She was struck by an overwhelming sense of deja-vu as she felt a cold shiver slither down her spine despite the warm autumn sun filtering in through the window. She steeled herself for what must follow.
"I am deeply sorry, Mr Graham. I cannot accept your proposal."
The young soldier stared up at her from where he knelt on her floor. His warm eyes had widened in shock and he looked dazed as though she had struck him. Catherine could no longer bear to look at him and turns her face toward the window, blindly staring at the world outside. "I… Understand. I apologize. I… I should go." She heard the rustle of fabric as he got up and hurried towards the door.
"Mr Graham." She saw him freeze at her call. She hesitated. He deserved an explanation, but she didn't know what she could say to make this better. "I didn't refuse you because of your position." She took a deep breath and tried to at least look at him. As soon as her gaze brushed his boots her courage failed her and she returned to the window, gripping her hands in front of her. "I feel the strongest possible friendship towards you, but I cannot love you the way you deserve."
There was more she wanted to say, but her usual eloquence failed her. He seemed to gather his breath for a reply but simply exhaled deeply and left. Her eyes began to sting with unshed tears. Closing her eyes now would undo her.
Soon after she heard her mother enter the room. "Oh, Catherine. What did you do?"
