To Seek A Love: Book 1

by Masked Man 2

"...Why, my dear husband...I am glad to think that in your eyes, I am a woman of more beauty than a goddess. But I pray tell, which goddess might you mean? Lovely Aphrodite?" Emilia flashed a coy smile into the looking glass and silently praised herself, in pleasurable guilt, for the alluring tones she had managed to achieve in her voice. "Ay, you flatter me much."

37. Begrimed Adulteress

Emilia stared, absentmindedly distraught, at her hands in Cassio's. There was nothing that could save her from it now-Cassio knew, and as he explained his reasons for knowing, the more foolish Emilia felt for attempting to make the lieutenant out to be unsubstantiated. She felt as though tears might spring to her eyes, but none came, as if perhaps she had used all of them up the night before.

Slowly, she brought herself to look Cassio in the face, that she might find the courage to confess what had happened and yet urge him not to think less of her husband for it. As she gazed she became aware of the gentle, concerned look in Cassio's eyes...a tenderness and disquietude that was, indeed, meant for her. Emilia felt her heart flutter curiously, and her eyes became a bit wider as she looked at him. The man was genuinely troubled for her well-being. She stared in wonder at it, marking the beauty of that care she witnessed in him. My, but he was gallant, and courtly...and, well, Emilia recognized that he was not an unattractive man, either. Emilia's lips parted but slightly. For a moment, she dared think upon it: what would life be if this man were Iago...?

Ashamed, Emilia tore herself away from the dangerous lieutenant's eyes and withdrew her hands from his, feeling as though her thoughts had already made her a begrimed adulteress. "I cannot relate it to you, gentle sir," she said weakly, tying up her hair in the handkerchief. "I hope you will forgive me."