You're My Best Friend

Chapter 3

Caroline and her family arrived relatively early to Wellington Manor. She couldn't help but marvel at the beautiful decorations chosen to turn their relatively modest manor into a Grecian paradise. Lady Wellington must have had marble specifically carved to look like the curled columns of Athens that her uncle had shown her illustrations of in his travel journal. There seemed to be greenery spreading from wall to wall, and intricate pottery pieces on the center of each table.

The main hall was still relatively empty when Belinda whispered in her sister's ear, "I can't wait to hear what the ton has to say about Lord and Lady Wellington's first ball."

"You know it is wrong to gossip," Caroline adjusted her dress, "Besides, I think it looks lovely."

"New money lovely" Belinda replied snarkily.

She wanted to slap her sister for her indecent remark, but Caroline knew better, "You shouldn't say such things until you attempt to throw your own ball"

"That won't be an issue since I will never marry" Belinda shot back

"All the more reason to keep your mouth shut" Caroline said confidently.

"Ladies, how lovely to see you," said Lady Wellington, quickly approaching

Caroline and Belinda curtsied, "What beautiful decorations you have Lady Wellington" said Caroline, "Have you been to Greece before?"

"No I cannot say I have, but I wanted nothing but the best for the Lord and my first time hosting such wonderful company." Lady Wellington said honestly.

Caroline thought she was a lovely woman, no more than five years older than herself. Strangely, the Lord and Lady Wellington had no children, which had only led to more gossip which Caroline tried to avoid. Still, she could not help but wonder why not have children, since they seemed like such exciting people. But she knew it was none of her business to ask.

"I'm sorry I must be going, there are more guests to greet" Lady Wellington said, hurrying along.

"Such a peculiar woman," Belinda .said

"If you are going to continue to gossip," Caroline said, "I will convince every gentleman to dance with you at some point tonight."

"An idle threat" Belinda replied, Caroline knew it was true.

Lord Geoffrey Wyatt, a family friend, made his way towards the two sisters. "Belinda and Caroline, how lovely to see you both."

"Lord Wyatt, yes a pleasure" Caroline replied, "I see you have finally decided to attend a ball. Marriage on the mind?"

"Is that not why everyone else is here?'" he replied, joking

"Not me" Belinda answered

Caroline answered before Lord Wyatt could ask any questions, "She's convinced herself that she would like to be a spinster."

"I see" he replied, trying to hide his confusion, then his face lit up, "Belinda, would you then help me?"

"It depends on what you need help with" she replied

"I am looking for a wife..."

Belinda was about to cut him off when he continued, "Not you of course, but maybe you and I could take the time tonight to dance with me and perhaps guide me towards some eligible ladies."

"While I appreciate your offer, and I do love to gossip, I refuse to let anyone even consider my eligibility. I will be a wallflower tonight and for the rest of the time my parents force me to attend such frivolous things"

Caroline's face grew red with embarrassment. She was used to her sister being headstrong at home, but it seemed all the more unkind in a public situation.

He looked to Caroline, "Would you help me? It wouldn't be more than one dance."

Caroline thought about the proposition for a moment. It could work out well for both of them, "If..." she started, "you will do the same for me"

"That is understandable." he said, "I will wait until more people arrive of course." He took her dance card and marked off the second dance, and then walked away.

"Well I can't believe it," Belinda said, "dear saintly Caroline, are you meddling?" she raised an eyebrow.

"No, I wouldn't consider it meddling. More like exploring my options."

"Is that what you're calling it" Belinda noticed someone waving to her, "I must go. One of my fellow wallflowers is beckoning me"

It felt weird for Caroline to be alone. She had expected her sister to be by her side for at least the beginning of the season. But Belinda's admission earlier in the morning had set her off balance. Caroline realized this was one of the first moments she felt alone. Growing up there was always someone to be with, but now, it was just her. A single person in a sea of high society.

She decided to make the most of it, making her way over to a group of other young women, including her elder sister's best friend Suzannah.

"Caroline! I thought Amelia was joking when she said you were making your debut this year." The girls exchanged curtsies.

"Well I was supposed to be with Belinda" she glanced over to her sister, in conversation with someone she couldn't really recognize. She didn't want to mention her sister's acceptance of spinsterhood so on the spot she added, "but she seems to have gone into her own circle"

Suzannah put her hand on Caroline's shoulder, "Then you must join my circle. Amelia has left a vacant spot for you to fill"

"Thank you" Caroline was happy to accept the invitation, but she felt weird being the replacement Bassett. As the third daughter she knew that she would always be compared to her elder sisters and her younger brother who would inherit her father's title, but there still was a part of her that felt out of place.

Suzannah glanced downward at Caroline's dance card, "Oh I see you will be dancing with Lord Wyatt tonight! He seems to have claimed you so quickly"

Not wanting to reveal their bargain, she said, "Well he is a dear friend of the family. He's practically a brother to me" She reasoned to herself that she was not necessarily lying, which soothed her nervous heart.

"Then you must tell him to save a dance for me" a young woman within the group, who's name was Elizabeth said.

"I will," Caroline nodded.

Suddenly there was a tap on her shoulder. Lord Crosby, her sister's former fiance, though they had been engaged for less than a day, extended his hand to her. "May I have this dance?"

She nodded, and the two took off to the dance floor.