Brows contracting together with indignation, Bianca drew back from Cassio, sorely tempted to slap the man as she gathered her skirts in one hand and stood tall, unbowed by submission and blazing with righteous fury.
"What!" she exclaimed, her attention focused solely on her lieutenant, paying no heed to either Roderigo's frightened, intimidated look or the sudden darkness casting a shadow upon Iago's visage. "Am I a dog, then, to be praised for eagerness and then sent off home without a care, obeying a master's will mindlessly?" If she did pursue him, with greater force of intent than she did even now, if she did seduce him to professing a love for her as deep as hers ran, would he treat her this way? Would he order her about, with that patronizing smile, as though she had no independent will of her own? In faith, the very thought made her sick!
"In point of fact, my dear Cassio, I would say that my presence with your company was indeed extremely necessary," she continued haughtily, tossing her thick mass of curls over one shoulder. "If this man's wife yet weeps, surely the rough condolences of men, even her husband's embrace, will not offer so much of comfort as would a woman's gentler touch. I do not expect you to understand," she added, determined to prick her beloved's pride a bit for slighting her so. "For you are ill-versed in the needs of ways of the fairer sex, charming though you are."
That, of course, was an understatement, for Cassio was perhaps the most suave, polished gentleman she knew, and could ply the hearts of women with practiced ease...though she was determined to channel his lusts and passions to yearn for her alone...but then, that was not precisely the matter at hand.
"I will accompany you all to the Citadel, and there will be no dissuading me from this purpose," she said, knowing she sounded stubborn and not caring in the slightest. "Besides the which, I should like to see this wife of yours, Iago, to decide whether you merit chastisement for worrying her to tears. In faith, such actions a loving husband should never undertake, no matter the circumstance." Raising one eyebrow at Cassio, she added, "Is that not so?"