When
Mr. Punch awoke on the morning of March 23, 1859, he expected to enjoy a
typical day at No. 65 Belgrave Square.
However, Robert quickly made his companion realize that the day would be
quite extraordinary. Robert reminded
Punch that it was the anniversary of Julian’s birth, and, therefore Punch’s
birthday as well. Punch was moved to
learn that Robert had planned a special party for his companion and he was
further touched when Robert presented him with a handsome DEAREST ring.
Downstairs,
the staff was in a tizzy since Charles had taken a tumble down the stairs and
broken his wrist. Ellen Barrett had, inadvertently
already thrown off the schedule when she was required to tend to her ill
brother, Roger, and Gamilla was feeling the pressure of picking up everyone’s
slack. Charles was thankful to be
patched up by the doctor. Robert wanted
to make sure that the Duke’s loyal footman felt no pain and offered the man
medicine which he grudgingly took.
Robert and Charles had spoken of the fact that William Stover—an old “friend”
of Robert’s had been spotted lurking on the Square. Charles saw Robert tell the man to leave them
alone and swore he would also keep William away from the Duke. So, Robert was feeling extra protective. The medicine didn’t sit right with Charles,
so he asked Gerard to return it to the doctor.
Gerard, who had a long relationship with alcohol, was curious about the
medicine and took a few swigs in secret.
As
the part for the Duke began, Punch was presented with a host of lovely
gifts. The staff gave him a music box
adorned with an image of a Punch &
Judy show. Charles and Gerry presented
Punch with a pair if gold and ruby cufflinks in the form of the famed
puppet. From America, Cecil and Adrienne
sent a puppet they had made to resemble Dog Toby. Ellen and Gamilla offered the Duke a
porcelain “nodder.” Even the Queen and
Prince Albert sent a lovely gold, diamond and enamel snuffbox for the
anniversary of the Duke’s birth. The
entire staff gathered in the mansion’s drawing room to celebrate. However, the party was cut short when Tom—the
page, and also , unbeknownst to the residents of the house, the son of William’s
sister (who had urged her brother to get revenge against Punch and Robert)—interrupted
to say that two women had arrived.
The
women turned out to be Lady Constance and her mother, the Countess Hamish. The countess, an old friend of Julian’s
mother, was put out that she had to wait, and, in her ire, blasted Punch,
Robert and Speaight. Angry, Robert
lashed out at the rude women and threw them out of the house, an act which he
quickly regretted—worrying that the gossip-prone countess would cause
trouble. Robert was right to worry.
This
week’s chapters will show the extent of the countess’ potential for harm. And, we’ll also learn more about Tom and his
seedy mother. William will start a chain
of events with far reaching consequences and a visit to the palace will prove
difficult for Robert and Punch.
It’s going to be an
exciting week, so don’t miss a chapter.
If you have missed a chapter, remember that you can read a brief summary
and find a link to each chapter in the Chapter Archive.
