Page 325 of Historical Hotties
Gannon took a good look at his baby sister, whom he had not seen in nearly two years. The last time he had seen her, she had been a little plump but very pretty, a girl growing into womanhood. Now, as he got a good look at her, he could hardly believe the vision before him. She had black hair and their father’s bright blue eyes, and skin of pale pink porcelain. She had also slimmed down, losing her baby fat, but she was still quite full in the bust line and buttocks with a very tiny waist in between. The long tunic and silken hose she was wearing as part of her costume did nothing to dampen that figure.
Feeling very odd with the realization that his fat little sister had grown into an utterly magnificent woman, Gannon eyed her suspiciously.
“Does Father know what you do here?” he fired back. “Hanging from the gallery, dressed inappropriately? It is shameful, Gigi.”
Gisella looked down at what she was wearing. “It is a costume,” she told him. “I am an angel.”
“An angel that can’t wear any more clothing than that?”
Gisella didn’t quite see his issue. “I am completely covered,” she said. “I would not go to a party in this garb, but for a performance, it is quite acceptable.”
Gannon scowled. “Then Father doesnotknow what you do here.”
It was a statement and, more importantly, an implied threat. Gisella was a rather stubborn and independent creature, but she was also very sharp and, at times, manipulative. She had learned how to make men do her bidding, subtle skills that the duchess had imparted to her. The Duchess of Gloucester had taught her a great deal since she had joined the woman’s retinue two years before. Since Gisella didn’t want her father to interfere with her life at court, a life she liked very much, she smiled sweetly at her brother and flashed her big dimples.
“I have not seen you in almost two years,” she said. “Is this truly how you wish for our reunion to be? I would much rather hug my brother than fight with him.”
Gannon was caught off-guard by the smile and soft words, which had the desired effect. He began to back down. “I do not wish to fight with you,” he said. “But… thatdress, Gigi. Truly, Father will have fits if he finds out.”
Gisella went over to her brother and wrapped her hands around his big, armored arm. “It is good to see you, too,” she said, hanging on his arm like she used to do when she was younger. “Lady Gloucester told me you were on your way home. I have missed you. Have you been well?”
Gannon knew she was trying to divert his attention and he let her. Truth be told, her state of dress and her actions in the court of Lady Gloucester weren’t particularly his concern. They were, however, Bastian’s concern now. Gannon almost grinned to think that his headstrong, lovely sister would now be his liege’s problem. Still, his earlier thought of introducing her to a loveless, apathetic husband was still heavy on his mind, ahusband who would not be very happy with Gisella’s state of dress. For that reason, Gannon eased up on her because he knew that Bastian would not.
“Well enough,” he finally said, leaning over to kiss her on the forehead. “I wanted to see you as soon as I returned. I am pleased to see that you are healthy and happy here, even if you are hanging half-dressed from the ceiling.”
Gisella giggled and patted his arm soothingly. “It is not as bad as all that,” she said. “Last night, I was Queen Boudica and I had layers of golden clothing. You should have seen it!”
She was speaking of it rather gloriously and Gannon fought off a grin at her enthusiasm. “Is that all you do around here?” he asked. “Pretend to be someone else?”
Gisella shook her head. “Of course not,” she said. “My mornings are full of lessons,” she said. “I have learned so very much from the duchess and her advisors.”
Gannon lifted his dark eyebrows. “Is that so?” he said, taking her hand and tucking it into the crook of his arm as he began to lead her towards the corridor outside the room. “Such as?”
Gisella followed along but didn’t ask where they were going. She was mostly focused on his question and the fact that she had successfully diverted him away from her state of dress.
“I have learned to speak Italian, Spanish, and my Latin has improved a great deal,” she told him eagerly. “Lady Gloucester brought in a man from Italy and he taught a few of us how to properly paint. I am becoming quite good at it.”
Gannon was interested. “I see,” he said. “Are you ready to sell your paintings and become rich?”
Gisella giggled. “I am notthatgood, at least not yet,” she told him. “I have, however, sent some paintings home to Papa and Mama. They have more than likely burned them in a great pyre because they were so awful, but Papa has told me that theyhang in the great hall. He probably only tells me that to make me happy. Gannon, where are you taking me?”
They were nearly to the door with the darkened corridor beyond and her question hung between them. Gannon paused and looked at her.
“Much as you were trying to distract me from how much our father actually knows of your activities here, I will admit that I was distracting you also with questions on your life at Bella Court,” he said, watching her grin when she realized he was on to her game. “I am here to see you, that is true, but I am also here for another purpose. I have come with your betrothed and I have been asked to make formal introductions.”
A ripple of fear and then rebellion drifted across Gisella’s features. Her dimpled smile quickly vanished. “Now the truth comes forth,” she said, clearly unhappy. “I suspected you came for this purpose, Gannon. It has been to deliver me to the Beast.”
Gannon’s warm expression faded. “I have served him for the past five years,” he said steadily, bracing himself for the turn in mood. “But you already knew that. Surely you are not surprised by my reasons for seeking you out?”
Gisella’s jaw set in that stubborn expression that their mother was known to have. Like mother, like daughter, only there was more behind Gisella’s expression than mere resistance. There was trepidation.
“Aye, I am surprised,” she said, lowering her voice to a hissing sound. “I am surprised that my own brother would deliver me to the man who… who… Good Heavens, Gannon, rumors are flying thick and fast all over London about the Beast and the Maid. How can you deliver me to such a man?”
Gannon visibly cooled. “What rumors?”
Gisella was torn between outrage and fear. “How can you ask me this question?” she demanded. “Everyone knows what he did!”
“Everyone but me. What rumors are you referring to?”
