Katherine watched rather shocked as Eward explained away that he would be leaving. A part of her, one that she could not quite place, wanted him to stay, but she knew not for what reason. Katherine could, too, hear it in his voice that he did not want to leave. And yet he was doing so to spare her grief.
As Eward turned, Katherine, in the moment, reached out and grabbed his arm, holding it just more firmly than she had before, enough to convey her purpose. Closing the widened gap between them, she said softly, "You do not have to leave. I would feel awful if you left to try and spare me having the party ruined when you do not even know if your presence would indeed do just that." It was the boldest, most lengthy thing Katherine had yet said.