Strolling in between her two friends, she commented, “Mama said she always had a maid with her when she walked in Town.”
“Matt says footmen are more practical,” Louisa responded. “If one of us is injured he can carry us home, whereas a maid cannot.”
“And,” Charlotte added, “if we go shopping they can carry packages more easily.”
They arrived at the path around Hyde Park, which Dotty was told was referred to as “the Park.”
Charlotte made a funny face. “One is supposed to pretend that one always knows everything and play atennui,but I think that’s nonsense. Why act as if you are not having fun, when you are?”
“It does not make much sense to me either.” Dotty sighed. “Here I thought I was ready, but instead I have such a lot to learn.”
“It was the same for Louisa and me,” Charlotte assured her. “You will catch on quickly.”
A few moments later, they were hailed by two stylishly dressed gentlemen whom Charlotte and Louisa obviously knew. They stopped, allowing the men to approach.
“Miss Stern,” Charlotte said primly. “May I present Lords Harrington and Bentley. My lords, a friend of mine from home, Miss Stern. She will be residing with us for the Season.”
Both men bowed over the hand Dotty held out. Thank Heavens for all the lessons in deportment she and Charlotte had shared. Dotty curtseyed. “I am pleased to meet you, my lords.”
The gentlemen accompanied the ladies for a short while, begging them for dances at tomorrow night’s ball. Once they had gone, Dotty gave herself a small shake. “I cannot believe I am already engaged for two sets.”
“They are very nice, aren’t they?” Charlotte blushed.
Louisa glanced slyly at Charlotte. “I think Lord Harrington will ask to court Charlotte.”
“Well, from the looks of it, Lord Bentley is quite smitten with you,” she retorted.
“I wish he would not be.” Louisa cast her eyes skyward. “He is a good man, but not one I wish to marry.”
In the short time Dotty had known Louisa it was clear poor Lord Bentley was not up to her weight. She would need someone older and more sure of himself.
Dotty took Charlotte’s hand and squeezed it. “How do you feel about Lord Harrington?”
Charlotte’s face became even redder. “He is very charming, but Grace says to give it time.”
They resumed ambling on the side of the path. Suddenly there was a commotion and a shout from behind. Dotty whirled around. A small dog had grabbed the tassel on a man’s boot and was backing up growling with its tail wagging, trying to shake its prize loose. Foolishly, the man kept kicking out at the dog, making the animal think he was playing.
She put a hand over her mouth to keep from giggling, yet when he lifted his cane to strike the poor little thing, she rushed forward. “Here now, sir! What do you think you’re doing?” She bent to the dog who turned out to be nothing more than a puppy. Turning to the man, she narrowed her eyes and scowled. “Shame on you.”
Dotty worked on releasing the tassel from the puppy’s grip, but each time the man shook his leg, trying to get the animal off, the puppy held on harder, growling and shaking his head. “Stop moving. Are you so stupid you cannot see the dog thinks you are trying to play?”
“Get him off me,” the man shouted in a voice growing higher in fright. “Someone will pay for this. Is he your beast?”
Determined to ignore him, she counted to ten, took a breath, and finally managed to release the gold bobble from the puppy’s sharp teeth. “There now.” Picking up the dog, she stroked its wiry fur. “Where is your master?”
Just then, two school-aged boys came running up. “Oh, miss. Thank you so much. We’ve been looking for Bennie all over. He got away from us.”
By this time Bennie was snapping at the ribbons of her bonnet. Dotty laughed as she tried to free them. “Here now, sir. Those are not for you either.” She saved the ribbons and handed the puppy to one of the boys.
“We’ll pay you for the damage, miss.”
“It’s no bother.” She smiled at both of them. “Use the money to buy a lead. That will keep Bennie from running away.”
“He’s only twelve weeks old,” the other boy said proudly. “We didn’t think he could run so fast.”
“Or so far,” added the other.
“Thank you,” they both said in unison.
