Page 61 of Gabriela and His Grace

Gabriela jerked her head up. “What is it?”

Widening his stance, Sebastian stomped his cane for a moment and then blurted out, “You can stay in my rooms.”

Her response was not what he expected. Sebastian was certain Gabby would issue an immediate refusal. A sharp refusal. He would not have been surprised if she accompanied her denial with a slap to his face. But Gabriela did neither of those things. Instead, her mouth dropped open and she took a minuscule step closer to him.

“You would let me stay in your cabin?”

Christ, after he spent over a week avoiding her company, the idea that Gabriela Luna would be quite literally sleeping in the same room with him made desire flash like lightning in his blood.

Which would absolutely not do. She needed his help, not for him to be battling his attraction to her. Especially when she had made it clear, over and over, that she despised him.

Sucking in a breath around his teeth, Sebastian nodded. “There is a large sitting room off the bedroom chamber, and I can sleep on the settee there.”

“Or I can. Surely a man of your”—Gabriela paused, her gaze traveling down his frame—“stature would find it quite uncomfortable. Especially for a ten-day voyage.”

It would be hell, but he was too much of a gentleman to argue otherwise. “I’ll be fine.”

Her teeth sank into her bottom lip. “You would really allow me to share your cabin?”

Sebastian smirked. “It’s certainly not my first choice. Heaven knows you’ll probably be plotting my demise by the time we reach London.”

“Oh, it wouldn’t take me nearly that long,” Gabriela shot back, her lips tipping up ever so slightly.

“There’s that fire,” he murmured, brushing a curl off her cheek with the back of his hand. Sebastian didn’t even realize he’d done it until she inhaled sharply.

But she didn’t pull away. Instead, Gabriela leaned ever so slightly into his touch, and Sebastian was certain he could drown in the greenness of her hazel eyes.

“Shall I have the porters bring all the trunks on board, Yer Grace?”

Sebastian clenched his jaw for a moment, willing away his annoyance with his valet. “Yes, Brodie. Please ensure all the trunks are delivered to my cabin,” he said.

The Scotsman looked between him and Gabriela for a moment and then nodded. “Very good, Yer Grace. If I can be of any service, Miss Luna, please let me know.”

Gabriela inclined her head. “I am in your debt.”

“Nonsense, miss.” Brodie tugged on the brim of his hat before his mouth split into a toothy grin. “If anyone owes me, it’s His Grace.”

“As if you aren’t rewarded handsomely for your services,” Sebastian growled, moving away from Gabby and her alluring violet and amber scent. “And you can be of service to me.”

“What else do you need me to do, Yer Grace?” the Scotsman asked, the smallest hint of teasing in his voice.

But Sebastian didn’t have time for teasing, not when their moves over the next ten days could see them safely to London or bring scandal down upon their heads.

Dropping his voice, he gestured to the ship behind them with his head. “Miss Luna needs to be escorted to the cabin without being seen.”

Brodie’s expression immediately turned serious. “Of course. I can take her through the servant passages.”

“Excellent.” Sebastian allowed himself a free moment to consider Gabriela. “Do you have a dark cloak or pelisse?”

Her brow furrowed for a second before understanding lit her face. “I do. In my carpetbag in the carriage.”

“Make sure to put it on. We want you to blend in as much as possible, and even your travel ensemble speaks of quality.”

She pivoted back to the hired carriage.

To Brodie, Sebastian asked, “Is there anyone on the passenger list I should be concerned about?”

The Scotsman shook his head. “I reviewed it, and didn’t see any familiar names.” He rubbed the side of his nose. “Not that I know every toff in London, of course.”