Chapter 165:
False Magic
“Vi…your hair!” Ethel gasped as Violet and Charles came into the Duke’s bedchamber. They both stepped over Finlay as they entered.
Violet reached up and ran her fingers through the electric mess of gold which was once her lustrous locks. “It’ll grow.” She nodded to her friend.
“Thank God you’re back.” Jenny exclaimed. “We were awful worried.”
“Charlie,” Mrs. Pepper smiled. “Glad to see you ain’t been hurt, love.”
Charles smiled.
“Yes, Charles,” Speaight croaked weakly.
“His Grace told me what happened to you, Sir.” Charles said, approaching Speaight. “Are you well?”
“I will be.” Speaight nodded.
“Where’s His Grace, then?” Georgie spoke up.
“He and the doctor are still in the passage. They found us.” Violet explained.
“They’ve given us instructions,” Charles nodded.
“They got a surprise for everyone.” Violet grinned. She glanced at Finlay who remained on the floor, tied-up and whimpering. “’Specially for you, Finlay.”
“Seems like you got Finlay well in hand.” Charles winked at Mrs. Pepper.
“We’ve done our best, Charlie.” Mrs. Pepper returned the wink.
“It were me what bound him.” Ethel boasted.
“I helped.” Jenny snapped.
“She helped.” Ethel muttered.
“How you feelin’ there, Finlay?” Charles shouted toward the man.
He didn’t respond.
“Are you crying, Finlay?” Charles asked.
“He sure is.” Georgie Pepper smiled.
“Sad because some girls got the better of ya?” Violet jabbed.
“No, he’s scared, he is.” Mrs. Pepper spoke up. “We been talkin’ ‘bout what to do with ‘im.”
“Oh?” Charles raised his eyebrows.
“We thought we’d make a nice Finlay curry.” Ethel grinned.
“That’s enough of that.” Gamilla snapped. She’d returned to her spot by Gerard’s bedside and was, once again, holding his hand. “No point in teasin’ the man further. I’ve taken care of it. He knows what his end will be.”
Charles and Violet glanced at one another.
“Gamilla done somethin’ to ‘im.” Ethel said quickly.
“I didn’t do nothin’,” Gamilla shrugged. “I only opened a door for the man.”
“Door?” Violet asked.
“Say, Gamilla, you didn’t open no door.” Ethel chirped. “All ya done was sprinkle some powder on ‘im from that little pouch what you wear on that bit of leather ‘round your neck.”
“I don’t mean a real door, dear girl.” Gamilla said softly. “I mean only that the gris-gris is a kind of door.”
“Gamilla…” Charles began.
“It’s too late, Charles.” Gamilla interrupted.
“What’s she mean?” Ethel asked. “Charles, what’s this ‘gree-gree’?”
“It’s a kind of magic in which Gamilla’s people believe.” Charles answered plainly.
“You believe, too, Charles. You’ve seen the gris-gris at work. You know it’s no false magic.”
Charles nodded.
“What’s she done to me?” Finlay moaned finally. “What’s she done?”
“Give ya what you deserve!” Ethel laughed.
“Charles,” Violet whispered. “Hadn’t we better do what the Duke said?”
“Yes.” Charles nodded. “His Grace has asked us to make sure that everyone is seated comfortably. As comfortably as we can be—all of us crammed into this room. The Duke asked that we arrange chairs on that side of the room.” He pointed toward the side with the bed in which Gerard still lay. “Georgie, can you grab a couple of chairs from the nursery?”
“Sure, Charlie.”
“Mrs. Pepper,” Charles continued. “His Grace asked that you hold Master Colin and that you stay as far from Finlay as possible. He’d like Gamilla to remain at Gerard’s side.”
“Of course I’ll hold the little angel.” Mrs. Pepper said, rising and going to the cradle.
“He’d like Georgie to hold Dog Toby.” Charles went on.
“Did ya hear?” Mrs. Pepper asked her son as he carried two occasional chairs into the room.
“Yes, Mum.” Georgie nodded. He brought the chairs near the bed and went to pick up the terrier.
“His Grace also asked that Ethel, Jenny and Vi all sit near one another.”
The girls did as instructed.
Charles looked at Mr. Speaight. “You, Sir, are to remain where you are provided you’re comfortable there.”
Speaight nodded.
“What of me?” Finlay sputtered.
Charles walked over to Finlay and grabbed him by his bound feet, dragging him across the floor toward the fireplace.
“What’re you doin’ to me?” Finlay yelled.
“Making sure you can see.” Charles smiled.
“See what?”
“The surprise that the Duke has for you.” Charles chuckled.
“Just let me go.”
“Finlay, if what I’m thinking is correct and Gamilla’s done to you what I suspect she’s done, we could untie you and you’d never be able to go anywhere. You’ll never escape. Besides,” he shrugged. “You won’t want to miss the Duke’s surprise.”
“Whatever could it be?” Jenny whispered
“Here, maybe Mrs. North is alive still.” Ethel suggested.
“It’s not that,” Charles shook his head sadly. “Though I wish it were. Still, it’s something equally strange, but not so miraculous.”
“I beg you,” Finlay moaned. “Release me.”
“I’ll fetch His Grace and Dr. Halfiax.” Charles continued, ignoring Finlay’s plea. He glanced down at the man. “Cheer up, Finlay. This surprise is more for you than anyone else.”
Did you miss Chapters 1-164? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 166.
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