A Recipe for Punch, Chapter 43

Chapter 43
Beauty


"Auntie Morgana?"  Lennie entered the Vermillion Suite after knocking,  "Are you awake?"

"Y...yes."  Morgana answered.

"Were you able to rest?"  Lennie asked.

Morgana nodded.

"I'm glad, Auntie."

Morgana looked up emotionally.

"Is something troubling you?"  Lennie asked.

"No, no.  Just having you...hearing you call me, 'Auntie.'  I...I am...everyone has been so...so kind.  I am not used to it.  To think that you would like to call me 'Auntie.'"

"Well, you are my auntie,"  Lennie smiled.  "And, I'm most pleased to have an auntie.  In this last year, I've discovered a brother I never knew I had, a nephew, and, well...I think of Robert as a brother, too."

"I suppose you must."  Morgana nodded.  "They are like...like married people Punch and Robert, are they?"

"They are."  Lennie smiled.

"This is not something...not something of...of which people approve?  Is it?"

"No, not generally, though I can't think why."  Lennie replied.  

"Nor can I."  Morgana sighed.  "People don't approve of me either."

"I can't imagine why they don't approve of you either, Auntie."  Lennie patted Morgana's pincer.

Morgana wept happily again.

"To be honest with you, people don't generally approve of me.  I was born of a noblewoman and a groundsman--illegitimately.  When Punch discovered my existence he gave me his family name, Molliner, in order to give me some legitimacy.  Furthermore, because of his friendship with the Crown, I was created Lady Fallbridge.  In fact, Her Majesty created Robert a Baron to show her approval of his union with Punch.  It's all because of our dear Punch that we're accepted at all."  Lennie explained.

"I was illegitimate, too."  Morgana nodded.  

"All the more reason that you and I should be close."  Lennie smiled.  "And, all the more reason that our Mr. Punch will fight to see that you are looked on with favor and with respect."

"He is a fine gentleman...a good man."

"Yes.  A man who has had much struggle in his life."  Lennie replied.  "He knows how it feels to be different."

"Because he loves a man and not a woman?"  Morgana asked.

"That, and for other reasons."  Lennie replied.

"Because he is named for a puppet?"

Lennie laughed.

"Why is he named for a puppet?  Did my sister name him for a puppet?"

"No, she named him 'Julian.'  He...named himself 'Punch.'"

"I like that better than Julian."  Morgana smiled.  "He...he was clever to do it.  But, why?"

"It's a very complicated thing, Auntie.  I shall let him and Robert explain it to you one day.  Today, we wish for you to rest and be well-fed and taken care of.  Which is why I've come up to see you.  The boys--that is Punch and Robert--have taken on Jackson's pantry to see what horrors the old boy left behind..."

"They...they are many, I'm sure..."  Morgana shuddered.

"No doubt."  Lennie nodded.  "I joined them for awhile, but I found there to be a peculiar smell in there, and it rather overpowered me after a spell.  So, I decided I'd much rather visit with you.  There are some things which we need to address."

"Oh?"

"Yes, to begin with...your wardrobe."

"My...?"

"I don't suppose you have much of one."

"No."  Morgana shook her head.  "The...the...one shift."

"What of shoes?"

"I have none."

"You have no shoes!"  Lennie exclaimed.

"You've seen my leg."  Morgana looked away, ashamed.

"Nonetheless, you must have shoes of some sort.  You'll be much more comfortable, Auntie." Lennie said gently.  "We shall sort something out.  As for breakfast today, I thought you could wear one of my tea dresses.  They're very loose and I think they'll accommodate your particular figure."

"Breakfast?"

"Yes."  Lennie nodded.

"I...I..."

"Mr. Punch and Robert thought you'd like to take your meals with the rest of the family."

"I...I...couldn't...I couldn't let you see me...I couldn't...let you see me eat."

"Why not?"

She held up her pincers.  "I...I can't hold...It's...I'm..."  She shook her head.  "I can't let you see me eat."

"Auntie, we would not..."

"I know, I believe you are all very kind and loving.  But, but...I would be..."  

"I understand."  Lennie smiled.  "Still, we're going to have to have a wardrobe prepared for you.  I thought you might not like seeing a dressmaker..."

"Oh, no!"

"So, I was thinking...our governess, Gamilla..."

"Gamilla, oh, I know her..."

"You do?"

"Oh, yes.  She came to visit me.  She's so very pretty.  So very, very pretty.  She's so kind and sweet.  She came to see me and sat with me and smiled.  She is going to come back to see me later."

"I'm glad."

"She couldn't stay long.  She said her husband would worry if she was gone long because she is with child.  Isn't that...isn't that...sweet?"  Morgana smiled.  "I liked her so much.  She said she was going to be my friend."

"You could not ask for a finer friend.  I consider her a friend as well.  Perhaps my dearest outside of the family.  She and Violet."

"She put her hands on me so gently and whispered something sweet and when she did, I felt so peaceful."  Morgana continued.  "She...she...she is a special woman.  So pretty."

"Well, then, you wouldn't mind if she helped to measure you for some dresses?"

"No."  Morgana answered.  "I wouldn't mind."

"You see, when my brother and Robert met Gamilla in America, they met a friend of hers, a powerful and brave woman named Marjani who is a very talented maker of fine textiles.  She taught Gamilla much about making gowns.  Gamilla and Violet could make patterns which we could take to the dressmaker in the village, and then, we could have a new wardrobe made for you."

"For...for me?"  Morgana's eyes widened.  "A wardrobe of dresses?"

"Yes."  Lennie nodded.  "Pretty, comfortable dresses.  Dresses which will make you feel beautiful because you are beautiful.  Dresses which will allow you to join the rest of the family whenever you like, wherever you like."

Morgana's eyes filled with tears again, happy tears.  "Could it be true?"

"Oh, yes, it's true."  Lennie nodded.  "Look at me, Auntie."  She stood up.  "What do you see?"

"I see...I see a pretty girl with dark blonde hair in a light green gown...with pearl earrings and a necklace of green stones which glitter...and pearls and gold."

"Only months ago, I was in rags, cleaning the blood and sick of people who loathed me."  Lennie sighed.  "Now, I am Lady Fallbridge.  Now, I am to be wed to an Earl.  Now, I am a beloved sister and an Aunt and, now, a niece.  My dear Morgana, anything can happen."

Lennie removed a lace handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped Morgana's cheeks.  "With your permission," she continued, "I shall send Violet in to help you fix your hair and she and I will assist you with the tea gown I mentioned earlier.  You needn't come down for breakfast. I'll ask Mrs. Pepper to prepare a tray for you.  However, I think you should get dressed.  You'll feel better.  And, you can eat in your sitting room.  Gamilla will visit you once she's gotten Colin settled and, Punch, Robert and I will visit you after breakfast.  My fiance is arriving this afternoon.  So, I may be busy around teatime, but I shall never be far off and will make a point to check on you throughout the day."

"I don't know what to make of all this...this...this kindness.  I've never...I'm not accustomed to..."

"Auntie..."  Lennie smiled.  "Just rest.  Violet will be in shortly, and I'll be back with the tea gown."

She turned to leave, and paused.  "Oh!  And, this afternoon, if you like, Mr. Punch mentioned something about a puppet show."

"Puppet show?"  Morgana's eyes widened excitedly.

"Yes, Robert's brother is a sculptor and crafted Punch a lovely set of puppets which, of course, he brought with us from London.  My brother delights in performing puppet shows for his son, and, he thought you might enjoy coming to the nursery this afternoon to watch."

"Could I?"

"You've been invited."  Lennie nodded.

"I'd like to see the baby."  Morgana grinned.  "But, I won't hold him.  I'll look at him.  That's for the best.  Yes, that's for the best.  Don't you think?  I think that's for the best.  Yes.  Don't you?"

Lennie thought for a moment.  "Well...yes, I think so."

"Oh, but, a puppet show.  How nice!  And, to see a baby.  How lovely!"

Lennie smiled.  "You know something, Auntie?"

"Mmm?"

"Everyone has always told me how beautiful my mother was.  I think they were wrong.  Looking at you just now, clearly, you are the more beautiful sister."


Did you miss Chapters 1-42 of A Recipe for Punch.  If so, you can read them here.  Come back on Monday for Chapter 44.  

Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 43

Chapter 43:

Nowhere to Go

Word that a dead man had been found on the steps of the elegant Belgrave Square Home of the Duke of Fallbridge spread very quickly throughout the City of Westminster, carried from Belgravia across the whole of Central London on the lips of maids and ladies, valets and barons. 

Some—like the Countess Hamish—were quick to reveal the portion of the rumor that the dead man had some former association with the Duke’s “companion.”  Those dwelled on the more sordid details of the news were eager to resurrect the tales of the Duke’s supposed madness and suggested that perhaps he had a hand in the death.  Others, however, were quick to come to the Duke’s defense, all the while suggesting that his middleclass companion had certainly dispatched his old acquaintance in order to protect his financial and romantic interests.

One household, and one alone, refused to hear anything other than the simple facts of the case—and, then, only once.  Thankfully for  the Duke and the doctor, this household was that of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The very pregnant Queen demanded to know what on Earth the Baroness Lehzen was droning on about. 

“The Duke of Fallbridge’s lover killed a man right in front of Fallbridge House.”  Lehzen whispered.

“Nonsense!”  Her Majesty had snapped. 

Very quickly, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were given the details of the affair.

“Albert,” The Queen had said imperiously.  “Do something.  Dear Fallbridge needs our help.  We must stop this at once.  I would do it myself—were I not weighed down with this little beast inside of me!”

Prince Albert, aware that when his Royal wife was pregnant, she was in the worst possible of humors, knew that he’d best do as instructed, and, with the help of his aides was able to keep the news of William Stover’s death from the papers, at least the reputable papers.

Still the story grew and spread, borne on the tongues of the jealous and the curious.  And, Mr. Punch knew it.  Soon, he felt quite helpless.  However, he tried to keep calm for the sake of his family.

Punch sat in the dimly-lit library of No. 65 Belgrave Square.  His eyes were wide open as he stared into the room’s shadows from behind the papier mache screen in the corner of the room.  His back pressed against the wall, he sat on the floor with Dog Toby.  He could still smell Colin’s powder on his hands.  Miss Barrett had just taken the child back up to the nursery.  Punch had tried to seem cheerful for the boy.  “He knows, Chum, when we ain’t the same as usual.” Punch had whispered to Robert.  “We don’t want to scare ‘im, do we?”  Still, our Mr. Punch felt a bit like a failure because he wasn’t entirely convinced he had masked his emotions well enough to convince the baby that everything was just as it should be.  And, this, for Mr. Punch was the greatest tragedy of the day.

Robert returned to the library from his study.  He’d gone up to his private room for a few moments after the child had gone to bed—just to collect his thoughts.  “Punch?” Robert whispered as he came into the room.

“Behind here,” Punch replied. 

Robert peered around the screen.  “May I join you?”

“Sure,” Punch nodded eagerly.  “Here, thought you’d tell me to come out, I did.”

“No.”  Robert shook his head.  “This seems to be the best place for both of us right now.”  He tilted his head and studied Punch’s face.  “How are you, dear Punch?”

“Hmmm…” Punch sighed.  “Dunno, Chum.  I reckon I’m scared, I am.  Gotta feelin’ somethin’ else is ‘bout to head our way.  Reminds me of when we was in New Orleans and it was one bad thing after ‘nother.  I thought all that were in the past.”  He shook his head.

“I’m so terribly sorry.”  Robert whispered.

“What for?” Punch widened his eyes.  “You didn’t kill the bloke.”

“No.” Robert said.  “But, it’s because of me that this has happened.  I was the one who knew William.  Were it not for me, you’d never have been bothered by him.”

“Ain’t like you coulda known this would happen.” Mr. Punch snorted.  “You can’t blame yourself for this.”

“But, I do…” Robert choked, starting to shake.

“Now, Chum.”  Punch said quickly, sliding across the floor to sit beside his friend.  “You…you can’t.  Listen, ‘member outside earlier when you said we was gonna be safe?  You said ain’t nothin’ would touch us!  Well, it ain’t.  We’re gonna be safe!  But, we gotta be strong in order to do so.”

“You’re correct, of course.”  Robert said, clearing his throat.

“Of course,” Mr. Punch smiled.  “You saw the letter what Her Majesty sent.  We got the Crown on our side.  Don’t get better than that, it don’t.  And, we both know that neither you nor I had anythin’ to do with killin’ that man.  In a few days, folk will have forgotten all about it.”

“And, all about him.”

“The folk what cared for Mr. Stover will continue to do so.” Punch replied, raising an eyebrow.

“I just want to forget I ever saw him.” Robert grumbled.

“Well, ya can’t.” Mr. Punch shrugged.  “But, one day, rememberin’ ‘im won’t make ya angry or scared.  Believe me.”

“I do.” 

“I been thinkin’,” Punch smiled.  “Maybe we ought to go to the country for awhile.”

“Oh?”

“Sure, I could take ya to Fallbridge Hall, show Colin his inheritance.  Show you where Julian, and me, I ‘spose, grew up.”

“Perhaps in a few days.” Robert nodded.

“I ‘spose it would be ‘spicious if we up and left right now.”  Punch shrugged.

“I think so.”  Robert sighed.  “But, I like the idea.  I like the thought of just forgetting about this.”

“Well, now we got something to look forward to, we do.  I been wantin’ to reclaim the Hall—make it a happy place again.  In the meantime, we can try our best to be happy here.  We’re gonna have to.  And, the best way to start is with dinner.  Now, I ‘spect Charles’ll be ringin’ the dressing gong soon.”  Punch nodded.  “We’d best get ready.”

“I can’t imagine eating.”  Robert sighed, standing up and helping Mr. Punch to his feet.

“Well, you’re gonna.” Mr. Punch poked Robert playfully in the stomach with his index finger.

A sound, in fact, did come from downstairs, but it was not the expected chime of the dressing gong.  No—it was Ethel’s piercing scream.

Instinctively, Punch and Robert ran downstairs to the servants’ hall where Ethel was yelping from outside her scullery door.  A chaotic scene swarmed around her and Mrs. Pepper, Speaight, Charles and Gamilla tried to calm the girl.

“What’s this?” Robert demanded.

“We can’t tell, Sir.” Charles answered quickly.  “She’s just screaming.”

“In…” Ethel yelped.  “In there!  In the scullery!”

Punch, Robert and Charles exchanged looks.

“What’s in there, girl?” Speaight asked.

“A man!”  Ethel howled.

“Come, Charles.” Speaight nodded.

“No!” Robert said quickly, stepping past the two men.  “I’ll go first.”

Led by Dr. Halifax, Charles and Speaight went into the scullery.  At first they did  not see what had made Ethel scream so, but, then, as their eyes adjusted to the dim light of the room, they saw him.

“It’s bloke who brought them flowers for Miss Barrett,” Ethel could be heard whimpering outside the scullery.  “Only he’s covered in blood, he is.”

Robert whispered to Speaight.  “Go get Miss Barrett.”

“Why, Sir?” Speaight asked.

“This is her brother.”

Robert forced himself to smile at Mr. Barrett.  “Roger,  you know who I am, don’t you?  I’m Dr. Halifax.  I’m your friend.”

“Where’s the other one?” Mr. Barrett whispered.

“He’s just outside.” Robert replied.

“I want him.”

“How’d you get all this blood on you?” Robert asked.

Mr. Barrett replied only.  “I want the other one—the one with the puppets.”

“I’ll get him.” Robert nodded, wondering how the man got into the house.  “Wait here for us.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”  Mr. Barrett laughed.  “I’ve nowhere to go.”

Did you miss Chapters 1-42 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back tomorrow for Chapter 44.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 43

Punch paced Julian’s body back and forth on the patterned carpets in Iolanthe Evangeline’s private rooms.


“Handled me roughly, they did.” Punch muttered. “Sunk their stinkin’ fingers into me master’s flesh. Likely left marks, the beasts.”

“Mr. Punch,” Naasir said calmly, “Getting yourself more upset will only serve to make matters worse for us.”

“They didn’t push and shove you.” Punch answered.

“That’s because I went with them willingly.” Naasir replied gently.

“I won’t stand for being held captive. Didn’t you think I’d fight them?” Punch argued.

“You must remember, Mr. Punch, you are making use of Lord Julian’s body. We must treat it with respect.”

Punch pulled Julian’s lips into a frown. “I respect me master.”

“Drawing a knife on a woman isn’t necessarily the most respectful thing you could have done with Lord Julian’s body.” Naasir responded politely.

“Oh, now you’re gonna argue with me? Listen, you, I can beat the Devil. You seen what I done to that Arthur!”

“Yes, Mr. Punch, I saw.” Naasir smiled.

“I’m gonna get that woman when she comes in here.” Punch continued to rant.

“Pardon me, Mr. Punch, however, I can’t allow you to do that.” Naasir answered.

“Who’s gonna stop me?”

“To begin with, I believe those rather large men will try.” Naasir smiled.

“I’m stronger’n them.” Punch growled.

“You may be, Sir, but Lord Fallbridge is not.” Naasir replied.

“Oh.” Punch grunted. He squinted Julian’s eyes. “Well, then, what do you suggest I do?”

“That rather depends on how Miss Evangeline wishes to deal with this situation.”

“You know what I wish?” Punch sighed. “I wish me chum were here. We could take those men together.”

“I think that Dr. Halifax would agree with me.” Naasir leaned forward and whispered. “Mr. Punch, there is a power greater than us that dictates what we must do. We must follow the path. You must let me guide you. It is what must be.”

Punch sat Julian down on a fainting couch near the fireplace. “What nonsense are you sayin’ now? I don’t understand you.”

“You must follow the path.” Naasir repeated.

“I’m followin’ me own path.” Punch grunted.

“Think, then, of Lord Fallbridge. Think of your chum, then. Dr. Halifax would not want me to let you do anything that diverted from our destiny.”

“Me chum wants what’s best.” Punch nodded. “Only he ain’t here.”

“Not yet.” Naasir said quickly. “However, I sense him. He’s coming.”

“How’s that?” Punch asked.

“Quiet, then,” Naasir whispered frantically. “She’s nigh.”

“Gentlemen,” Iolanthe Evangeline purred as the door to the room squeaked open. “I trust these few minutes alone in here have made you more agreeable?”

“Not ‘specially.” Punch hissed.

“Now, now, you don’t act at all like I’d expect a fine Englishman to act.” Miss Evangeline laughed.

“Ain’t no fine Englishman.” Punch mumbled. “I’m lookin’ for Barbara and what’s been taken from me.”

“And you thought that stabbing me in the heart would help your cause?” The Elegant Ogress clucked her tongue. “And people say we’re savages.” She sat down across from Punch. “Now, now, Your Lordship, take it from me, violence has its place, but you have to know when to use it. This just isn’t the time. And, I don’t want you thinkin’ that it is.”

“Can’t think of a better time.” Punch spat.

“Listen, young man, Lady Barbara is a grown woman. She’s free to make her own decisions. She wants to be here with me. There’s nothin’ that you’re gonna be able to do to change her mind. She’ll be happy here. So, unless you’ve come to spend some of your money here, I suggest that you take your man and leave. I don’t want to make a fuss with you. But, I can’t have you making this an unpleasant place for my other guests either.”

“I ain’t leavin’ without his sister.”

“His sister. You do have a funny way of talkin’. If I didn’t know better, I might think you were a bit touched in the head.” Iolanthe Evangeline laughed.

“I am touched in the head! Me head’s been split open!” Punch hollered

“You look fine to me.” The ogress grinned.

“His Lordship is exhausted.” Naasir interrupted.

“Maybe he is, but I’m not!” Punch shouted.

Iolanthe Evangeline looked puzzled. “Mr. Molliner, if I may call you that, I have to warn you. I’m capable of all manner of things. Do you really want to upset me?”

“I only want his sister and the thing what she took from me.”

“What thing is that?”

Punch frowned. “If you don’t know, I ain’t gonna say.”

“Now, my boys are gonna come in here in a minute. They’re gonna do one of two things. They’re either gonna show you the door or they’re gonna make you wish you’d never come here. Which will it be?”

“It will be the former, Miss Evangeline.” Naasir spoke up. “We want no trouble.”

“Your man’s got a good head on him.” Miss Evangeline laughed.

“Lord Fallbridge is upset and tired. He’s not himself. I hope you will accept this small gift as an apology for any trouble we may have caused here.” Naasir continued. He pulled another small bag of gris-gris from his pocket.

Iolanthe’s eyes widened as she looked at it. “Where did you get that?”

“From Marie Laveau herself.”

“I can see that.” Iolanthe smiled.

“It is your destiny to have it.”

“I don’t want that woman’s magic in this house.” Miss Evangeline shook her head. “I make my own.”

“As you wish,” Naasir placed the bag back in his pocket.

Iolanthe Evangeline narrowed her eyes and studied Naasir. “You’re not just a valet. You’re somethin’ else.”

“I am.” Naasir smiled.

“This changes things.” Iolanthe whispered to herself. “It changes things terribly.”

Punch looked nervously between Naasir and the ogress.

Again, she clapped her hands twice sharply.

“What’re you doin’?” Punch hissed to Naasir.

“What is written.” Naasir responded.

Iolanthe’s men entered the room.

“Boys, I’ve been misled.” She growled. “Take this man to the altar!” She pointed to Naasir. “Leave the Englishman here with me!”



Did you miss Chapters 1-42? If so, you can read them here.