Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 372

Chapter 372
Speaking of Blessings


"Matthew,"  Lennie smiled as Speaight escorted  the Earl of Cleaversworth into the drawing room.

Punch and Robert stood and gestured for Matthew to sit beside Lennie.

"Are you hungry, Matthew?"  Punch asked.  "We can ask Mrs. Pepper or Maudie to prepare something for you."  He spoke in a slightly more formal version of his own voice, still trying to ensure that Matthew wasn't spooked by him.

"No, thank you, Your Grace.  No doubt I'll be ravenous by the wedding breakfast.  For now, I've no appetite, I'm still recovering from the grisly scene in the square.  I say, but did you see it?  Quite foul."

"We did see it."  Punch nodded, joining Robert on the settee across from Lennie and Matthew.

"We were there."  Robert revealed.

"Oh?  I didn't see you.  I say, when I heard the crash of glass and the scream, even from as far as my house is, I couldn't help but come out and look.  What propels us to seek out the revolting?  But, no.  Alas, I didn't see either of you."

"We were all three of us there."  Lennie said.

"Not you, my dear.  You shouldn't have had to witness such a thing."

"I didn't mind."  Lennie shook her head.

"We were speaking to the Queen's guards after the accident."  Robert spoke up.  "That's why, I'm sure, you didn't notice us."

"So, it was an accident?"  Matthew nodded.  "No doubt a blessing, that maimed woman and that monstrous child."

"You see, the woman with whom the..."  Punch began, but stopped.  "Yes."  He nodded quickly.  "No doubt a blessing, Matthew."

"Speaking of blessings,"  Matthew smiled, "are the events of today on schedule?"

"Oh, yes, quite."  Robert inhaled.  

"I must say, I've never been to the wedding of a servant before."  Matthew said innocently.

"Well, this will not be the typical servants' marriage as Gamilla and Gerard aren't typical servants."  Lennie answered.

"I say, it's marvelous how involved you three are with the staff."  Matthew nodded.

"Why not?"  Punch smiled.  "They're involved with us."

"Rather."  Matthew replied.  "Ah, Lennie, can't you sense the excitement in the air?  Soon, that will be for us."

"Have the two of you decided upon a date for your nuptials?"  Robert asked.

"Not as of yet, no."  Lennie replied.

"We must do, soon."  Matthew said.  "We'll need to post the marriage banns."

"Matthew, there's no hurry.  We've much time."  Lennie nodded.

"Oh, but, 'do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.'"  Matthew grinned.

"Mr. Franklin wouldn't have minded if we took our time."  Lennie said demurely, referring to Benjamin Franklin, the author of the line which Matthew had quoted.

"I say, he doesn't mind a thing now."  Matthew replied.  "However, I'm most anxious."

"We can discuss it later, Matthew."  Lennie stalled.

"Yes, of course."  Punch nodded.

"Ah, very well."  Matthew answered, looking defeated.

Thankfully, Speaight entered the room and cleared is throat.  "Your Grace, the carriages have arrived and I'm told that both the bride and groom are at the ready."

"Splendid!"  Punch rose.  "I shall go see to Gamilla.  Robert, my dear, will you gather up Gerard and the groomsmen and get them out first."

"I shall."  Robert said.

"Gamilla and I will follow once everyone else has departed."  Punch explained.  "The bride's attendants will go in the carriage just before us."

"Where do I fit in?"  Matthew asked politely.

"We've a carriage just for you."  Robert answered.

"Alone?"  Matthew asked.

"At the church, you shall sit by me."  Punch replied.  

"Jolly good."  Matthew smiled though his eyes looked rather sad.  "I'm too much alone as it is." He looked to Lennie.

"Well, then."  Lennie inhaled.  "Let's start to gather up the party."

"Yes."  Robert nodded.

"I'll wait here, then."  Matthew said softly.

"We won't be long,"  Robert said kindly.

"I don't mind waiting, Lord Colinshire.  It's my best event."  Matthew answered.


Did you miss Chapters 1-371 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back tomorrow for Chapter 373.

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 372

Gerard—for a moment—considered running to the docks and hopping aboard the first ship he could find. Funny, when he was at sea, he always hated it. Maybe that was because it hadn’t been his choice. Sure, he’d been caught stealing from a nobleman. He admitted it, too. He told them straight out that he’d stolen and that he was sorry, but still, the magistrate sent him off to sea—on his way to the Orient or Australia. Gerard couldn’t quite remember where he was supposed to have been sent. But, he knew it was nowhere good. He recalled the day he met Arthur on that ship. Arthur’d been sent to sea against his will, too. Certainly, they fought and quarreled at first. But, hadn’t he become Arthur’s friend? You can’t escape prison—even if it’s a floating prison—with a bloke without becoming something of a friend to him. Had it not been for Arthur, Gerard thought, he’d be tending sheep right then or picking rice or whatever it was he was meant to do wherever the ship was headed.


“I owe it to Arthur.” Gerard told himself quietly. “And, if not to him, then I owe it to them fellas what’s been so kind to me—them Halifax blokes and the Duke.”

He took a deep breath and walked purposefully through the crowd at the Place Congo. No one seemed to notice him. That was good. Gerard almost allowed himself to smile. He ducked behind a row of low benches near the fire and crawled out just enough so that he could signal to Ulrika Rittenhouse.

“Hullo…” Gerard whispered. “Ginger…”

Ulrika looked up and spotted Gerard. She grinned in that way of hers—that grin that made Gerard feel flushed and uncomfortable.

Nodding, Ulrika mouthed the words, “Untie me.”

Gerard nodded in return.

Waiting for a moment when Marie Laveau and her hangers-on were looking the other way, Gerard skittered out like a hungry rat and quickly untied Ulrika’s arms.

“Now, go back to your spot.”

“What? And leave you here?” Gerard whispered.

“I know what I’m doing. Go until I signal for you!” She hissed.

Gerard did as instructed, reaching his hiding place just as Marie approached. When Gerard looked back, Ulrika had managed to put her arms behind her back so that it appeared that she was still bound.

“She’s a clever one, all right.” Gerry thought to himself.

From his hiding spot, Gerard could clearly see Charles and knew that Charles could see him. He nodded at Charles who did not respond, but, instead, continued to stare.

“How are you?” Gerard mouthed.

Charles shook his head.

Gerard shrugged. That Charles was a bother even when he was in trouble. Still, Gerard smiled to himself, “I’ll help him cuz it’s the right thing for me to do.”

Gerard watched as Marie began to speak to Ulrika.

“Woman, have you had enough of the heat?” Marie growled.

“Really, I’m quite comfortable. The sweat on my back is delicious!” Ulrika cooed in her usual way.

“Are you ready to apologize to me?” Marie asked.

“For what am I supposed to apologize?” Ulrika smiled.

“For helping that Marjani escape!” Marie shouted.

“Oh, that!” Ulrika laughed. “Well, if you like.”

“If I like?” Marie narrowed her eyes. “If I like? Do you know what I’d like? I’d like to see you licked in flames the color of your hair!”

“Now, really,” Ulrika shook her head. “What would that serve?” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gerard rise and shook her head to indicate to him that he should stay hidden. She did this in such a way that it would appear to Marie that she was simply shaking the hair from her eyes.

“You’re an odd one, Woman.” Marie laughed. “I might just let you go.”

“That would be grand.” Ulrika winked.

“Or, I might toss you into the flames.” Marie spat.

“I’ll let you think about it.” Ulrika teased.

“While I’m thinking about it, shall I also consider what to do with your little helper?” Marie continued.

“What do you mean?”

“The man hiding over there who loosened your ropes.” Marie pointed.

Suddenly, Gerard’s heart began to pound. “Damn,” he muttered as he rolled away from the benches. But, it was too late. Marie’s men were already upon him.

At that very moment, Mr. Punch and Iolanthe were hurrying from the house just as Marjani and Robert were arriving.

“You’re conscious!” Robert said, embracing his friend.

“Sure, I am. Woke up just as this one was tryin’ to choke the life out of me!” Mr. Punch chirped.

Robert released Mr. Punch and scowled at Iolanthe. “Perhaps I should choke her.”

“Don’t bother.” Punch shook his head. “It wouldn’t take. She’s like one of them bugs what you can’t kill, she is.”

“Why are you even here?” Marjani asked.

Iolanthe held up her wounded hands.

“Aren’t there other doctors in New Orleans?” Robert asked.

“None who would see me,” Iolanthe smiled.

“If you’re well enough to try to strangle a man, I’m sure you’re well enough to tend to your own wounds.” Robert responded dismissively. “Now, be gone!”

“She wants to come with us to look for the babies!” Punch said quickly.

“Certainly not!” Robert snapped.

“You’re only wasting time arguing with me.” Iolanthe began.

“Hol’ on.” Marjani interrupted.

“What is it, chum?” Punch asked.

Marjani pointed to the shadows on the side of the house. Punch followed her hand and quickly saw two yellow circles punctuating the darkness.

“Odo!” Marjani screamed. “Get your skinny self out here right now!”

Odo slowly slithered from the darkness.

“Where is the child?” Robert shouted, grabbing Odo by the front of his coat.

“I can’t tell ya,” Odo trembled. “Mr. Cage’ll kill me.”

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll kill you.” Robert threatened.

“And, then, I’ll kill you again just to make sure.” Iolanthe added.

Punch squinted at her.

“I like to kill people.” Iolanthe shrugged.

Punch scowled and shivered.

“Where’s the boy? What did you do with him?” Robert continued.

“He’s safe.” Odo stammered.

“Where?” Robert demanded, tightening his grip.

“The cathedral. I left him at the cathedral.” Odo lied.

“Are you telling me the truth?” Robert shook the man.

“I am!” Odo whimpered. “Go and look for yourself!”

“Oh, I will. And, you’re coming with us!” Robert spat.



Did you miss Chapters 1-371? If so, you can read them here.