Elijah frowned at her and shook his head. He put his hands on her shoulders to make sure she didn't try to turn away. "Rose, it isn't like that at all. I don't plan to ever marry. And it is no one's fault but my own. You deserve better than me, Rose. If I had married, I wouldn't think it settling to be with you. You don't meet enough men, so you shouldn't think that they are all like the sample you've had. You deserve so much better than some disfigured workaholic who would not be able to give you the love and attention you so deserve. I would think it a punishment to be with me."