Page 28 of Gabriela and His Grace

“Thank you for organizing a carriage to deliver her,” she whispered, unsure if Whitfield would hear her but suddenly needing to say the words. “That was a very generous thing for you to do, especially since you have no responsibility to Lucia.”

“Of course I have a responsibility to her.” Whitfield made a sharp noise in the back of his throat. “She is a young woman in need of help. What sort of gentleman would I be if I didn’t aid her to the best of my ability?”

What sort of gentleman would he be? Gabby looked up at him, taking in his handsome profile. The sharp set to his jaw. The long sweep of his lashes. She was slowly discovering that Whitfield was much more the gentleman than she had ever given him credit for. The realization made her stomach clench tight.

Stepping back, Gabby fanned her face as she scanned the crowd. In her last letter, Isabel had written that Sirius’s men would meet them on the docks, but she’d yet to see them. Gabby hoped nothing had happened in the last twelve days to change the plans—

The duke let out a bark of laughter as he strode forward through the crowd. Gabby frowned as she watched him, curious what he’d found so amusing when a familiar blond head appeared above the array of people. When Whitfield exchanged a hearty hug with the man, Gabby rushed toward them.

“Captain Dawson!” she cried, most inelegantly. But Gabby was so relieved to see the man she didn’t care. Dashing to him, she pressed two quick kisses to his cheeks in greeting.

“Miss Luna,” he said, whipping his hat from his head and flashing a friendly smile that brightened his angelic face. “Es lindo verte de nuevo.”

Gabby gasped. “Señor, hable español muy bueno.” She clapped her hands together. “Estoy impresionada.”

The captain laughed. “Gracias, hermana. I’ve worked hard to learn the language, seeing as how Mexico is my home now. I still struggle with the pronunciations at times, but I try.”

“And trying is what matters.” Gabby’s gaze wandered over his face before fixing on the gold band on his hand. Sirius seemed different somehow. While he’d always been charming and gregarious, something about him was now lighter. Happier. The knowledge that life in Mexico, a life with Isabel, made Captain Sirius Dawson happy filled Gabby’s chest with a warm glow. “I trust my sister is well?”

“She is. Isabel wanted to come with me to collect you both, but she was pulled away when a letter arrived from Señora Maza de Juárez.” Reaching into his coat pocket, Sirius withdrew a small wrapped package. “She insisted I give this to you immediately.”

Puckering her brow, Gabby ripped open the packaging and found a brown leather-bound book. With a flick of her thumb, she ruffled the pages and stopped when she spotted Isabel’s familiar script.

Querida,

You’re here! I’m positive I will know the moment you step foot on Mexican soil because my heart will sing. While I wish I was there to greet you myself, please know I will be thinking of you and praying your trip here is a speedy one.

Also, I imagine that you’re nervous about returning. About seeing Mother and Father again. If anyone understands the mixture of emotions you’re probably feeling, it’s me. So please allow me to remind you of a few things I know about Gabriela Elena Luna Valdés:

You are wickedly smart.

You are kind and empathetic.

You are more than your pretty face, and anyone who reduces you to the sum of your outer beauty without celebrating your stunning inner beauty is a fool, and you don’t suffer fools.

Father may never recognize these things about you, hermana, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t true. You are worthy and deserving of love and every wonderful thing…but you might have to reach out and grab those things for yourself. And if you need my help, I will be at your service in a heartbeat. Whatever happens when you arrive, you won’t be alone.

Use this book to record all your ideas, all your observations, and all the wild emotions society dictates we suppress. Fill these pages with every whisper, every outraged cry of your heart…and if you wish to share them with me, I will listen.

Always, Isa

Gabby stared down at the book for a long moment, rapidly blinking back the tears that clouded her vision. How very much like Isabel to send her such a message. To remind Gabby of her love, because Isabel, and Ana María, knew best how painful their father’s criticism—or worse, his indifference—could be. But Isabel’s words were a perfect reminder that the Gabriela Luna who fled Mexico ahead of the advancing French troops was not the Gabriela Luna who was now returning.

“Isabel has missed you very much,” Sirius said quietly.

“And I her,” Gabby managed around the tears in her throat. Which was why she was not upset that the work Isabel did for First Lady Maza de Juárez kept her away.

Pressing her lips together, Gabby looked up and wasn’t surprised to see Whitfield watching her, a soft look on his face. Her throat bobbed as her mind raced with what she should say, or if she should say anything at all.

Thankfully she was saved from her internal battle when a group of men appeared behind Sirius.

“These gentlemen will store your luggage in the wagon, and we’ll be on our way. Señora Medina, who will be traveling with us to visit her own sister, is already in the carriage.” Sirius stepped back as the men made quick work of storing their steamer trunks in one of the waiting wagons. “We should arrive home in five days, four if we’re lucky.”

“Are we heading west?” Gabby asked, dropping her voice.

Sirius scanned the docks before answering with a curt nod.

Whitfield moved closer, dropping his head. “Do you expect us to encounter any…difficulties on the road?”