Monday, April 25, 2011

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 228

Soon, Little Chum,” Mr. Punch whispered to the baby. “We’ll be on a great big ship headin’ for your home what you never saw.” Punch squinted. “Or have you? I suppose your mama did take you to Fallbridge Hall. But, I’m sure you don’t remember it. No, Little Chum, you’ll see it right and proper this time. There’s so much what you’ll love there. Paintings and horses and long marble passages and jewels. So much to see and so many places where you can play and explore. You’ll be able to play, you will. You’ll play in ways what me master never got to. And, we won’t have no nannies nor evil people there to pinch you and make you cry. We’ll have nothin’ but cakes and tea and things what you’ll enjoy. You’ll see.”


Adrienne smiled, taking off her wig and sighing. “He’s quite fortunate to have you as his uncle.”

“He’s fortunate to have all of us.” Mr. Punch smiled. “Chums, I can’t thank you enough for what you just done.”

“Well, don’t thank us until we get you to the ship.” Cecil nodded, glancing out of the carriage’s partially shaded window. “I say, but the driver is taking a rather peculiar route.”

Robert lifted the shade on the window to his right and frowned. “He seems to be taking us in the opposite direction.”

“Perhaps he senses we’re being followed.” Adrienne suggested. “Maybe he’s trying to lose someone who is in pursuit.”

“He’s taking us back into town.” Robert grunted. “We’re headed toward Royal Street.”

“That’s exactly what we don’t want.” Cecil grumbled. He banged on the roof of the carriage and shouted. “What are you about, man?”

The baby began to cry.

“Here, Colin,” Mr. Punch whispered. “Ain’t nothin’ what needs to scare ya. Uncle Cecil’s just a loud bloke, he is. No reason to cry.”

“What’s he doing?” Cecil said angrily as he saw them pull up to Edward Cage’s house. “He’s brought us exactly where we don’t wish to be.”

The horses stopped and the driver stepped down, opening the carriage door.

“Your destination,” Odo smiled as he opened the door.

“You?” Cecil hissed. “You’re Edward’s man!”

“Of course,” Odo grinned, “I’ve brought his son home.”

Meanwhile, Marjani clutched her stomach as she lay on the floor.

“Mrs. Caruthers.” Charles whispered as he leaned over him. “Whatever is the matter?”

“Marie” Marjani gasped as the pain swelled within her.

“Please,” Charles said softly. “You must tell me what’s wrong.”

“Take her out of here,” The hotel manager bellowed. “We have enough trouble without a histrionic colored woman writhing around on the floor of my lobby.”

“She’s upset to see the massacre that’s taken place upstairs. She was very close to His Grace and the doctor.”

“I don’t care.” The manager spat.

“Can you take my arm?” Charles whispered to Marjani.

“Marie,” Marjani repeated.

“I don’t understand what’s happening.” Charles mumbled.

At that very moment, Barbara Allen screamed as Giovanni Iantosca pulled her closer to him and tried to kiss her.

“Don’t struggle, Girl.” Giovanni purred.

“Let me go!” Barbara screamed.

“Come on, then,” Giovanni growled. “You’ve got to welcome me. I’m sure my little brother would want to share what he’s got with his beloved eldest sibling.”

Barbara beat her fists against Giovanni’s chest.

“You wild beat,” Giovanni laughed. “Don’t you see that fighting me isn’t going to help?”



Did you miss Chapters 1-227? If so, you can read them here.

4 comments:

Dashwood said...

I have every confidence that Marjani will be able to fend off the poisonous effects of Marie Laveau. It's interesting how Good, though, is often cancelled out by Evil in this story and in real life. Sometimes it seems like Evil is winning but we are reminded that even though it takes work, Good can win out.

Joseph Crisalli said...

True. Just like in real life, good doesn't always triumph in a grand and showy way, but it can keep fighting and give evil a run for its money. In the long run, it's the small victories which chip away at evil's fortress. Thanks for reading, Dashwood.

Darcy said...

Every time we encounter Odo, his ugly personality becomes more obvious. The Cages seem to attract evil. Good has to work hard to win. Great writing!

Joseph Crisalli said...

Thank you, Darcy! Ty Odo is horrible. This is just the tip of hia evil iceberg.