Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 131

Chapter 131:
Like His Father 


“Thank you, Georgie,” Mrs. Pepper nodded somberly as she took the dress which she’d sent her son to fetch from her room. “You’re a good boy. Now, why don’t you go to the larder and see if you can’t find some nice biscuits for Lady Lensdown? Put the kettle on while you’re at it.”

“Yes, Mum.” Georgie nodded.

“Ain’t a man’s place for that, Mrs. Pepper.” Jenny shook her head. “I’ll do it.”

“That’s fine of ya, Jenny.” Mrs. Pepper shook her head. “But, it ain’t a man’s place to be in here with a lady neither.”

Jenny nodded.

“Lady Lensdown?” Georgie said softly. “Is there anything else you’d like from the kitchens.”

The baroness shook her head slightly—still shocked from what she’d seen.

“What of you, Lady Constance?” George asked.

“No, no thank you, young man.” Constance replied absently.

With that, George Pepper hurried off.

“He’s a good boy. So much like his father, God rest his soul.”

“He’s your son?” Lady Lensdown whispered.

“Yes, Your Ladyship.” Mrs. Pepper smiled proudly.

“I have a son.” The baroness continued softly.

“So I’ve heard.” Mrs. Pepper nodded. “And, I’m sure he’s a good boy.”

“Not at all.” Lady Lensdown mumbled. “He’s like his father.”

Mrs. Pepper looked uncomfortably at Jenny and Ethel who both stood dumbly by, unsure of how to act. Should they comfort Lady Lensdown? After all, she’d just seen her friend brutally murdered and was covered in her blood. But, she was a baroness. How should they behave. They hoped that Mrs. Pepper would guide them. Thankfully, she did.

“Now, dearie.” Mrs. Pepper said gently. “We need to get ya out of that gown. I know that this ain’t the sort of fine thing what you’re used to, but it’s clean. You and I are about the same size, and this’ll keep you warm and dry ‘til ya get home to your own.”

Lady Lensdown nodded.

“Jenny and Ethel will help you dress. Let’s send ya into the…” Mrs. Pepper paused. She was going to say “silver vaults,” but she remembered that that’s where Mrs. North was laid out in her permanent slumber. Georgie had taken a peek and reported to his mother that Mrs. North looked peaceful despite the circumstances.

Mrs. North shook her head. She couldn’t dwell on the loss of the woman who was slowly becoming her friend. She knew that sad days lay ahead for the Fallbridge household, but, she decided, Lady Lensdown was in immediate need, and that, she knew, had to take priority.

“The girls will take ya into the pantry. There’s a screen and fine table in there and a handsome, soft chair. You’ll be able to comfortably dress in there.”

“Come with us, Your Ladyship.” Ethel said soothingly. “We’ll help ya. We ain’t never been lady’s maids a-fore, but we been dressin’ our own selves for long ‘nough that we can get ya through it.”

“I don’t wish to.” Lady Lensdown muttered.

“Now, now,” Mrs. Pepper said softly. “I know ya don’t. But, ya gotta. It ain’t grand, but this is my finest dress and it’s nice and soft, it is. You’ll feel better, I promise.”

“Yes, Gertrude,” Constance snapped. “Do go in the pantry with these girls. If anything, do it for me. I can’t bear to look at my mother’s blood…” She trailed off.

“Go on, then.” Mrs. Pepper smiled. She offered her hand to the baroness. “If you like, I’ll go with ya.”

Lady Lensdown nodded and took Mrs. Pepper’s hand.

“There now, that’s fine.” Mrs. Pepper nodded. She looked at Ethel and Jenny, “You two girls take care of Lady Constance, please.” With that, Mrs. Pepper led the baroness to the pantry which, until that day, had been Mrs. North’s home.

Alone with Lady Constance, Ethel and Jenny glanced at one another.

“C…can…” Ethel began. “Can we get ya to sit down by the fire, Miss?”

Lady Constance rubbed her forehead in irritation. “No, thank you. I’m perfectly fine where I am.”

“Georgie should be in with your tea in a moment.” Jenny said.

“Do you think Dr. Halifax has finished with my mother?” Lady Constance asked—not Ethel or Jenny per se, but just by way of general wondering.

“Dunno, Your Ladyship.” Ethel shook her head.

“Perhaps,” Lady Constance continued, “he’ll find that she’s just been injured. Perhaps he’s been able to save her.”

The two girls exchanged glances once again.

“What?” Lady Constance snapped.

“Perhaps, Miss.” Jenny whispered.

“You know, Baroness Lensdown isn’t always the best judge of a situation. She tends to overreact. She’s very fragile. I’m sure she saw a bit of blood and, then, became hysterical as she’s prone to…”

Jenny coughed.

“Miss,” Ethel began. “It’s only that…”

“Yes?”

“Well, it’s just that the baroness was very clear what she saw. And, there was an awful lot of…” Ethel paused. “It’s just, Miss, I don’t want ya to get your hopes set for…”

Lady Constance rubbed her forehead again. “Will you two leave me, please?”

“Your Ladyship?” Ethel began.

“I just want to be alone for a moment. Please.” Lady Constance continued.

“If you wish.” Jenny nodded. “We’ll just be in the kitchens with Georgie. We’ll come back in a few minutes.”

“Fine, fine.” Lady Constance grumbled. She watched as the two girls hurried off.

Finally, certain that she was alone, Constance rose and walked to the Servants’ Hall door. Opening it cautiously, she leaned over and hissed. “Victor! Victor…”

The Baron Lensdown came slowly down the passage.

“Isn’t this a fine mess?” Constance snapped.

“Then, why did you do it, my dear?” Victor asked.



Did you miss Chapters 1-130? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 132 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.