You're My Best Friend

Chapter 17

Caroline had never been much on wearing jewelry. With the exception of the cross necklace her mother had purchased for her Christening, she always had a lasting fear that she would lose or break something. So when Geoffrey had given her the silver engagement ring she nearly felt crushed by the responsibility. Of course she would marry him. She was ready to say yes by the time Geoffrey had started to ask her.

The proposal came as a surprise for her. No wait, she knew she and he were to be married, but she didn't know when he would ask. Unbeknownst to her, Geoffrey had already chosen where he would propose the day he realized he was in love with her. He would propose to her in the place they first met, back when love was the furthest thing from either of their minds- his mother's drawing room.

It all made sense to Caroline once he had begun to explain it. She didn't remember the first day that they met, but hearing Geoffrey explain such a simple day to her made her heart swell. The past day had become a blur for her, a rather pleasant one if she did say so. And here she was, wearing a ring that had belonged to his own grandmother. It was a family heirloom, far too beautiful for her potential carelessness.

"It's beautiful," she said, admiring it on her slender finger, "But I don't think I am deserving of such a beautiful ring."

Her remark seemed to surprise Geoffrey, "You are deserving of all the world and more."

"I just fear I will damage it somehow." she attempted to illustrate her fears.

"Have you taken up boxing recently?" Geoffrey teased, "that's the only reason I could figure why someone would be worried about rings."

"No it isn't that." she glanced from the ring to his eyes, and noted the sparkling comparison between both of them, "This is a family heirloom for the Wyatts. God forbid something bad happen when it's in my own hands"

Geoffrey cut her off, "Caroline, you are to be a part of my family too. If it breaks or is tarnished, which I doubt it will be, it will be tarnished or broken by a family member, not some outsider"

"I guess you are right, so I will do my best job of keeping"it safe" Caroline had never made the full realization that she would soon be a member of the Wyatt family and their legacy. She worried that she would be betraying the Bassetts, a name she had held all of her life. Those thoughts were quickly quelled by her own family's truths. Her own mother had never stopped considering herself a Bridgerton at all. And in some regard, Caroline had also regarded herself as a Bridgerton, so she realized how unfounded her thoughts were.

"This is in no way to attack you," Caroline took a deep breath, "But I must say the idea of getting married is exhausting."

"Once we get this engagement period over with," Geoffrey replied confidently, "We will be able to have much more fun" he ran two of his fingers along her side. Caroline felt her whole body tingle in release.

"Lord Wyatt!" she hadn't called him that in a while, if not ever, "there are chaperones present, we must not move seductively!"

"Was that seductively?" Caroline noticed that he had taken on more of a playful tone now that they were together, and their official engagement seemed to make him more... excitable, "I simply thought I saw a bug on your dress"

Caroline couldn't deny she enjoyed this perky side to him, "You did not," she said sharply through a smile that she couldn't seem to break.

"And would you look at that" Geoffrey seemed to strategically lift up his hand, "It seems the bug has flown onto your breast Miss Bassett" Caroline stopped his hand,

"Lord Wyatt, as much as I appreciate your attempt to save me from said bug, you may save me again after we wed."

"And how many days will that be my dear?" Geoffrey said dreamily.

"A few months more likely," Caroline replied, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"That possibly cannot do." Geoffrey pulled himself back, "It took me too long to realize you were the right woman for me, I don't think I can wait anymore."

"You'll have to ask my father's permission, and then you will have to petition the church" Caroline started

"I'll see to it then"

That night, Caroline sat in her bedroom in utter silence. Her girlhood days would soon be ending, and she would be expected to be a woman, eventually a countess. She was sure she could handle it, but there was one person who was always with her when she faced new issues who soon wouldn't be there.

"Can I come in?" as if Caroline's mind had been read, Belinda appeared in her sister's doorway.

Caroline nodded.

"I hear you are officially engaged today" Belinda sat down across from her sister on the bed, "You'll officially be leaving me soon."

"I've been thinking about that." Caroline replied, "I'm sure Geoffrey would be alright with it, but perhaps you could move into our home."

"Only if we may share a bedroom again" Belinda joked.

"Absolutely not" Caroline laughed back,

"Then I must refuse your offer. But I will say that I expect a guest bedroom to be as good as mine." Belinda answered.

"Belinda, I'm scared to be without you." Caroline confessed.

"Caroline, I thought we established this already. You and I will never be apart. Goodness, I thought you were the more rational one." Belinda threw her hands up.

"I've never lived without you, and that frightens me." Caroline could feel tears well up in her eyes.

"Maybe it's for the best that we separate. It will prove how much we really do love each other." Belinda seemed to have an answer for everything,

"How did you grow so wise" Caroline asked

"I'm not. You can just be too emotional sometimes."