A Recipe for Punch, Chapter 81

Chapter 81
Keep Them



"Gamilla?"  Maudie looked up as the governess came into the kitchens.  "I thought I smelled your perfume.  The scent Gerard got for ya on your wedding trip.  It's so pretty.  Strange to have somethin' pretty in the middle o' all this mess.  Can I get you somethin'?"

"Thank you.  But, don't mind me, honey."  Gamilla shook her head.  "I just come for some biscuits for young Colin to gnaw.  He's got a tooth comin' in and poor lamb is just beside himself wantin' to chew.  Been too long with the teethin' ring, so I figured I'd put that new tooth to good use."

"There's a tin of biscuits..."  Maudie began.  She walked over to the hutch in the niche behind the range.  "Mrs. Pepper jus' made 'em last night."

"Oh, I'll get 'em."  Gamilla said quickly.  "I know you got your hands full with gettin' set for luncheon."

"I don't think there's gonna be any upstairs luncheon today."  Maudie shook her head.  "They hardly touched breakfast.  Only the earl ate anything."

"Lord Cleaversworth ain't got any worries in this."  Gamilla nodded.  "Not like the rest o' us."

"I s'pose not, but you'd think he'd be more sensitive of Her Ladyship."  Maudie clucked her tongue.

"Ain't the place of a man like him to be sensitive to nothin'."  Gamilla smiled.  "Make no mistake, I ain't sayin' he's a bad man.  He's just fine, jus' what you'd 'xpect him to be.  But..."  She shrugged.  "He ain't family.  Is he?  Not like we all become.  To him, Georgie is just a young footman in training.  And, he don't even know William at all."

"Still, all that's goin' on with the masters and Her Ladyship.  Miss Morgana is missin', too!"

"What's the earl know of Miss Morgana?"  Gamilla answered sensibly.  "He left London and his fiancee didn't have an auntie.  He got  her a few days later, and she did.  He ain't the sort of be upset over someone he ain't never seen."

"And, then with...with all the trouble with...with the..."  Maudie sighed.  "I don't even want to say the word.  Don't know what word to use.  Ghost?"

"Don't speak of her."  Gamilla said quickly.

Maudie nodded. 

"Let's not even give her a thought."  Gamilla continued gently.  "Let's give our thoughts to the livin' and those who've gone in peace.  The bad ones want us to think o' them.  It gives 'em power.  Honey, we gotta keep the power for ourselves.  Ain't nobody gonna take it from us.  We got the strength o' life in us."

"You got double the strength."  Maudie smiled slightly.  "What with havin' a baby in you."

"All the more reason to keep our thoughts on life."  Gamilla nodded.  "And, honey, I just wanna say I'm real proud o' you."

"Me?"

"Sure, His Grace mentioned to me how  you took up Mrs. Pepper's duties and how you was goin' to help William come to him and His Lordship, how you was encouragin' the young man to speak up 'bout all he knew.  Just a pity that the boy never had a chance to speak to the masters before he..."  Gamilla shook her head.  "I wish I could see 'em, honey.  I wish I could."

"How did ya know?"  Maudie asked.  "How'd ya know I was gonna ask ya?"

"Saw it in your eyes.  Besides, that's what I'd ask myself if I were you--knowin' how I got the  visions I got sometimes.  When I try to picture George and Miss Morgana and William, all I see is fog--thick, gray fog.  Like smoke."  Gamilla sighed.

Maudie did, too.

"I'd like to stay an' chat with ya..."  Gamilla began.  

"I know...you gotta get back up to Colin."

"Listen, Maude, I'm gonna send Ethel down to stay with ya for awhile.  She ain't doin' so well--worried 'bout Georgie as she is.  And, you, all alone down here--with only them Yorkshire folks 'bout--maybe it'd be good for ya both to be together."

"Thank you."  Maude nodded.  "Sure you don't need her?"

"Not for now."  Gamilla smiled.

"But, then, you'll be alone." 

"Honey, I'm never alone.  I got Colin and Dog Toby to keep me company, and...well..."  She patted her stomach.  "I always got my little one nearby.  Besides, I got all sorts o' folk I can talk with...near me all the time."

Maude squinted.

"Just like you seen Mrs. P. and Ethel talk to our Jenny.  I talk to my sister and my mama.  That's what I mean 'bout talkin' to the peaceful lost.  Them spirits who found peace finally.  They help give us strength where the bad ones take it."

"So, Jenny's at peace?"  Maudie asked.

"Oh, sure."  

"Even after how she died?  So brutal like that?"  Maudie raised her eyebrows.

"It was awful how we lost our Jenny--to have her life taken like that by such wicked folk.  Jus' know she's at peace because she was loved in life and even though she left us in a terrible way, she done it while tryin' to do somethin' noble."

"Ethel's told me how it happened...how she and Jenny had snuck off to try to help the Duke and His Lordship with them awful women what was tormentin' them.  And, and how they killed her.  Ethel still feels guilty because it was her idea to leave the house that night."

"She feels guilty, too, because she lived and Jenny didn't."  Gamilla nodded.  "Only, there ain't no use in that.  Ethel only wanted to help.  Just as you were tyin' to help when you suggested William talk to the masters."

"I wish I could do something to help now."  Maudie muttered.

"You can."  Gamilla replied.  "Take care.  Take care o' Mrs. Pepper and Ethel and those who are worried 'bout Georgie.  Take care by makin' small things for the masters and her Ladyship to eat--to keep up their strength."

Maudie smiled.  "I can do that."

"I know you can."

"Must be awful for the Duke and Lord Colinshire and Lady Fallbridge.  They're worried 'bout George and William and their poor Auntie.  Gamilla, you've talked to her.  Ethel says you and Miss Morgana become friends.  You must feel terrible, too."

"I do."  Gamilla nodded.  "But, I know I gotta carry on and keep myself up.  It's the only way I can help."  She took the biscuit tin.  "I'll send Ethel down.  You two take some time for yourselves to chat."

"Thank you," Maudie nodded.

Gamilla smiled as she left,  but paused.  "Honey, remember Ethel can be headstrong."

"Oh, I know."  Maudie replied.

"She's--she's all heart, ya see?  Sometimes her feelin's, well...they get the better of her thoughts.  She may want to do somethin'..."  Gamilla tried to choose her words carefully.  "She may want to do somethin' which seems like it's a good idea, but, maybe not the best choice.  She's a fighter, our Ethel.  Help her keep her wits."

"I think I understand."  Maudie nodded.  

"Remember, honey, like I said, the best way to fight is through peace."

Maudie nodded again though she didn't really grasp what Gamilla was saying.

Gamilla knew it, too.  As she walked away, she whispered.  "Jenny, Jenny...look after those two girls.  They both love Georgie so, and, love can make reason small.  Help me, keep 'em."

She listened to the air around her.  Hearing nothing but the echoes of the great house, Gamilla inhaled and climbed the stairs to the nursery.



Did you miss Chapters 1-80 of A Recipe for Punch?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back tomorrow for Chapter 82.

Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 81

Chapter 81: 

If Need Be 

“Come sit by me,” Ellen scowled.

“I don’t think I’d better,” her visitor smirked. “What with your ‘terrible’ fever. Won’t do for me to catch it.”

“Finlay!” Ellen snapped. “You are like a needle in my eye. Do as I say.”

“That’s no way to speak to your older brother.” Finlay teased.

“Half-brother.” Ellen growled.

“Still.” Finlay continued. “You wouldn’t speak to the Duke that way. He’s your half-brother as well.”

“But, he’s the brother with all the gold.”

“Are you always so mercenary?” Finlay chuckled, sitting down. “You know, I used to think about you—dream of my lost sister. I never imagined that you’d be such a sow, lassie.”

“How could I be anything else?” Ellen spat. “You have no idea what I’ve had to endure. While you were here breathing the crisp air off of the moors, I was in London, fighting for my life.”

“How exactly were you fighting for your life, my dear sister? There was food on your table. You had ‘brothers’ to protect you. You had education and, then, employment.”

“Is that how it was?” Ellen frowned. “I’m impressed with your authority.”

“Am I mistaken, lass?” Finlay smiled.

“Very.”

“Seems to me you had the better life, Ellen. You got away from our pa. You didn’t have to stay here and have your skin bloodied at his hand. It wasn’t until I could fight back that he stopped.”

“You don’t think I was beaten?”

“No.” Finlay smirked. “Aunt Tess was a gentle soul. She was an angel. Not at all like her brother, our da’.”

“What of her husband? What of the man I was forced to call ‘father.’ What of Mr. Barrett?”

“Please, he was a lamb.” Finlay scoffed. “When the Duchess of Fallbridge came to him with her scheme, he dutifully obeyed and stood silently by as he and Auntie Tess adopted her bastard.”

“I don’t like that word.”

“That’s what you were.” Finlay grinned. “That’s what you are. Funny, isn’t it? The fool Duke is a lot like my Uncle Barrett, isn’t he? Adoptin’ his sister’s bastard. Funny that he hired a bastard to be the governess of a bastard.”

“I’d advise you to keep silent.”

“You can advise all you want, then, Ellen. But, I’m in this with you. Equal partners, you said—as long as I helped you. And, help you I have.”

“Yes,” Ellen nodded slowly. “You have. However, I don’t wish to hear your opinions about my life. You weren’t there. You don’t know.”

“I was there.” Finlay laughed. “Or have you forgotten, little sister? I was nigh on ten years old when you were born to the Duchess of Fallbridge after her many, many, many trysts with our da’. I was the one who lied to me ma when pa was out in the cottage wrapped in the duchess’ arms. I was there when my auntie agreed to take the bastard child of her dear brother and the Duchess of Fallbridge. I was there when you were born and I was there when the midwife handed you to Auntie Tess without the duchess even lookin’ at ya. I watched ya. Whenever I went to the village, I kept me eyes open to catch a glimpse of my sister. I saw ya. I saw ya grow up. I saw ya throwin’ stones in the loch. I knew when you stole the button candy from Mr. MacMillan’s place. I knew when you was caught by the loch with young Billy Dooley….showin’ him your…”

“You forget, that I know about you, too, Finlay. Do you remember the time when you and my ‘brother’ were found trading familiarities in the mulberry grove?”

“Ay, I remember it well.” Finlay grinned. “What was to stop me?”

“He may not have really been my brother, but he was my cousin, and, therefore yours. Your dear auntie’s son.”

Finlay shrugged. “You make my point for me, Ellen. You grew up with three male cousins who looked after you like you were their own real sister. Who knows? They were so young when it happened, maybe they really thought you were their sister. Do they? I never spoke to Lonnie ‘bout it.”

“No, you were too busy doing other things.” Ellen snorted. “You know nothing. Everything changed when we saw what Roger was like. And, then we moved. You seem to think you’re quite an expert about my life, but, there’s a good twenty years which we spent in London—without your precious Aunt Tess to protect me.”

“Ach.” Finlay nodded gravely. “Shall we continue this way? Would you like to know how your Auntie Tess—the woman who took you in and mothered you—met her end?”

Ellen frowned.

“No, I don’t think you would.” Finlay glared. “You were too involved in your schoolin’. You complain to me? You got schoolin’! You got to live in London while I was here—alone! Oh, sure you suffered! Livin’ in the homes of the wealthy. Sleepin’ in the bed of the Baron Lensdown! You were blissful, you were! Didn’t even know you was a bastard ‘til you were grown!”

“Keep your voice down!” Ellen snapped. “Do you want the whole house to hear you?”

“I remember when I got the letter from Uncle Birk—tellin’ me he was dyin’, tellin’ me that he finally let you know who you were! And once you did, what happened, Ellen? Did you help the man who raised ya? The man who paid for your schoolin’? Who made sure you had food in your belly and clothes on your back? No. You turned your back on him. Birk Barrett died alone while the girl he adopted was on her back with the Baron Lensdown! You never knew her, girl, but you’re the spit and image of the Duchess of Fallbridge. If we ever needed proof of who you are, you just need to look in your heart, you filthy bitch. How I hate you.”

“If you hate me so much, why are you helping me?”

“Because I hate our pa even more.” Finlay grumbled. “Struttin’ ‘round this estate like it was his own. The great Johnny Donnan. He’s a pig. For every tear I shed at his hand, I’ll see a drop of his blood soak the ground. And, if not blood, then his own tears. When he discovers that his lost daughter is here and that…”

“You delight me, Finlay.” Ellen smiled, interrupting. “You’re thrilling.”

“I been thrilled this week to see our pa. Trudgin’ ‘round readyin’ the place for the master when all the while his bastard daughter is here. He has no idea! You know what he said when he saw ya? He turned to me and said that you were a fine, lookin’ girl and told me what he’d like to do to ya.”

Ellen shivered.

“That’s right.” Finlay nodded. “And, while the household was out lookin’ for ya, our pa joked that he hoped he’d be the one to find ya so he could…” Finlay laughed. “You get my meanin’, lass.”

“I do.”

“I hope you got what you wanted from the cottage. I had a hell of a time stallin’ them boys—Gerard and Charles--on the way there. Almost caught ya.”

“Yes. And, thanks so much for leaving the key for me as you said you would.” Ellen snarled sarcastically. “I had to crawl through a window.”

“Good for ya.” Finlay smirked. “You’re a little round, ain’t ya? The exercise did ya good, I’m sure. So, did ya find it?”

“I couldn’t find the record of my birth.” Ellen shook her head. “I need more time. But, I did find the Duchess’ journals. This one is from the year of my birth and Her Grace was quite graphic.”

“So, what now?”

“We keep to our scheme.”

“You got what you want. Why not just go to the Duke and tell ‘im.”

“Not yet.”

“Why not?” Finlay groaned. “You nigh on killed the man with poison tryin’ to get ‘im here. Just tell him you’re his sister! From all I’m told though he’s potty, he’s a gentleman and as kind a man as you’d ever want to know. I’m sure he’d embrace you and give you your due.”

“I don’t just want a portion. I want it all.”

“You’ll never get it all.” Finlay shook his head.

“Why not?”

“To begin with, you ain’t a Molliner, my dear. You’re a bastard with the Fallbridge bloodline.”

“As you’re so fond of reminding me.”

“Point is, Ellen, you may have Fallbridge blood in ya, but the Duke is still the heir. He’s older. And, he’s legitimate. The real son of the Duchess and Sir Colin Molliner. And, there’re a couple of other things.”

“Such as?”

“The boy.” Finlay smiled. “Young Colin. He’s the rightful heir should anything happen to the Duke.”

“A minor inconvenience.” Ellen smiled.

“You wouldn’t?”

“I’ll do what I need to.”

“What of your sister?” Finlay asked.

“Pardon?”

“The other legitimate child of the Duchess and Sir Colin. Lady Barbara.” Finlay grinned. “The Duke may claim that she died in America, but we know otherwise. She’s quite alive and livin’ as a whore.”

“She’s changed her name.” Ellen shrugged. “She’s disowned herself. As good as dead.”

“So what do you aim to do?” Finlay asked.

“You already know.”

“Why draw it out, then?” Finlay sputtered. “Do it and be done with it!”

“It’s not time.”

“You want him to suffer—this poor, sweet, lovin’, sick man.”

“Perhaps.”

“Did you ever think that maybe he’s got documents in place naming the doctor as his heir?” Finlay asked. “Sure, not to the title, but to the estate.”

“That won’t be an issue.” Ellen laughed. “Thanks to you.”

“He’ll never go for it.” Finlay shook his head.

“How can you be sure?” Ellen sniffed.

“You’ve seen the two of ‘em together. There’s no wedge big enough.”

“You’re just the right size, brother, dear.” Ellen smiled. “Just the right size…”

“And if it don’t work?” Finlay muttered.

“Have you forgotten William Stover?”

“No.” Finlay smiled. “And, I’ve not forgotten that that little scheme o’ yours didn’t work out so well neither. I don’t see Dr. Halifax rottin’ in jail for murder.”

“An unfortunate turn of events.” Ellen sighed. “I’d thought it would be so convenient. That fool man was already being used by his own people. I was just fortunate enough to stumble into it. But, as easily as I disposed of that Stover fellow, I can dispose of the doctor if need be.”

“You would. Wouldn’t you?”

“If need be.” Ellen repeated. “I don’t want it to come to murder again. But, I’ll do it if I must.”

“So the man’s life depends on what I do next?” Finlay took a deep breath.

“Precisely.” Ellen smiled. “So, you’d better hope that he takes the bait.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-80 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday for Chapter 82.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 81

Marjani pulled a creaky wooden chair to the side of the bed in which her daughter and son-in-law lay gasping for air. A gray mist settled in the room as if suspended from the rough wooden ceiling. At first, Marjani thought that the chimney wasn’t drawing properly, but there was no fire lit in the hearth. She breathed deeply and filled her lungs. The mist smelled of lavender and sage. She smiled.


“Have no fear, Chil’,” Marjani said softly, “The Holy Mother done heard my cries and she’ll make you well again.”

“No.” Nontle shook her head feverishly. “No.”

“Yes, Sugar.” Marjani said firmly. “Don’t go fightin’ it. You gotta get better. You got your little girl ta think of.”

“Keep my baby safe, Mama.” Nontle groaned.

“I will, Honey, but jus’ ‘till you get back on your feet.” Marjani answered.

“Mama Caruthers.” Her son-in-law gasped.

“What is it, Kirabo?” Marjani asked.

“Ain’t gonna make it.” Kirabo moaned.

“Don’t talk like that.” Marjani said plainly. “You gotta. The Holy Mother is here. She’s gonna help ya.”

“She ain’t here, Mama Caruthers.” Kirabo groaned. “She ain’t never been here.”

“Stop that talk, Kirabo.” Marjani responded angrily. “You jus’ stop it.”

“My name ain’t Kirabo.” The man wheezed. “My name is Gilbert.”

“I ain’t callin’ you by the name they done give ya.” Marjani said. “I’m gonna call you by the name your mama done give ya. You ain’t no Gilbert. You was born Kirabo…”

“An’ I’ll die Gilbert.” Kirabo rattled.

“No, you ain’t.” Marjani argued. “The Lady Mother done heard my cries. She’s here with us right now. She’s come for to heal you! Don’t you go doubtin’ the Holy Mother.”

“Nothin’ gonna help us now, Mama.” Nontle said weakly.

“Jus’ stop it!” Marjani shouted. She caught herself and spoke softly. “Now, you both gotta think sweet thoughts. Think of your Columbia and happy times. Your baby girl needs her mama and her papa.”

“I ain’t her papa.” Kirabo coughed. “You know that well as I do. Her papa is that fine…”

“You’re the only papa she knows.” Marjani interrupted.

The cabin creaked around them. Marjani thought she heard the gentle voice of a woman rise from the earth like dust. A stiff cold wind blew against the thin wooden walls and forced its way in between the planks—hissing and whistling as it triumphantly cut into the cabin.

Marjani’s eyes widened. “That ain’t the Lady Mother.” She rose and went to the narrow window, peering outside. “That’s somethin’ else. Somethin’ come for to punish me.” She looked to the ceiling of the cabin and called out, “I done only used that powder for good! No use punishin’ me when all I wanted was for to help them nice gentlemen.”

The walls rattled again and Marjani gasped. “I won’t be punished.” She clenched her eyes shut. “I won’t.” She drew in a breath and shouted. “If anyone’s gonna be punished, it’s the wicked ones!”

Meanwhile, at the Rittenhouse stables, Mr. Punch angrily pulled away from Iolanthe Evangeline.

“Get your hands off me.” Punch said sharply.

“You be quiet and listen.” Iolanthe said weakly as she lay back in the hay.

“Miss Evangeline, I don’t think you should be talkin’ right now.” Barbara said nervously.

“Why not?” Iolanthe asked, wincing from the pain in her shoulder. “Why hide any longer?”

“Let her talk,” The professor said in a strange voice. “Let her talk or I will.”

“This is delicious.” Ulrika smiled wildly as she flopped herself down onto a bale of hay.

“Shut that demon girl up,” Iolanthe growled.

“Now, now,” Ulrika laughed. “Is that any way to treat your hostess?”

“Listen to me, Lord Fallbridge.” Iolanthe began, ignoring Ulrika.

“Here, I’m listenin’.” Mr. Punch frowned—making no attempt to continue his impersonation of Julian.

“You know your sister is a ruined woman.” Iolanthe smiled.

“True.” Mr. Punch nodded. “Had a child, she did. Not married neither.”

“I am married.” Barbara spat defiantly.

Mr. Punch raised Julian’s eyebrows. “To him?”

“Yes.” Barbara grinned. “Arthur is my husband.”

“Wasn’t your husband when you had the baby, was he?” Mr. Punch frowned.

“I don’t have the baby now. So, what does it matter?”

“The baby,” Iolanthe laughed. “The baby. Made a nice bit of money on that one.”

“You sold the child.” Mr. Punch said angrily. “I knew that you sold that baby what done nothin’ except be born.”

“Yes, I sold it. And, why not?” Iolanthe moaned as her shoulder began to throb again.

“Miss Evangeline!” Ulrika said. “Stop!”

“The money I made more than paid for the expense of bringing Barbara here. There was even enough left over for Leon…” She pointed at the professor. “He’s an oaf, but he did his job well enough even if he did lose Arthur for awhile. But, that had more to do with you than anything else.”

“Why? Why did you bring Barbara here?” Mr. Punch asked.

“To make a profit.” Iolanthe grinned. “She’s a fine lookin’ girl. I’m sure to get my money’s worth out of her. Besides, she promised me great riches if I were to take her.”

“What kind of riches?” Punch asked.

“The kind that last forever…” Iolanthe responded.

“Will you please cease your talking?” Barbara barked.

“The diamond…” Mr. Punch began.

Suddenly, the stable doors blew open as a violent wind knocked against the building. One of the doors upset a wooden stool which held a kerosene lamp. The lamp fell into the hay, shattering. Within seconds, the dry hay was ablaze. The room grew bright with fire.

Ulrika jumped up and shrieked. “I don’t like fire!” She screamed. “Someone put it out!”

Naasir and Mr. Punch looked at one another. Naasir smiled.

“Arthur!” Barbara screamed. “Do something!”



Did you miss Chapters 1-80? If so, you can read them here.