You're My Best Friend

Chapter 14

"You feel the same way towards me?" Geoffrey could not believe he had heard her correctly.

"Yes. And I know that it sounds selfish, but I've been secretly hoping you would hate every woman I set you up with." Caroline confessed to him.

"Oh Caroline I did the same thing for you. I didn't realize it at first, but I didn't want to see you with anyone else." He wished at this moment he could kiss her.

"Are you two alright out there?" Geoffrey looked over her shoulder to see Amelia standing in the open doorway.

"I was just telling your sister that I love her." he shouted back

"Oh thank goodness." Amelia said, "She's been worrying sick that you didn't feel the same way"

"Oh Amelia?'" Geoffrey shouted outwards, "Would you volunteer to be your sister's chaperone for a few moments?"

"Why is that?' Caroline asked

"Sure" Amelia replied

With her verbal confirmation, Geoffrey pulled Caroline in and kissed her on the lips. He felt perfect, like a whole being. And he felt certain that she felt the same way. Her lips were soft and sweet, and as she kissed him back, he felt all of his prayers being answered.

"I think... I think" Caroline shivered, "I think we should go inside. I am a bit chilly"

"Yes of course" he said, taking her hand. "I can't have you catch your death out here."

The two made their way inside, and Geoffrey sat patiently with Robert in front of a fireplace as Caroling changed clothing.

"Her father will kill you when he finds out that you kissed her." Robert said too confidently.

Geoffrey shook his head, "I don't know about that. He knew I was coming out here. And your wife told me she would serve as a chaperone for the afternoon."

Robert seemed to laugh. "You are lucky, my dear friend."

Their conversation was interrupted by Amelia and Caroline's entrance to the room. My god, Geoffrey thought, Caroline looked so beautiful. He had never really noticed this much until now. But how had he been so blind to her beauty? He didn't have to worry about that anymore, he told himself. He would have the rest of his life to admire her beauty.

"You look beautiful," he said.

"And you look soaking wet" Caroline said, "Are you sure you do not want to change, I'm sure Robert has something he could lend you."

Geoffrey shook his head as she sat down next to him, "No, I chose this outfit specifically to wear so that I could profess my love to you."

"I guess I should say, SUIT yourself" Caroline could be very funny when she wanted to be, he must have overlooked that.

"Caroline" he took her hands into his, "I have known you all of my life, but I want to know you better. I can't see how I hadn't fallen in love with you sooner."

"I'm the third daughter of a duke, I tend to be overlooked" Caroline said, with a bit of sorrow in her voice.

"Anyone who overlooks you must be mistaken. You are one of the kindest people I have ever met. You see the good in everyone, and that is one of mankind's noblest gifts"

He saw Caroline blush, "Geoffrey, you seem to truly care for others. You didn't have to help me find someone, but you did."

"Not that I did that good of a job at it" he replied.

"I don't know, in the long run it seems to have worked in both of our favors." Caroline giggled.

"I just kept telling myself that we were too close of friends to ever be together," Geoffrey tried to avoid eye contact, "but you are the only girl, no woman, that I feel comfortable around." It was odd putting his heart out to her, but looking back into her eyes, he could see that she truly listened to him.

"Geoffrey, if you don't mind me saying, I find you to be one of the most delicate men I have met. But I do not mean that in an ill way." she stopped for a second to make sure he wasn't hurt. "You care about the little things, which in turn makes it feel like you are listening to me. Women's lives are usually summed up to be a collection of trivial matters, but they don't feel trivial when I am talking to you."

Geoffrey could not help but smile, it seemed that what other women had viewed as his flaws had been his greatest successes. There was nothing wrong with him, he reassured himself, he just hadn't met anyone who could understand him the way she did.

"I don't think I've ever seen a conversation like this. They're in love, but they also don't want to rip each other apart" Amelia laughed.

"Dear, not everyone has been blessed with either of our spitfire tongues." Robert replied

"I rather like it that way" Caroline said.

"I do too," Geoffrey agreed.

Caroline leaned in closely towards him, "Can I tell you something?"

Geoffrey nodded.

"If I had it my way," she whispered, "I would marry you right now."

This version of Caroline was bold, he thought to himself. It scared him pleasantly. "I don't think I have ever heard you say something so boldly before" he said in an equally hushed tone.

Caroline pulled herself inwards, "I guess you make me want to be bold." she said, kissing him on the cheek.