Page 34 of Gabriela and His Grace

Sebastian knew it hadn’t been sporting of him to not disclose that he could speak her native language, but he’d found the forthrightness in which she wielded her bilingualism charming. And Sebastian knew that if Gabriela was aware he could understand the thoughts she shared so freely in Spanish, she would cease to give him that peek behind the lovely and unflappable mask she presented to the world.

He didn’t have a chance to respond, because Mr. Luna stepped forward then, extending his hand. “Es un placer conocerlo.”

Elías Luna was exactly the enigma Sebastian had been told to expect in that he wasn’t what Sebastian had expected at all. With the top of his head barely reaching Sebastian’s shoulder, Mr. Luna should have appeared small, and yet he carried himself with all the confidence of a man used to looking down on others. His skin was a warm brown, weathered by the years and the stresses of a career in politics, his hair a distinguished silver. And because of a life spent in the eye of political and cultural storms, there was a probing quality to Mr. Luna’s dark gaze, as if it could pierce right through to the heart of a person and unearth their carefully hidden desires.

Mr. Luna reminded Sebastian of his own father, although the men looked nothing alike. Yet Sebastian sensed the same appetite for power, the same selfish determination, the same coldness he’d always seen in the late duke. It made Sebastian take a small, unconscious step toward Gabriela, as if he could somehow shield her from her father’s ire. It was a very chivalrous urge that was completely foreign to him, and he was certain Gabriela would not be pleased by it.

“Es un placer, señor,” Sebastian murmured, gripping the older man’s hand in a firm shake.

Mr. Luna stepped back and turned to Sirius, who stood nearby with Isabel. “The duke is a friend of yours?”

“Yes. We’ve been friends since we were boys,” Sirius said, flashing an easy smile. “When I first learned of the Camino Rojo mine, and how the owners were seeking more investors, I immediately thought of Whitfield.”

Mr. Luna’s lip curled up ever so slightly. “It is too bad the owners made the opportunity available to outside investors, instead of seeking capital and keeping it inside Mexico’s own borders. Mexican silver should be controlled by Mexican hands.”

Aside from a small tic in Sirius’s jaw, he appeared completely unbothered by the older man’s words. Sebastian guessed this was not the first time Sirius had heard such a claim. His friend might well agree with Mr. Luna, for he certainly had a point. The French, and the Spanish before them, had stripped Mexico of its riches, so Sebastian could understand Mr. Luna’s desire to safeguard such valuable resources.

Which was all well and good, but Sebastian was willing to argue the point.

Sebastian tapped his cane on the ground, pleased to see the action drew Mr. Luna’s attention back to him. “While it’s true I’m just another privileged British man with a title, I do have a great respect and appreciation for the Mexican people. I’ve learned much from your daughters about the illegal occupation you and your countrymen have been fighting against. And seeing as how two of my close friends are now your sons by marriage, I feel a strong affinity for the people here. I’m quite pleased to have this chance to strengthen the diplomatic bonds between our two countries, because despite its might, Mexico cannot face the world alone.”

Sirius pressed his mouth together and looked away. Gabriela wrinkled her brow as she stared at him. He didn’t have time to consider whether her expression was one of frustration or approval, for Mr. Luna cleared his throat.

“I’m always interested in forging a mutually satisfying alliance.” The older man turned toward his wife, and pressed his hand to the small of her back, ushering her toward the towering double doors that stood behind them. “Let us eat so we may discuss further how England and Mexico can assist one another.”

“Well done,” Sirius whispered before he and Isabel followed the older couple.

Watching them walk into the villa for a moment, Sebastian eventually pivoted to Gabriela. She was worrying her bottom lip, but she stopped immediately when she sensed his regard. “Were you going to tell me? That you can speak Spanish?”

He couldn’t suppress his smirk. “Por supuesto. Eventualmente.”

Huffing a breath, Gabriela swung her gaze to the empty doorway. “So diplomatic bonds, is it?”

Sebastian shrugged. “Your father is a statesman. I figured such things would interest him.”

Her shoulders sank. “And deflect attention away from me.”

“Is that not what you wanted?” Sebastian moved toward her. “I apologize if I overstepped.”

Gabriela locked her hazel eyes with his. “Yet if my father’s not annoyed with me, will he be bothered to consider me?”

“Do you truly feel it’s one or the other?” Sebastian asked.

“You will have the extent of your trip to decide for yourself.” Her lips tipped up in a sad mimic of a smile.

Unsure of what to say, Sebastian offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

Her resigned sigh made an ache strum under his ribs. “I suppose we shall.”

10

“So Ana María married a member of Parliament and Isabel married an earl’s son.” Her father peered at Gabby over his tumbler. “And what of you, Gabriela? What have you done?”

What had she done? The strides she’d made with her friends to advance women’s voting rights and married women’s property reform, as well as the fundraising she’d done to aid women and children in need, didn’t seem nearly as grand as her sisters’ accomplishments, and she was offended on their behalf that their father had reduced their successes to their marriages. Both had aided Mexico in its fight against the French.

Yet before she could launch a defense of her sisters, the Duke of Whitfield cleared his throat.

“Miss Luna is a belle of the ton.”