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Authors: The Dream Chasers
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appeal to a young man, such as Brooks’s or White’s, were in St James’s Street. Of course it would not do for her to walk unattended in such a location, but there was no reason why Snuffles should not enjoy an expedition to the Green Park, and it would be an easy matter to slip through one of the adjoining streets to take a peep at St James’s Street. Eustacia was well aware that the chances of meeting with Mr Alleyne in these circumstances were slim, but they were certainly greater than if she remained hidden away in Fanshawe Gardens!
* * * *
Eager to put her plan into action, Eustacia stepped out the next morning with Snuffles, but instead of heading for the gardens, she turned south and set off for the heart of fashionable London. Snuffles was surprised at this break in routine, but he was happy to trot along beside his young mistress, enjoying the new scents of this hitherto unexplored area. Miss Marchant was anxious not to draw attention to herself, and had chosen for the occasion a demure, dark-green walking-dress and pelisse of impeccable cut but with little ornament, and a close-fitting bonnet to cover her distinctive red hair. Thus attired, and with the guidebook clutched firmly in one hand, she set off on her task in a mood of excited optimism.
* * * *
New Bond Street was bustling with pedestrians and carriages, and Eustacia made her way through the crowd, confident that it would not be thought improper for an unescorted lady to be walking her dog in such a busy thoroughfare. However, she felt a little less sanguine as she made her way along Piccadilly towards the Green Park, for one fashionably dressed gentleman lifted his eyeglass to study her as she passed him. The starched points of his collar were so high that he was obliged to swivel his whole body to watch her progress, and although at any other time Miss Marchant would have been amused at this behaviour, she began to wonder if it would have been prudent to bring her maid. However, such thoughts were put to flight when she reached the Green Park. The rural setting, complete with a herd of cows, and milkmaids dispensing fresh milk for a small sum, delighted Eustacia. The noise of the busy streets was muted by the trees and bushes that bounded the park, and for a while she could almost imagine that she was at home again in Somerset. But charming as this idea was, she would not let it sway her from her purpose, and she soon slipped out of the park to hurry along a quiet side street. At the junction with St James’s Street she stopped, looking up and down the famous thoroughfare, hoping for a glimpse of her quarry. It did not surprise her that Rupert was not in sight, and Miss Marchant consulted her guidebook before hurrying back to the Green Park, determined to try again. It was a fine morning, and the spring sunshine made it a pleasant day for walking. Eustacia was just congratulating herself on her plan when disaster struck.
Snuffles was also enjoying his walk on new territory, and had so far been content to trot along beside Eustacia, but as they walked along Park Place towards St James’s Street, a ginger cat that had been sleeping on a sunny wall suddenly caught sight of Snuffles, and took exception to this invasion. The cat, used to leashed dogs parading on the sidewalk below him, arched its back, spitting venomously. Snuffles was a small dog, but there was enough of the wild animal in him to resent such an insult, and he voiced his displeasure by barking loudly. Eustacia scolded him and tugged on the leash, intending to walk on. Snuffles, however, could not ignore the challenge thrown out to him by the ginger tom. He squatted, digging in his heels. Miss Marchant, her attention fixed upon St James’s Street, which was but a step ahead of her, gave an impatient tug on the leash.
‘Come on, Snuffles!’
The leash went slack and, looking down, she saw with dismay that Snuffles had slipped his collar. For a moment, the three participants were
* * * *
Eager to put her plan into action, Eustacia stepped out the next morning with Snuffles, but instead of heading for the gardens, she turned south and set off for the heart of fashionable London. Snuffles was surprised at this break in routine, but he was happy to trot along beside his young mistress, enjoying the new scents of this hitherto unexplored area. Miss Marchant was anxious not to draw attention to herself, and had chosen for the occasion a demure, dark-green walking-dress and pelisse of impeccable cut but with little ornament, and a close-fitting bonnet to cover her distinctive red hair. Thus attired, and with the guidebook clutched firmly in one hand, she set off on her task in a mood of excited optimism.
* * * *
New Bond Street was bustling with pedestrians and carriages, and Eustacia made her way through the crowd, confident that it would not be thought improper for an unescorted lady to be walking her dog in such a busy thoroughfare. However, she felt a little less sanguine as she made her way along Piccadilly towards the Green Park, for one fashionably dressed gentleman lifted his eyeglass to study her as she passed him. The starched points of his collar were so high that he was obliged to swivel his whole body to watch her progress, and although at any other time Miss Marchant would have been amused at this behaviour, she began to wonder if it would have been prudent to bring her maid. However, such thoughts were put to flight when she reached the Green Park. The rural setting, complete with a herd of cows, and milkmaids dispensing fresh milk for a small sum, delighted Eustacia. The noise of the busy streets was muted by the trees and bushes that bounded the park, and for a while she could almost imagine that she was at home again in Somerset. But charming as this idea was, she would not let it sway her from her purpose, and she soon slipped out of the park to hurry along a quiet side street. At the junction with St James’s Street she stopped, looking up and down the famous thoroughfare, hoping for a glimpse of her quarry. It did not surprise her that Rupert was not in sight, and Miss Marchant consulted her guidebook before hurrying back to the Green Park, determined to try again. It was a fine morning, and the spring sunshine made it a pleasant day for walking. Eustacia was just congratulating herself on her plan when disaster struck.
Snuffles was also enjoying his walk on new territory, and had so far been content to trot along beside Eustacia, but as they walked along Park Place towards St James’s Street, a ginger cat that had been sleeping on a sunny wall suddenly caught sight of Snuffles, and took exception to this invasion. The cat, used to leashed dogs parading on the sidewalk below him, arched its back, spitting venomously. Snuffles was a small dog, but there was enough of the wild animal in him to resent such an insult, and he voiced his displeasure by barking loudly. Eustacia scolded him and tugged on the leash, intending to walk on. Snuffles, however, could not ignore the challenge thrown out to him by the ginger tom. He squatted, digging in his heels. Miss Marchant, her attention fixed upon St James’s Street, which was but a step ahead of her, gave an impatient tug on the leash.
‘Come on, Snuffles!’
The leash went slack and, looking down, she saw with dismay that Snuffles had slipped his collar. For a moment, the three participants were
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