Tempted by the Promise of a Walk in the Park...
Meredith's Tender Awakening 7:1
Previously Meredith was upset after a visit to the D’Arby’s, not only did Phillida attempt to belittle her, but she learned what sadness the Marquis had borne
Aunt Cecily coaxed Meredith out of her room with the promise of fresh air and beautiful botany - a trip to the Sydney Gardens. Mr Bairstowe appeared from his study, with Badger at his heel, just as Meredith was in the hallway tying her bonnet. The dog made such a business of sniffing Meredith’s walking boots that she was inspired to ask, if she might be allowed to take Badger with her.
“Splendid idea,” Mr Bairstowe agreed. “A spot of exercise would do him the power of good. But watch him near water, he’s a terror for ducks.”
Meredith promised to be careful and she lifted the dog's sturdy body into the carriage and settled him by her feet on a blanket. Arriving at the gardens, the weather and surroundings were as pleasant as they could have wished, and stopping to let Badger sniff many plants and tree trunks kept the two ladies walking at a leisurely pace.
She was pleased to notice that the fashions in Bath were not perceptibly different from what was a la mode in London, which had been her concern. She found herself the object of some male notice as she and her aunt traversed the paths between borders of flowers and neatly clipped shrubs. Men tipped their hats in her direction or bowed slightly as they passed, and her aunt was fortunate in recognizing a handful of people to whom she could introduce her niece.
“Word will get around dear one,” she smiled after one such meeting. “Bath is a hothouse for gossip, which has its pros and cons.”
Meredith paused, entertained by Badger digging his nose into a flower then acting startled because he’d disturbed a flying insect.
“How did you like Miss D’Arby?” her aunt enquired.
“Not at all,” Meredith answered briskly. “She struck me as the type of girl who spreads rumours, the more lurid the better!”
“Really?” Aunt Cecily’s raised her brows. “Her mother is so kind. I wonder if you just misunderstood her.”
“Perhaps,” Meredith pretended to concede, not wishing to upset Aunt Cecily.
At that juncture, she was distracted by Badger tugging at his lead. He had seen the lake edged with water iris and bullrushes, and caught the scent of waterfowl. She let him pull her a little way from her aunt, who was already voicing her concern.
“Don’t get too near the water. Remember what Mr B said.”
“I’ll be careful,” Meredith called over her shoulder, her footsteps picking up speed as Badger dragged keenly towards his quarry.
There was a wooden walkway adjacent to the water so that people could stand and admire the lakeside view, or more easily climb into boats from that point. Meredith had plans to stop there and allow Badger to examine the ducks from a safe distance. But apparently, her agenda did not match the little dog’s.
The ducks were quacking, becoming wary. Most got up anxiously and waddled nearer the water's edge as the black and white dog drew close, with his hapless walker in tow. The ground sloped down towards the lake, which conspired to make Meredith’s gait speed up rather than slow.
“Badger stop!” She cried in alarm, but the dog was onto a strong scent of mallard and played deaf.
“Badger. No!” She tried to assert control as his little paws sunk into the softer mud near the water’s edge.
“Badger – “ Meredith shrilled, then wisely let go of his lead as he launched his thickset body into the lake. He was in hot pursuit of a drake who had dawdled temptingly on the shore before becoming waterborne.
[To be Continued …]
Posy, you have a distinctive writing style that I enjoy very much. Can't really describe it well enough to do it justice. I just know it when I read it. - Jim