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She worried for a second that he would get angry, but instead, he nodded. So she continued, "Why must we marry then, if not for love? I care for you as a friend, but I cannot delude myself into believing something that is not there."

Richard straightened up, slightly awkward. After all, she had just rejected his proposal.

"Is that you wish for?"

"I do," her voice was strained but she felt that a load had been lifted off her chest after finally admitting the truth.

"And it is something that you should wish for yourself, as well.

Lord Richard, I have known you to be a gentleman and I believe that you deserve love, too.

Not a marriage of convenience with me. I can promise to be your friend but.

.. I do not believe that a marriage between us would be fair. "

"I see," Richard cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Do you not agree?" she said, "You deserve love, as I do."

"Perhaps we differ in that manner," he offered her a little smile. "The idea of love... it is far too much pressure on me."

Daphne blinked. They saw the world differently. But unlike Ambrose, their difference did not complement each other. Rather, it was like they spoke different languages all together.

A match between them never had a chance.

"Well, I hope that you do find it," her voice softened. "I am sorry, Lord Richard. For.. for all of us."

He got up, "No need to apologize, Lady Daphne. It makes for an awkward conversation with my mother, of course. But I am glad that you told me now. It would have been quite the rude awakening to find out after years of marriage."

She shuddered at the thought. "Indeed, it would have."

Daphne stayed in the drawing, hearing Richard exchange polite goodbye with her sisters. She waited until he left through the front door to finally make an appearance in front of her sisters, who were waiting eagerly to deliver the news to her.

"Well, how did it go with Lord Richard?" Annie asked, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.

"He is such a polite gentleman," Felicity said, "I am sure that his proposal would have been noteworthy."

Joyce, however, did not say a word. She only observed her little sister carefully, a cautious expression on her face.

"Will you tell us what happened, then?" Annie asked, growing impatient.

Daphne's lip quivered, suddenly feeling an overwhelming need to cry. But this time it was not because of heartbreak or confusion—it was because she had made a decision, one that would change the course of her life.

"Oh, no," Felicity said, immediately alarmed, "What's happened? Why are you crying, dear?"

The three sisters crowded her into an embrace, sensing that this was an emotional moment for her sister.

"Are those happy tears?" Felicity asked, rubbing her back gently. "Or sad ones?"

"Neither," Daphne finally spoke. "They're tears of... relief, perhaps. Lord Richard proposed to me, and I said no."

Felicity and Annie gasped in shock, but Joyce did not seem surprised. "I knew that you were not in love with him," she finally spoke. "I sensed that during the house party."

"But I do not understand," Felicity said, "I thought the two of them were in a courtship, and that the house party had gone well. What is the reason for you to refuse a proposal from such a good family?"

Daphne understood her older sisters concerns. She had been the first to marry, and always emphasized the importance of choosing the right family to marry into, as it could make all the difference. It was no wonder she was stunned at Daphne's rejection.

"And what did Lord Richard have to say about all of this?" Annie asked.

Daphne sniffed, leaning into the warmth of her sisters. "He was kind. He understood. But... I made the decision. I've decided... I'm not going to marry unless I find the right man. Even if that means I never marry at all. If not marrying for love, then I would willingly choose spinsterhood."

All three of her sisters were silent for a moment, the weight of her statement hanging heavy amongst them. Spinsterhood was not a fate anyone wished upon someone they loved, and Daphne worried that out of their concern, they would try to persuade her otherwise.

But to her utter surprise, Felicity wrapped a comforting arm around her, "Is that what you have decided?"

Daphne nodded, blinking back more tears that threatened to fall. "Y...yes. A marriage without love is a life sentence. I do not wish that kind of fate upon myself."

"Then we will support you," Felicity said with determination. "Whatever you decide, we'll always stand by you."

"We will," the other two sisters chimed in unison.

Daphne nodded, feeling another wave of emotion wash over her. Many women would not have such a supportive family, and for that she was truly lucky.

"Thank you," she said, "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Joyce pulled back just enough to look at her younger sister. "Daphne, you've always been the bravest of us all. It takes great courage to do what you just did now."

"I agree," Annie nodded. "You've followed your heart even when it wasn't the easiest path to take. That's something to be proud of."

"I'm confident you'll find someone more suited to you," Felicity added, always the practical one.

Ambrose's face flashed in Daphne's head, and she bit down on her lip. If only.

"I have always wished to find my prince charming," Daphne said, her voice sounding hoarse, "But even if I do not, I am content being alone."

She wanted to say that she had found her prince charming, and it felt that she would never love again, but decided against it.

"You never know," Joyce said, voice filled with hope, "Sometimes love turns up in ways we least expect it."

Daphne smiled, albeit sadly. Despite the heartbreak, she really did feel lighter. The weight of her decision was not so heavy now that she knew her sisters were by her side.

"Thank you," she whispered again, squeezing their hands.

And in that moment, surrounded by her sisters, Daphne let herself take a deep breath. She had her family, her strength, and her resolve. She had made her choice, and for the first time in a long while, she felt at peace with it.