Upon my word, this is getting sad and you shall see why...

Mr. Norrington greeted Elizabeth with excitement as she clutched onto his arm. James followed with a scowl on his face with Oliver right beside him. Elizabeth looked positively radiant in her golden dress and red sash. She bore a diamond necklace that Oliver had only just given her and she smiled with ease as she walked into the room behind a large procession. Oliver hopped in front of them as well as James due to protocol.

The entire ton stared down Elizabeth with mixed wonder and arrogance as she glided into the ballroom. All grew silent as the hostess greeted Elizabeth.

"Lord Norrington…it's been quite some time since I've had more than one Norrington in my home. Mr. Norrington, Mr. Jeremy, Mr. Henry. Ah, Baron Radcliff as well. What a pleasure having you grace our presence. And…who is this pretty little thing?"

"Countess Hendricks, this is Miss. Elizabeth Turner, the heiress to my fortune."

"Miss. Turner? I have heard that name somewhere…oh yes! Now I remember. You are engaged to lord Norrington!"

Kendal glanced down at her, but Elizabeth only smiled. "You are mistaken, Countess. I am not engaged to Lord Norrington."

"Oh…well…nice to meet you dear."

With that she left to greet her other guests with her presumable arrogance. News had spread quickly about a supposed engagement but as James didn't want her anymore, she was bound to pay respect to his wishes and deny an engagement. The rest of the evening she danced with eligible bachelors, but Kendal received most of her time and attention. She secretly watched for James but he was no where in site. Little did Elizabeth know that James was near the balcony, hidden in the shadows, observing her like a book of great interest. He found himself angered at his stupidity. He loved her but he had yet to act upon his actions. He would tell her when the time came that he loved her and wanted her as his wife, but not yet.

Elizabeth swung her derrière over the side of the railing and slid down, landing on her feet at the end of the railing. She bounced to the library, humming as she picked out a few books she wished to continue that day. On her way up to her room, a door burst open from the side revealing James and Oliver in a fret. They stared at her with annoyance she had never thought to receive.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"For the past two days since the gala at Countess Hendricks's," Oliver stomped over to her and appeared more tired than he had ever in his life, "we have been receiving suitor upon suitor asking for your hand in marriage. I have agreed to some of them, but James will agree to none of them! None of them suit her! Blast it all James, just pick one!"

"Name a few more men I should consider." James smirked as he leaned against the doorway.

"Mr. Jeffries…"

"Too short."

"Count Farlington…"

"Too confident."

"Mr. Garrings.

"Definitely not him."

"Why?"

"He will marry her and then break her heart by spending his time with other women…failing to produce an heir…"

Elizabeth grimaced at the word but spoke up before either one of them could continue. "Who is good enough? Mr. Norrington?"

Oliver shook his head in irritation and deep bewilderment. "Isn't it apparent? No one will suit you but James himself."

James and Elizabeth said nothing as Oliver left. James quickly took hold of Elizabeth's books and set them to the side. He took her hand and bent to one knee. "Lizzy, I have been in such a state of torment and I can no longer stand it. Marry me, Lizzy…"

Elizabeth's eyes began to water as she closed her eyes. She tried desperately to pull her hands away but James held fast to them. "Lizzy? I won't let you go until you say yes."

"I can't." She whispered in broken syllables.

"Why not? It's simple…just say it."

"No…"

"I love you." James sharply whispered into the icy silence. He stood and cupped her cheeks in his hands. "Does it help if I admit my stupidity? I have been a fool for not wanting you as my wife. Yet I find myself loving you more and more as each day passes. I love you with my heart and soul Lizzy…please. Marry me…"

"I can't."

"Why not? Do not you love me?"

"I…I am…I'm engaged."

James's hands fell from her like everything else around her. "You're what?" James bit out.

"Kendal proposed and I agreed. He's on his way right now to ask Oliver for my hand…"

"Are you mad?" James roared.

"I did what I had to!" She yelled back.

"You had to do this?"

"Yes!"

"Might I inquire as to why?"

"To keep myself from loving you! If only you had confessed…but it doesn't change anything now. I don't love you James…I don't love you…"

Elizabeth ran from him with her hands cupped to her eyes as rivers of salty tears trailed behind her. James crossed the room to the wall and placed his back to it where he gently slid down in a drowning sensation of defeat…

A/N: Would you rather see a marriage b/w Kendal and Lizzy or b/w James and Lizzy...tell me what you think in a review...