Page 93 of Gabriela and His Grace

Unable to keep from crying any longer, Gabby covered her face with her hands. Tears slipped through her fingers, and her shoulders shook with her suppressed sobs, but her sister’s presence by her side was a comfort.

“Gabriela,” Lady Yardley eventually said, waiting patiently for Gabby to drop her hands and meet her gaze. “You have to speak with the duke.”

She sniffled, wiping tears from her cheeks.

“You have to let him explain. He should apologize, and if he doesn’t, you need to demand it. You have to begin as you mean to go on, and that means Whitfield must respect you. You deserve respect, and I don’t want you to settle for anything less,” the viscountess said, her tone firm.

Gabby nodded.

“And, my dear,” Lady Yardley began, raising her brows, “you can’t keep running away.”

“I d-don’t understand,” she stammered.

“Don’t you?” Lady Yardley sniffed. “First you left for Mexico when that rat Carlisle made trouble, and then you fled back to England when your father did. And at the first hint of trouble with Whitfield, you fled here to London. I think I can speak for Ana when I say that we will always be a safe place for you to turn to should you need us. But sometimes, my darling girl, you have to face your problems head-on.”

Hiccuping, Gabby turned to look at Ana María. Her sister brought their clasped hands to her lips and kissed the back of Gabby’s hand. “You’re fearless for everyone else, querida. Save some of that fire for yourself.”

Gabby closed her eyes and soaked in their words. They made it sound so simple to face her problems, when her first instinct was to run far away from the pain. As Lady Yardley said, it’s what she did.

But if she cared about Sebastian, and wanted their marriage to be successful, Gabby needed to put her fears of rejection aside. She needed to confront Sebastian directly.

“Have I been a coward?” she asked in a whisper.

“Not at all, hermanita.” Ana María squeezed her fingers. “You’re just used to being treated cheaply by those who should love you the most, and you wanted to spare yourself that hurt.”

Gabby once told Sebastian she would be brave for him, and yet here she was in London, suffering over his perceived slight, instead of standing before him and demanding an explanation. She deserved one, and he deserved an opportunity to give it.

She just hoped she was brave enough to listen to whatever he had to say.

Straightening her spine, Gabby released a long, pent-up breath. “I’ll depart for Gloucestershire in the morning.”

“Would you like me to go with you?” Ana María asked.

Ay, she loved her sister. “That’s very kind of you—”

A knock sounded on the door, and the ladies turned to watch the butler open it. “The Duke of Whitfield is here, your ladyship.”

Gabby started, her eyes flying wide. But before she had a moment to prepare herself, Sebastian filled the doorway, his gaze immediately finding hers.

27

“There you are,” Sebastian murmured, stepping fully into the room. His arctic eyes roamed over her, relief evident on his face. Seeming to realize she wasn’t alone, Sebastian stiffened, before turning to Lady Yardley and Ana María. “Good evening, ladies.”

“Your Grace,” Lady Yardley drawled, crooking one judgmental eyebrow. “I suppose you’d like to speak with Gabriela.”

Sebastian nodded, glancing back at her. “If she’s willing to speak with me, that is.”

Three pairs of eyes turned to her, and Gabby fought not to squirm. Hadn’t she just declared she would depart for Whitfield Manor? Yet now that Sebastian stood before her, his painfully handsome face so dear, his gaze so pleading, Gabby wanted nothing more than to flee to her room. She longed to escape the maelstrom of feelings crashing about in her chest, sentiments that always left her off balance.

Gabby’s gaze drifted to Lady Yardley, who was staring back at her expectedly. She could almost hear the older woman say, Are you going to get on with it?

Setting her jaw, Gabby slowly rose to her feet and skirted to stand behind a nearby armchair. “Ana? My lady? Would you mind giving the duke and me a moment alone?”

“Por supuesto,” Ana murmured, immediately making her way toward the door. “Your ladyship?” she said, glancing back at the viscountess.

“Yes, yes, I’m coming.” Lady Yardley glowered as she stood, and pinned Sebastian with a gimlet stare. “You may have more than a moment, but only because I’ve always believed you were more your mother’s son than your father’s. Don’t prove me wrong.”

A flush swept over Sebastian’s cheeks, and he ducked his head. “I won’t, your ladyship.”