He grinned and refused to take the jacket from her. Oh, he would but they still had a few more blocks to go before he would remove the coat for her. Simply walking with his sister was wonderful and he enjoyed the short time he had with her. Father had obviously cowed her and she was afraid more than she had been two years ago to do anything to anger him. The problem was Goose knew that just being female was enough to enrage their father. He didn't have to talk to anyone to know what was going on in Anna's life. He knew how it had been two years ago and he doubted the situation had changed at all. In fact, from her reactions, it had gotten worse. He wondered if she was still a virgin or if that had been taken from her along with her dignity and self-respect.<br/><br/>"I want to get to know you, not the rumors those brainless automations spout," he told her as he kept walking down the street. "Why you don't see yourself as beautiful is something that boggles my mind. I had those hens pecking around me for several minutes yesterday before I saw you. They are just glitter compared to your diamond facets. At least let me walk with you for a few blocks each day. We can talk during your walk and get to know one another. Either way, we'll be seen together so might give some truth to the rumors that are sure to crop up. I was that age not too long ago and I know all about the importance of gossip."