"If we waited for pleasant weather we would be waiting until April."
"Which I would have no objection to."
"You are not serious in your study of birds, then, Sir Sebastian?" I asked.
"Alas no, I am merely a dilettante. Farthingham is the true natural historian. I have not properly introduced him, this is the Honorable Mr. Thomas Farthingham although a more accurate epithet might be the Peevish Mr. Farthingham, or the Petulant Mr. Farthingham, or the Pretentious Mr. Farthingham he is the son of a viscount so he must be honorable."
"Your friendship must be of long standing," I observed.
"Oh, we go back years and years."
"It feels like centuries," added Farthingham.
"Now, wood sprite, you must tell us your name it is only fair, you know both of ours."
"I am Elizabeth Darcy." I said it. Without stumbling or a hint of hesitation.
Sir Sebastian laughed. "I know this dog for which you search. Or rather, I've heard of him. He is Mrs. Margaret Darcy's dog, correct? The one who deposited a large rat in Lady Jersey's lap at a dinner party and got Mrs. Darcy permanently excluded from Almack's."
"Yes, he is Margaret Darcy's dog. I have not heard that story, but it sounds like Sir Seb."
"I did not realize we shared a name, but I have heard so much about this dog. He is a legend. I must meet him." Sir Sebastian laughed again, full bellied like a gleeful child.
Recovering himself he said, "And I am glad to meet you, Miss Darcy. My aunt tried to persuade me to come to her dinner party tonight by tempting me with rumors of your beauty, but I thought it was exaggeration as rumors often are, now I am rather regretting declining the invitation."
I stammered knowing neither how to reply to his bold flirtation nor how to correct his mistake.
Misreading my expression he said, "Oh, sorry, of course you do not know, my aunt is Lady Truesdell. I believe you are to dine with her this evening. She has been crowing about having the elusive Miss Darcy and the scandalous Mrs. Darcy at her party."
"Forgive me, I should have been clearer when I introduced myself. I amMrs. Darcy. The new Mrs. Darcy. The scandalous Mrs. Darcy," I said at last.
Farthingham laughed; he was a much sunnier character than I had initially thought. Sir Sebastian looked stricken. "No, you must forgive me. I should never have called you—"
"I will not allow you to apologize, Sir Sebastian, scandalous is the most exciting thing I have ever been called and you cannot take it away from me now," I said playfully.
"You are not what I expected," he replied, his manner still serious.
"Sir Sebastian, what did I just say about taking it away?"
"I am not usually such a booby, I generally leave such displays of social incompetence to Farthingham."
"Omitting you, Seb, I think it unlikely for us to see any red-footed boobies, but other birds might be within our reach should we choose to seek them out."
"We must find Mrs. Darcy's dog first and then walk her home."
"Must we?"
"Yes, she is a lady in distress, we must give her aid and protection. That is what gentlemen do."
"Is it really?"
Sir Sebastian ignored his friend and began calling for Sir Sebastian. "It is odd to be shouting one's own name," he said.
I had feared Sir Sebastian the Dog would try my new friends' patience and kindness by remaining evasive, but after only a few minutes he wandered up to Sir Sebastian the Man with a quizzical expression that said, "You, sir, why are you calling me? We are not acquainted."
"Does he usually smell so, er, robust?" Sir Sebastian asked. He had scoped up the naughty dog before I could warn him about his odor.
"I am sorry. Here, I will carry him," I said.
