I'm just borrowing these characters, I will return them relatively unharmed.

Chapter 24

"You can't be serious." Bella could not fathom what he was thinking. Offering marriage, to her, now. The idea was preposterous.

"Well, it simply makes sense. You saved my life, you care for my daughters, my parents and friends sing your praises. Why not marry me?" Edward was confused. Didn't all young women long to get married? He knew he was a handsome man and would make a good husband for her. He had property, money and a good career. In his mind a marriage to him would be advantageous for her.

"What of affection, passion or love?" She felt brazen for asking but the reasons he gave spoke nothing of these things.

"I'm sure they would come in time." He hadn't given that part of marriage much thought, only of making sure she would be there for him when he needed.

"Have you taken leave of your sense, Sir? I can't marry you." Bella was saddened and, frankly, a little angry.

'Well, why not?" Edward was starting to get angry himself.

"There are so many reasons. You don't know me, Sir, and I certainly don't know you. I think you are confusing obligation and guilt for other emotions. It may seem a solution to you but it seems a prison to me."

Edward was taken aback, a prison, what did that mean. He wasn't going to limit her freedom or punish her.

"Marriage should not be a reward for good behaviour. I didn't save your life, I merely found what was ruining it. I care for your daughters, yes, but I was brought here from an orphanage to be their nanny. I love them for who they are and for who they will become." Bella sighed, she didn't know if she was getting her point across.

"I have spent a great deal of time with your parents and Em, they may sing my praises but only because they have seen the changes their care has brought to me. Please, Sir, do not confuse gratitude for something more romantic.

You have lived through a terrible time, you had years and all your choices taken from you. You almost lost your daughters and family, but survived. I know it pains you to leave but getting married won't solve that." Bella hoped that he would understand, that he could comprehend the error he almost made.

Edward thought on Bella's words for a while. He didn't think he was confused before he proposed but he certainly was now.

"Why do you think marriage to me would be a prison? I am not the same man I was before. I would never do anything to harm you."

"I know you wouldn't harm me physically but in the end the harm would be emotional. How would one live knowing their spouse is only there for them because of a debt that wanted repayment? Could you live with the uncertainty?"

"But, but, you will marry at some point. Leave me and the girls to live your own life, to make your own family." Edward was grasping at straws, trying anyway he could to get her to stay.

"No, Sir, I will not marry. I am not the marrying kind. I am an orphan with a shadowed past and not suitable for marriage. My place is in the service of others. I will care for your children and by extension you until I am no longer needed, then I'll find another position."

Edward was thoroughly perplexed. His aim for this conversation was to come away with a wife. Instead he was left with too many questions and new emotions to count. Maybe he needed time to think. He wasn't sure what she meant when she said she was unsuitable for marriage. He could see nothing wrong with the girl. She was comely with a trim figure. She knew how to take care of a home and raise children. She could sew and knit. What else was there when one was considering a wife?

"You need to take some time, Sir. It has only been a few months since your sobriety. You will find the right person eventually. A woman with whom you can not live without, a woman you will love with all your heart. That pleasure was taken from you before, but that does not mean it is unattainable. I am not that woman for you. Good night, Sir."

Bella stood from her chair, bobbed a curtsey and left the room. As she shut the door behind her, she slumped against it, silently. How had she found the fortitude to speak to him in that manner? She wondered if she was cutting off her nose to spite her face. Should she have accepted his proposal? It would likely be the only one she would ever receive. Could having a husband only because of duty really be a bad thing? No, she decided, she would not be a burden for him to bear. A constant reminder of the most horrible time of his life. She was right not to fetter him to her for eternity. She slowly made her way up to bed.

Edward felt the beginning of a headache start to plague him. He had no idea what happened this evening. He was embarrassed that she refused him. There were too many thoughts running through his head. He needed sleep. He needed to not see Miss Isabella again, for a while at least, to get over his mortification.

AN: Maybe she's saying not right now. If anyone could talk her into it, it would be Edward.

PS: I'm so glad you all love the suspense of the cliffhanger, I'll make sure I end each chapter that was from now on. Who ever told you all Canadian were nice was mistaken! Thank you for all the reviews, I spend so much time giggling at my tablet, my family thinks I'm up to something.

PPS: I recently bought 18 skeins of yarn, several metres of fabric and 4 sewing patterns: perhaps I could be a good wife. I just need a time machine and a good corset.