Chapter 94:
This Time, Louder
“I ain’t never seen nothin’ like it.” Ethel whispered as she and Jenny followed the other staff from Belgrave Square into the Great Hall of Grange Molliner.
The two girls scanned the soaring room with its elaborate mouldings, stained glass windows, monumental staircase and dramatic vaults. At the end of the hall, seated on either side of a fireplace with a firebox so large it could have been a doorway, the Duke and the Doctor smiled as the group approached.
The mantelpiece was a majestic work of carved stone the likes of which neither Ethel nor Jenny had ever seen. A massive work of buttery yellow stone, the mantel was carved with grand figures of St. George and the dragon—one on each side of the hearth. The dragon rose behind the Duke’s throne-like chair while St. George peeked out from behind the doctor’s.
The army from Belgravia walked slowly and respectfully through the Great Hall led by Mr. Speaight. Gerard and Charles marched behind the butler with Mrs. Pepper following them. Violet walked next, with Ethel and Jenny behind as Georgie Pepper marked the end of the parade.
Punch and Robert rose and Mr. Punch cleared his throat, setting his expression into the regal visage he affected when acting as the Duke of Fallbridge. He spoke, clearly and in Julian’s voice.
“Welcome, everyone, to Grange Molliner. I’m most pleased to have all from our home in London here together in Scotland.” He looked toward Jenny, Ethel, Georgie and Violet. “I trust that the journey was not too taxing?”
“Oh, no, Sir.” Ethel spoke up. “It were lovely. Rode on a train and all, Sir. Never rode that far before. And, the countryside, Sir…it’s…”
“That’ll be enough, girl.” Mrs. Pepper whispered.
Ethel fell silent.
“Where is Hutchinson?” Dr. Halifax asked.
“Doctor,” Mr. Speaight began. “I have been informed that, for the safety of the household, Mr. Hutchinson preferred to stay behind in Belgravia to look after the house.”
Robert inhaled, nodding his head. “I imagine that was very wise.”
“Yes,” Punch nodded slowly. He wondered if something was being kept from him—some unknown danger at home. He shook his head slightly and tried to put the thought from his mind. He smiled in the manner of Julian. “I suppose you all might wonder why I’ve brought you here.”
“For a party, Sir.” Ethel chirped.
“Well, yes, Ethel.” Mr. Punch—still as the Duke—grinned aristocratically. “You see, you’ve all been so kind to Dr. Halifax, Colin and myself. So loyal. Dr. Halifax and I have long been wondering what we might do to reward you all. When we arrived at Grange Molliner, I was reminded of something that my father, Sir Colin, would do each year for the staff—The Servants’ Ball. The evening will be devoted to all of you. You will be given your choice of dress…it’s a fancy dress ball. You will have the evening to dance and eat and be merry, to join not only Dr. Halifax and me, but also the lords and ladies from the nearby estates. We will hire staff for the event so that you—as well as your counterparts from The Grange’s Staff—might feel free to relax and thoroughly enjoy yourselves.”
“We truly wish that each of you knows how much we appreciate all that you do for us.” Robert smiled.
“Cor!” Ethel giggled.
“Do you have any questions?” Robert asked.
Jenny reluctantly raised a finger.
“Yes, Jenny.” Robert nodded.
“It’s to be fancy dress, Sir?”
“That’s right.” Robert nodded.
“What shall I go as, then?” Jenny asked.
Mr. Punch smiled. “Anything you like.”
“Anything?”
“Anything.” Punch nodded. “Dr. Halifax and I have agreed that tomorrow morning each of you should take some time with me—in pairs. First, Mr. Speaight and Mrs. Pepper, then, Gerard and Charles. Next, Violet and Gamilla. Then, Ethel and Jenny. Georgie, we’d planned on you coming with Mr. Hutchinson, but since he’s not here, you shall speak with me alone. During this time, you will describe your idea for your costume and I will make a sketch. I’ve hired the tailor and his wife from the village to make your costumes by the time of the ball.”
The younger people in the group all began to titter.
“Ethel?” Robert looked up, noticing a puzzled expression on the girl’s face.
“What of Miss Barrett?”
“She is too ill to attend,” Robert replied quickly.
“Who will watch the baby if Gamilla attends, Sir?” Georgie asked.
“Young Colin will stay with Dr. Halifax and me at the ball for awhile. When he becomes tired, Mrs. Pepper has graciously agreed to retire early with him. You may have noticed Gamilla’s absence this evening. She has temporarily taken up Miss Barrett’s duties in their entirety. Therefore it’s imperative that Gamilla be given the evening of the ball to enjoy herself.”
“I’d not want to be stayin’ up too late anyway.” Mrs. Pepper said modestly.
“No doubt,” Robert grinned, “that you will be quite exhausted by the end of the evening considering your important contribution to the festivities.”
“Is Mrs. Pepper gonna cook for all them folk?” Jenny asked, worried that if Mrs. Pepper was so employed, as kitchen maid, she would be as well.
“No, certainly not.” Mr. Punch shook his head. “This is as much of a treat for Mrs. Pepper as it is for the rest of you. With the help of Mrs. North—the housekeeper here whom you’ll meet shortly—we have arranged for the cooks of the neighboring estates to provide the food. However, Mrs. Pepper has graciously volunteered to create something very special for the evening as only she can.”
“Oh!” Georgie’s eyes widened. “Mum! Is it a cake?”
“You know it, my boy.” Mrs. Pepper replied proudly.
“Would you like to tell our friends, Mrs. Pepper, what you’ll be doing?” Robert asked.
“Well, Sir.” Mrs. Pepper blushed. “I been thinkin’ of a grand cake for the ball. It’ll be the biggest I ever made. Many tiers of three layers each. All butterscotch with a fine butterscotch icing, and, then, I’ll adorn the top of each with the Molliner tartan. I’m gonna call it ‘The Grange Molliner’ Cake.”
“It shall be the newest part of our my family’s tradition and I cannot express how pleased I am with this grand contribution to the history of the Molliner family.” Mr. Punch said sincerely.
“I’d like to help ya, Mrs. Pepper.” Jenny smiled.
“Good thing, too.” Mrs. Pepper winked. “You ain’t gotta choice.”
Jenny giggled.
Georgie raised a hand.
“Yes, Georgie.” Robert nodded.
“Well, Sir, if them others what work here are gonna come, too, Sir, where will they get their costumes? Is the Duke gonna help them, too?”
“We have already discussed this with Mrs. North who insists that the Grange’s staff already has fancy dress to wear from previous balls. In fact, I’m sure it’s true since most of them have been employed here since Sir Colin’s time. The newer maids, I’m told, have access to ensembles which were made for their predecessors—some of whom were their mothers and sisters.” Robert answered.
The group began to talk excitedly amongst themselves again.
Mr. Punch raised his hands to quiet them. “In addition to Mrs. Pepper’s magnificent cake, we will have all manner of wonderful food and drink for you. I’ve arranged with Her Majesty for the use of the small orchestra who often plays for Their Majesties at Balmoral. There will also be pipers, so be prepared to dance.”
“We hope that you will find this a pleasant diversion.” Robert began. “After the ball, we shall remain here for another week, and, then, we will return to London together.”
“Now,” Mr. Punch smiled. “You all must be quite tired from your journey. Mr. Speaight, thank you for taking the time to bring everyone to see us. You will now all return to the Servants’ Hall where you will be introduced to Mrs. North and her staff and, then, you will shown to your rooms. I shall see each of you at the appointed times tomorrow morning. Otherwise, until the ball, you are welcome to explore the estate at the discretion of Mr. Speaight and Mrs. Pepper. You may have some duties from time to time, but they will be light as we have agreed that you should take the time here as something of a holiday.”
“Again, we thank all of you for your sterling service. Please know how much the Duke of Fallbridge and I value each of you.” Robert smiled.
“Good night,” Punch concluded, happy to not have to speak as Julian anymore—at least for the evening.
“Good night,” the group replied—almost in unison—before filing out of the hall and heading toward their quarters.
Alone, Robert and Punch again sat in their chairs.
Robert sighed contentedly.
“Chum?” Punch asked after looking around to ensure the room was clear. “Why do ya think Hutchinson stayed behind?”
“I suspect for the reason given. I’m actually glad that he did. I’m sure that the house is more secure with him there.”
“I just wonder if maybe there ain’t more commotion from…” Punch trailed off.
“I’m sure that’s part of it, too.” Robert nodded. He smiled. “They all seemed so excited.”
“Yeah,” Punch answered. “I think that Ethel will…” He paused and squinted.
“Whatever is it, dear Punch?” Robert asked.
“Thought I heard somethin’, I did.”
“Such as?”
“Like a cry…”
Robert listened. His eyes widened as he heard a high-pitched, mournful sound arise from the distance.
“Do ya think it’s Colin?” Punch asked, standing up.
“I don’t know.” Robert shook his head, rising, too. “I couldn’t quite figure from where the sound came.”
Mr. Punch reached from Robert’s hand, pulling on his companion to follow him. As they ran to the nursery, the sound arose again—this time, louder.
Did you miss Chapters 1-93? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 95 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.
“I ain’t never seen nothin’ like it.” Ethel whispered as she and Jenny followed the other staff from Belgrave Square into the Great Hall of Grange Molliner.
The two girls scanned the soaring room with its elaborate mouldings, stained glass windows, monumental staircase and dramatic vaults. At the end of the hall, seated on either side of a fireplace with a firebox so large it could have been a doorway, the Duke and the Doctor smiled as the group approached.
The mantelpiece was a majestic work of carved stone the likes of which neither Ethel nor Jenny had ever seen. A massive work of buttery yellow stone, the mantel was carved with grand figures of St. George and the dragon—one on each side of the hearth. The dragon rose behind the Duke’s throne-like chair while St. George peeked out from behind the doctor’s.
The army from Belgravia walked slowly and respectfully through the Great Hall led by Mr. Speaight. Gerard and Charles marched behind the butler with Mrs. Pepper following them. Violet walked next, with Ethel and Jenny behind as Georgie Pepper marked the end of the parade.
Punch and Robert rose and Mr. Punch cleared his throat, setting his expression into the regal visage he affected when acting as the Duke of Fallbridge. He spoke, clearly and in Julian’s voice.
“Welcome, everyone, to Grange Molliner. I’m most pleased to have all from our home in London here together in Scotland.” He looked toward Jenny, Ethel, Georgie and Violet. “I trust that the journey was not too taxing?”
“Oh, no, Sir.” Ethel spoke up. “It were lovely. Rode on a train and all, Sir. Never rode that far before. And, the countryside, Sir…it’s…”
“That’ll be enough, girl.” Mrs. Pepper whispered.
Ethel fell silent.
“Where is Hutchinson?” Dr. Halifax asked.
“Doctor,” Mr. Speaight began. “I have been informed that, for the safety of the household, Mr. Hutchinson preferred to stay behind in Belgravia to look after the house.”
Robert inhaled, nodding his head. “I imagine that was very wise.”
“Yes,” Punch nodded slowly. He wondered if something was being kept from him—some unknown danger at home. He shook his head slightly and tried to put the thought from his mind. He smiled in the manner of Julian. “I suppose you all might wonder why I’ve brought you here.”
“For a party, Sir.” Ethel chirped.
“Well, yes, Ethel.” Mr. Punch—still as the Duke—grinned aristocratically. “You see, you’ve all been so kind to Dr. Halifax, Colin and myself. So loyal. Dr. Halifax and I have long been wondering what we might do to reward you all. When we arrived at Grange Molliner, I was reminded of something that my father, Sir Colin, would do each year for the staff—The Servants’ Ball. The evening will be devoted to all of you. You will be given your choice of dress…it’s a fancy dress ball. You will have the evening to dance and eat and be merry, to join not only Dr. Halifax and me, but also the lords and ladies from the nearby estates. We will hire staff for the event so that you—as well as your counterparts from The Grange’s Staff—might feel free to relax and thoroughly enjoy yourselves.”
“We truly wish that each of you knows how much we appreciate all that you do for us.” Robert smiled.
“Cor!” Ethel giggled.
“Do you have any questions?” Robert asked.
Jenny reluctantly raised a finger.
“Yes, Jenny.” Robert nodded.
“It’s to be fancy dress, Sir?”
“That’s right.” Robert nodded.
“What shall I go as, then?” Jenny asked.
Mr. Punch smiled. “Anything you like.”
“Anything?”
“Anything.” Punch nodded. “Dr. Halifax and I have agreed that tomorrow morning each of you should take some time with me—in pairs. First, Mr. Speaight and Mrs. Pepper, then, Gerard and Charles. Next, Violet and Gamilla. Then, Ethel and Jenny. Georgie, we’d planned on you coming with Mr. Hutchinson, but since he’s not here, you shall speak with me alone. During this time, you will describe your idea for your costume and I will make a sketch. I’ve hired the tailor and his wife from the village to make your costumes by the time of the ball.”
The younger people in the group all began to titter.
“Ethel?” Robert looked up, noticing a puzzled expression on the girl’s face.
“What of Miss Barrett?”
“She is too ill to attend,” Robert replied quickly.
“Who will watch the baby if Gamilla attends, Sir?” Georgie asked.
“Young Colin will stay with Dr. Halifax and me at the ball for awhile. When he becomes tired, Mrs. Pepper has graciously agreed to retire early with him. You may have noticed Gamilla’s absence this evening. She has temporarily taken up Miss Barrett’s duties in their entirety. Therefore it’s imperative that Gamilla be given the evening of the ball to enjoy herself.”
“I’d not want to be stayin’ up too late anyway.” Mrs. Pepper said modestly.
“No doubt,” Robert grinned, “that you will be quite exhausted by the end of the evening considering your important contribution to the festivities.”
“Is Mrs. Pepper gonna cook for all them folk?” Jenny asked, worried that if Mrs. Pepper was so employed, as kitchen maid, she would be as well.
“No, certainly not.” Mr. Punch shook his head. “This is as much of a treat for Mrs. Pepper as it is for the rest of you. With the help of Mrs. North—the housekeeper here whom you’ll meet shortly—we have arranged for the cooks of the neighboring estates to provide the food. However, Mrs. Pepper has graciously volunteered to create something very special for the evening as only she can.”
“Oh!” Georgie’s eyes widened. “Mum! Is it a cake?”
“You know it, my boy.” Mrs. Pepper replied proudly.
“Would you like to tell our friends, Mrs. Pepper, what you’ll be doing?” Robert asked.
“Well, Sir.” Mrs. Pepper blushed. “I been thinkin’ of a grand cake for the ball. It’ll be the biggest I ever made. Many tiers of three layers each. All butterscotch with a fine butterscotch icing, and, then, I’ll adorn the top of each with the Molliner tartan. I’m gonna call it ‘The Grange Molliner’ Cake.”
“It shall be the newest part of our my family’s tradition and I cannot express how pleased I am with this grand contribution to the history of the Molliner family.” Mr. Punch said sincerely.
“I’d like to help ya, Mrs. Pepper.” Jenny smiled.
“Good thing, too.” Mrs. Pepper winked. “You ain’t gotta choice.”
Jenny giggled.
Georgie raised a hand.
“Yes, Georgie.” Robert nodded.
“Well, Sir, if them others what work here are gonna come, too, Sir, where will they get their costumes? Is the Duke gonna help them, too?”
“We have already discussed this with Mrs. North who insists that the Grange’s staff already has fancy dress to wear from previous balls. In fact, I’m sure it’s true since most of them have been employed here since Sir Colin’s time. The newer maids, I’m told, have access to ensembles which were made for their predecessors—some of whom were their mothers and sisters.” Robert answered.
The group began to talk excitedly amongst themselves again.
Mr. Punch raised his hands to quiet them. “In addition to Mrs. Pepper’s magnificent cake, we will have all manner of wonderful food and drink for you. I’ve arranged with Her Majesty for the use of the small orchestra who often plays for Their Majesties at Balmoral. There will also be pipers, so be prepared to dance.”
“We hope that you will find this a pleasant diversion.” Robert began. “After the ball, we shall remain here for another week, and, then, we will return to London together.”
“Now,” Mr. Punch smiled. “You all must be quite tired from your journey. Mr. Speaight, thank you for taking the time to bring everyone to see us. You will now all return to the Servants’ Hall where you will be introduced to Mrs. North and her staff and, then, you will shown to your rooms. I shall see each of you at the appointed times tomorrow morning. Otherwise, until the ball, you are welcome to explore the estate at the discretion of Mr. Speaight and Mrs. Pepper. You may have some duties from time to time, but they will be light as we have agreed that you should take the time here as something of a holiday.”
“Again, we thank all of you for your sterling service. Please know how much the Duke of Fallbridge and I value each of you.” Robert smiled.
“Good night,” Punch concluded, happy to not have to speak as Julian anymore—at least for the evening.
“Good night,” the group replied—almost in unison—before filing out of the hall and heading toward their quarters.
Alone, Robert and Punch again sat in their chairs.
Robert sighed contentedly.
“Chum?” Punch asked after looking around to ensure the room was clear. “Why do ya think Hutchinson stayed behind?”
“I suspect for the reason given. I’m actually glad that he did. I’m sure that the house is more secure with him there.”
“I just wonder if maybe there ain’t more commotion from…” Punch trailed off.
“I’m sure that’s part of it, too.” Robert nodded. He smiled. “They all seemed so excited.”
“Yeah,” Punch answered. “I think that Ethel will…” He paused and squinted.
“Whatever is it, dear Punch?” Robert asked.
“Thought I heard somethin’, I did.”
“Such as?”
“Like a cry…”
Robert listened. His eyes widened as he heard a high-pitched, mournful sound arise from the distance.
“Do ya think it’s Colin?” Punch asked, standing up.
“I don’t know.” Robert shook his head, rising, too. “I couldn’t quite figure from where the sound came.”
Mr. Punch reached from Robert’s hand, pulling on his companion to follow him. As they ran to the nursery, the sound arose again—this time, louder.
Did you miss Chapters 1-93? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 95 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.
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