“Have you seen a large dog?” she asked a lady with a basket.
“He barked at me, I dropped my basket, and the blighter ran off with a length of red ribbon!”
“I will pay you for it when I return!” She ran on, cursing the dog under her breath. Leaping a large pile of manure Dimity continued to follow the trail of Walter’s exploits.
She heard his deep bark up ahead. He tended to bark when he was excited. In her arms, Romulus whined.
“Botheration,” Dimity said when she saw a gathering of men. One had Walter by the collar, jerking his neck as he struggled to restrain him.
“Kick him; that’ll subdue him.”
“Do not kick my dog!” The words had the men looking her way. “Release him at once!”
Lowering Romulus, who she knew would not leave Walter, she hurried forward.
“Give me my dog, and I will remove him from your presence.”
Walter shot her a wild-eyed look. A red ribbon was hanging from his mouth. It seemed he’d eaten the loaf or spat it out somewhere.
“He needs a lesson in manners, as, it appears, do you,” the man holding him said. He pushed her back as she tried to grab Walter. “He ran straight into Holden here. It was only luck that had him remaining on his feet.”
“You’ll not touch my dog.” Dimity glared at the man.
“What’s your name?”
The man had the type of snooty voice that grated on Dimity. It wasn’t like Lord Raine’s; this was higher-pitched and nauseating.
“Your insolent behavior would suggest you have little or no class. When you address your betters, you should curtsey and show respect.”
“You show me someone who is my better, and I will respect them,” Dimity said, standing her ground. “And ‘better’ to my mind means a person with impeccable manners and a kind nature. Not someone who would frighten my dog!”
“How dare you speak to me in such an insulant manner.” His eyes ran over her body. “Do you know who I am?”
He turned slightly, and his shirt point jabbed him in the eye.Idiot.
“How would I know that, as I’ve never met you before, and I’ll add to that I have no wish to. Now release my dog.”
“What is your occupation? Clearly you are no lady.”
She said nothing.
“As you have no companion and are out here alone, clearly you are no one of consequence.”
Walter’s eyes were bugging out now and his breath rasping.
“Release my dog at once.” Dimity fought for calm.
“Who is your employer? I doubt they would like to hear the way you spoke to your betters.” He looked down his nose at her, and Dimity’s fingers itched to punch it.
“I see no one better than me. Now give me my dog.”
“It seems her manners are no better than her dog’s,” one of the men said. They moved closer, circling her and Walter now.
“Release him,” she said slowly. “Now.”
“No.” The man tightened his grip, and Walter made a choking sound.
Dimity wondered how a busy street could suddenly be so empty. She stepped closer and kicked the man hard in the shin. Romulus sank her needle-sharp teeth into his leg. He howled, released Walter. The dog moved to her side, where he pressed against her, shivering. Romulus hurried to sit between his legs.
