You're My Best Friend

Chapter 2

On the other end of London's ton, Lord Geoffrey Findlay Wyatt adjusted his cravat, as he had done any time he was nervous from the time he was a child. He was nearing thirty and he was realizing more and more that he should get married. He knew love was possible, and hoped that this year he would be able to find it.

"You're doing that thing with your cravat again," his younger brother William said

"Am I?" Geoffrey replied, lying.

"You're worried about something." his brother replied

"Why would you say that?" Geoffrey removed his hand from his cravat.

"I've been your brother for nearly five and twenty years, I think I'm able to realize that you fiddle with your damn cravat when you feel nervous" William answered

"I'll have to get married," Geoffrey replied, "I'm nearly thirty"

"You don't have to, then I will get father's title when you pass" William replied

"You're very grim, you know that?" Geoffrey said, pointing at his brother.

"I just don't worry the way you do" said William, "Besides you'll find someone to marry, even if that means marrying one of the Bassett girls."

The Bassetts, formally known as the duke and duchess of Hastings had been friends with Geoffrey's parents since the time he was a small child. Their fathers had gone to university together, and had remained friends ever since. In that turn, the five Bassett children had become a second set of siblings for him. Just the year prior he had gone to the wedding of the eldest daughter, Amelia, and started realizing how it was almost his own time to get married. There were Belinda and Caroline, two inseparable sisters separated by only a year. They were fine young women, but the thought of marrying someone as close as a sibling seemed off to him.

"What about you William? Do you think you will marry this season?"

"Me?" William replied, "I am much too young."

"What are you two talking about?" their father, Count Wyatt, coming into the parlor.

"I'm helping Geoffrey figure out who to marry" William replied

"Oh is that so?" their father asked, "You're finally ready to settle down?"

"Yes, though I don't know who it will be with"

His father laughed, "that's the fun of it. Getting married is one of the most fun challenges a man can take on."

"I'm sure that is true"

"Perhaps you could marry one of Simon's girls" his father replied

"That's what I said" William added

"They're much too young, aren't they?" Geoffrey answered

"No, no. I was just talking to Simon earlier this week. Two of his daughters are making their first appearance this season."

"They're practically siblings father., I couldn't marry them.. That would be like marrying William" Geoffrey said

William fake gagged.

"Well maybe you could get them to help you find someone. Surely, they know enough young ladies that could make good wives." his father suggested.

That was a good point. Women always seemed to move in much more interesting social circles, and if anybody had the ability to socialize it would be Caroline and Belinda. "That's a good point"

"Yes, I suppose I have some of those sometimes" his father jabbed.

"What is mama up to?" William asked,

"Much better. She wishes she could see you both off tonight." Geoffrey and William's mother, Victoria, had gotten sick with a case of melancholy after the death of her own sister. It had taken nearly three months for her to rid herself of her mourning clothes, but she still could not bring herself to go to social events.

"I cannot wait for her to return to full health" Geoffrey admitted, "No one makes a better cup of tea than mama." He never understood how she did it, but his mother was able to make a cup of tea cure whatever ails you. She swore that it was a special ingredient, and in vain Geoffrey wished he had some to cure his own mother.

She was a wonderful woman when she wasn't struck with melancholy. She could make anyone laugh at any expense of her own. And she had the most artful talent for embroidery. Her delicate fingers could create worlds within a thin piece of fabric. Geoffrey almost wished it wasn't a feminine pursuit, because it had looked so interesting.

"You two are running late," their father said, looking at his pocket watch. The Wyatt household held punctuality in the highest regard. Being on time was as bad as being an hour late. Geoffrey hated his family's punctuality crisis. It always made uncomfortable situations where he would sit relatively alone until other guests had arrived. He remembered one time specifically when he was forced to play tea party with the Bassett girls when he was thirteen years old. They made him wear one of their hats, which was already too small for him.

Looking back on it now, it was funny, but in that moment, Geoffrey wished he was anywhere else.

"Father I still don't understand why I must go" William said, " I'm much too young to marry."

"One is never too young to fall in love" their father answered, "besides there will be plenty of food, which almost everyone in the ton knows is your primary motivation."

"I suppose you are correct" William kept his head down, "But I won't promise I'll dance with anyone. I absolutely loathe dancing"

"You just hate it because you do not dance well at all." Geoffrey teased. Personally, Geoffrey enjoyed dancing. Each synchronized movement felt like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle being put together. And dancing with an adequate partner made the routine even better. He hoped he would at least dance with one person with some sort of skill tonight. It wouldn't help him figure out who to marry, but it still would be nice.

"While you have protested," their father began, "you've wasted another five minutes of your time. Hurry along" he waved his boys away.

"I hate that we must leave early" Geoffrey whispered

"Well if you get married you'll get to make your own rules" William replied wisely.