Page 12 of Gabriela and His Grace

“I’d like that,” Sebastian said. Oddly enough, he meant it.

The older couple said their goodbyes and moved off to continue their walk, leaving Sebastian alone. He wandered to the railing, his thoughts mulling over the conversation with the Conners. With a sudden jolt, Sebastian realized that he’d perhaps shared more about Gabriela than she may have wanted. He’d disclosed her familial connections merely to bolster her authority on such topics, but it was possible that she did not desire to make her ties to Mr. Valdés known. The majority of the ton were still unaware that the Luna sisters were the ambassador’s nieces, their relation not disclosed out of a desire to protect the young women. Sebastian had only learned the truth when Mrs. Fox was abducted by French sympathizers several years past. Gabriela may have made her home in England for the better part of four years, but most in the ton were ignorant of the political power her family wielded.

And Sebastian had just divulged it like he was passing along the race times at the Epsom Derby.

Glancing at Gabriela askance, Sebastian resolved to apologize and let her know of his misstep. Preferably before dinner. Not now, of course, as she appeared diverted by her present company. Soon, though, Sebastian would swallow his pride and confess what he’d shared. He certainly deserved whatever tongue-lashing she subjected him to.

A familiar figure on the main deck below him snagged his attention, and Sebastian squinted his eyes to make out what Brodie was about. The valet appeared to be taking part in a…dice game? Brodie crouched in a circle with a handful of sailors, some sort of activity happening in the center that Sebastian couldn’t quite make out. Whatever they were doing, the men were laughing loudly, calling insults to one another that Sebastian could just barely hear above the roar of the sea and the noise on the promenade deck.

Without another thought, Sebastian made his way to the servants’ stairs that connected the upper deck to the steerage deck below. Passengers were only permitted on the promenade deck with proof of a first-class ticket, and first-class passengers rarely traversed to where the steerage passengers and sailors mingled. Once he stepped onto the lower deck, Sebastian swiped his hands on his thighs and looked around. Several men glanced in his direction, but none spoke to him or asked why he was there. So Sebastian did what he always did: prowled forward like he knew what he was about.

As he approached the group of men, Sebastian was able to make out that they were indeed playing a game of dice. But instead of playing for money, they appeared to be wagering with a clutch of small pins worth an amount known only to the men playing. Whatever the case, the sailors appeared to be having a riotous time, the cacophony both grating and tempting.

Sebastian wanted in on the fun.

Nudging Brodie with his shoe, he waited for the older man to look back at him, stifling a chuckle when the valet’s eyes went wide. Brodie jumped up with a quickness that belied his age, rubbing his hands together. The group of men behind him fell silent and still, their gazes heavy on Sebastian.

“Your Grace, whatever are you doing here?” his valet asked, the normally jaunty tone to his voice missing.

“I’m here to play dice,” he said, tapping his cane on the ground.

“You are?” Brodie took a step back. “I didn’t know you played dice.”

Sebastian raised a shoulder. “There’s a first time for everything. And since you all seem to be enjoying the action, I thought it would be diverting to learn.”

He could practically see Brodie’s brain turning over his words, considering them from all sides. The older man seemed to come to a decision when his lips mashed together. “Play is quick, so it’s best to pay attention to learn the rules.”

Ah, so Sebastian wouldn’t be receiving a breakdown of the rules. All the better to swindle a new player. What was Brodie up to? Sebastian trusted him implicitly, but that certainly didn’t mean the valet wasn’t a troublemaker.

“Very well,” he said, nodding. “I’ll watch a few games until I grasp the rules and flow of play.”

Several of the men chattered to each other in Spanish, not bothering to hide that their words were about him as they stared at him openly. Sebastian didn’t think it was the appropriate time to reveal he understood them, having employed a Spanish tutor the same day he sent Dawson his first investment check.

Brodie knew of his Spanish lessons, but he smartly held his tongue.

Play resumed, and after a half hour of watching rounds of play, Sebastian felt he understood the rules of the game and he fancied he could hold his own for a few throws of the dice.

His first throw was four ones. The men erupted, and Sebastian laughed as hands clasped his shoulders in praise. Triumph filled his chest, and Sebastian outright grinned as his opponents slid their pins to him. Although he’d eventually learn what the pins were worth, victory was its own reward.

Play continued, with Sebastian winning more rolls than he lost. He learned the names of several of the sailors, and soon found himself taunting and teasing them in ways he was certain they had not expected from an English duke. So intent was he on the game, on the rowdy bubble that encompassed them, Sebastian didn’t notice how late it had become until he glanced up and spied the sun dipping low over the horizon.

Dusting his palms on his thighs, he offered the men a smile. “I must ready for dinner, but thank you for allowing me to join your fun.”

Sebastian exchanged friendly handshakes and goodbyes with the sailors, and then made his way toward the stairs, Brodie following close behind.

“I’m right surprised by how well you caught on to the game,” his valet commented as they stepped onto the promenade deck, and flashed a grin at the footman who stood nearby, before directing it at Sebastian.

“Why should you be surprised?” Sebastian scowled. “You know I enjoy games of chance.”

A feminine snort met his ears. “You enjoy games of chance but don’t believe in luck?”

Fighting back a jolt of surprise, Sebastian slowly pivoted until he met Gabriela’s cheerful expression. And why did her sparkling hazel eyes suddenly put him on edge, in more ways than one?

• • •

Gabby had watched Whitfield play dice with the sailors from the railing for the better part of an hour. It had taken that entire length of time for Lucia to convince Gabby not to march down there and ask to join the fun. But Gabby could not remember ever seeing the duke so carefree, and her gaze had been glued to him as he laughed and exchanged barbs with the sailors, an odd heat creeping along her skin.

Surely she’d been out in the sun too long.