A Recipe for Punch, Chapter 73

Chapter 73
A Fascinating Combination


"Chum,"  Punch looked up as Robert entered.

Robert smiled with relief.

From the passage, Charles nodded, also showing relief.  He added softly. "I'll go downstairs, Your Lordship, and see how Gerard is faring with...the other matter."

"Thank you,"  Robert replied.

"Who's out there?"  Punch asked.

"Just Charles."  Robert answered, trying not to let his recent panic show.  He picked up Dog Toby and walked into the suite, looking only at Punch as he did.

"I'd planned on gettin' back before you woke."  Punch said sheepishly.  "Clocks ain't been wound in 'ere--probably since I...err...Julian...we...since we left for America.  I knew it was mornin'.  I just didn't 'xpect ya to be awake so soon."

"I had asked Gerard and Charles to wake us a little earlier than usual so that we might have a chance to talk with Lennie before Matthew rose."

"Oh."  Punch sighed.  "I forgot 'bout that."  He looked up apologetically.  "I 'magine you was pretty upset to be awakened and find me not there."

Robert nodded.  "I was a tad alarmed--given what's transpired of late."

"Sorry, Chum.  Truly.  You know I'd never want to be anywhere other than at your side.  Only..."  Punch raised his hands and gesticulated to the room.  He let his hands fall in disgust upon the arms of the old aubergine velvet chair.

"I understand."  Robert inhaled.  "May I?"  He nodded toward a tall-backed chair with gothic cresting, upholstered in tapestry.  "Toby and I would like to join you."

"Yes, do."  Punch nodded eagerly.

"So...these were your rooms?"  Robert looked around.  "They're lovely."

"They were Julian's rooms.  And, yes, they are lovely--to look at, anyway.  This part of the house is among the oldest parts.  He liked the architecture, he did."

"A fascinating combination of styles--Tudor, Gothic, even a bit of the Classical..." he pointed to the pediment above the cavernous fireplace behind Punch.  "Very nicely appointed, too.  Very much Julian's taste--all these dark, rich colors--the purples, the deep colors of gems."

Punch sighed.  "When you don't leave your rooms, you gotta like the way they look.  Yes, these were his rooms.  See that etagere to the left of the bay?  The gilt one?"

"I do."  Robert answered.

"That was my room."  Punch smiled.  "That cabinet."

"Ah...he kept the puppet there."

"Yep, 'til Barbara took it."

"And, and the blue diamond."  Robert nodded.  "The very diamond which bought us Colin's freedom."

"Also brought us together.  S'pose it gave Julian the peace and privacy what he always wanted, too."  Punch looked down.  "I weren't never gonna come into these rooms again.  Now, I been in here twice.  The first time to tell the 'memory' o' the Duchess that she couldn't hurt us.  She was just a memory.  Dead and gone.  The second time, I come here waitin' for her ghost.  I thought she'd be waitin' here--waitin' for her most hated child.  I thought maybe I could drive 'er 'way.  Fight 'er somehow like...like a Mr. Punch ought."

"And?"

"She didn't come."  Punch laughed.

"I see."

"Done it on purpose, too.  The ol' harridan never once done anythin' what might've been what Julian wanted.  She knew I was waitin' and she knew I'd 'xpect 'er.  She done it to show me she'll always be the one to make the decisions here--dead or not."  Punch continued.

"Perhaps even her spirit knows she can't do battle with you.  She's only preyed upon those she perceives as weaker than she.  You notice, she didn't appear to me, she only trifled with the lock on the gate.  It could be show knows that you're no longer the same.  After all, she was with us in America for a short while before she was killed.  She saw for herself that your Punchinello side had taken over so that Julian might retreat.  You battled her there in life.  Could it be that she finally realized defeat and her spirit or whatever you wish to call it knows better than to face you?"

"No."  Punch shook his head.  "Never once did my mother accept defeat nor did she think another bein' her better.  That weren't her way.  No, no.  Her way was to toy with folk like they was nothin' but pieces o' fluff what she could just puff upon and get 'em to go her way.  Many was the time--in some foul humor--she'd insist Julian come to this very room and wait for her to come so she might mete out her punishment.  He'd sit in this very chair, Chum, he would.  She'd not come.  A day would pass.  He'd dare not move for fear that if he did, if he left, she'd arrive and be even angrier, and the punishment worse.  He's sit, and sit, and sit.  Days would go by.  It was her way o' showin' that she was the authority.  She done the same to be just tonight.  Whether she knows the difference between me or Julian or not, she done the same."

"Yes,"  Robert said gently.  "However, you're not the same.  Furthermore, you have me.  You have Lennie.  You have our friends.  She is no longer the authority.  As you said, she's no longer even alive."

"I was fooled."  Punch replied.  "Tricked back into the same old..."

"No."  Robert disagreed.  

"I thought she'd..."

"No, no."  Robert put his fingers to his lips.

Punch looked confused.

"You made this decision, not to wait for this spirit to come and punish you, but so you could assert your dominance as master of the house.  By sitting here and waiting, you showed that you remain the master of this house.  And, now, but taking my hand and coming with me, you will continue to show that.  No one--ever--shall challenge your authority in your household, Your Grace."

Punch smiled.  "Our authority.  Together, in our household."  He rose from the chair.  "I'd wager Toby wants his breakfast.

Robert set the dog on the floor.  "I imagine so."

"I could so with some myself."  Punch took Robert's hand.

"And, you shall have some.  First, however, we have one other matter which needs our attention."

"A new matter?"  Punch squinted.

"I'm afraid so."

"Bugger."  Punch sighed.



Did you miss Chapters 1-72 of A Recipe for Punch?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back on Monday for Chapter 74.  

Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 73

Chapter 73: 

I Am Here 

Mr. Punch climbed the narrow, winding stone staircase which led the top of one of Grange Molliner’s five thin turrets.

“We can see the whole estate from up here,” Punch smiled over his shoulder at Robert who was a few steps behind.

“I can’t imagine that Miss Barrett could have gotten far.” Robert frowned.

“How unlike her to wander off without tellin’ no one—‘specially with Gamilla watchin’ Colin.” Mr. Punch shook his head. “If she wanted a walk or some air, she should know well ‘nough to ask Speaight first. I can’t think what’s gotten into her.”

Robert clucked his tongue as they arrived at the top of the staircase. “I have no idea what she’s like anymore. She’s not quite the steady lass I thought she was.”

“Lass?” Punch chuckled as he opened the trapdoor to the deck of the turret. “Been in Scotland less than a day and you’re already callin’ girls ‘lass.’”

“I’m a quick study,” Robert teased.

“Least I got ya to smile.” Punch winked, giving Robert a hand onto the deck. As the wind hit Robert’s dark hair, Punch gasped slightly.

“Yes?” Robert smiled.

“Oh, nothin’.” Punch shook his head. “I don’t know why I done that.”

“Carried away by my good looks.” Robert grinned broadly and overdramatically.

“Probably so.” Mr. Punch laughed. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

“The view is astounding from here.” Robert nodded, sighing.

“Sure.” Punch agreed, joining Robert at the crenellated edge of the tower. “Julian used to come up here all the time when we visited here. Kept him ‘way from…”

“Away from whom?” Robert asked, placing his hand over Mr. Punch’s.

“Dunno.” Punch shrugged. “Guess away from Nanny Rittenhouse. The duchess didn’t come back after that long autumn she spent here with our pa, so when Sir Colin took us here, he’d have to bring the nanny. But…”

“Is something on your mind, dear Punch?” Robert asked, still holding Punch’s hand.

“I dunno.” Punch repeated. “Ain’t it queer? It’s my lot to remember, yet I feel like maybe I forgot somethin’.”

“Something about Nanny Rittenhouse?”

“Who could say?” Punch shrugged.

“Nannies, it seems, are an awful lot of trouble.” Robert joked.

“I don’t see no sign of Miss Barrett.” Punch frowned, peering over the side. “What were she wearin’, Chum?”

“I don’t recall.” Robert shook his head.

“Somethin’ drab, I’d guess.” Punch shrugged. “Poor girl, could be pretty if she wasn’t always in gray. It’s like she’s in mournin’.”

“Maybe she is.” Robert sighed. “Nevertheless, it wouldn’t really be fitting for our governess to be flitting about in a scarlet gown. So, I suppose her choices of color are limited.”

“True.” Punch nodded. “Still, it’s a shame. Makes her look dull.”

“I don’t think she’s at all pretty,” Robert grumbled.

“I think Charles does.” Punch grinned.

“Do you?” Robert squinted. “I rather got the impression that they detested one another.”

“Eh…” Punch shook his head. “Sometimes the folks what like each other the best seem to hate each other the most.”

“Sometimes.” Robert nodded. “Well, my dear. I don’t see her.”

“She ain’t in the house, Chum. The boys, Speaight and Mrs. Pepper looked all over for her. Even Mrs. North did. I think Finlay’s out at the stables lookin’ for her now.”

“Where could she have gone?” Robert wrinkled his nose in annoyance.

“Oh, Robert, there’s all sorts of places where a body can hide here. Even without tryin’.” Punch sighed. “Believe me, I been in most of ‘em.”

“I suppose we’ll have to go search the grounds, then.” Robert grumbled.

“Yep.” Punch replied. “Here, did ya ever notice that we don’t never get to eat?”

“I’ve noticed.” Robert scowled.

“Well, come on, then, let’s get it over with.” Punch snorted. “You go first, Chum. I’m more used to the trap than you.” Punch pointed to the trapdoor. “I’ll hold your hand.”

“Hold on,” Robert smiled, pausing near the low wall which surrounded the turret. “What’s this, then?”

“What?” Punch asked, looking at the spot which Robert studied.

“There’s a carving here. Something has been chipped out of the stone. A little…picture…”

Punch’s eyes widened. “Oh…dear, dear, dear. I forgot all ‘bout it.”

Robert knelt down and looked at the markings in the stone. He looked up at Punch with affection.

“I done it.” Punch smiled sheepishly. “Long, long ‘go. Probably thirty years…”

“It’s quite sweet.” Robert sniffed, running his fingers over the craving. There, on the stone a crude outline of Mr. Punch had been carved—Punch, the puppet with his humped back and hooked nose (not Punch as he looked as the Duke, of course). Beneath the carved sketch, the words “I am here” had been incised.

“You wanted someone to know that you existed,” Robert stood up, putting his arm around Punch’s shoulders.

Mr. Punch nodded. “Wondered if anyone would ever know. S’pose I got you to thank for letting me free.”

“I could say the same about you, Dear Punch.” Robert smiled. “Now, let’s find that damned woman so we can have our tea.”



Did you Miss Chapters 1-72? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 74 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 73

“Do try to keep calm, dear Punch.” Robert said softly—his voice still hoarse as he pressed a fresh flannel against Julian’s bleeding hand.


“Calm?” Mr. Punch grunted. “How can I keep calm when the fella what I killed is out there mauling me master’s sister? Thought I killed him, I did. Thought I did. Tossed him in the sea, I thought.”

Mr. Punch was becoming increasingly frantic. He rambled wildly. “Must be one o’ them ghosts folk talk ‘bout, come back to punish me for what I done. Had one of those in the pantomime—Judy’s ghost, it was—come forth for revenge just as ol’ Punch is to go to the hangman. But, Punch beats the Devil. And, I’m Mr. Punch. I can beat anything, I can.”

“Punch, my dear,” Robert said calmly, “that is no spirit. That is a man of flesh and blood.”

“Don’t believe in the spirits?” Mr. Punch chattered.

“I believe in a good many things. Mr. Punch, I’ve learned to accept almost anything these past few weeks. I can tell you quite honestly that the figure you saw in the grove was Arthur—solid and alive.”

“Threw him in the sea!” Mr. Punch moaned. “He tried to kill us, he did. Poisoned us. If not for him, you’d not be sick like what you are now!”

Naasir ran into the room. “Pardon me, gentlemen, but I heard glass breaking.” He looked at Julian’s hand. “Oh! You’ve cut yourself.”

“Cut me-self.” Punch mumbled. “Cut me master like I shoulda cut Arthur! You was there, Naasir, you saw what I done! You helped me toss him in the sea! You made me close me master’s eyes…”

Naasir looked to the floor.

“Naasir?” Robert coughed. “Naasir, Arthur is alive.”

“Yes, Dr. Halifax.” Naasir nodded. “How have you learned this?”

“He’s here. He’s here on this property with Lady Barbara.” Robert answered.

“Why’d you do it?” Mr. Punch cried.

“Aren’t you relieved, Sir?” Naasir asked.

“Relieved?” Mr. Punch shouted.

“Yes, Sir. You didn’t really want to kill the man. You wouldn’t want Lord Fallbridge to have been responsible for the loss of a life. I couldn’t let you do it. I couldn’t allow ‘The Great Man of the Rocks’ to soil his hands with another man’s blood.”

“Instead, I got me master’s blood on his hands.” Mr. Punch growled. “You fooled me!”

“For your own good, Sir.” Naasir responded firmly. “I could not let you kill.”

“I heard his body splash into the sea!” Punch howled.

“No, Sir.” Naasir shook his head. “You heard a deck chair hit the sea. When I asked you to close your eyes, I freed Arthur and threw a chair overboard.”

Mr. Punch was silent. After a moment, he said, “I heard him scream, I did!”

“That you did.” Naasir nodded. “He screamed as he ran off. I knew not where he went. I thought he would show himself as the search for him was underway, but he did not. He remained hidden. His reasons are a mystery to me.”

“Why didn’t you come forward with this sooner?” Robert asked, shivering. “You could have, at least, told me. Here, we’ve been worried that Mr. Punch killed the man. All this time…”

“I could not tell you.” Naasir said. “It wasn’t my place. It was not how it was meant to be.”

“You and your stories…” Mr. Punch spat. “Here! Me hand hurts! Me body is torn to shreds again!”

“Press firmly on this flannel,” Robert said. “The bleeding will stop and the pain will subside. There’s no glass in the wound. I cannot sew it up presently as I don’t have my bag with me.”

“I can fetch it for you, Dr. Halifax.” Naasir volunteered.

“In a moment,” Robert said softly.

“Are you angry with me, Sir?” Naasir asked.

“No.” Robert shook his head.

“It was not to be.” Naasir began. “I could not let it happen.”

“You’ve done well in protecting Lord Fallbridge and his…and Mr. Punch. I do wish you’d told me. It could have saved a lot of anguish.”

“I only did what I was meant to do, Sir.”

“I understand.” Robert sighed.

“I don’t!” Mr. Punch shouted.

“Naasir, go and fetch my bag and, on your way, tell Marjani that Lord Fallbridge has been injured, please.” Robert said quickly.

“Immediately, Sir.” Naasir hurried off.

Robert held Punch by Julian’s shoulders and looked him squarely in the eyes. “This is not bad. This is a blessing. Naasir has prevented you from being a murderer. You must understand that.”

“I do.” Mr. Punch grumbled. “Only I’m scared, I am.” He looked around the room wildly.

“Punch, for Julian’s sake, and for my sake, you must calm yourself.” Robert storked Julian’s shoulders.

“That man—Arthur—with him alive, he’s gonna try to hurt us again. Look what he done to ya! You want him to finish what he’s started?”

“He will not.” Robert said firmly. “He will never do another thing to hurt me or the people I love.”

“How can you be sure?” Mr. Punch asked.

“I’m sure of it.” Robert smiled.

At that very moment, Edward Cage walked closer to Adrienne in the hallway of his mansion. Cecil put a protective arm around his wife.

“Edward, please.” Cecil said firmly.

“Don’t mistake me, Cecil.” Edward grunted. “I won’t have folk coming into my house and telling lies about my family.”

“It isn’t a lie. Is it?” Adrienne said bravely. “It’s the truth. You can insult me all you want, but we all know that you purchased that baby.”

“You’d best silence your wife.” Edward Cage said gruffly. “I don’t cotton to insubordination!”

“I won’t stand for someone menacing my wife.” Cecil said flatly.

“Very well.” Edward smiled. “I’ll leave her out of it.” He pulled back his fist and struck Cecil in the jaw. Cecil fell backward to the floor.

Adrienne screamed.

“You want to be next, Madame?” Edward laughed.



Did you miss Chapters 1-72? If so, you can read them here.