Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 394

Chapter 394
New Life


After almost an hour of ecstatic chatter downstairs with the entire staff, Robert declared that Gamilla and Gerard should be allowed to go to their suite to rest and unpack.

"After all, they've just concluded a long journey,"  Robert smiled.

"We haven't given everyone their presents, yet."  Gerard said quickly.

"There's time 'nough for all that."  Mr. Punch shook his head.  "You two go on up--Gamilla, 'specially needs to get 'er rest."

He caught sight of Hulda, Dolly and the new scullery maid examining him as he spoke.  He'd forgotten that they weren't yet accustomed to him.  Still, he didn't care.  He was too happy to worry about such things.

"Besides,"  Lennie nodded, "Ethel, and, especially young Colin will want to see you both."

Gerard reached for one of their bags.

"Oh, no!"  Charles said.  "Georgie and I will bring them up."

Gerard blushed.  "I can still carry.  Marriage ain't made my arms weaker."

"Good to know."  Charles winked.  "But, just this once, let us carry for you."

Robert, Punch and Lennie walked upstairs with Gerard and Gamilla.  

"We're so glad to have you back with us,"  Lennie beamed.  "The house was not the same without you."

"It's very true.  Though Ethel did a very fine job on her own, we simply missed having you both with us."  Robert added.

"We missed all of you, too,"  Gamilla replied.  "So many times I'd see somethin' and think, 'Oh, His Grace would love to see that or His Lordship would like to go there. And wouldn't Her Ladyship enjoy goin' to this shop?'"

"Much happened here what we'd 'ave loved to share with you.  Miss Fern went to school."  Punch said as they climbed the next flight.

"Did she now?"  Gerard grinned.  "Without any...issue?"

"She went happily and she's been writing that she's doing her best."  Robert replied.

"We'll leave you to the next flight on your own."  Punch said.  "Only, if you would, once you're ready, join us in the library so we might continue our chat."

"We'd be so happy to."  Gamilla smiled.  

"Gamilla, I hope you don't mind that I...that I said that you were...with child.  I could just tell and, I thought it so good, I just...said it without thinkin'."  Punch said sheepishly.

"I knew you'd know right off, Your Grace."  Gamilla said.

"I don't know how you knew, dear Punch."  Robert shook his head.  "I'm the physician, and I couldn't tell.  It's only been sixteen days."

"Oh, I just knew."  Punch shrugged.  "I dunno.  Felt new life in the house.  Felt hope come to us."

Gamilla sighed happily.  "It is hope, Sir.  We all got so much good ahead o' us."

"I know what's ahead of me just now."  Gerard grinned.

"What's that Gerard?"  Lennie asked.

"I'm gonna carry my beautiful wife into our new home."  He answered happily.



Did you miss Chapters 1-393 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back tomorrow for Chapter 395.  

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 394

“It’s only Gerry,” Punch sighed as he saw Gerard come bounding toward them.


“You got him.” Gerry smiled when he saw that Adrienne was holding Colin.

“Not easily,” Cecil replied. “And, not in the most convenient of ways.”

“That ain’t surprisin’.” Gerry nodded. “What of Master Fuller?”

“No.” Adrienne said, her eyes filling with tears.

“I think I might know where he is.” Gerard’s eyes widened.

“Where?” Cecil barked.

“Well, see, Charlie and I, we saw Barbara fightin’ with Miss Ulrika.”

“So did we.” Adrienne sighed. “That’s where we found Colin.”

“Well, Charlie took Barbara back to the Duke’s house and as we was walkin’, she was talkin’ ‘bout revenge and all, and she said somethin’ ‘bout Ulrika havin’ Master Fuller.”

“How could she know?” Punch asked. “Last I saw of her, she still thought she was in England—a fine lady.”

“Not now. She seems to know where she is and what she is—even if she has gone all sorts of evil on us.” Gerry shrugged. “But, when she was talkin’ to Charles, she said that Ulrika mentioned somethin’ ‘bout makin’ Fuller her own son.”

“Well, where is Ulrika now?” Adrienne asked emotionally.

“Dunno.” Gerry replied sadly. “Guess I should have said I know who might have him—not where he is. Maybe she’s still at home.”

“Well, we can’t very well go back to Edward Cage’s house.” Cecil spat.

“If only there was some way to send a message to someone without havin’ to go to him yourself.” Punch sighed. “I could tell our chums to try to find out where Ulrika is.”

“I could go.” Gerard said. “I am the doctor’s valet after all. It would be logical and such were I to look for him.”

“Yes, it would.” Cecil replied, squinting with thought. “And, it would be logical for you to go through the rear of the house. On your way through, you could ask the staff if they know where Ulrika is.”

“And, then!” Punch began excitedly. “And, then…Coo! You could help him and Marjani get outta there. I’m sure that Edward and the old constable ain’t too happy with them. See, that’s the thing what I feel most awful ‘bout, it is. Didn’t want to make no trouble for me chums, only there weren’t no other way to get the baby outta that house.”

“That’s a lot for you to manage, Gerard.” Cecil shook his head.

“I can do it, Sir. Oh, let me do it. For once, I’d like to take trouble doin’ something decent. I done far worse and spent more effort at it before. And, if you think ‘bout the things Arthur made me do, well…”

“Go on, Gerry. I know you got the kind of spark in ya what’s needed. I trust ya!” Punch smiled.

“I’ll do it, Your Grace.” Gerry grinned. “I’ll make all of you proud of me.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-393? If so, you can read them here.