<div style="text-align: justify;">Catherine smiled, relieved, when Thad lit up at the mention that her parents were out. Blushing a little when she heard the young man's compliment, Catherine squeezed his hands back. A merry laughter broke from her lips when Thad said she would look prim and proper.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FFFF">"I would have to be born again, and much different, to be as prim and proper as mother"</span>, she replied, shaking her head. <br/><br/>Falling silent as Thad spoke, Catherine sighed when he talked about the rules. She did know the rules. And there were way too many rules to be followed. For her, as well as for him. Of course, both had different set of rules and expectations.<br/><br/>For him, the rules were simply to do as he was told and keep out of everyone's way. For her - well, there was a huge set of rules. She needed to behave properly, to know how to speak, how to move, when to speak and when to be quiet.<br/><br/>And she knew there was one very important part of her life she would never be allowed to choose. Marriage. She wouldn't be forced into marriage, but steered towards it. Which, in the end, amounted to the same, as she wouldn't be allowed the one man she wanted.<br/><br/>Looking around to make sure they weren't being watched, Catherine came closer to Thad and gave him, not a word, but a quick kiss. Quick enough to be just a touch, but long enough to make her cheeks burn. <span style="color: #00FFFF">"I wish you would live for me, not give you life for any reason"</span>, she murmured equally softly.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FFFF">"But I asked you to come here because... I need to talk to you about... something unpleasant, for both of us"</span>.</div>