Read Online Brocade Series 02 - Giselle by Jackie Ivie - Free Book Online

breeches could’ve been gray, brown, or black. It was hard to tell the original color from the condition of them. He wore a shirt that was torn at one sleeve, and there were wine stains down it.
    Is he a drunkard ? Is that the disability no one speaks about?
    He settled back, turning his face toward her and she approached the bed slowly. She had to see how he compared to his brother, Navarre. Etienne may be taller, but not by much. The legs that stretched to the floor were shapely, too, although his hose were streaked with stains.
    She stepped up onto the pedestal and held her breath. He was blond, too, but it was hard to tell if the lanky strands on the sheets were dark blonde, or as light as Esmee’s, due to the filth of him. He had a fine golden beard on both cheeks, which narrowed his face. It didn’t look groomed. It looked more like he’d neglected to shave.
    He was disgusting, and yet his nose was almost like Navarre’s, and the eyelashes were easily as long. It was hard to tell, because they were so blonde. Giselle caught her breath as he stirred, and then she noticed his mouth.
    He had the same full lips . That’s when she decided he was every bit as handsome as his brother. With a bath, shave and decent clothing, he’d be stunning. Still, she was only guessing. After all, she was a novice at male beauty.
    An eye opened, and she caught his glance . The eyes were vivid blue, not purple-blue as she’d expected. Giselle gasped and held her hands across her breast as he blinked, stared, and then blinked again.
    And then he sc owled, causing sharp lines to furrow down both cheeks. Giselle stepped back quickly, stumbling as she reached the floor. Oh dear. She shouldn’t have come in. She should’ve waited. And she definitely should have worn a robe!
    Giselle watched his g aze travel over her, revealed in the morning light through her transparent negligee. She covered her breasts with her hands, but that didn’t fix anything. And one side of his mouth lifted at her movement.
    “What…do you want?”
    His voice was rough, deep, and filled with malice. He lifted himself up onto his elbows. His filthy mass of hair was in bad need of care and hung limply to the covers. If it were washed, it would probably be as blonde as Esmee’s she decided, stupidly.
    She stumbled back another step.
    “Get out! Out! I won’t be looked at in such a fashion!”
    Giselle turned and ran, slamming the door and locking it the instant it shut. She didn’t care if the servants talked. Let them. She refused to ever open it again. Etienne was horrid.
    And h e frightened her.
    Giselle ran back to her bed and huddled beneath the covers. She was still there when Louisa came in to wake her for the day.
    “Such a to-do your arrival has caused, Giselle,” she said. “ I swear they talk of nothing but la petite duchesse this and la petite duchesse that! My, but this is a dreary room. I’ve never seen such a dungeon. Why would they decorate your chambers in such a heavy fashion?”
    Louisa walked to the window. With some effort, she pulled aside the drapes, letting sunshine flood the room. “Well? What do you think of this change in station, Giselle? Isn’t it lovely to be free to do what you wish?”
    “ I hate it,” she replied.
    Louisa stared at her .
    “Are you ill ? You’ve not taken a chill, have you? I was hoping we’d be finished with the doctors. There’s no need. You’re no invalid. You never were.”
    “ I want to go home.” Tears filled Giselle’s eyes again, and she couldn’t stop them. “Oh, Louisa, I wish I hadn’t come. I want to go back. Can you arrange it?”
    Louisa climbed onto the bed, sat beside Giselle , and took her hand.
    “ Giselle, my dearest. I’ve been with you for over fifteen years. You must never wish for that. Your father kept you imprisoned.”
    “It’s better than here.”
    “ But why? Was your handsome escort rude to you? Did he frighten you?”
    “No.”
    “Then, what?”
    “I…I