Free Shackles of Honor by Marcia Lynn McClure Page B

revolting display?” Cassidy’s mother inquired as she returned to the table. “That trollop fairly drooled over Mason just now! And whatever could she possibly be talking with you about, sweet?”
    Cassidy fought to keep her expression to that of indifference as she answered. Still, her blood was virtually boiling with anger and jealousy. “She asked if he were mine.” Cassidy knew at once that, though her expression was steadfast, her voice had betrayed her.
    “And you answered what?” Cylia’s tone was already reprimanding.
    “I told her I had no claim on him to speak of.”
    “Cassidy Shea! Did I raise you to be such an ignoramus as that?” Cylia sighed heavily and attempted to calm herself when several guests at a nearby table glanced at her curiously. “For pity’s sake, my girl! He is to be your husband!”
    “Yes! How well I know it! And again I say that I do not know why!” Cassidy struggled to keep the tears from freeing themselves of her eyes as she whispered angrily, “Yet I have no claim on him, Mother! No claim to his family, home, heart, desire…none whatsoever! How can everyone possibly expect me to act as if he is my property somehow? For he is most obviously not mine.”
    “In the very least you have claim over his name! Over his honor!” Cylia again calmed herself, straightened her posture , and smiled sweetly, nodding her head at the guests nearby that once again glanced her way. “I love you, Cassidy, more than my own life. And I know you as well as I know myself.” Her mother’s eyes captured Cassidy’s own with an intense understanding. “I’ve seen him piercing your heart already, darling. Already he’s there causing you discomfort and doubt as your growing attachment, your promise of love for him, increases.”
    Cassidy’s eyes widened with indignation. “What utter rot are you going on about, Mother? I despise the beast,” she claimed, though she knew that she had only just spoken the most enormous lie of her lifetime.
    “Do not make to deceive me, Cassidy, for you fail miserably at it. You always have.” Cylia reached for Cassidy’s hand that lay on the table and squeezed it reassuringly with her own.
    “What shall I do then, Mother?” Cassidy asked. “Do you desire that I go to him now, my skirts swaying this way and that? Shall I plant myself promptly in his lap? Perhaps I should offer myself to him just now. Perhaps I should ask him to share my room and — ”
    “That is quite enough, Cassidy,” Cylia interrupted firmly. “I did not mean that at all , and I’m sorry to reveal to you my understanding of your feelings toward him. But — ”
    “I have no feelings toward him. He is a dragon demanding sacrificial appeasement , and I’m the virgin being offered to him.”
    Cylia shook her head slightly. “There’s no reasoning with you when you’re in this present frame of mind. I will say this to you plainly then . I know you’re falling in love with him, Cass…if you’ve not fully fallen already. And you must champion yourself…for your own sake. Claim him as he has done you. You agreed to this arrangement , and I know with all my heart that never would you have done so had you not had your own motivations toward him. He is yours as fully as you are his, your very own dragon. But you’ll no doubt find…that he’s not a dragon but a knight. Honorable, worthy , and ever your protector from the true dragons of the world.” Cylia, being the grand lady that she was, regained her composure instantly. “Now…would you like to sit up by yourself awhile? I intend to retire immediately.”
    Cassidy glanced to the table where Mason sat with several other men. She was completely unnerved when she found that his attention was entirely upon her and not the conversation at hand. His eyes were narrowed with a taunting look of triumph somehow , and she looked away quickly and back to her mother. His manner was indeed changing as they neared his home. He had been