Saturday, March 31, 2012

Coming Monday: Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square






Their time in New Orleans was meant to be brief.  When Julian, Lord Fallbridge met Dr. Robert Halifax on the H.M.S. Hyperion, the agoraphobic aristocrat was on his way to retrieve his wayward sister and to find the precious blue diamond she had stolen.  However, upon his arrival, Julian was forced to contend with the realization that his sister had become a prostitute who sold her own child, that his beloved father was murdered at the command of his own, soon-to-die mother, that his own footman was plotting against him and, most surprising of all, that he had more than one personality living inside him.  Thankfully for the overwhelmed Julian, he had the support of his new friend, Robert, and the strength of his dominant personality, the indomitable Mr. Punch to carry him through battles with the Yellow Fever, cut-throat families, a murderous madam, am evil nanny, and even the notorious Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau.

At the end of it all, Julian had inherited the title, Duke of Fallbridge, but had retreated into the comfort of the interior of the psyche he shared with Mr. Punch.  With Punch in charge, he and Robert triumphed over their foes and, having rescued Julian's nephew, finally headed back to England to start a new life in Central London.

Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square begins several weeks after the events of Punch's Cousin.  As Punch, Julian, Colin, Dog Toby, Charles and Gerard settle into their new lives in Belgravia, their peace is quickly shattered by a summons from Prince Albert and the arrival of some new servants who may not have been a very good choice for hiring.  As rumors spread through the upper class about the strange behavior of the Duke, Mr. Punch begins to worry that he may not be suited for his new life.  Nevertheless, When Their Majesties call, one must respond.  And, so, our story begins.

Come back on Monday, April 2, 2102 for the inaugural chapter of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.

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