“So you aren’t rejecting me?” Elissa asked softly. “I’ve lived most of my life alone, I’m used to being alone. I’ll be fine when we part ways.” She looked over at him. “I want to be with you, because I like you. I just thought staying longer would help. I’m sorry if I said something wrong.” She placed her hand on his. “Joseph, no one wants to marry me. I’m too wild for them, even Blayne doesn’t want to marry me, he just wants the money. I’ll be out of his life quickly. I’ll be out of everyone’s life when I go back to bedlam. I won’t live long when I’m back there.” She seemed to know her fate with her life married to Blayne. “My only hope is running away once I’ve helped you. Life hasn’t exactly been kind after mother died and you left. I’ve tried my best but...well my life has always been ruled by others. Here on the ship I finally had some freedom I didn’t have at home. I do get freedom on my ship but it doesn’t feel the same as here.” She hoped he’d understood that she cared about him. She felt herself around him, she felt free. “I just want to be with you for the little time we have left. Please.”