You're My Best Friend

Chapter 5

Holding herself up in the most respectful way, Caroline made her way over to Savant.

"Good evening sir" at that moment she wished that she had studied French growing up instead of Latin. Oh well, she thought to herself-she would learn when they were married. Married, what was she thinking she had spoken all of one sentence to him, hardly enough to start the foundations of marriage.

Savant turned around and kissed her hand, "I don't believe we've met, but I am already sure that it is a pleasure." he kissed her hand and she couldn't help but enjoy his accent.

"Bassett, Caroline Bassett it is a pleasure to meet you sir. I hope I do not seem forward, but a friend of mine, Lord Wyatt, told me you were quite an admirable man."

"Is that so?" he said, "Well I am honored that he thinks of me so highly. Though I do wonder why he would let a beautiful woman like yourself go, Miss Bassett"

Caroline could not help but blush at his compliment, "Oh we're too good of friends to go that far. But I do thank you for that comment." She smiled, dropping her eyes demurely

"Shall we dance?" he asked her.

Savant was hardly a good dancer, but Caroline did not seem to mind that much. He seemed to talk a lot, not that it bothered her, as it gave her the opportunity to learn more about him. By the end of the dance (and then the two dances after that), he had promised to visit her tomorrow at her parent's London home. After parting, Caroline tried her best to acquaint herself with the other gentlemen at the ball.

"How was your night of wallflowering?" she asked Belinda at the end of the night, as her family made the carriage ride home.

"Oh splendid. Genevieve and I spent the entire night fantasizing"

"About your future together as spinsters?" Caroline could not help but tease.

"Caroline!" her mother scolded

"Sorry Belinda" she apologized

"There's no need to apologize for what is true and correct," Belinda replied.

"I think we should end that conversation there" her father interjected, yawning.

"You seemed very busy tonight, Caroline," her mother said, "You and Lord Wyatt seemed to dance together for a while. And you seemed to win the affections of the young Frenchman, Savant was it?"

"Yes, he intends on visiting our home tomorrow" Caroline said confidently

"Which of them?" her mother asked, "or could you mean both?"

Caroline shook her head, "Just Savant. Lord Wyatt and I were just catching up as old friends do"

"Friends can turn into lovers sometimes," her mother said slyly.

'I do doubt that would be the case" Caroline replied, "I think for now I will focus on my time with Monsieur Savant."

"Gosh you sound like a love struck puppy" Belinda retched

'No I wouldn't say it's love, but I would be a liar if I did not say I was interested. You may not realize it because you have turned your nose up at the idea of marriage, but it is important to be fully connected with the one you love" Caroline said confidently.

"God, I'd rather be sick than in love" Belinda replied

'I thought I said we are not going to continue this conversation, ' her father said more loudly.

"Sorry father" the two sisters said in unison

That night, Caroline's dreams were filled with the prospects of marriage. She could see herself doing all the domestic and physical tasks a woman took on, but when it came to seeing her husband it still seemed fuzzy. He wasn't Savant, but he wasn't anyone else she recognized either. He seemed like a faceless man. Caroline hoped that as the season went on she would finally see his face.

The next morning, Caroline hurried to get dressed. She hoped she would have at least one suitor to visit her today, and secretly, she hoped one would come for Belinda too. Her mother had been blessed with plenty of suitors when she was of age, but like her elder sister chose the one man who didn't want much to do with her. Sure it had worked out, but Caroline still hoped she would be with someone who she knew was the right person from the start. Admittedly, she started to wonder if her mother and her sister knew they had chosen the right partner from the first interaction. Maybe it was love at first scowl.

Attending to her embroidery, a lovely array of vibrantly colored sheep, Caroline sat excitedly in the drawing room. The first knock on the door made her heart skip a beat, though it quickly started beating again when it turned out to be her brother Edward's nanny, bringing her fussy brother over to her mother to be fed.

The second knock was as equally boring, as it was a butler bringing out a tray of biscuits for the family. Caroline's hope was beginning to fade. Had she been too shy before? Surely one day of no suitors didn't mean she would become a spinster. She was only twenty anyway. There was no reason to worry. Right?

A third knock relieved all her fears, "A sir George De Savant here to see Miss Caroline your grace" Caroline neatly tucked away her embroidery and fixed her dress. Trying to not be too eager she greeted him with a simple, "A pleasure to see you again" when Savant came in holding a bouquet of roses.

"These are for you" he said, handing half of the bouquet, which Caroline quickly realized was actually two bouquets to her mother. "And this is for you," he said, handing the rest of the flowers to her.

"They're beautiful, thank you Mr. Savant" her mother took the words from her mouth.

Unsure of what to say, Caroline nodded, "yes thank you so much"

"May I sit down?" Savant asked motioning towards the vacant spot next to her,

Caroline nodded.