You're My Best Friend

Chapter 23

"Lady Wyatt, if you could move your head a little more to the left for me please?" the painter's voice echoed in the nearly empty room. While they had only been married a few weeks at this point, the count and countess had insisted that the couple get their portrait painted right away.

"You never know what may happen" :Lady Victoria wrote grimly in her missive.

Caroline understood her mother in law's worry, but stayed optimistic in her response. "While I doubt anything bad will happen, it would be nice to be painted again, especially with the one I love so."

"Oh yes" Caroline shifted her head slightly.

"Perfect" the painter answered.

So far she had been enjoying married life. She and Geoffrey spent their days finding their roles in the life of adults. Caroline had taken the time to get to know each of the servants of the Surrey manor, only about eight, and had especially enjoyed having conversations with the cook, an older woman named Martha. Geoffrey attended mostly to manor upkeep and finances, something she didn't realize any man could do so excitedly

Sometimes she would watch him taking notes and checking ledgers in his study. He made little noises of excitement when things worked out perfectly for him. "You really do enjoy the small details of life, don't you?" she asked him.

"There's nothing more exciting than having things fit into place"

During the evenings the newlyweds took tea and Caroline had begun to teach Geoffrey how to embroider.

"You make it look so simple," Geoffrey said after stabbing his finger for the umpteenth time one evening.

"You forget I've been doing this since I was no more than six." Caroline tried to quell Geoffrey's obvious disappointment in his own work, "I surely made plenty of mistakes when I first started out"

Other nights Geoffrey would teach Caroline about astronomy. Caroline found him to be the most patient teacher,

"Tilt your head like this" he said one night, taking her chin in his hand, "Can you see it now?"

Caroline looked up at the stunning lights in the night sky and how they did resemble one of the Greek heroes she had read about not long ago, "Fantastic"

"Lord Wyatt, could you move closer to Lady Wyatt" the painter asked.

"It would be my honor to do so" Geoffrey took a step closer to his wife.

"Perfect. You two make a lovely couple" the painter answered.

There was a knock on the door which echoed more loudly than the painter's words. "A message for Lady Wyatt, sir. From her sister."

"Do come in, Anders," Caroline answered, "Could you read it to me? I'd hate to disrupt Sir. Jean's painting process."

"Miss Bassett thanks you for your invitation and explains she will be there within the week's end. She says that any opportunity to get out of social engagements is most welcome"

"I told you" Geoffrey said,

"I never doubted you," Belinda answered playfully.

Their wedding portrait was nearly done by the time Belinda had arrived that Friday. Even though it had only been about a month of their separation, seeing Belinda again filled Caroline's heart with glee. She kept glancing out the window that morning, hoping to catch the first glimpse of her sister arriving.

"Lady Wyatt, your head" the painter scolded, "you are shifting the shadows with your movement."

"Sorry" Caroline placed herself back in position. She hadn't stood for a portrait since her youngest brother had been born (as they had done every time the Duke and Duchess announced a new child), and she hoped to never sit for one again. When she and Geoffrey had children she would wait until they were finished having children for them to have their portraits painted, she didn't want to make them suffer the way she had.

It wasn't necessarily a painful struggle. She knew there were people who had it much worse off than she. So, she thought to herself, suffer wasn't the best word. Inconvenience. Yes. She would save her future children from the potential inconveniences.

A few moments later, Caroline heard footsteps coming up the hallway. She knew them instantly. They were a distinct pattern of heel led steps Her heart nearly skipped a beat. How had she missed the carriage arriving? Darn she must have been lost in thoughts too much.

The steps drew closer and Caroline couldn't hold her position for a moment more. Breaking away from her husband, she eagerly ran towards the door.

"Belinda!" She said, thrusting the door open.

Her elder sister ran excitedly over to her and gave her a large hug. "You don't know how much I've missed you!"

"And I, you sister." Caroline replied.
"I see our first house guest is here," Caroline felt Geoffrey place his hand on her shoulder as he made his way over, "Welcome to our home, Belinda, I know Caroline and I have been counting down the days until your arrival."

"Well as an older and more meddling sister it is my duty to come make sure my sister is being treated right by her husband." Belinda laughed, then gave Geoffrey a hug, "Nice to see you, big brother."

"How are mother and father?" Caroline asked

"Now that I've come to visit you? Probably at peace for the first time since before Amelia was born," Belinda answered, "They've sent Edward off to spend a few days with grandmother and have the entire house to themselves.

"They sound like newlyweds" Geoffrey, "I wouldn't be surprised if in a few months you find yourselves with a new little sibling. What letter are your parents on now, F?"

"Bite your tongue" Caroline answered, "I think my parents' would go to Bedlam if they are to have another child"

"Speaking of,'' Belinda asked, putting her hand on Caroline's stomach, "do I have a little niece or nephew in there?"

"Not currently" Caroline said, "but I'm sure you'll be the first to know"