<div style="text-align: justify;">Catherine hated herself for hurting Thad the way she was doing. She knew it wasn't her fault. She knew she didn't have a choice. If offered a choice, Cat would choose Thad. It didn't matter that he had nothing to offer. If being with him meant that she would have to be a servant, that felt fair for her. Catherine was still young, after all. With the impulsiveness of young people, she wanted the impossible and the unachievable.<br/><br/>But her rational part told her that being with Thad was exactly that - impossible, unachievable. There was no choice. Catherine knew she couldn't even be crazy enough to run away with Thad. If she did, they would be found. She would probably be sent away, Lord knew where. As for Thad... Catherine's body shuddered as she thought about what her folly could cause him.<br/><br/>All of the bad thoughts flew away from her mind when Thad wrapped his arms around her. Closing her eyes, Catherine moved to get as close to Thad as she possibly could. Her head resting on his chest, Catherine felt safe. She knew she wasn't really safe. Not from the danger that threatened her. The danger of a marriage, of having a man touch her and have rights over her.<br/><br/>When Thad started speaking, Catherine opened her eyes and looked up at him. Hearing his voice, feeling the vibration on his chest as he spoke, and listening to his words, reassuring her, made the girl calm down a little. It wasn't what they wanted. No, she wanted to be his wife and be with him, and him only, forever. But it was better than being apart.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FFFF">"I will never, ever stop loving you"</span>, Catherine replied quietly. <span style="color: #00FFFF">"I will love you above this man I am supposed to marry, even above whatever children come from this union. I will love you with my last breath"</span>. Catherine's voice was very quiet, but she spoke firmly, with an absolute certainty about her words. <span style="color: #00FFFF">"I just want you to promise that you will always believe what I say in private, and not what I say or do when society is looking at us. Promise?"</span>.</div>