You're My Best Friend

Chapter 6

Geoffrey had planned to promenade with Suzannah Fields that next day. To say Miss Fields was pretty was an understatement, but to say she was a talker was one too. She had practically never shut up from the time he picked her up at her home.

"I do say the weather has been quite nice recently. Though that is a very basic statement to make. It seems like every woman remarks on the weather at some point in their lives. Wouldn't you agree?"

Geoffrey did not have time to answer. "It's a silly remark to make anyway. If both parties grew up in London they surely will be used to the weather by now. So basically, forget that I mentioned the weather. What else shall we talk about?" She continued to talk on and on. He hated believing the idea that all women talked too much, but more and more Suzannah was proving that theory true.

Suzannah giggled, "You don't seem to talk much Lord Wyatt."

Geoffrey wished he could say, "You haven't quite given me the opportunity to" but he knew such statements were impolite.

"I am not much of a talker, I guess." he lied, adjusting his cravat.

"You seem to be doing that a lot" Suzannah said, noting his hand on his neck

"Do what?" he asked

"The thing with your neck. If your cravat is bothering you that much, you might as well take it off."

"It's not that" Geoffrey said, "I just have always done it." his cheeks reddened with embarrassment.

"Oh I guess we all have our own bad habits." Suzannah said, "We just all need time to grow out of them"

That remark hurt his soul. He had never considered it a bad habit. Bad habits were compulsive, sinful behavior, As far as he could tell what he was doing wasn't sinful. His embarrassment quickly turned to anger. How could she judge him like that?

"I do believe there are worse habits than this," he said pridefully. Pride, that was a sin, he thought to himself. Not what I am doing

"I've upset you haven't I?" Suzannah realized her error.

"No, that isn't the word for it." he muttered

"Well whatever I've done, it is over now isn't it?" She went on rattling about some trivial manor. It had bothered him that she didn't apologize for her remark and in this moment he wondered if Caroline had lied about her being a nice person to get him to fulfil his end of the bargain. No, he reassured himself, it couldn't be that.Caroline was an honorable young woman. But she had admitted to not being willing to gossip. She simply had left out the more hurtful characteristics that made Suzannah Fields herself.

"You play harp, don't you" he asked when she finally took a long enough pause.

"I do hate to brag, but I am practically one of the best," she replied, "I've been playing since I was barely out of nappies" he had to admit he did like how confident she was.

"Do you have other pursuits?" he asked earnestly.

"I do needle work, though I'm not very good at it. It seems as if all my talents went towards playing the harp." she replied

"Needlework is most fascinating, with the time and effort it takes to complete such intricate details" he responded, "not that it is the only reason why one should marry" he added not trying to hurt her feelings.

"You are a strange man, aren't you?" she replied.

"Strange?" he repeated

"Yes, you don't seem to talk, you enjoy feminine pursuits and you have childish habits." she said glibly.

Geoffrey had heard enough, "Well maybe if you ever let me speak you would learn I am more than you think I am" he quickly covered his mouth with his hand. The only person he had ever been that sharp-tongued with was his brother. "I'm sorry."

Suzannah stood there in wide-eyed shock. "I think it is time to go now, don't you?" Her eyes looked as if they were filled with tears. He hadn't meant to upset her, or maybe he did. When one is insulted, he rationalized, they tend to act out. "Yes I suppose so." he responded, keeping his eyes downward.

"You have no need to walk me home," Suzannah said, 'Have a nice day Lord Wyatt." she picked up her skirt and walked away to her chaperone. He could hear her sniffling.

Going home that night, Geoffrey tried to remember the other names Caroline had given him. He tried his best but none of them could come to him. He'd have to solicit her help again. Though if things had gone well for her and de Savant, it would be improper for him to take her away from her partner.

Then again it would not be an issue since they were just friends. He could make that clear to De Savant, and he would surely understand if he made that clear. Though he could still be jumping to conclusions, but he couldn't help but hope for the best for Caroline. She was a good person with good intentions. He had to think of when he would see her next. He tried to keep track of the days, "Monday, Tuesday... Wednesday" he said loudly. There was a musicale taking place on Wednesday. It was a joint affair for some of the less rich members of the ton, and though as the first born it was something he should be aware of, the thought of marrying less meant nothing for him.

Pacing back and forth, Geoffrey made his plan. If she was with De Savant he would approach her at intermission, and ask causally, with Savant there, so that he in no way would ruin her reputation. If she was alone, he would sit close-but not too close to her- and ask her for more guidance throughout the night. For the next two days however, he had no idea of what to do.