Page 89 of Gabriela and His Grace

The voice was not Lupe’s. Gabby took a moment to fortify her defenses, imagining her spine was fused with steel, before she stepped from the dressing room. Mrs. Evers was just leaving the bathing chamber, the cream and pomade she requested in hand. The older woman did not say anything as she handed them to Gabby.

Staring down at the jars, Gabby debated what to say. Remembering how the housekeeper had kept her from investigating the sounds she heard in the attic just three weeks prior, Gabby decided the older woman deserved no explanation.

That did not keep Mrs. Evers from lingering near the door, observing Gabby as she grabbed books that had been gifts from Isabel. When she snatched up her shawl, the housekeeper finally cleared her throat.

“I understand your intention is to travel to the train station.” Gabby glanced at the woman, finding her worrying her hands. “Would you like me to instruct a footman to purchase a ticket for you and Lupe?”

“I can purchase our tickets,” Gabby said, and nothing more.

Mrs. Evers swallowed. “Is there anything I can do to assist you?”

Gabby slowly arched a brow. “I believe you’ve done enough, Mrs. Evers.”

She tried to keep the bitterness from her tone, but she knew she failed when the housekeeper flinched.

Still, the woman was not easily cowed, because Mrs. Evers took a step toward Gabby, her complexion pale.

“Shall I have the duke’s trunks packed, as well? Will he be meeting you at a later date?”

Her courage faltered at the mention of Sebastian. “I-I’m unaware of the duke’s plans. But His Grace appeared to have his hands full when I saw him in the nursery earlier today.”

She gleaned a small sliver of satisfaction from the way Mrs. Evers further blanched. Yet Gabby was suddenly exhausted. So very weary of fighting to be seen. To be respected. To matter enough…for the truth.

Surveying the room one last time, doing her best to block out all the happy memories she’d made within the surrounding walls, Gabby spied the letter from her parents peeking out from the book on her side table. She grabbed it and slipped it into her pocket before she quit the room. Without a word to Mrs. Evers, Gabby walked down the stairs, confident the housekeeper would instruct a footman to bring her trunk to the conveyance.

Roberts met her in the foyer, his face pale as his gaze bounced between her and the yard beyond. “Your Grace, I’m sure the duke will want to see you off before you depart. Perhaps it would be best to wait for him.”

Gabby shook her head as she donned her gloves. “No. Waiting is unnecessary.”

The butler and Mrs. Evers exchanged glances but said nothing more. Gabby was grateful because her mask of polite yet firm disinterest was beginning to slip.

The ride to the train station was done in silence, and Gabby was thankful to discover that Mrs. Evers had disregarded her objection and had a footman secure a private car for her. With her arms wrapped around her waist, Gabby watched as the train pulled out from the station, leaving the quaint little village she had come to love behind.

Now alone, she pulled the letter from her pocket and stared at her mother’s sloping penmanship. Gabby was already depressed and dejected, so it seemed an appropriate time as any to read her parents’ words. Unfolding the parchment, she locked her jaw and read:

Querida hija, felicidades por tu matrimonio con el duque. Nosotros estamos orgullosos de ti…

The letter crumpled in her palm, and Gabby pressed it to her chest, finally allowing herself the luxury of tears.

26

Sebastian knew something was wrong as soon as he saw Mrs. Evers waiting near the garden gate.

“Boys, wash your hands and see if Cook has a snack to share. She usually bakes shortbread on Thursdays,” he added with a whisper.

“Yay,” James and David cheered, sprinting toward the back door without another word.

He watched them scamper away, although his attention had already turned to the housekeeper. “Has something happened?”

“The duchess left.”

Sebastian kicked up gravel as he spun to face her. “What? Ella’s left?”

“She has, Your Grace. More than an hour ago,” Mrs. Evers said, her expression grave.

Panic tore through his body, robbing it of air. Gabriela had left? Why?

Regaining his voice, Sebastian demanded, “Why didn’t anyone tell me? I should have been told the moment she asked for the carriage.”