Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 500—The Final Chapter

“What shall I say?”  Robert asked, seated at the writing desk in Mr. Punch’s cabin.  In front of him, a blank page sat—waiting.

“Dunno,”  Punch mumbled, not really paying attention.  Instead, he looked out of the porthole—his nose almost on the glass.

“We must think of something,”  Robert urged patiently.  "We'll need to have the house opened and ready..."

“Look at the sea, chum.”  Mr. Punch answered, not turning around.  “It’s all dark and shiny—all at once.  Like when it moves, it’s not dark no more.  It’s the moon’s what’s doin’ it.  Lightin’ it up like them sapphires in me jewel case.  All blue.  Deep, deep beautiful blue.  But, white, too--all the same.  Bright and glorious and pretty.  Soft and hard.  Light and dark.  All at once.”  He giggled.  


Suddenly, a feeling passed within Mr. Punch--a feeling with which he wasn't familiar.


"Here, chum."  Punch sighed.  "You know what the sea looks like to me?"


"The Molliner Blue?"  Robert answered softly.


"Sure,"  Punch nodded--still not looking at his companion.  "Me pa's diamond.  I think he'd be proud, he would."


"I know he would."


"Maybe I didn't get to keep pa's diamond.  But, I got somethin' far more valuable from it.  It bought us Colin's freedom."


"And a namesake for your father."  Robert replied.  "I'm certain Sir Colin would approve."


Mr. Punch nodded quietly.


After awhile, he sighed again.  “You know?  I think I might like bein’ a jeweler.”

He finally turned around and smiled at Robert.  “Ain’t it queer?  Even though I was not the one doin’ it, I watched through our eyes when me master was workin’ with all them jewels and diamonds and gold and such.  I think I could do it.”

“You’re going to have to,”  Robert winked.  “Besides that, I think—from within, at least—Julian will help you.”

“I guess I will have to do it.”  Punch sighed.  “Her Majesty’s gonna want to see me when we get back.  Or, Prince Albert will.  He's German, you know?”


"I've heard,"  Robert laughed softly. 


"But, it's for Her Majesty what he does all he does.  Sure, she'll want me at the palace soon as she hears we come back."

“And she won’t be able to see you unless we have an organized household, so, let’s finish our letter.”  Robert grinned.

“It’s cold in here.”  Punch grumbled.  “Do you think Colin’s cold?  Maybe we should go check on him.”

“I was just in there,”  Robert shook his head.  “He’s asleep.  He’s not cold, and what’s more, Gerry’s with him.  He’s quite all right.  Gerard would tell us if Colin needed anything.”

“Gerry's there.  But, where’s Charles?”

“You know very well that Charles is in his cabin pressing our shirts for tomorrow.”

"Right.  Turned out to be a good man, that Charles.  Once we got him 'way from Barbara.  Much better than Arthur.  Whew!  Much better."


"I can't argue that."  Robert nodded.  "Now, about our letter..."


“Maybe Toby’s cold.”  Punch continued.

“Dear Punch, Toby has a permanent fur coat—furthermore,” he pointed to the bed, “he’s sleeping under the blankets.”

“Are you cold?”  Punch asked, his eyes widening.  "Maybe you're cold."

“No.”  Robert sighed.  “My dear, you don't suppose I'm unaware what you're presently about.  Why are you stalling?  If we finish this letter, we can go to sleep.”

“I don’t need as much sleep as you do, I don’t…”  Punch mumbled, turning around again and walking toward the porthole.

“Very well...”  Robert stood up.  He laughed and walked over to Mr. Punch, putting his hands on his friend’s shoulders.  “Now, talk to me.  Why are you procrastinating?  Is there some reason you don’t want to dictate this letter to me.”

“I don’t know what to say,”  Punch admitted.  "You know I don't know what to say, I don't.  I ain't good with such things.  I only say what I know."

“That’s not a problem,”  Robert smiled, “I’ll translate it for you.  That’s why you’re dictating.  Just say what you're thinking.”

“But, but...  You ain’t always gonna be able to translate for me.”  Punch snorted.  “When we get back, you’re gonna want to work at being a physician.  Yes?”

“Yes.” Robert nodded.

“Well, you ain’t gonna be with me all day.  And, I’m gonna have to go places sometimes—like the palace or Balmoral or to the goldsmiths or to look for jewels.  I’m gonna have to talk to folk and talk to the staff in the house and…”

“And…you’re afraid that they’ll notice that you’re...different?”

“Yes.”  Punch nodded.

“You’re correct.  They will.  Even if you perform your expert impersonation of Julian, they’ll know that you’re not the same and they will, in fact, talk about it privately, and, at times, publicly.”

Punch nodded slowly.  “I can’t pretend to be Julian all the time.  It’s one thing to do it at Buckingham Palace, but I don’t want to have to do it at home.”

“I don’t think you should.”  Robert said gently.  “You should just carry on as you are.”

“They’ll say things, folk will.  Oh, they'll say plenty when we ain't 'round."

“Of course.”  Robert winked.  “But, they’re going to say things anyway.”

“I know.”  Punch grumbled.  “They’re going to talk about you…and Colin.  What will we tell people ‘bout Colin?  And, what ‘bout Barbara?  By now, folk know I left for America to retrieve Barbara.  They’ll see that she didn’t come back.  What will I say?  What will we both say?”

“I’ve given this a great deal of thought,”  Robert smiled, guiding Mr. Punch toward the bed.  He sat Punch down and plopped down beside him.

“You have?”  Punch asked eagerly.

“Of course.”

“See, that’s why you’re me chum.”  Punch smiled finally.  "That's why I need you.  We.  We need you."

“It’s my honor to take care of you and our family.”  Robert answered sincerely.  “Now, here’s what I think…”

“Go on,”  Punch pressed  his hands together.

“I know we’re already returning to a scandal.  News of the deaths of your mother, the Duchess, and your father, Sir Colin, has preceded us.  London society already knows your father was killed, but they can’t be sure how your mother passed on.  I suggest we tell those who ask that your mother contracted the Yellow Fever while in America searching for your sister with you.”

“Oh…”  Punch’s eyes widened.  “So, we can lie?”

“In this case, it’s kinder, I think, to do so.  There’s no need to drag your mother’s name through the mud by revealing her involvement in your father’s death nor her association with Iolanthe Evangeline--though she might deserve exposing, it wouldn't do any good.  Not only that, but we’ll be protecting your good name and Colin’s.”

“You’re so smart and so good and decent and such.”  Punch said, gazing with admiration at Robert.

“I’m glad you think so.”  Robert chuckled.  He cleared his throat and continued.  “As for Barbara…”

“Can we say she died, too?”  Punch nodded eagerly.  "I wouldn't mind that."

“I think we should.”  Robert nodded.

“Here, it’s rather like she did.  Lady Barbara is gone.  The woman what’s left ain’t the same.”

“No.”  Robert sighed.  “We can say that she became ill looking after your mother and that the fever spread to the family with whom they were staying—leaving that sad family’s infant son an orphan.”

“I see.”  Punch nodded.  “And, I can say that we adopted Colin to give him a good home.”

“That you adopted Colin, yes.”

“Why not both of us?”

Robert blushed.  “Well, I don’t think the people of your class would be too accepting of the idea of both of us adopting the boy.”

“Oh.”  Punch squinted.  “Don’t see why, but if that’s what you think, then, that’s what I’ll do.”

“Thank you,”  Robert nodded.  “I think that’s all we’ll need to say.  No one will ask us more than that.  They’ll certainly talk, but we can’t control that and, frankly, I don’t care.  As for us—well, we can say that we’re longtime friends and leave it at that.  We decided to keep one another company and should anyone ask more than that we can explain that returning to Fallbridge Hall was too painful for you—because of all of the memories of those you’ve lost—and that you preferred to take residence in your London home on Belgrave Square.”

Punch nodded again.  “That bit’s true ‘nough.”

“Do you agree with all of that?” 

“I do.”  Punch smiled.  “But, coo, I’m still nervous.”

“I am, too.”  Robert grinned.  “However, we’ll take it as it comes.  Dear Punch, don’t feel that you need to put on an act.  Be who you are.  People will gossip about us anyway.  And, those close to us will love and accept you as you are.  Just be my dear Punch.  If Julian resurfaces, we’ll sort all of that out, then.”

“Even at the palace?”  Punch joked.

“Well, maybe not with Their Majesties.”  Robert chuckled.  “You and I will have to practice our Royal protocol.”

Punch giggled.

“Now,”  Robert said with mock exasperation.  “Will you tell me, please, what to say in that blasted letter?”

Punch followed Robert to the writing desk.

“You gonna write what I say?”

“More or less,”  Robert chortled.

“Dear Jackson, what is the butler at Fallbridge Hall.  We’re comin’ back.  By ‘we,’ I mean myself—the Duke—and me chum Robert Halifax what’s a doctor.  We got a baby what I got from some people what died when Lady Barbara and the Duchess got the Yellow Fever.  He’s a good baby and you’ll like him.  We’re gonna stay at No. 65 Belgrave Square.  Arrange for the house to be opened and for someone to let us in when we get there.  Have keys for us.  We got a valet each.  Charles and Gerard.  Charles can be first footman, but we’re gonna need a butler—but not you.  You’re dull and old. Oh, yes, Arthur died, too.  Good riddance. We’ll need an under-house maid, a house maid, a between maid,  a page, a scullery maid, a cook, a kitchen maid, a head groom, a stable boy and gardener and a governess.  Send us these, please.  If you can’t send ‘em from Fallbridge Hall, arrange with an agency in Belgravia to send ‘em.  I want final choice.  Oh, we got a girl what’s called Gamilla.  She’s African!  It’s interesting.  She’s gonna come later.  She can be a parlor maid.  Keep everything as it is at Fallbridge Hall.  We will visit when we feel like it which won’t be often what with all them sad memories of me mum and such.  Yours sincerely, Julian, Duke of Fallbridge.”

Mr. Punch took a deep breath and smiled.  “There!”  he declared triumphantly.

Robert continued to scribble.  “I’m impressed with your knowledge of servants.”

“Don’t know where that came from.”  Punch shrugged.

“From Julian, I’m sure.”  Robert teased. 

Punch peered over Robert’s shoulder.  “Here, that’s not what I said.  You’re writin’ it different.”

“The idea is there.”  Robert winked.

“Hmph.”  Punch snorted.  He waited a few seconds.  “You finished yet?”

“Not yet.”  Robert laughed.

“But, I’m bored.”

Robert set down his pen.  “Fine.  I’ll finish it tomorrow.  We won’t be able to post it until the next port anyway.”

“Good!”  Mr. Punch chirped.  “Come talk with me and look at the sea.  We can go on the deck and look from above!  All shinin'.  Just like pa's diamond.”

“The sea will be there in the morning.  Right now, there’s a chill in the air.”  Robert smiled.  “Besides, I think we should sleep.”

“Awwww!”  Punch moaned, pouting.

“Look at Toby…”  Robert gestured to the dog who was curled up in the bed.  “He wants you to join him.”

“He don’t need me help to sleep.”  Punch muttered.  “If we can’t go out, let’s at least stay up and keep talkin’.  Or...!  I know!  Let’s go get Colin and play…”

“Let’s allow Colin to sleep.”  Robert laughed.  “Babies need sleep.”

“True.”  Punch sighed.

“When he’s walking and causing chaos all over the house, you’ll wish he slept more often.”

“Probably.”  Mr. Punch smiled.  “Fine, we can go to sleep, but I don’t want to.  Seems a shame to miss somethin’ as pretty as the sea lookin’ like diamonds.”

Robert grinned and walked over to the wardrobe.  Opening the shining oak doors, he removed his overcoat and Mr. Punch’s.

“What you doin’?”  Punch asked, tilting his head to one side.

He helped Mr. Punch on with his coat.  “I’m taking you on the deck.”

“What for?”

“To look at the moonlight on the sea.”

“But, you said you’d rather sleep!”  Punch laughed.

“My dear Punch, there’s always time to sleep.  I’ve learned so much from you.  But, most importantly, I’ve learned to enjoy every peaceful moment that we can share.  Tomorrow we’ll sleep.  Tonight, we’ll enjoy the moon on the water.”

“Like diamonds, it is.”  Punch smiled.  “Brilliant!”

“Dear Punch, I’ve seen something far more brilliant than that.”

“What?”  Punch asked with wide eyes.  "Show me."

Robert took Mr. Punch by the shoulders and guided him to the mirror above the washstand.  He pointed at their reflections in the glass.

“You, chum?”  Mr. Punch asked.

“No.”  Robert smiled.


“I don’t understand.”  Mr. Punch giggled, poking Robert playfully in the ribs with his elbow.  "I don't see what you mean."

“I know, dear Punch.”  Robert put his arm around Punch’s waist.  “And, that’s what’s so very brilliant.”

You’ll be able to read all five hundred chapters of Punch’s Cousin in the Punch’s Cousin Chapter Archive.  Next Monday, April 2^nd, 2012, a new blog novel—Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square—will debut in this spot.

Many thanks to all of you who have read and commented on Punch’s Cousin.  With Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square we will explore London in 1853 with Mr. Punch, Robert and Colin as they establish a new and exciting life.  Join me as we follow our friends through an intriguing journey which leads them to the court of Queen Victoria and some truly surprising scandals.    

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 499

 Mr. Punch eyed the ship suspiciously as he and Robert approached it.

“Don’t fret, dear Punch.”  Robert winked.  “The odds of two ships in a row catching ablaze are rather slim.”

“Only they ain’t impossible.”  Punch grumbled.  “What with our luck.”

“I think our luck is, overall, quite good.”  Robert smiled.

 

“Eh?”

“Well, we have one another.  We have Colin.  We’re headed home to a beautiful house in Belgrave Square—together, unharmed.  We’ll be able to visit Fallbridge Hall whenever or if ever you wish.  We both have thriving businesses awaiting us.  We’re healthy, as is Colin, and we’re all very loved.”  Robert nodded, slipping his arm through Mr. Punch’s.  “To me, that sounds like very good luck.”

“Here,” Punch smiled slowly, “you’re correct, you are.  Just as always…”

“Maybe not always,” Robert teased, “but often.”

Mr. Punch laughed, but his good cheer quickly faded.

“I know, dear Punch,” Robert sighed as he looked into Punch’s sad eyes.  “But, we must smile—for the sake of the others.”

Punch nodded.  Together, they waited for their family to catch up. 

Mr. Punch and Robert had said their goodbyes to Marie Laveau already.  She chose not to go to the dock with them, claiming that she had to organize her “girls” for the day and send them off to style the hair of New Orleans’ wealthy ladies.  But, Mr. Punch knew she was lying.  Though their friendship had been much shorter than the time they spent in battle against each other, Punch knew that Marie was a sensitive and emotional woman.  He realized that saying goodbye was difficult enough in the privacy of her own parlor without having to suffer through a public parting.

“It looks to be a fine vessel,”  Cecil forced a smile as he guided Adrienne toward them.  

“Doesn’t it, my dear?”

Adrienne was already in tears.  Fuller—who was nestled in his mother’s arms—reached up with a tiny hand and wiped away one of his mother’s tears.  She nodded.  “A fine ship.”

Adrienne’s tears were too much for Mr. Punch, and, he, too, began to sob.

“We, maybe, can put you all in our trunks.  We don’t need clothes.  You can come with us and we can get you on the ship and then we can take you out and feed you sausages, we can.”  Punch chattered nervously.

“Dear Punch,”  Robert whispered.  “You must try to compose yourself.”

“I’m tryin’, chum, only it’s not easy, it ain’t.”

“I know.”  Robert responded softly.

“As lovely an idea as that is,”  Cecil said, his voice catching for a moment, “the ship’s officers take a dim view of stowaways.” 

Mr. Punch nodded.  “Here, can I hold Fuller?”

“Of course,”  Adrienne answered, gently transferring the boy to Mr. Punch’s arms.  Punch whispered to the child.  “Now, little Fuller, I know I ain’t really your uncle.  But, I’m kinda like your uncle.  Me chum is really your uncle and your ma and pa is like me own sister and brother.  I hope you’ll remember me and when you grow up, I hope you’ll be a good, wonderful, kind man who’s nice to folk and puppies and good to your mama what’s always been me true, loyal friend and who is a fine lady.  And, be good to your pa whose gruff but fair and bright.  He makes noise, but, he’s soft like a doggy and has a good, kind heart.”

Punch looked up at Adrienne.  “You think he understands?”

“I do,”  Adrienne answered, dabbing at her eyes with a lace handkerchief.

Once again, Punch gazed down at Fuller, choking back tears.  “And, your cousin—Colin—don’t forget him neither.  He’ll be with me and he’ll grow up.  And when he does, maybe he’ll see you and you two will be the best of friends.”  Punch shook his head.  “Better take him back.”

Adrienne took the child from Mr. Punch, pausing in front of Robert for a moment.  Robert caressed his nephew’s little face, his eyes growing moist.

Their moment was interrupted as Charles approached.

“Pardon me, Sir,”  Charles said politely.  “I’ve instructed the purser on how to handle the trunks.  I have the case with your jewel chest here and Gerard has the basket with His Grace’s puppet.”

“Where’s Toby?”  Punch asked.

“He’s with Columbia and Marjani, just over there.”  Charles pointed to Marjani (who held Colin), Columbia (who was walking Toby on a lead) and Gamilla who walked with Gerard.

“If you don’t mind,”  Charles continued, “I’d like to go ahead and board to make sure the cabins are in order for you.”

“Please,”  Robert nodded.

Charles blushed, “May I?”

“What is it, Charles?”  Robert asked.

“I’d just like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Halifax for all they did for me.”  Charles answered softly.

Robert nodded.

“You already have,”  Cecil smiled.

“Farewell, Charles.  We wish you all the best.”  Adrienne added.

Charles nodded, his bottom lip quivering slightly.  Without another word he boarded the ship.

Gamilla hung back to speak with Gerard as Marjani and Columbia approached with Colin and Toby.

“Go on, honey.”  Marjani nodded at her granddaughter.

Columbia sniffed and walked slowly toward Mr. Punch.  “Here’s your Toby dog, Sir.”

“Thank you, little chum.”  Punch smiled despite the tears that rolled down his cheeks. 

“I’ll miss him.”  Columbia whimpered. 

“He’ll miss you.”  Mr. Punch nodded, picking up the dog.

“Go on, honey.”  Marjani repeated.

“I want to say,”  Columbia began.  “that I think you’re a right good man, and I want to say that I will  never forget you nor even Mr. Halifax and Colin.  Grandmama said that if I learn to write, I can write you letters in England.  Will you read them?”

“Of course,”  Punch knelt down, still holding Toby.  He looked into Columbia’s eyes.  “I should like very much to read anything that you wrote.  Perhaps, when you learn to read and write, you will be a great writer one day.  Wouldn’t that be grand?  I think it would, I do.”

Columbia could not control herself any longer.  Her quiet tears turned to gasping sobs and she threw her arms around Mr. Punch’s neck.  “Oh, Uncle Punch!  Please, please don’t leave!  My mama and daddy, they left for heaven and done left me and Grandmama all alone.  Now, you’re gonna leave, too.  Please, don’t go!”

“Oh!”  Punch yelped.  “Oh, no!”  He looked up at Robert helplessly. 

Robert knelt down, too.

“Columbia, we have to go.  This isn’t our home.  We come from somewhere else and we’re needed there.  But, I promise we’ll write to you and we’ll send you little gifts.  We will think of you and your grandmother every day.  I promise.”

“It ain’t the same,”  Columbia wailed.

“No, it ain’t.”  Punch said.  “But, remember, when folks is close like we are, they’re always bound to see each other again one day.”

“For true?”  Columbia asked.

“For true.”  Mr. Punch nodded, believing it himself.  At least, he wanted to believe it so that the parting would not be as terribly excruciating as it was.

“Now, Columbia,”  Marjani said sweetly, coming up behind her granddaughter.  “You want His Grace and Dr. Halifax to see you like the fine, strong young lady you are.”

Columbia nodded, wiping her eyes on the backs of her hands.

“Then, you smile and tell them goodbye for now.”

“Goodbye, Uncle Punch.  Goodbye, Dr. Halifax.”  She said, her voice trembling.

“Good girl, honey.”  Marjani smiled.  “Now, why don’t you go by Missus Adrienne and Mr. Cecil?”

Columbia hurried off, crying again.

“Oh, it’s too awful.”  Punch shook his head, hugging Toby close to his chest.

“Now, here’s your Colin.”  Marjani said firmly, not allowing herself to become overemotional.

“I’ll take him.”  Robert extended his arms into which Marjani placed the baby.

“He’s a good boy.”  Marjani nodded.  “I know he’ll be a fine man like his…”  She paused. 

“Pardon me, but what’s he gonna call ya?”

Mr. Punch raised his eyebrows and looked at Robert. “We hadn’t talked ‘bout it.  I already got so many names…”

“He should call you, ‘Father,’ dear Punch.”

Punch smiled.  “You think so?”

“I do.”

“What about you?”

“He’ll call me ‘Uncle Robert.’”

“Well, then,” Marjani grinned.  “I know he’ll grow up to be as fine a man as his daddy and his uncle are.”

“And I know Columbia will be as strong and beautiful as you,”  Punch sniffed.

“I hope she is a thousand parts better than me.”  Marjani shook her head.

“I don’t know if anyone could be.”  Robert smiled.  “I will always consider you the best nurse I ever had, and, certainly, one of the best friends.”

“I can’t,” Marjani answered, her voice quivering, “think of the right words to say all I want.”

“You don’t gotta say nothin’.”  Mr. Punch answered.  “We already know.  And, you do, too.”

“I do have a message for ya,”  Marjani took a deep breath.

“From whom?”  Robert asked.

“Naasir.”  Marjani whispered.  “He wants you to know he’s very proud.  He’s going to always watch out for you.”

“Oh, oh…”  Punch began to sob again.  “It’s all too terrible.  Too, too terrible.”

“Thank you, Marjani.”  Robert smiled, also becoming overcome.

“Will you forgive me if I take my leave now?”  Marjani rasped.  “Less I start to cry myself.”

“Go on, Marjani.”  Robert nodded.

“Remember how we love you.”  Punch sniffed as Marjani hurried off.  “And when you’re nursin’ them silk folk, make sure to take care of yourself, too.”

Marjani went to join her granddaughter with Adrienne, Cecil and Fuller.

Robert gestured to Gamilla and Gerard who still stood alone, talking closely.

“I do believe they’re having a difficult time saying goodbye.”  Robert said softly.

“About that?”  Punch nodded.  “Did ya…”

“I talked with Adrienne and Cecil before we left.  Cecil will send Gamilla along after they’re settled back in Marionneaux.”

“Oh, good!”  Punch whooped.

Gerard looked up.  Shaking Gamilla’s hand, he lingered one moment more before hurrying stiffly toward Robert and Mr. Punch.

“My apologies, Sirs.”  Gerard panted.

“You’ll see her again shortly.”  Robert winked.

“I know.  She tol’ me.”  Gerard smiled. 

“Charles is already aboard the ship.  Go and find him, please.  And, would you take Toby to Mr. Punch’s cabin?”

“Sure thing, Sirs.”  Gerard grinned, taking the dog from Punch’s arms.  He paused to wave at Gamilla once more and darted up the ramp to the ship.

“I’ll take me…” Punch cleared his throat.  “My son, please.”

Robert smiled approvingly.  “Colin, go to your father.”  He handed Colin to Mr. Punch.

Punch, Robert and Colin stood at the bottom of the ramp for a moment.

“What do we do now?”  Punch asked, his voice choking in his throat.

“Now, we wave.”  Robert whispered.

Punch waved at the small group who had shared their lives for those long, grueling, exciting, glorious weeks.

“That’s all?”  Punch asked softly.

“We’ve said all we can.”  Robert sighed.

“Don’t seem ‘nough.”  Punch muttered.

“It never is.  Nothing ever can be.”  Robert responded.

The group waved back.

Without another word, Robert put his arm around Mr. Punch’s shoulders and together, they walked up the wide ramp to the ship.

“It’s too, too terrible,”  Mr. Punch repeated over and over again.  “And, too, too wonderful.”

Did you miss Chapters 1-498?  If so, you can read them here.  There’s only one chapter left of Punch’s Cousin.  Make sure to come back tomorrow for the final chapter and the beginning of a new journey for Mr. Punch and Robert.  

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 498

 “I can get some of the boys to help,” Marie Laveau volunteered as she watched Charles, Gerry, Gamilla and Marjani scurry about. 

“I think we got it,” Gamilla smiled politely.  “Thanks.”

“What ‘bout the children?”  Marie asked.

“Columbia’s with the babies.”  Marjani responded.  “They’re still sleepin’.”

“Well, let me know if you need any help.”  Marie nodded.

“Miss Laveau,” Gamilla paused.  “I jus’ wanna thank ya for lettin’ all of us stay here.”

“Ain’t nothin’.”  Marie shook her head.  “You jus’ remember ol’ Marie kindly, that’s all I ask.”

“I will,” Gamilla nodded. 

“Funny, ain’t it?”  Marie teased.

“Kinda.”  Gamilla smiled.

“So, you ready for to go back to Marionneaux?”  Marie asked.

“I reckon,”  Gamilla sighed.  “I gotta admit, I was ready to go to England.”

“You still wanna go?”  Marie asked.

“I do.”  Gamilla whispered.

“You’ll be comin’ soon enough,”  Gerard interrupted as he paused to pick up a basket of Colin’s toys.  “That’s what Mrs. Halifax says.”

“Sure.”  Gamilla nodded. 

“See.  We’ll all be together soon.”  Gerard grinned.  With that, he carried the basket out to the waiting carriage.

“You don’t believe it, do ya?”  Marie asked Gamilla softly.

“Mr. and Mrs. Halifax done been terrible kind to me.  I got no reason to doubt them…”

“But, it’s hard not to,” Marie nodded.  “I understand.”

Marjani raised her eyebrows as she listened.  “I don’t wanna be rude, but we got a lotta things for to bring out and His Grace, the doctor and Colin gotta get to the docks in an hour.”

“We’ll chat some more, Gamilla, before you go back to Marionneaux this afternoon with the Halifaxes.”  Marie patted Gamilla on the back.  “You git.”

“Yes, Miss Laveau.”  Gamilla nodded before scurrying off.

Alone with Marjani while the others loaded the carriage, Marie tilted her head to one side.  “You still don’t trust me much.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Laveau, but I don’t.”

“That’s strange to me,”  Marie shrugged, “since of the lot, you and I are the most alike.”

“Maybe so,” Marjani shook her head, “maybe we got the same kind of gifts, but we use ‘em in different ways.”

“Ain’t I been good to your people?”

“You have—the last few days.”

“But, you’re slow to forgive.”  Marie smiled.  “I understand.  You’re loyal.  Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.  I don’t expect you to forgive me.  But, maybe I want to show ya that I’m ain’t as bad as folk think.”

“Oh, I know you ain’t.”  Marjani smiled.  “So, you can rest easy.”

“You’re a puzzle, Marjani Carruthers.”  Marie laughed.

“And I aim to stay so.”  Marjani nodded before carrying another basket to the carriage.

Marie wasn’t alone for long.  Before she had time to blink, Mr. Punch and Robert entered the parlor.

“Coo!”  Punch chirped.  “All this activity.  Maybe I should help ‘em.”

“They’ve got it under control, dear Punch.”  Robert patted his friend on the back.

“Ain’t you two handsome in your new suits?”  Marie grinned.

“Thank you!”  Punch exclaimed happily.  “It’s terrible comfortable, this one.  Look at me waistcoat—it’s red!  Very fine, this is.”

Marie chuckled to herself and nodded.  “You look happy, Sir.”

“I’m happy and sad--if a man can be both at once.”  Mr. Punch sighed. 

“He can.”  Marie smiled. 

“I ‘spose if any man can be two things at once, it’s me.”  Punch mumbled happily.

“Very true,”  Robert winked, putting his arm around Punch’s shoulders.

“You two men look good standin’ there together.”  Marie said firmly.  “I hope you’re always happy.  I truly do. You and your little boy.”

“We will be.”  Robert nodded.  “Thank you.”

“We hope you’ll be happy,”  Punch added.  “You and all your kin and the girls and men what work for ya.  You been so kind to let us stay here and for all you done the last three days.  ‘Specially all you did with Lily.”

Marie shrugged.  “I did it because it was what I was meant to do.”

“Were you able to help Lily sell the diamond?”  Robert asked.  “We didn’t have a chance to see you before we went to bed last night.”

“I did.”  Marie replied proudly.  “Mrs. Cloutier, she bought it right out.  Lily’s now got enough money to give her a good future.  I think, one day, once she’s got a husband, she’ll be a good mother to some other child.  It’s all thanks to you.”

“And to you.”  Robert added.

Punch looked around Marie’s parlor.  “Ain’t it queer?  Three days ago, I’d never thought I’d be here as a guest and now I’m sad to leave.”

“I’ll never forget you, Sir.  I’m honored to have had you in my home—you, the Great Man of the Rocks.  You brought honor to my family.  And, you saved my life.  I’m forever in your debt.”

“As you say, magic chum, ‘ain’t nothin’.”

Marie laughed.

“My brother and his wife will be out shortly,”  Robert said after a short silence.  “And, I’m afraid His Grace and I will be leaving shortly.  I think the Duke has something to tell you.”

“Oh!”  Punch’s eyes widened with excitement.  “That’s true!  Thanks, chum.”  He took Marie’s hand.  “Miss Laveau, I know you’ll say that we shouldn’t, but when we get back to England, me chum and I want to send you a present—a way to thank ya for all ya done.  And, we hope you’ll accept it.”

“I will.”  Marie blushed. 

“Good!”  Mr. Punch chirped.  He flitted over to the window like an eager pup, watching the activity outside.

“Go on, dear Punch, go look at the carriage.”  Robert chuckled.  “I know you want to see the horses.”

“Here!”  Punch whooped before darting out the door.

Marie and Robert grinned at one another. 

“You got your hands full with that one,”  Marie joked.

“That I do.”  Robert smiled.  “And, I could not be happier.”

“Dr. Halifax,”  Marie said, suddenly serious.  “Can I ask ya a question?”

“Certainly,” Robert narrowed his eyes, unsure of which of the many natural questions she could have of that moment.

“Will you, please, make sure that Gamilla is able to come and join you in England?”

“Oh.”  Robert nodded.  “I believe that my brother and his wife will bring her when they come.”

“Well, just in case they don’t make it over there in a hurry, can you make arrangements to send for Gamilla?”  Marie asked.

“I most assuredly will.”  Robert agreed.  “However, may I ask you why you express this concern?”

“It’s just that she wants to go.”  Marie explained.  “I can tell.  And, also, I think she’s terrible fond of your man Gerard.”

“Ah.”  Robert sighed.  “Well, I will see what I can do.  We’re very fond of Gamilla, so I’m sure I speak for both His Grace and myself when I say that she will always be a valued part of her household.”

“I’m glad to know it.”

“Chum!”  Punch called from outside.  “Chum!”

“He wants ya,”  Marie teased.

“Chum!  This horse is called Newton!  Newton!  Fancy that for a horse’s name!  Come see him, he’s like a big, giant dog with shoes on!”  Punch shouted gleefully.

Robert could hear Punch continue to chatter about “Newton, the big, fine, tall dog with shoes.”

Both he and Marie roared with joyful laughter as he walked out to join Mr. Punch.

Did you miss Chapters 1-497?  If so, you can read them here.  Just two chapters remain of Punch’s Cousin.  On Monday, April 2, 2012, a new story, Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, will debut in this spot.