Page 74 of Gabriela and His Grace

“Well, hermanita,” Ana María said, “your return to London was done in the most dramatic way possible.”

“Are you surprised, though?” Gideon huffed a laugh. “Between her and Whitfield, how would it not be dramatic?”

Gabby glared at her brother-in-law before she pointedly turned back to baby Estella. She cuddled with her niece on a velvet love seat in the private drawing room in Ana and Gideon’s home, trying to grasp some quiet time after her dramatic arrival in London that morning.

“Querida,” Ana María began, pausing until Gabby reluctantly met her eyes. “You know there will be a scandal.”

Her sister hadn’t phrased it as a question, so an answer didn’t seem warranted. Instead, Gabby blew a raspberry on her niece’s cheek, laughing when Estella shrieked in delight.

“Perhaps Lady Ambrose will hold her silence—” Gideon began.

“Impossible,” Gabby and Ana said in unison, exchanging an amused look.

“I didn’t want to say anything, because I selfishly wanted to enjoy your company,” Ana said, her dark eyes large as she stared at Gabby holding her daughter, “but Lady Yardley has sent around a note. Apparently, word of your kiss with the duke has already begun to spread.”

Somehow Gabby managed not to cringe. What a fine pickle she and Sebastian had found themselves in. They had been so careful the entire voyage to keep their affair a secret…until the very end. When her own grief over saying goodbye had caused her to act recklessly and disembark with Sebastian instead of doing so discreetly. Gabby knew she was risking not just her good name, but her independence, if they were discovered. And he knew how important it was for her to maintain her autonomy, so she’d assumed Sebastian and his title could protect them from any scandal. But now scandal had come to call…

Acid touched the back of her tongue, and she pressed her cheek to Estella’s chubby one and inhaled deeply of her sweet baby scent. It calmed her, but only just so.

Gabby could imagine the gossip. The acrimony that had existed between her and Sebastian was well known throughout the ton, and she should have anticipated how the news that they’d been seen engaged in a passionate kiss would spread like an inferno. But after they had left the ship, acting to all the world as if nothing were amiss, Gabby had almost believed they could out muster their critics. Sebastian had promptly escorted her to Ana María and Gideon’s carriage, and before he’d departed, he’d squeezed her hand and kissed it, whispering that he would visit the following day. And then they were rumbling down the streets toward Mayfair, Ana María holding her close and peppering her with questions.

She’d still not given her sister any answers.

Bless Ana María, for she had not pushed. Instead, when they arrived at her home, her sister had promptly ordered a coffee tray, invited Gabby to sit on her cozy love seat, and delivered Estella into her arms. Ana María seemed to understand that Gabby needed comfort, and she was only too eager to soak up her sister’s gentle caretaking. Her eldest sister was so very good to her, and Gabby had missed her terribly.

Gideon cleared his throat as he set his newspaper aside. “I think, darling, that we should give your sister today to rest from her long journey, and tomorrow we can ponder this unfolding situation. I’m sure between the three of us, we can strategize an effective way to manage it.”

Ana María nodded in agreement, but Gabby said, “Sebastian—” She paused to lick her lips. “Whitfield said he would visit tomorrow.”

“Bien,” her sister murmured, but Gideon just nodded curtly. Gabby wondered at that, but didn’t have a chance to ask, for Estella’s lips began to quiver as she glanced around the room for her mother.

“Estoy aquí, mi corazón,” Ana María crooned, rising to her feet and reaching for the baby. Plopping Estella onto her hip, Ana María smiled down at Gabby. “I’ll return after I feed her and put her down to nap.”

Gabby watched them leave, marveling at how her sister was a natural at motherhood. She had no doubt that one day if Estella needed her mother’s support, Ana María would give it unreservedly—

“Gabby, I have something to ask you, and I hope you will be truthful with me.”

Blinking, Gabby swung her gaze to Gideon, who had moved to the edge of his seat and was considering her with a deep pucker between his brows.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, concern raising the hair on her arms.

“I hope not.” Wringing his hands together, Gideon stared at the floor, his jaw working. “Did Whitfield take advantage of you?”

“Uhh.” Gabby pulled her chin back. “Of course not.”

Her brother by marriage visibly deflated, color rushing into his cheeks.

Gabby leaned forward. “Why would you think the duke took advantage of me?”

“Truly, I didn’t want to think he did, but I had to ask.” Gideon scrubbed a hand down his face. “The two of you have always been at odds, and now you’ve returned unexpectedly and were seen in an intimate embrace…and I just had to be certain he didn’t prey on your vulnerability.”

“He didn’t,” she said quietly but firmly.

“I’m glad, because I asked Whitfield to care for you and ensure your safety.”

Her forehead crinkled. “You did?”

A frown darkened his expression. “Of course. I was concerned for you and wanted to assure your sister, as well as myself, that you were safe and secure.”