Thursday, August 2, 2012

Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 103


Chapter 103: 
Excitement 



Chum…” Mr. Punch whispered, gently tapping Robert’s shoulder with his index finger.

Robert sputtered, rolling over—his dark hair spread out across his pillow.

“Chum…” Punch repeated, poking Robert again.

“Hmmm?” Robert muttered, his eyes opening into drowsy slits. He looked up at Punch who leaned over him in the bed.

“It’s mornin’.” Punch smiled brightly.

“Already?” Robert mumbled.

“Yep.” Mr. Punch chirped. “We should get up.”

“What time is it?” Robert asked, opening his eyes a bit more. “It’s still dark.”

“But, we’ve much to do, Chum.” Mr. Punch clapped his hands. “Lots, lots, lots, lots…lots to do.”

Robert smiled, sitting up.

“You know what today is?” Punch asked gaily.

“Yes, I do.”

“Well…” Punch’s eyes widened as he teased the doctor.

“Today is the day that we sleep for another few hours.”

“No!” Punch laughed. “Today is the day of the Servants’ Ball!”

“Ah,” Robert joked. “I suppose that’s why Gerard and Finlay put all those tables in the Great Hall.”

“Oh,” Punch winked. “You’re excited. Can’t tell me that you ain’t. This is more your sort o’ thing than it is mine. You’re the one what likes parties and music and such…”

Robert yawned. “I also like to sleep.”

“Can’t have both.” Mr. Punch shook his head. “Now, get up.” Punch sprung from the bed.

“Where are you going?”

“To look at our boy.” Mr. Punch replied enthusiastically. He scrambled to the nursery door and bounded into the room where he found that Colin was also already awake. Picking up the boy, he carried him into the bedchamber and sat the child on the bed next to Robert and Dog Toby.

“Say ‘Mornin’,’ Baby Chum.” Mr. Punch said softly.

“Punch.” Colin replied.

“Good enough,” Robert nodded, reaching for the baby’s small hand.

“Our Colin’s goin’ to the ball, too.” Punch grinned.

“For a little while.” Robert answered.

“We gotta let Gamilla have some time to enjoy herself. ‘Specially with Gerry. I hope they’ll dance.”

“I hope so, too. Presuming that they’ve gotten past their little tiff.”

“Sure they did.” Mr. Punch nodded. “Ain’t no reason to hold a grudge.”

“I do see Gerard’s point.” Robert replied. “He mistrusts Miss Barrett and is only looking out for Gamilla’s well-being.”

“But, Gamilla’s got a right to like whomever she wants.” Mr. Punch added.

“I know, but sometimes if a person is…” He paused. “Let’s not us start quarreling about it.”

“No.” Punch laughed. “We got too much to do. Ain’t no time for fightin’.”

“What exactly do we have to do?” Robert asked. “Isn’t everything already prepared?”

“Well…” Punch replied thoughtfully. “Yes, I s’pose it is. Only we got to walk ‘round and look at the decorations and go see the cake and smell the flowers and inspect the table settings, and, well…we just gotta be excited!”

“And, you don’t like parties?” Robert teased.

“Never really thought ‘bout it. Julian certainly don’t.”

“No. He does not.”

“’Cept for the ball what I went to with you in New Orleans and me birthday party, I ain’t never been to many parties. I liked me birthday party an awful lot. The ball in New Orleans not so much, but that were not fault of the ball—more so the fault of them what was invited.”

“This won’t be anything like that.” Robert smiled.

“I trust it won’t.” Punch nodded. He walked to the mantel and pulled the bell. “Charlie and Gerard are always up even earlier than this. Can you ‘magine?”

“Frankly, no.” Robert chuckled.

“I figure we’d best get ourselves dressed before Gamilla comes up.”

“Good thinking.” Robert sighed, climbing out of the bed and wrapping his dressing gown around himself. “I shall return when Gerard is finished with me.”

“Be quick.” Punch said eagerly. “I’m gonna. I ain’t even gonna play in the bath today, I’m not. Won’t throw soap nor pretend I’m a fishy or nothin’.”

“I’m very impressed.” Robert winked. He opened the door and jumped a bit—surprised to see Charles on the other side.

“Sir.” Charles nodded.

Robert studied Punch’s valet. “Are you quite well? You’re very pale.”

“Dr. Halifax, Your Grace,” Charles said seriously. “We have a problem.”

“Oh no.” Punch frowned. “It ain’t the cake, is it?”

“No, Your Grace. The cake is fine.” Charles gulped. “We…we can’t find Gamilla.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-102? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 104 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.

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