are 'bout the same age and how I wonder if I'll ever be married."

Charles nodded.

"Same for you and Gerry, right?  You're 'bout the same age?"

"Gerard's a little older than I am."

"Ah..."  Violet said.  "But, it ain't being married that you're thinkin' 'bout.  Is it?"

Charles inhaled.  "That's part of it."

"You're thinkin' 'bout your brother."  Violet nodded.

"In part."  Charles shook his head.  "Oh, I don't know.  I've so many thoughts right now I can't sort them out."

"I don't mean to bother you."

"You're not."  Charles said quickly.  "Not at all.  I rather like having you nearby."  He took a deep breath.  "Yes, I am thinking about my brother...a little.  He's...well...  All these weeks he was just a few doors away and I have no feelings for him.  Not any I'd repeat to a woman."

"You don't have t'like your siblings.  I know I don't like all mine.  At the end, they're just people like anyone else.  Ya don't have to approve o' 'em.  You don't even have to speak to 'em."

Charles smiled.  "I suppose that's true."

"Look, Charlie.  He's made his path for 'imself.  Taken a dangerous road, done awful things.  It's nothin' to do with you."

"No."

"But, that ain't all you're thinkin' of."  Violet smiled.  "You're thinkin' of a girl."

Charles looked away.

"You can tell me, Charlie."

"I am."  Charles nodded slowly.

"The Duke's other sister?  The one no one speaks of?"

"That's right.  Barbara."  He spoke softly.

"You loved her?"

"I thought I did.  But, sitting here just now, I realize that she was only...she was...I was just a pawn to  her.  I don't think the woman is capable of loving anyone."  He sighed.  "But, who knows what's happened to her?"

"The masters say she's dead, but we all know she ain't."  Violet replied.

"She could well be by now."  Charles whispered.

"You worry 'bout 'er?"

"That's the funny thing, Violet.  I used to.  But, sitting here just now, I realize that I feel nothing for her anymore.  I suppose it rather shocked me.  I did care for her...quite a lot, so much, in fact, that it made me act in ways which were not...were not me."

"Love does that."  Violet nodded.

"No, it doesn't."  Charles shook his head.  "Love is steady.  Love is quiet and comforting.  Love is..."  He looked at Violet.  "Love is reliable."

She blushed and looked away.

"Well, then," she said finally.  "I'm looking forward to going to Yorkshire."

"Oh, yes."  Charles cleared his throat.  "As I am.  And, congratulations on your promotion."

"Thank you."  Violet replied.

"Violet..."  Charles began.  "Tomorrow is my afternoon off.  And, I think it's yours, too."

"It is."

"Perhaps...maybe...well, I was thinking that I'd like to spend the afternoon at one of those tearooms.  You know, nice and quiet.  I thought...if you'd like...perhaps you'd like to go with me."

Violet blushed again.  "I should like to very much, Charles."


Did you miss Chapters 1-383 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back tomorrow for Chapter 385.  

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 384

“Where are you taking me?” Barbara fumed as Ulrika pushed her into the garden behind Edward Cage’s house on Royal Street.

“I want to show you something.” Ulrika smiled.

“Who are you?” Barbara mumbled.

“Come now, Barbara,” Ulrika grinned. “Really, this madwoman act may work on your idiot brother, but not on me. I know you too well.”

“I don’t know you.” Barbara screamed.

“More’s the pity, if it’s true.” Ulrika sighed. “Still, I can promise you won’t forget me after tonight.” She pointed to a low, new building at the rear of the garden. “After you, Lady Barbara.”

“What’s in there?”

“Your past.” Ulrika laughed. “And, your future.”

“I won’t go in.” Barbara spat.

Ulrika growled, opening the door and angrily pushing Barbara inside.

“It’s dark.” Barbara gasped.

“Not for long,” Ulrika hissed, lighting an oil lamp.

Barbara’s eyes widened as flickering light filled the room. “Who are all of these people?”

“They’re wax, you fool!” Ulrika laughed. “These are figures that will debut next month in Edward’s museum.”

“What has this to do with me?” Barbara shouted.

“Look here,” Ulrika chuckled, reaching for a sheet which covered one figure. With a dramatic swoosh, she withdrew the cover, revealing a ghastly figure.

“Mother!” Barbara screamed.

“Yes!” Ulrika howled. “Look at her! Her neck strained and pulled. She’ll hang in the center of a new exhibition just as she was hanged in an attic room of your brother’s house—her life already drained by Iolanthe Evangeline! It will be simply delicious! He calls it ‘Death of a Duchess!’”

“You’re horrible!” Barbara stumbled backward, overturning baskets and boxes. As she did, she heard the cry of an infant.

“What’s that?” Barbara trembled.

“Your son.” Ulrika cackled. “Look at him!”

Barbara turned and studied the floor. There, in a wooden crate, wrapped in rags was her son—his little arms reaching outward for comfort.

“Colin,” Barbara mumbled, bending forward toward the child.

Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her throat and the room began to spin.

Ulrika grinned madly as she tightened the rope around Barbara’s neck from behind. “Don’t fight it, Lady Barbara. You’ll be reunited with your mummy soon enough!”



Did you miss Chapters 1-383? If so, you can read them here.