Chapter 35: Accepting an offer (4)

"Thank you for wanting to share a dance with me, but I must decline. I have not long ago arrived and I am not well acquainted with you," Penelope said, rejecting Cassius's hand.

Penelope didn't know Cassius well, but she got the feeling that he was going to be trouble. She needed a little more time before she ever accepted a dance with him.

Cassius placed his hand back at his side. "How rude of me to ask when you have not long arrived. I will return later to ask for your hand again. Forgive me for being so pushy, but I cannot tear my eyes away from you."

"It cannot be so hard," Tyrion said, stepping before Penelope to block her from the stranger's gaze. "She doesn't want to dance, and we do not want to speak. Your time standing here is done."

Cassius quickly picked up on Tyrion potentially being a man to get in the way of his time with Penelope. He did not mind the challenge.