Punch's Cousin, Chapter 69

Cecil hurried through the corridor and down the back staircase. “Adrienne!” He shouted.


“I’m here, darling.” Adrienne answered. “In the front parlor.”

Cecil choked on his words, “Thank God.”

He rushed to the parlor to find Adrienne seated at the piano with Fuller on her lap. The baby poked at the keys and shrieked with delight.

“Master Fuller was feeling a trifle fussy.” Adrienne smiled. “You know how he loves the piano. I thought I’d bring him down here to distract him.” She studied her husband. “Whatever is the matter? You’re shaking.”

“I went to the nursery and you weren’t there. I saw that blasted feather and thought…”

“Oh, darling, come here.” Adrienne smiled. “I’m so sorry. I had left it in there when we checked on the baby with Robert and Mr. Punch. I’ve been meaning to discard it. I’m terribly sorry you were worried.”

Tears welled up in Cecil’s eyes. “If anything had happened…”

“Nothing will happen.” Adrienne said brightly. “We’re all safe. Chidi and the other men are taking their turn guarding the property. We’ll be quite safe.”

Cecil sat on the piano bench next to his wife and child. “I hope so.” He patted his wife’s leg, and then caressed his son’s fuzzy head.

“Would that every child in Marionneaux were as safe.” Adrienne frowned.

“You’re thinking about the Cage child—Holt?”

“Yes,” She nodded. “Corliss Cage was not expecting a child. I saw her not three weeks ago at the charity bazaar and she showed no sign of being with child. In fact, she looked thinner than usual. Cecil, they bought that baby.”

“I’m sure they did. But these things happen.” Cecil sighed.

“Did Edward mention anything to you about a new child in the house?”

“No.” Cecil shook his head. “However, Edward never speaks of the family. All we discuss is the waxworks and schedules. The last time I saw him, the only thing on his mind was the New Year’s Eve Ball in New Orleans at the Museé. I did notice that vicious little brat of his, Orman, playing with a little girl that I’d not seen before. I asked him who she was and he muttered something about it being his niece, Edolie. Orman seemed to be torturing the girl, she was screaming so.”

“He is a terror.” Adrienne sighed. “That’s no place for a baby.”

“As I said, my dear, these things happen.” Cecil said softly.

“I heard you,” Adrienne shook her head. “But, they don’t have to happen.”

“Haven’t we enough of our own about which to worry without getting involved in the Cages’ business?”

“Isn’t it our business? If that child is Lord Fallbridge’s nephew, isn’t it our business? The child has Molliner blood running through his veins. No matter who his father is, and frankly, no matter who is mother is, that child deserves to be in a safe and loving home.”

“Where?” Cecil asked. “With Lord Fallbridge? And Mr. Punch?”

“Why not?” Adrienne answered. “You see how Mr. Punch is with Fuller. He’s a kind and loving soul despite his baser instincts and Lord Julian is a lovely man. Why not let him take care of his sister’s child? Furthermore, there’s always your brother. You don’t think that Robert is going to just give up on Julian when they do return to England. They have some kind of bond. Together, they could provide a fitting home for Holt. It would be a sight better than leaving the babe with the Cages.”

“Edward Cage is one of the wealthiest men in Louisiana. He could provide a good home to the child.”

“If we’re basing good parenting on money, explain to me why Orman is such a beast. Explain to me why Ulrika Rittenhouse is so unpleasant. Besides, Lord Fallbridge is wealthier than both the Rittenhouses and the Cages combined.”

“So you’re suggesting that the child should be removed and given to Lord Julian—to do what with exactly? To take him to England where he and Robert will raise the child in the English countryside?”

“I see no reason why not.” Adrienne said firmly. “Cecil, you’ve told me about the upbringing you and Robert suffered after your mother passed away. Would you want any child to endure what the two of you had to endure?”

“It’s not the same, my dear.” Cecil sighed.

“And, it’s not different, either.” Adrienne replied gently.

“What you’re suggesting is abduction.” Cecil shook his head.

“What I’m suggesting is returning a child to his family.” Adrienne grinned.

Meanwhile, Mr. Punch slept fitfully in front of the fire in Robert’s borrowed room at the Rittenhouse Mansion. His mind—if you could consider him to have a mind of his own—raced with horrifying pictures. He dreamt of long fingers scratching his body and tearing it to sheds. However, the body being torn and shredded wasn’t his body of cloth, it was Julian’s body.

Punch groaned and awoke with a start, bolting upright.

He was startled to find a pair of green eyes staring at him. He leaned back on Julian’s elbows. A wide-shouldered woman sat on the floor next to him.

“You’re some kind of royalty, aren’t you?” Ulrika Rittenhouse said deeply. “What are you doing sleeping on the floor?”

“Here!” Mr. Punch growled. “You got no place in here. This is a room for gentlemen.”

“I like gentlemen. Besides, this is my house and I can go wherever I want.” Ulrika grinned.

“Ain’t right.” Mr. Punch muttered. “Sneakin’ up on a person. Watchin’ him sleep.”

“You don’t talk like a Lord. It’s as if you’re a different man than the one I saw in here earlier.” Ulrika laughed. “How interesting. You look the same. You’re very nice looking, you know.”

“How I look ain’t got nothin’ to do with me, it don’t.” Mr. Punch growled again. “Me—I’m quite ugly. It’s just this one,” he patted Julian’s chest, “has got a pleasant face.”

“Most pleasant, really.” Ulrika cooed.

“Don’t like you.” Mr. Punch grumbled.

“Really, how do you know? We’ve only just met.” Ulrika shook her head so that her auburn hair danced around her shoulders. “Mother says you’re a lunatic. Is that true?”

“Dunno.” Mr. Punch shrugged. “Probably.”

“How exciting.” Ulrika smiled.

“Tell me, Lord Fallbridge, is there a Lady Fallbridge?” Ulrika asked.

“Yep.” Mr. Punch nodded Julian’s head. “And, she’s closer than you might think, she is.”

“Oh, you have a wife.” Ulrika pouted exaggeratedly.

“Huh?” Punch grunted. “No. Got no wife. My kind don’t do so well with wives. Always end up getting hit on the head and dyin.’ Never had one me-self, mind. But, I got kin what do. We’re all the same when we’re in our right bodies. Only I’m not like the others, I ‘spose. That’s why I ain’t got a Judy. That would be a right kerfuffle.”

“I have no idea what you’re saying.” Ulrika squealed excitedly. “But, I do love it, really.”

“Here,” Mr. Punch squinted. “Don’t like you. You need to go now.”

“Why?” Ulrika smiled.

“Cuz, for one, me chum is sick and he’s tryin’ to sleep.” Mr. Punch pointed to Robert. “And for second, as I already told you, I don’t like you.”

“You should have a wife, Lord Fallbridge.” Ulrika leaned forward.

“What for?” Mr. Punch grunted.

“Don’t you know?” Ulrika giggled.

“Don’t really care.” Mr. Punch shrugged.

“To take care of you,” Ulrika winked.

“Huh?” Punch grunted again. “Listen, don’t need takin’ care of. And, if I did, I got me chum.”

“Ah.” Ulrika frowned.

“Also got Naasir what helps me with me clothes and brings me vittles and got Adrienne what smells nice and smiles and Cecil what makes heads and such. And the baby—Fuller. Don’t do much, but he will do soon. Oh, and there’s the nice lady what’s a nurse--like. She taught me how to pray, she did. Got lots a people what care ‘bout me.” Punch continued.

“You are a lunatic.” Ulrika grinned. “I do hope we’ll be friends.”

“Don’t think so.” Mr. Punch shook his head.

“Oh, and I waited all night for your man to leave his post so I could sneak in here and visit with you.”

“Kinda dumb, then, wasn’t it?” Mr. Punch smiled. “Go ‘way, now.”

“Oh, yes, I do like you, Lord Fallbridge.” Ulrika said, getting to her feet. “We’ll visit again tomorrow.”

“Not likely.” Mr. Punch called out to her as she left the room.

“Coo.” Punch sighed, getting up and locking the door. “Ain’t right.”

He walked over to Robert’s bed and leaned over the sleeping man. Very gently, he touched Robert’s forehead. “Still hot, he is.” He put a damp flannel on Robert’s head as he had seen Marjani do.

Mr. Punch sat on the bed at Robert’s feet and leaned against the wall. He put his hands on Robert’s feet and counted his toes. He squinted. “Got ten a these.” He thought very hard for a moment. “’Spose I got ten, too. Huh.”

Robert squirmed a bit.

“Sorry.” Mr. Punch said, removing his hand. “Only yer feet are cold. Hot head, cold feet. Bodies are a lot of mess.” He covered Robert’s feet with the quilt, and pulled a portion of it over himself.

“Gotta get well, Chum.” Mr. Punch whispered. “We gotta get out of this house.”

Once again in her own room, Ulrika Rittenhouse giggled ferociously. “Your brother is insane.”

Barbara Allen squinted. “Keep your voice down, you don’t want your mother to hear you. Remember, what I’ve told you is a secret.”

“Really, Barbara, I can keep a secret.” Ulrika frowned. “I’d have found out anyway. I knew the moment I saw you that you weren’t just a common maid. I can always tell when someone is well-bred. I’ll keep my promise. If you’ll keep yours…”

“We’ll keep ours,” Barbara grinned. “My beloved is on his way presently.”


Did you miss Chapters 1-68?  If so, you can read them here.

Goal for the Day: Take Care of Your Skin

Our skin is one of the largest parts of our bodies.  Yet, it’s often the most neglected.  Even in cooler weather, you’ve got to be sure to put on sun block if you’re going to be out in the sun for an extended period of time.  Skin requires moisture, so, adding a moisturizer to your daily routine is always a good idea.  The skin on our faces is quite delicate and should be cared for differently.  Both men and women should invest in a good facial moisturizer that’s designed for your particular skin type.  Not only will it help to keep your skin smooth, it’ll assist in looking younger and feeling more confident.  As the winter months approach us, the artificial heat in our homes will tend to dry your skin.  Keeping yourself moisturized and properly hydrated will make for a less itchy winter. 

Object of the Day: An Antique Bisque Portrait Vase

The term “bisque” is often used in the U.S. to refer to the material properly called “biscuit.” Biscuit porcelain is unglazed and highly porous, however it can be painted and embellished as is the case of this attractive portrait vase.


Dating to the mid-Nineteenth-Century, this vase is English in origin. Painted in a rusty red and embellished with gold scroll-work, the central decoration of the vase is a hand-painted portrait of a young woman in profile. Portrait vases were quite popular during the Victorian era. Often, a member of the family was represented on a specially commissioned vase. Others were sold commercially with idealized images of beauty. Our Victorian counterparts liked things with faces.

Because of biscuit’s natural matte finish and its ability to take color neatly, it was often employed to make the heads and limbs of dolls. The result was a very realistic looking figure with an eerily lifelike skin-tone. Biscuit figures (often called parian ware) are very fragile. Because of this they’re quite difficult to find. If you have a biscuit object in your possession, make sure to handle it with care.

The Belle Époque Today: The Art of Mary Fedden, OBE, RA

Boxing Day
Mary Fedden
The Royal Academy

Bold shapes, deep colors, and organic forms characterize the work of Royal Academy member, Mary Fedden. She produces amazingly fluid abstract still lives and landscapes that put one in mind of the work of Matisse. In fact, much like Matisse, she often uses cut paper in her work for dimension.

Born in Bristol in 1915, Fedden studied at the Slade School of Fine Arts in London from 1932-1936. She returned to Bristol where she taught painting until World War II. After the war, she developed a new, personal style which she exhibits to this day.

Irish Lilies
Mary Fedden
The Royal Academy

Though her more recent works stem from a more limited color palette, Fedden relies heavily on brilliant, contrasting colors to create a sense of movement and weight. From her London Studio on the Thames in London, Fedden continues to produce her masterpieces. Her outstanding work earned her an honorary doctorate from The University of Bath, an honorary degree from The University of Durham and the prestigious Order of the British Empire.

Fedden prefers to paint in her studio. She does, however, sketch subjects when she’s out. This video gives you a glimpse into the working habits of this clever artist.

Humanitarian of the Week: Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters

She’s the angel-faced Broadway baby with a voice as clear as crystal Her ability to emote while singing is legendary. This multiple Tony and Drama Desk Award winning singer and actress has starred in some of the most successful shows on Broadway. Her many collaborations with Stephen Sondheim were the epitome of the art of musical theater. She’s also an author of children’s books. But, there’s more to Bernadette Peters than her illustrious resume and her mane of curly locks.


Along with longtime friend Mary Tyler Moore, Bernadette Peters founded “Broadway Barks” in 1999. This organization is dedicated to finding homes for dogs who are in need of adoption. Peters and Moore host an annual event in July which functions as an “adopt-a-thon” and has matched many dogs with the perfect new home. In 2009, Peters held a special concert called “Broadway Barks Because Broadway Cares” as a fundraiser for Broadway Barks and also Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS—an organization on which she serves on the Board of Trustees. The concert raised over six hundred thousand dollars for both organizations.

In addition to her work with these two groups, Peters serves on the Board of Directors for Standing Tall—an organization dedicated to assisting children with multiple disabilities. She has also offered her talents to a host of other causes and organizations for both animals and humans. Here’s someone who could sit back and enjoy the rewards of her vast talent. Instead, she chooses to share her many gifts with souls in need. For this reason, Bernadette Peters is our “Humanitarian of the Week.”

Film of the Week: The Haunting, 1963

Eleanor Lance received a letter. Typically, there’s nothing special about that, but when you live the kind of life that Eleanor does, anything can prove to be exciting. Eleanor lives in her sister’s house. It should, really, be Eleanor’s. After all, wasn’t it Eleanor who looked after “Mother” while she was dying? All Eleanor wanted was a home of her own—a place where she belonged. Perhaps that letter was the answer. It was an invitation, really. An invitation to spend a few days with a Dr. Markway at a place called “Hill House.” Eleanor knew she must go.

After “borrowing” the family car, Eleanor arrives at Hill House to find that it’s a monumental place with winking windows and grand turrets. The staff are none too friendly. They don’t stay in the house, “in the night, in the dark.” But, Eleanor is undaunted. She’s having an adventure. She meets Theodora—an attractive young woman with smart clothes and a smarter mouth. She also meets her host, Dr. Markway, and Luke who is due to inherit Hill House one day. Dr. Markway explains that Theodora and Eleanor are the only two who answered his invitation. He had contacted people with previous supernatural experience. Eleanor is taken aback by this and tries to deny any involvement, but she can’t for very long.

Eleanor likes the house. And, the house likes Eleanor. Soon, Hill House seems to be paying a lot of attention to timid Eleanor who, despite being frightened by the strange goings-on, secretly enjoys being the center of attention for a change. Yet, no one can deny that something sinister is afoot—something that wants Eleanor all to itself. Or does it? What should Eleanor fear more? Her ghostly companions or the flesh-and-blood people at her side?

The Haunting was based on Shirley Jackson’s novel The Haunting of Hill House. In 1963, director Robert Wise began production on the film with location shooting at Ettington Hall near Stratford Upon Avon in England. Wise used infrared film for the exterior shots so that the veining in the building’s marble would be more prominent—giving it the appearance of being alive.

The film stars Julie Harris as Eleanor, Claire Bloom as Theodora, Russ Tamblyn as Luke and Richard Johnson as Dr. Markway. While the film does stray from the novel, the key plot points are still present. The story is really about the relationship between Hill House and Eleanor. It’s a frightening, suspenseful film which relies on acting over special effects. The ghosts of Hill House aren’t seen, but are, rather, heard. Wise relied on the reactions of his superlative cast to create the sense of terror. This is a very clever bit of film making, and even forty-seven years later, remains on the lists of top thriller films ever made.

In 1999, a remake of The Haunting was attempted. It’s hardly worth mentioning. Where the 1963 version relied on talent for its terror, the remake was CGI-laden and wriggling with badly animated ghosties and monsters. There was no need for it. Why try to reinvent the wheel?

Home Security Tip: Secure Your Valuables

As I’ve already mentioned, I’m a firm believer in home security systems ranging from monitored alarms to security cameras.  However, there are additional steps you can take to protect your valuables.  Safes are available in a variety of places and come in a wide range of styles and sizes.  You can purchase a safe with the classic combination lock, or a more up-to-date version with an electronic keypad.  Safes can be mounted in the wall, on a shelf or even in the floor.  No matter what kind of safe you purchase, make sure that it is anchored to a structure (by bolting it to a wall or floor) so that it can’t be carried off.  Fireproof safes are always a good idea.  These will protect your valuable objects and papers from myriad catastrophes.  There’s no reason not to protect your investments.  The purchase of a safe will pay off immediately.