You're My Best Friend

Chapter 16

Geoffrey found himself totally fascinated by each movement Caroline made. And that moment out in the garden had been one of the most sensual moments of his life.Her delicate hand resting on his felt like two puzzle pieces fitting together. If they had not been so quickly brought back into the real world by the arrival of her mother, he would have taken her away in that exact moment.

He hung on to each word she said as she showed him her needlepoint. It was lovely. Each stitch told a story of Caroline's overall dedication. Geoffrey made a promise that he would always be that dedicated to her.

"Would you teach me how to do that?" the words slipped from his mouth

"Needlepoint?" she questioned.

"Forget it," he held his hand up, "It's a very womanly hobby-" he felt embarrassed by his feminine request.

"Of course I'd teach you. It can be something we share together" Caroline replied sweetly.

Geoffrey couldn't help but pull himself inwards. Even though she had agreed, which should have made him very excited, he felt foolish. Was she being nice only out of pity? No. He had to remind himself. This was Caroline. She loved him, he knew that.

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to learn something new." Caroline seemed to answer his own silence. "You know I always hate being even the least bit rude, but you seem very hypocritical"

Geoffrey was pleasantly taken aback, "Explain?"

He watched her try to compose the words before she spoke them. The muscles in her face moved slightly as she debated each word choice. "You tell me that you will love me no matter what I do, but do not expect me to behave in the same way." she took a deep breath, "If we are to be married someday- let alone friends in the present, you need to trust me. Because by not trusting me, you aren't trusting yourself." She made direct eye contact, and he looked into her beautiful eyes-two pools of fresh honey- "I'm sorry"

He stared at her in wide eyed wonder. She was fierce when she needed to be, yet still felt the need to apologize when she was afraid that she had gone too far.

"You don't need to apologize for what is true." he finally answered. "Being in love means that you have to accept a whole person, and if I am unable to accept myself, I can only imagine that you feel that I am unaccepting of you,"

Having Caroline at his side during the next few social events made Geoffrey feel like a whole person. Along with the satisfaction it brought him to be with her, there was less of a pressure for him to be social with other women. They spent each ball dancing only with each other, and something sinful in him enjoyed seeing the jealousy of other women. Caroline was a hidden treasure, and she was his.

On the days that they were not attending social gatherings together, Geoffrey made a point to visit Caroline each day. They would sit and talk for hours, without the pressure of having to learn all of the smaller details of their early lives. Such was the benefit of being with a friend. He found that Caroline had remarkable patience and a love of all things. With the exception of that one day, she never spoke ill about anyone. Geoffrey figured she was the kind of young woman who could even find a redeeming quality of a murderer.

It was after three weeks of their being societally together that he was invited to join Caroline and her family for tea with the dowager Viscountess Bridgerton.

"You're practically part of the family now," one of Caroline's aunts-Sophie he believed whispered to him that afternoon. "Meeting Violet Bridgerton for tea is the telltale sign of family acceptance."

He had met Caroline's maternal grandmother only once before, when she and he were both children. She was a powerful woman, from what he could remember, who always seemed to be thinking eight steps ahead of her company. He figured having a household full of children as well as a title would do that to a person.

"My you have grown since I have last seen you, Lord Wyatt" the matriarch held out her hand for him to kiss.

"I suppose it has been nearly fifteen years since" he answered kissing her hand, "and you look the same, your grace."

"You haven't a need to lie," Violet answered, "I already can tell you are a great fit for my granddaughter."

"Thank you," he nodded, "I feel as if I am one of the luckiest men in the world."

"I know you are," she answered him.

The rest of the afternoon was a blur of handshakes and teacakes. There must have been twenty or so cousins as well as uncles, aunts and different unofficial family members. There were earls, dukes, viscounts and so many other titles that it led Geoffrey to wonder if the Bridgertons were more prevalent in English high society than the Queen's own family. It was a large contrast from his own family, which while it was of reasonable size, still felt small in comparison.

"You have a large family" Geoffrey whispered to Caroline on the carriage ride back to her house.

"It can be a blessing and a curse." Caroline admitted, "I feel as if I am always attending someone's birthday or Christening."

"I am honored that you have asked me to be a part of it," Geoffrey said, squeezing her hand.

Caroline squeezed his hand back, "Geoffrey, You're my best friend, of course I would want you to be part of it."

"And you, my dear Caroline Bassett," he kissed her on the cheek, "are my best friend as well"