The single feasible alternative was to elope with someone - anyone- else. It was far too late now a proper courtship and wedding, anything rushed at this point would sully Penny's chances. Her father wouldn't risk another failure of a daughter. Far less feasibly, she could flee; run off to America or Australia and portray herself as a young widow. To do so required money, and a hefty amount at that. Most of her allowance was spent by her mother on new gowns and tickets to society events. She would be a pauper in America.

"I've thought it through repeatedly, Ben." He didn't want her to be miserable, but he didn't want to marry her. Even now, after kissing her and begging her not to leave him, he still wasn't offering. Again, the nagging thought to leave pulled at her. Something inside herself wanted to save her from the inevitable heartache. "The person I thought I was getting close to over the summer hasn't offered. And you - " she cut herself off, too afraid to say the thought she wished for most. Her hand dropped from his arm, though she made no move to step back. "I can flee. That's what's left for me. I can make a new life somewhere far from here. Perhaps I could even work my way up to be a professor."

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