Thad had closed his eyes feeling hot tears prickle behind his lashes. His heart beat fiercely in his chest and he wanted to scream. He wanted to rage at how unfair everything was, he manage to keep the pain and tears from his voice and face, only barely. He had to be strong for her. Silently he cursed at fate. Raged at the path they had to walk. The only reason Thad could stand to share Catherine was because it was required. A part of him wanted to go on a murder spree. He knew he couldn't. He knew he had to be strong for her. He had to stand by and support her. That was true love. To watch her form a life with another male while knowing he couldn't ever touch her.<br/><br/>That is what he was thinking before she spoke. He froze at a complete loss. HIs breath caught in his throat at the meaning of her words. If they were every caught. If anyone ever found out she would be dead the next day and so would he or worse. He couldn't bare it. He couldn't bear to loose her. Ever. His heart pounding he  wanted the courage to tell her that it couldn't be. That she had to be loyal to her husband. He couldn't do it. he couldn't tell her no. He wanted her to be his so badly it burned like fire inside his chest and made it hard to breath.<span style="color: #FFFF80">"I'd like that,"</span>he whispered softly as silent tears fell down his cheeks and he brushed them away angrily feeling stupid for the weakness. Hating himself for being weak in front of her.<br/><br/>He had just collected himself when her gaze met his and he let a teasing smile curve his lips and said with a wicked grin,<span style="color: #FFFF80">"Or you'll have me beaten?"</span>His words were just a tease. There was nothing serious in them. He was just trying to lighten the mood and have their hour be a pleasant one. He offered her his arm and in a softly serious voice said,<span style="color: #FFFF80">"would you give me the honour of a dance?"</span>His eyes twinkled with silent laughter as he held out his arm for her.