You're My Best Friend

Chapter 7

Savant, Savant, Savant. The name danced in her dreams poorly. He had made a wonderful first impression on her that did not hold up the next day. To put it honestly, she thought to herself, he was boring. During their day together, he had hardly spoken, and for the ever quiet Caroline she felt as if she had to take up the slack.

When he did respond, his answers were brief, and almost disinterested. She would understand if he felt that they weren't a good match, but instead he made her feel like some kind of outsider. In regards to the whole situation, she mostly felt guilt. Geoffrey would be disappointed, she was sure, because he had spoken of Savant so highly. She hoped things had gone well with him and Suzannah so that he wouldn't confront her at the musicale on Thursday.

But today was Tuesday which meant it was time for all the women in her family to meet for tea at number 5, her grandmother's residence. Before Amelia married, Caroline had found the tea time to be extremely boring. She would always excuse herself to hang out with her younger cousins. But ever since Amelia had moved out, Caroline craved her presence more. Maybe that was why they held the tea services every Tuesday, it was an opportunity to see those closest to you. Belinda seemed to feel the same way.

"I think I will watch the cousins today instead of joining the ladies for tea," Belinda said as she and Caroline made their way to the front door.

Caroline stopped in her tracks. For years they had been practically twins, but in the past week or so she was turning out to be such a different person. Selfishly, it scared Caroline as she began to wonder if she did something wrong to lose her sister's relationship.

"What has happened to you?" Caroline asked, grabbing her sister's arm, "In the past week you've turned into a person that I hardly know at all!" She couldn't hide her frustration.

"Maybe I have outgrown you," Belinda said detached.

Caroline scoffed, "What?'"

"Everyone grows up differently, Caroline, you'll have to get used to it"

"Well I do not want to." Caroline stomped her foot, "If anything it feels like you are trying to avoid me at all costs. I am starting to understand that you do not wish to marry, but that does not make me a villain" Caroline felt her cheeks flush.

"I do not want to talk about this" Belinda replied

"Well that's unfortunate because we are. What have I possibly done to make you hate me?"

"I'm simply..." Belinda looked downward, "I'm simply getting ready for the fact that I will inevitably be without you soon" Caroline soon realized her sister was crying.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Caroline said, her tone melting to comfort.

"You said it yourself, we are so close that we are practically twins. But soon you will marry and I will be all alone. It was hard enough losing Amelia, but without you, I am losing part of myself."
Caroline hugged her sister tightly, "I would never want to lose you" She quickly realized she was crying now too.

"I know it's selfish of me to feel this way" Belinda started, "but I mean it, Part of me, my being, is you"

"Oh Belinda I feel the same way about myself. That's why I would never want to get rid of you. If I have it my way," she pulled back from her sister and pointed her finger, "We'll be buried together"

Belinda attempted to crack a joke, "So you'll commit yourself to spinsterhood?"

Through her tears, Caroline quipped back, "only if you'll commit to marrying someone"

Belinda rubbed her eyes and tried to compose herself. "I've changed my mind, I think I will join the ladies for tea today"

"You don't know how happy that makes me," Caroline said, smiling.

"Girls!" Their mother came hustling down the hallways, "What has taken you two so long? Don't you... Oh my have you two been crying? What on earth is the matter?"

Belinda spoke up, "Caroline just pledged her life to spinsterhood"

Caroline added on, "And Belinda has promised to marry some time soon"

The duchess shook her head, "So we've changed our minds now? Please let your father and me know when you have made a more formal decision so that we can plan financially."

The girls giggled in unison,

"Your sister is on her way here. She sent over word this morning that she would be meeting us here instead of number five. She and Robert had a squabble."

Belinda sighed, "Again?' What was it this time? They seem to spend most of their lives squabbling"

"I wouldn't say that" Caroline said, remembering a time in the winter where she stayed with her sister and brother in law to help with the new baby, "They're not bitter squabbles, they're intellectual ones. They both are so stubborn. Amelia told me fighting has become their love language."

"I think you may be right" her mother said, "some couples seem to enjoy testing each other"

"Like you and father?" Belinda asked, the duchess' face turning red.

"I wouldn't say that we test each other, especially not as much as your sister does with Robert."

"Maybe she learned from you." Belinda replied

Caroline felt embarrassed by her sister's remark. Belinda always knew how to take things too far. It was a wicked thought, but Caroline started to think maybe it was a good thing that her sister never intended t o marry. Any man who chose her would likely live on edge.

"Young lady that is enough of this conversation," her mother said sternly. Before she could finish, a servant hurried his way to the hallway where the women were gathered.

"Your grace" the servant stopped to catch his breath, "The viscountess Joliffe and her son are here."

Caroline beamed with excitement, and the duchess clasped her hands, verbalizing Caroline's feeling, "Oh how splendid! We'll be right there."