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Master Gellin, your uncle George made me swear an oath to not reveal what I am about to tell you, unless the heir appeared. Lady Gill--and she is a lady, beneath the armor and muck--is George's rightful heir and daughter, and she is your cousin, Lord Gellin. Lord Gellander--George Gellander, I mean, begging your pardon--had a relationship with the daughter of one of the magistrates of Wetham. When the magistrates daughter was found to be with child, the magistrate threatened to expose your uncle and have him thrown out of the church unless he never saw the daughter again.

For several years, your uncle kept his promise, but the girl had no explanation for the child, and was treated badly for it. One night, as I waited on my master, the girl came to the gate of the estate. She was carrying Gill with her--she was six at the time, I believe--and she said that her father had found a husband for her. The problem was, the husband didn't want the daughter around, as it could cloud his bloodline, or some such thing. George gladly took in Gill, and George loved her. Unfortunately, the magistrate caused many problems for George, accusing him of various crimes until George hardly dared leave his estate. Gill hated the confinement of the estate, and took to wandering the city. George's business partners deserted him, and the estate soon fell on hard times. The staff was let go, one by one. George gave her his ring when she turned 12, and not long after George died. I was with him until the end, and he made me promise to find employ with you, Master Gellin, as he thought that Gill would announce herself one day, and that you were owed an explanation.