A Recipe for Punch, Chapter 87

Chapter 87
A Fairy Story



If Jackson was surprised to see Lennie and the girls descend into the crypt he didn't show it. He simply turned to face them and bowed slightly to Lennie.

"I suppose, Lady Fallbridge, you've come to pay your respects to your mother, in her final resting place?"

"Never mind why I'm here, Jackson."  Lennie snapped.  "Why are you here?"

"For the same reason as you," he replied dryly.  "To honor your mother's memory."

"You had ample opportunity over the last month's to honor my mother's memory.  Yet, you chose a most peculiar method--trussing her up in a cupboard like some salted gammon to be cured for the winter."

"If you were a man," Jackson snarled, "I would strike you for that."

"And, if I were a man, I would forcibly remove you from my brother's estate.  Jackson, you've been dismissed of your duties and barred from this land.  What gall you have to be seen here.  Why on earth would you think you were welcome on the estate, let alone the family chapel--the family crypt--unless you were at some unwelcome business which meant harm to my family?"

"I mean no harm to you, Lady Fallbridge."  Jackson replied casually.  "You were never really a concern of mine--nor your mother's for that matter.  You were nothing to her.  This is, perhaps, why it was so easy for her to give you away to Johnny Donnan's sister."

Lennie inhaled.  "Girls, run back to the Hall and fetch His Grace and His Lordship before they leave for the vicarage.  Send them here to me at once."

"I don't like to leave you, M'Lady."  Violet whispered.

"I can handle myself with some feeble old man."  Lennie replied.  "Still, if you'd prefer, Violet, you may stay.  Ethel, Maude, please hurry!"

"Yes, Your Ladyship!"  Maude nodded, taking Ethel by the arm.  The two girls ran off, climbing the stairs as quickly as they could.

"Since you've given me no indication that you're going to leave on your own, Jackson, and since you've not taken my hints, I shall have to press upon my brother and His Lordship to ask you to do so."  Lennie continued.

"Your fey brother and his nancy have already told me to leave the estate.  And, yet, little woman, I remain.  I don't take orders from them.  They're not the masters here.  This land only has a mistress.  One.  And, it isn't you."

"Oh?"  Lennie laughed.  "Is it the woman you kept in your pantry?  That desiccated corpse that you carried back from America?  She may make pantomime spirit appearances from time to time, Jackson, but she has no more power than moonlight.  There's no authority in vapor.  The law sides with flesh and blood."

"Your law, perhaps."  Jackson replied.

Lennie smiled.  "I've obviously interrupted you in some task.  Have you come to gaze upon the leathery countenance of your beloved duchess?  I don't mean to retard you in your errand.  Carry on, if you wish.  You'll find I'm not squeamish.  I never knew the woman--though she gave me life.  I have no sentimental attachment to her, so if you'd like to look upon your preserves, be my guest--open the crate in which she's been housed and look upon her.  My maid and I shall wait her whilst the Duke and His Lordship are dispatched.  It's best that you have something to occupy you before you begin answering our questions."

"Questions?"

"Yes." Lennie nodded.  "As to the whereabouts of my aunt, our cook's son and the footman called William."

"You think I have an answer to those questions?"  Jackson replied.

"I know that you do."  Lennie nodded.  "Yet, I won't ask you to repeat yourself.  You may save your lies or whatever it is that you'll tell us for when my brothers arrive.  Until then, by all means, amuse yourself.  Go ahead and look upon my mother's cured visage."

"I don't think I shall."  Jackson shook his head.

"You won't offend us."  Lennie continued.

Jackson stared at Lennie--stone-faced.

"In fact, Violet and I shall open the crate for you."  Lennie stepped forward.

"Miss Lennie..."  Violet whispered.  

"Violet, I've never known you to be squeamish.  The least we can do is help this decrepit creature take one last look at the husk of a woman he so worshipped."

"I don't think I should like to."  Violet said softly.

"Listen to you maid, Lady Fallbridge."  Jackson said cooly.

"Suddenly a gentleman?"  Lennie scoffed.

"You'd only waste your strength."  Jackson answered.  "The case is empty."

"I figured as much."  Lennie snapped.  "Where have you taken the body?"

Jackson remained silent.

"Don't make me ask you again."  Lennie warned.

"She isn't yours."

"Nor is she yours."  Lennie growled.  "Why are you in here, then?"

Jackson reached into his pocket and produced a glittering comb.  "This must have dropped off when we carried her..."  he trailed off.

"We?"

"I."

"Cannot you accept that you've lost this battle, Jackson?"  Lennie asked.

"It is you, M'Lady, who have lost."  Jackson shook his head.  "At least, you should have a consolation prize."  He held out the comb.  "Take this, then.  It is rightfully yours, I think, as the only 'surviving' daughter."

Lennie held out her hand.

"Don't, Miss!"  Violet called out.

However, it was too late.  Jackson had already scratched the palm of Lennie's hand with the teeth of the comb.

"Your world, Lady Fallbridge, of late--it has been a fairy story.  Has it not?  Why shouldn't it end as one?"  Jackson laughed.


Did you miss Chapters 1-86 of A Recipe for Punch?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back on Monday for Chapter 88.  

Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 87

Chapter 87: 

My Favorite Story 



Robert slipped into Mr. Punch’s room to find his companion curled up in bed, his arms around Dog Toby.

Grinning for a moment, Robert cleared his throat. “Am I interrupting?”

“Huh?” Punch looked up. “No. Hullo, Chum, when’d you come in?”

“Just now,” Robert smiled, removing his dressing gown and climbing under the covers. “You’ll have to move over a bit, Toby.”

The dog, however, did not move.

“He’s got himself nice and wedged in here.” Punch grinned. “Don’t think he’s movin’ any time soon.”

“Did I wake you?” Robert asked. He reached over and scratched the dog’s belly in an attempt to get him to move. Dog Toby still wouldn’t budge.

“Me or Toby?”

“You.”

“Nah. I weren’t asleep. I was just thinkin’, I was.”

“Yes?”

“Yes.” Punch nodded.

“Well, I mean, ‘about what were you thinking?’ Dear Punch.”

“Oh, all sorts of things.” Punch mumbled.

“Are you feeling well, my dear?”

“Sure, Chum.” Punch replied.

“I don’t know about you, but all our hiking the last two days has made me quite weary. It’s nice to be tired from doing something enjoyable instead of being fatigued from tragedy.”

“I should say so.” Punch answered. “I tol’ ya. Somethin’ ‘bout the air here makes ya sleep better. Colin fell right asleep, he did. And, he didn’t do all the walkin’ what we did.”

“It’s grueling work being pushed in a pram all day. It’s quite taxing.” Robert joked.

“I ‘magine it is.” Punch smiled. “Here,” he sat up slightly—causing Dog Toby to roll over a bit—“I think Gerry and Gamilla enjoyed their outing today.”

“I’m sure of it.” Robert nodded. “They are rather sweet together, aren’t they?”

Punch grinned.

“We must make a point of asking Charles to come with us tomorrow.” Robert continued.

“That’d be good.” Punch responded. “And, then, we should do somethin’ for Speaight and Mrs. Pepper. Oh, I know!” He chirped. “We can ask Speaight and Mrs. Pepper to take tea with us in the garden to discuss the further plans for the Servants’ Ball. Course, we’d have to ask Mrs. North, too, but I think she’d like it. The Grange has been without a master for so long, I s’pect she’ll like to be included.”

“A good idea,” Robert agreed. “However, I have a feeling that Mrs. North will fancy us quite uncouth for socializing with the staff as we do.”

“She’ll get used to it.” Punch sighed. He rolled over and began to hug the dog again.

“Dear Punch,” Robert said softly. “Something is troubling you.”

“Not really.” Punch shook his head. “Not really troublin’ me. Like I said, I’m jus’ thinkin’, I am. Ain’t nothin’ to bother you ‘bout.”

“Very well,” Robert sighed. He changed the subject. “How do you think Finlay did at tea?”

“He was fine.” Punch muttered. “I prefer when Gerard and Charles do it.”

“I was surprised that Speaight let him serve alone.” Robert continued.

“Me, too, Chum.” Punch sat up again. “He did well ‘nough.”

“You make a good point about the household having been without a master for so long.” Robert began. “I imagine the staff is so accustomed to being on their own, they’ve forgotten what it’s like to actually serve someone. I think Finlay is relaxing a bit.”

“It’ll take some time.” Punch replied. “After all, it’s been, well…” he thought for a moment. “The last our pa was here was before his first expedition to Egypt. And, I hadn’t come for a couple years before that. I s’pect they was worried when pa was killed in France—thinkin’ maybe I’d close the house all up. But, I hope that they realize that they’re all gonna be here for a long time to come.”

“I think that your idea for the Servants’ Ball has shown them that.”

“Hope so.” Punch sighed. He looked over at Robert. “Chum?”

“Yes.”

“’Member when we was talkin’ today with Gamilla and Gerard?”

“I do.”

“You said that I always try to find the good in people. Like what I do with Miss Barrett.”

“You do.”

“But, so do you.” Punch responded thoughtfully.

“Not really, my dear.” Robert chuckled. “I’m much quicker to make up my mind than you are. I’m more prone to react and to hold a grudge.”

“Don’t you recall when we was on the ship?”

“I recall both times we were on a ship together. Well, all three if you count the time we boarded a ship only to have it burn around our heads.”

“Coo!” Punch put his hand over his face. “That were terrible. But, I mean when we was goin’ to ‘Merica.”

“Of course.”

“You remember the day you told Julian ‘bout, well…’bout me and how he was two men in one.”

“I do.” Robert nodded.

“He’d just learned that our pa was killed. It were too much for ‘im, poor bloke and he went inside our body and, frankly, never came out ‘gain. Not for long anyway.”

“That’s true.”

“Well, Chum, I weren’t the man what I am today. I was all puppet then—wantin’ to hit folks with sticks and throw bodies into the sea. I was always yellin’ or scrappin’ or fussin’.”

“Or singing.” Robert chuckled. “One of the first things you ever said to me was “Want to sing with me?’”

“Sure was.” Punch smiled. “But, you didn’t judge me for it. You found the good in me and, cuz ya did, I’m what I am today. More man than puppet. A father, a companion, a friend, a master. A jeweler for the Queen and Prince Consort, even. Most folk would’ve let me die, but you stuck by me. Remember? You said you was me ‘champion.’ And, you were. You are and have been.”

“And always will be.” Robert said softly. “Just as you’re mine.”

“So, it ain’t true what you said. You, too, find the good in folk.”

Robert shook his head. “I’m learning to, yes. But, Dear Punch, you can’t really compare my reaction to you to my opinion of, say, Miss Barrett.”

“Why not?”

“The major difference being that I was in love with you, even then.”

“You were in love with Julian.”

“At first.” Robert sighed. “I thought so. But, I soon realized that it was you with whom I’d fallen in love. Julian’s looks, yes, but your spirit.” He patted Punch’s hand. “So, you see, you can’t compare the two situations. I only love you. And, furthermore, you acted as you did because that’s all you knew. You had no other experience. You were, in some ways, like a child. But, as you developed, you learned different ways to cope.” He sighed. “Miss Barrett is a grown woman and should know better than to act as she does sometimes.”

“I guess.” Punch nodded.

“Did it bother you when I said that I thought you were quick to find the good in people?”

“Dunno.” Punch shrugged. “I guess I was worried because it made me think that you don’t know how kind and generous what you are your own self.”

Robert smiled. “Whatever good there is in me, my dear, is only because I have you in my life.” He chuckled. “Even if Dog Toby won’t get out of my way and let me near you.”

Punch giggled, but his smile quickly faded.

“Something else has been bothering you.” Robert whispered. “Tell me.”

“I can’t, Chum.” Punch replied softly. “Cuz I truly don’t know what it is me-self. I just get a funny feelin’ sometimes like maybe…” he shook his head. “Like maybe there’s somethin’ what’s waitin’ to do us harm.”

“I think it’s natural you should feel that way after what we just left behind in London. Let’s not forget, it’s not been so very long since you were poisoned. We’ve only just begun to recover from finding Mr. Stover’s corpse at our front door. I think that anyone would be rattled by that. I know I have been. You know I’ve been having awful dreams.”

“I know, Chum.” Punch answered compassionately. “Tell you what. You sleep now and I’ll watch ya. I’ll make sure nothin’ comes near ya.”

“You need to sleep, too.”

“Not so much as you do.” Punch shook his head.

“How about we both sleep? Dog Toby will protect us.”

They both looked at the slumbering terrier and chuckled.

“Or not.” Robert smiled.

“I’ll try to sleep.” Punch said after awhile. He glanced at the nursery door which was slightly ajar. “Maybe I should look in on Colin.”

“I’m sure he’s sound asleep, Dear Punch. If he were awake, we’d hear him.”

“I s’pose.” Punch shrugged.

“How about I tell you a story,” Robert suggested.

“I like when you do that.” Punch grinned.

“I know.” Robert settled back onto his pillow. “Now, once upon a time, there were two men. Together, they sailed on a huge ship to a strange place. They knew each other, but they didn’t. But, they both knew that they were all they had in the world…”

“This is my favorite story.” Punch sighed.

“Mine, too, dear Punch.” Robert grinned. “Mine, too.”

Little did they know, but on the other side of the nursery door, Finlay stood very still—listening to their every word as Ellen loomed over Colin’s crib. She looked first at the sleeping baby and then up at her half-brother. She grinned and nodded as Finlay approached the crib.



Did you miss Chapters 1-86 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday for Chapter 88.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 87

Mr. Punch slapped the bed and glared at Barbara. “I don’t believe you.”


“It’s true, Julian.” Barbara said softly. “Iolanthe Evangeline had our father murdered.”

“Barbara, you can’t expect us to believe that—as powerful a force as Iolanthe Evangeline is here—that her power extends across the ocean.” Robert said firmly.

“But, it does.” Barbara argued.

“Robert,” Adrienne said, “Iolanthe’s evil is far-reaching. She has at her disposal a very elaborate web of people who do her bidding—both here and in our home lands. When I was disgraced, it wasn’t but a few days before I was propositioned by one of Iolanthe’s men. One in particular—Leon. The one who called himself ‘The Professor.’”

“The man who died in the fire in the stable.” Robert nodded.

“He’s the one who extended Iolanthe’s invitation to me as well,” Barbara nodded.

“Fine,” Robert sighed, “Let’s assume, then, that Iolanthe has influence across the globe. What possible reason could she have to wish Sir Colin Molliner dead? The authorities reported that he had been killed by thieves who stole the gems he was carrying. Would Iolanthe Evangeline be so greedy as to have a stranger killed for jewels which would take weeks to reach her?”

“Yes,” Barbara nodded. “However, her motives were far more sinister. She ordered that Father be murdered in order to teach me a lesson.”

“For what?” Robert asked. “You hadn’t even arrived in New Orleans when Sir Colin was killed.”

“Got word when we were travelin’, we did.” Mr. Punch said, breaking his unusual silence. “Didn’t know it, but you was on the same ship as us. She’d not even met you yet.”

“I had sent a letter to her before we departed. I had told her that while I was still intending to come here, I’d had reservations about the arrangements concerning my child. I told her that I didn’t want to part with him. Her response was to show me the full extent of her power.” Barbara explained.

“Don’t make sense.” Mr. Punch shook his head. “Don’t make sense at all. The time it’d take for your letter to reach the woman don’t match up with when our father were killed.”

“Why would I deceive you, Julian?” Barbara moaned.

“Because you’re a bleedin’ liar what’s only after what she wants. You’d say anything you could to change things the way you want ‘em.” Mr. Punch responded.

“Robert, Your Lordship,” Adrienne said, “I am not so certain. I’ve seen the sorts of terrible acts of which Iolanthe is capable.”

“I know you have,” Robert said gently. “You know better than anyone. However, we can’t let this girl manipulate our sentiments.”

“What have I to gain by telling you this?” Barbara covered her face with her hands.

“There’s always somethin’ for you to gain.” Mr. Punch growled.

“I’ll never be free of her. Don’t you see? Not unless you help me.” Barbara said through her hands.

“We’ve been trying to help you all along,” Robert answered. “You’ve pushed us away.”

“For your own protection. I didn’t want her to hurt Julian as she hurt our father.”

“You don’t care nothin’ ‘bout what happens to your brother,” Mr. Punch frowned. “You said yourself how you hate him…me.”

“I only said those things so that you’d leave me alone.” Barbara said. “I couldn’t risk entangling you in my problems.”

“Huh.” Mr. Punch grunted. “Only now you want to ‘tangle us? So, what’s it gonna take, then? Hmmm? What do ya need to be free?”

“Only some financial assistance.” Barbara said, smiling slightly.

“And, there we have it.” Robert sighed.

“I understand why you mistrust me, Dr. Halifax.” Barbara said softly. “However, I am most sincere.”

“I believe her,” Adrienne said quickly, remembering her own ordeal with Iolanthe Evangeline.

“Adrienne,” Robert shook his head. “Don’t let her fool you. This woman would see us all dead at her feet if it meant that she’d earn her gold.”

“Barbara,” Adrienne began, “Are you in earnest? Do you truly wish for us to help you extricate yourself from Iolanthe?”

“Terribly,” Barbara covered her face with her hands again.

“Then, we shall help you.” Adrienne put her arms around Barbara. “Furthermore, we’ll see to it that your child is returned to you.”

Mr. Punch and Robert looked at one another helplessly.

Meanwhile at the bayou, Arthur stumbled backwards into the cold mud after Ulrika shoved him.

“Come on, then!” Arthur said, catching himself on a large oak. “What do you aim to do?”

Ulrika laughed. “Have I frightened you?”

“You always frighten me a bit.” Arthur frowned.

“Just remember, really, who you’re dealing with.” Ulrika hissed.

“It would do you good not to forget what I’m capable of either.” Arthur spat.

“Can’t you see? We’re the perfect match for one another.” Ulrika grinned, extending her hand to Arthur. “I have everything you’ll ever want—including that beautiful blue diamond. What can Barbara offer you? Nothing! She’s forever enslaved by that woman, the ‘Ogress.’ I am free and I have the ability to conquer anything. You see, Arthur, I’ve been very clever.”

“Have you?” Arthur smirked.

“Yes,” Ulrika smiled. “I have in my possession a document that states quite clearly that upon the death of my maid, I, as her mistress, will receive all of her property. Barbara put her mark on it when she accepted her false position in my mother’s house. The only provision is that she have no living family. Well, it’s one thing when such an arrangement is made between a maid and her mistress. It’s really quite another when the girl is an heiress in disguise. Aside from her mother, who is Barbara’s only remaining relative? The lunatic. Well, as far as the world is concerned, Barbara Allen is dead. The inheritance she’d have received upon the death of her father would rightly go to me if it were not for Lord Fallbridge.”

“It won’t hold up.” Arthur shook his head.

“It will if you help me.” Ulrika winked.

“Did you ever think that maybe I love my wife?” Arthur asked.

“Arthur, really, you don’t love anyone.” Ulrika laughed.

“True.” Arthur laughed as well.

“Well, then?” Ulrika asked.

“Right.” Arthur nodded. “I’m in.”

“How lovely, really,” Ulrika cooed. “Come along. Let’s go see Nanny. Oh, yes, we shall have the happiest Christmas, Arthur.  The happiest...”

Did you miss Chapters 1-86?  If so, you can read them here.