Page 4 of Gabriela and His Grace

“I don’t understand—”

“All aboard!”

Sebastian took a step back, unease curdling in his stomach. In a daze he watched as Miss Luna turned from him in a huff, before she launched herself into her sister’s arms.

The gravity of their situation crashed onto his shoulders like an anvil. Not only would he be sequestered on a ship with Miss Luna for weeks on end, but they would also be guests in the same house. Christ almighty, what had he agreed to?

“It won’t be so bad, Whitfield.” Fox clapped him on the back, while the infant Miss Fox reached her plump arms to him. Without hesitation, Sebastian brought her into his embrace. “Despite how your interactions have gone to this point, Gabby is a clever and kindhearted young woman. I’m certain the two of you could be friendly…if you tried.”

“I believe you mean that Miss Luna is wickedly clever and selectively kind.” Sebastian arched a brow. “I have no qualms being friendly to her, but I rather doubt she’ll reciprocate.”

Fox met his gaze directly. “Then don’t antagonize her.”

Scoffing, Sebastian rubbed the backs of his knuckles along the baby’s downy cheek. “Miss Fox, I implore you to remind your dear father that your great friend the Duke of Whitfield would not know the first thing about antagonizing others. He is a virtuous saint of a man.”

Little Miss Fox gurgled what was surely her agreement, and Fox chuckled. Since his marriage to Ana María, Gideon smiled and laughed more often, a feat that no longer shocked Sebastian. Perhaps one day he would be lucky enough to find such happiness—

“Write when you can. I’ll be very interested in all your observations about Mexico, the workings of the mine, and how Dawson and Isabel get on.” Fox hesitated, plucking his daughter from Sebastian’s hands and propping her on his hip. His expression returned to the serious facade he was known for. “Please keep an eye on Gabby. She is brimful of self-assurance, but from what Ana has said, there are those in Mexico who will delight in stripping her confidence away. She’ll need an ally, whether she knows it or not.”

An uncharacteristic ache thrummed in Sebastian’s chest, and he slid his gaze to where Miss Luna shared tearful goodbyes with her family. She had gone out of her way to avoid him over the last few years, and he’d done much the same. Heaven knew Sebastian didn’t need to subject himself to her cutting remarks. But the idea of someone trying to humble the indomitable Gabriela Luna seemed unforgivable.

Clearing his throat, Sebastian finally said, “And you trust me to be her ally?”

Fox shook his head. “I trust you with her life.”

2

Gabby stood on the deck of the ship, her gaze fixed on the rapidly disappearing shoreline. If she squinted her eyes, she could just barely make out Ana María holding Estella, her arm raised in farewell. Gabby’s eyes burned with unshed tears, and she curled her hands into fists to keep them at bay. She’d cried enough for one day.

So much about life felt like a long series of goodbyes. First she’d said goodbye to her mother when they fled Mexico, then when Isabel returned home without her. Now to Ana María. Whether Gabby returned to London or stayed in Mexico, she was destined to say goodbye to someone, and that harsh truth was a sharp knot in her throat.

Which made her angry. Gabby despised being vulnerable. Hated crying, for she’d long ago learned that her tears were useless. But she especially hated crying now that she knew the Duke of Whitfield would witness her pain. Oh, he had quietly boarded the ship after exchanging goodbyes with her family, and had not lingered on the deck to observe her as she clung to her niece and plied Estella with kisses and whispered words of love. The duke had not seen how Gabby held tightly to Ana María as her sister said a prayer for her safety and happiness. Had not heard Lady Yardley confess, in a broken voice, that she would miss her.

No, the Duke of Whitfield had given Gabby her space to mourn this parting, but just knowing he was close unnerved her. He had unnerved her from the moment she’d met him…which had always confused her, because the duke had never frightened her. Yet being in his presence had always left Gabby feeling decidedly on guard. And with so much about her reception in Mexico unknown, Gabby already had more than enough to worry about.

“The water is so much bluer than I was expecting.”

Gabby swiveled her head, the tension dissipating when her gaze met Miss Moreno’s. The young woman’s cheeks were flushed from the wind, but there was a sparkle in her amber eyes. While Gabby’s emotions were in tumult, Miss Moreno—Lucia—appeared happy. Excited, even.

Forcing her thoughts back to the other woman’s remark, Gabby finally said, “London has so grievously polluted its waters, it’s easy to believe the ocean is supposed to be a dank grayish brown. But I assure you that the sea is composed of the loveliest blues and greens in the world. You’ll see the variations best when we reach the Caribbean.”

“I look forward to it.” A smile stretched across Lucia’s lips. “I confess, this is my first time traveling outside of England, and I am both elated and scared to see more of the world.”

“Such a conflicting mixture of emotions I can understand.” Gabby quirked her head. “Your parents emigrated to London from Mexico some years back?”

The other woman nodded. “Almost thirty years ago. I was born in London, although my parents spoke of Guanajuato so much, I feel as if I know it, too.”

“Is that where you will be traveling to when we land?”

“Sí. Mi abuela todavia vive en la Guanajuato.” Lucia looked out on the choppy waters of the bay. “We’ve never met in person, so I hope she is as agreeable as she comes across in her letters.”

“For your sake, I hope so, too.” When Lucia laughed, Gabby smiled. “What made you decide to visit now?”

“My father remarried.” Lucia’s pleasant expression faltered. “My mother died five years ago, and it had been just the two of us ever since. Until three months ago, that is. When he met Mrs. Grayson.”

Although Lucia’s tone was guarded, Gabby could detect a whole cache of hurt in her words. She could only imagine what sort of circumstances had forced Lucia to flee the only home she’d ever known for a land she’d never visited.

“I’m certain welcoming a new person into your home after so long had been very difficult.”