Saturday, July 21, 2012

Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 93



Chapter 93: 
The Task at Hand 



Blimey,” Ethel cooed as their carriage approached Grange Molliner. She took Jenny’s hand. “It’s a storybook.”

Jenny nodded. “Just needs a prince.”

“We got a Duke and that’s just the same thing.” Ethel smiled.

“Sure, but he ain’t gonna ask for our hands.” Jenny giggled.

Ethel guffawed like a mule.

“Stop it, you two.” Violet snapped. The long journey from London had made her irritable and tired.

Aw, let ‘em have their fun, Vi.” Georgie grinned. “This is a holiday.”

“Is it?” Vi frowned.

“Well, yeah.” Georgie nodded. “The Duke brought us out here to go to the ball.”

“And, to work.” Vi sniffed. “Ain’t like he shut up the whole of No. 65 just so we could come here to dance.”

“They got a staff of their own here,” Jenny scowled. “They don’t need us to work.”

“Look at the place,” Vi pointed. “Do ya think they’re not gonna put extra hands to work?”

“My mum says we should count our blessin’s.” Ethel grumbled. “In all here years, she ain’t never heard of no master never bringin’ a scullery maid, a house maid, a kitchen maid and a page all the way to Scotland just for a ball—just to be kind. We’re lucky, we are. The Duke is good to us.”

“Dunno why you gotta spoil ever’thin’.” Jenny added. “You’re just a sour girl, Vi.”

“I know why she’s poutin’.” Georgie grinned. “She misses Hutchinson.”

“I do not!” Violet frowned.

“That ol’ man?” Ethel laughed. “What’s she missin’ ‘im for, then?”

“I think our Vi fancies ol’ Hutch.” Georgie grinned.

“Georgie Pepper, you’re a cad.” Violet snarled.

“I’m right, ain’t I?” Georgie teased. “Didn’t you cry when Hutch told ya he wasn’t gonna come?”

“No!” Violet spat. “I didn’t.”

“Sure ya did. I saw ya sulkin’ in the master’s library when you was puttin’ the dust covers out.” Georgie contorted his face into an expression of mock mourning. “’Woe is me! My old love ain’t comin’ to Scotland!’” He said in falsetto.

“You shut your gob, Georgie.” Violet snapped. “I don’t care if Mrs. Pepper is your mum, I’ll smack your face good. Sure, you think you’re that clever, but you don’t know nothin’!”

“He’s old ‘nough to be your pa.” Jenny giggled. “And, he’s losin’ his ‘air.”

“Old ‘nough to be her grandpa, no less.” Ethel added.

Violet’s eyes filled with tears.

“Aw, let’s leave her be, Girls.” Georgie laughed. “Ain’t Vi’s fault if Hutch don’t care ‘nough ‘bout her to come to Scotland.”

“He wanted to go!” Violet sniffed. “But, he’s loyal to the masters and he was right to stay behind to look after the house—what with them newspaper men tryin’ to get in all the time and them folks always ringin’ the bell. He was right to stay! You’ll see, the Duke will be proud, he will! Prob’ly even give Mr. Hutchinson a rise in wages.”

“We’ll see.” Georgie nodded.

The carriage rolled to a lurching halt and the driver climbed down to open the door. “Grange Molliner,” he barked. Meanwhile, the driver’s companion began to toss their baggage down.

“Easy!” Georgie grunted as he got down. “Them girls got cologne in there.”

Ethel and Jenny giggled.

When the central door—a monumental gothic arch of wood and iron—of the castle opened, the girls tried to look more respectable, but seeing that it was Gerard and Charles who emerged, they squealed with delight.

Charles shuddered at the girls’ giddiness, but Gerard couldn’t help but smile.

“Ain’t it grand, Gerry?” Jenny chirped.

“However have you been?” Ethel talked over her friend. “Is it wonderful here?”

“It’s very nice, girls.” Gerard nodded.

Gerard and Charles picked up the girls’ cases, allowing Georgie to carry his own.

“Where’s Mr. Hutchinson?” Charles asked, looking around.

“He didn’t come.” Georgie responded. “Thought it best to stay back and watch the ‘ouse.”

“His Grace will be surprised.” Charles shrugged.

“Are we goin’ in the front?” Ethel’s eyes widened as she strained to look through the door.

“Certainly not.” Charles laughed. “Follow me.”

Ethel looked disappointed, but obeyed. The happy group followed Gerard and Charles.

“How is His Grace?” Jenny asked. “Is he well?”

“Quite recovered.” Charles nodded as they walked.

“And the doctor and the baby?” Ethel asked.

“And, Gamilla?” Jenny continued.

“And my mum?” Georgie asked.

“All are well with the exception of Miss Barrett.” Charles interrupted.

“What’s wrong with her?” Violet asked, finally speaking.

“Got a fever on the way.” Gerard responded. “Dr. Halifax is makin’ her stay in her room.”

“Who’s lookin’ after the boy?” Georgie wondered.

“Gamilla.” Gerard replied.

“Oh.” Georgie sighed.

“Look smart, then.” Charles grumbled. “Entrance to the Servants’ Hall is just here. Don’t want to keep the masters waiting. Mr. Speaight went to tell His Grace and Dr. Halifax that you’ve arrived when we saw the carriage.”

“Ain’t this fine?” Ethel mumbled as they entered the Servants’ Hall.

“Hullo.” Mr. Speaight greeted them warmly. “I’m glad you all arrived well and sound.”

“Mr. Hutchinson stayed back.” Charles said quickly.

“Oh?” Mr. Speaight narrowed his eyes.

“Them men from the papers kept comin’ to the house.”

“What for?” Gerard asked.

“Still wantin’ to talk ‘bout the murder of Mr. Stover.”

“Her Majesty put a stop to that.” Charles shook his head.

“Perhaps with the upstanding newsmen, Charles.” Mr. Speaight sighed. “But, there will always be vultures looking for a scandal.”

“Bastards.” Charles muttered softly enough that the girls couldn’t hear him.

“Now, clean yourselves up,” Mr. Speaight said. “And be quick. The masters expect all of us from Belgravia to join them in the Great Hall. They want to greet you personally to Grange Molliner.”

“Where do we…”

“Over there…” Speaight pointed to a door to the left of the kitchens. “Quick, quick.”

“Where do we put our bags, Sir?” Georgie asked.

“Leave them in the vestibule for now.” Speaight replied. “After you the masters welcome you, you’ll meet the Grange’s staff and the housekeeper, Mrs. North. Then, you’ll be shown your rooms.”

“Georgie!” Mrs. Pepper shouted from the kitchens. “My boy!”

“Mum!” Georgie said cheerfully.

“No time for that, then.” Mr. Speaight sighed.

Nevertheless, Georgie went to greet his mother.

Speaight and Charles exchanged glances, each shaking their heads as Gerard grinned.

“Gerard,” Mr. Speaight grumbled. “Would you be good enough to ask Finlay to prepare the cordial tray for Dr. Halifax? He’ll want it brought up after the masters speak to us.”

“Sure, Mr. Speaight.” Gerard nodded. He scanned the Servants’ Hall. “Where is he?”

“He was just over by the hearth a moment ago.” Speaight frowned.

“Ain’t there now, Sir.” Gerard shrugged.

No. Finlay wasn’t there. He’d, moments before, crept up the service stairs and climbed into the central tower of the castle where he waited to light a candle—the agreed-upon signal for the Baron Lendsown to enter the Grange.

The baron awaited, shivering, hidden in the hollies which lined the lane leading up to the estate. He fumbled with something in the breast pocket of his long coat. The knife felt cold and heavy. The weight of it made his body shake. Lensdown could see the silhouette of Finlay behind the diamond-paned glass of the window.

Taking a deep breath, the baron tried to think of reward he would soon garner and not about the task at hand.



Did you miss Chapters 1-92? If so you can read them here. Come back on Monday for Chapter 94 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.

6 comments:

Darcy said...

Next week is going to be very interesting!

Joseph Crisalli said...

Hee. Hee. Yes, it will.

Matt said...

I didn't expect any of this.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Yay!

Dashwood said...

Fortunately the number of loyal troops just rose with the troupe from Belgravia. I hope that they're strong enough to overcome the next mob of nasties to threaten our boys and the baby.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Yes, Punch didn't know how wise he was to bring the others up to Scotland. Thanks for your comment!