Page 62 of Gabriela and His Grace

“Of course,” Sebastian murmured, watching Gabriela as she flung her dark brown cloak over her shoulders and brought the hood up to cover her head. “It’s imperative that we do what we can to protect Miss Luna’s identity. Her reputation could depend upon it.”

“And what about your reputation?”

Sebastian flicked his fingers. “A man of my stature will recover from any social impropriety. Surely you’ve heard tales of my father.”

Brodie went still. “Here and there, Yer Grace. But I never presumed they were true.”

“Presume away.” Sebastian snorted. “He was guilty of every wicked, vile deed people have ever whispered about. And yet he was still welcomed into every drawing room in the United Kingdom. A disgrace—”

“Will this do?”

His gaze swung to Gabriela, who stood just behind him. Her gaze sparkled from within the depths of the hood.

Coughing into his fist, Sebastian nodded. “Brodie will escort you to my cabin. Please stay there until I arrive. It’s imperative you keep a low profile.”

“I understand.” She blew out a breath. “Thank you for your help, Mr. Brodie.”

The Scotsman’s expression softened. “It’s an honor to assist you, miss.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes, yet was also thankful for his valet because he knew Gabby was in safe hands. He stared after them as they disappeared into the crowd, the lump in his throat no longer threatening to choke him.

Squaring his shoulders, Sebastian grasped his cane and meandered up the gangplank. He stopped to exchange pleasantries with other passengers on the deck and in the first-class lounge, taking the opportunity to sniff out who was also traveling to London, and who might prove dangerous.

Yet Brodie’s estimations proved accurate, because Sebastian did not recognize anyone. Most of the passengers had connections to the imperial government and were eager to return to Europe. Sebastian sought out an introduction to Captain Brown, a crisply polite gentleman whom he instantly liked. Yes, Sebastian thought, he and Gabriela may just make it back to London without being discovered.

The sun was a deep ocher descending into a pool of midnight blue when he finally spied Gabriela on the deck at the back of the ship. She was staring at the ship’s rippling wake in the dark water. He came to a stop beside her, his hand wrapping around the rail right next to hers. Long strands of her mahogany hair had been pulled from her coiffure by the sea breeze, and danced about her face. Her gaze remained locked on the distant horizon where Mexico lay.

“I know I was supposed to stay in the cabin, but I needed some fresh air.” Her voice was almost a whisper, but he heard her just the same. “I figured since most passengers would be at dinner, I might go unnoticed.”

“Are you hungry?” Sebastian could have kicked himself for not considering how famished she may be. It had been two hours since the ship left port in Altamira. “I apologize for not thinking of it.”

Gabriela held up a hand. “I’m fine, Your Grace. Brodie brought me a tray. There’s one in the cabin for you, as well.”

God bless his valet. He dropped his head to his chest.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, glancing up at him. When Sebastian frowned, Gabriela continued, “Are you feeling seasick again?”

Oh. Sebastian’s face grew hot. “I’m slightly nauseated, but it’s manageable. I followed Señora Lopez’s suggestion to sip on hot water with a generous amount of lemon juice, and it has helped. She would be pleased.”

“She’d be delighted to know a duke listened to her,” Gabriela said, her lips twitching over a smile.

They stood quietly watching the waves for several moments, and the tension Sebastian had not realized he held began to ease from his limbs.

“I didn’t expect to be standing on a ship deck with you, saying goodbye to Mexico. Again.”

Sebastian propped his hip against the rail. “I didn’t think we’d ever be able to have a cordial conversation.”

Her gaze darted to his. “And I didn’t think I would ever be able to look upon you without disdain, but I was mistaken.”

A fiery warmth sizzled through him…but was quickly extinguished when Gabriela’s face crumpled and she choked on a sob.

“I was mistaken about so many things,” she cried brokenly, covering her face with her hands.

Unsure of what to do but knowing he needed to touch her, Sebastian wrapped his arm about her shoulders, sighing in relief when Gabriela turned to cry into the folds of his coat.

• • •

Impotent anger and heartache clawed at her chest and throat, and after containing them for the better part of a week, Gabby was desperate, so very desperate, to set them free. That Whitfield was the one to hold her while she did it should have struck her as ironic, but instead all she felt was gratitude. Over and over he had taken care of her, his solicitousness never cloying or overbearing. The duke had been a calm, if occasionally wry, presence over the last two months, and his strong arm around her now, holding her close, made her feel safe and comforted.