Page 15 of Gabriela and His Grace (The Luna Sisters #3)

“Is that why you were scowling? Because the voyage is coming to an end?”

“Christ, man, I wasn’t scowling,” Sebastian growled.

Brodie planted his hands on his hips. “Well, now you are.”

Sebastian raked a hand down his face. “It’s obvious you want to discuss my…expressions? Have at it, then.”

“I just want to know what you were thinking that had your face scrunched up like that,” Brodie said, gesturing to Sebastian with his chin.

Dropping into an armchair, he leaned back, propping an ankle on the opposite knee. Folding his hands over his stomach, Sebastian speared Brodie with a look. “I was thinking how very relaxing and enjoyable this trip would have been had I not employed the nosiest valet in all the United Kingdom.”

That was a lie, of course. Sebastian had been thinking of Gabriela. Of how she’d flashed him the smallest hint of a smile when he’d seen her earlier on the first-class deck. Sebastian hadn’t been able to attend to the conversation he was engaged in because he was so surprised.

He’d made sure to keep his distance from her since the lunch they shared after the hopscotch match.

Sebastian had found himself charmed by her company, especially when the topic turned to Mexico and Gabriela had entertained him and Miss Moreno with what they should expect when they arrived.

It had been apparent in the lilt of her voice and the sparkle in her eyes that she adored her homeland, and Sebastian had been entranced.

And that was a problem. Sebastian could not afford to be bewitched by the youngest Luna sister.

Even if for some unfathomable reason Gabriela’s opinion of him had somehow changed, her future was in Mexico while his was home in England.

Unlike his friend Sirius, who moved to Mexico to be with his wife, Isabel, Sebastian had vast responsibilities to the dukedom.

And there were David and James to consider.

He wouldn’t dream of abandoning the boys after finally finding them.

A trip to Mexico to ensure the financial future of the dukedom was a necessity; deserting them at Whitfield Manor was a cruelty.

No, Whitfield’s future depended upon the Camino Rojo mine, but Sebastian could not make his home in Mexico because of it. Thus, whatever new, uncomfortable feelings bloomed whenever he was around Gabriela Luna would just have to be ignored.

Sebastian wished he were as adept at ignoring his valet.

“You say the trip would be relaxing and enjoyable without me, but you would be bored to tears,” Brodie sniffed, before looking pointedly at the half-filled trunks. “Plus, your attire would be dreadful.”

“Now, I won’t argue that point.” Tilting his head back, Sebastian stared at the paneled ceiling. “Are we still set to dock at noon?”

“Last I heard.” Brodie moved to the sideboard and removed a stopper from a bottle of brandy. Pouring two fingers into a tumbler, he brought it to Sebastian. “The lads in the bridge said we’ve made excellent timing.”

They had. And the weather had been clear, aside from a passing thunderstorm they weathered somewhere off the coast of Cuba.

The resulting choppy waters had sent Sebastian to bed early, where he battled the return of his motion sickness.

He was thankful cerulean skies and crystalline waters greeted him the next morning.

“And we’re certain Dawson’s men will be there to meet us when we arrive?”

Sebastian studied the amber liquid in his glass for a moment.

Of course Sirius’s men would be there. His friend had indicated as much, and the retired military captain’s word was ironclad.

Plus, Sirius wasn’t just collecting Sebastian and Brodie, but Gabriela, as well.

And Sebastian had enough self-awareness to know that Gabriela was the more valued guest.

“Captain Dawson’s secretary sent along the name of a gentleman who would meet the ship at the docks.” The valet patted the front pocket of his coat. “And I have his information right here.”

“Good.” Sebastian sipped a mouthful of brandy and winced at the bite. “Don’t mind me. I just find myself anxious now that we will be disembarking soon.”

“Perfectly understandable, if you ask me.” Brodie took several of Sebastian’s dinner jackets from the dressing room and carefully arranged them in a trunk. “The secretary’s note also indicated the trip to Captain Dawson’s home from the port will take almost a sennight.”

“I recall reading that.” Sebastian sighed, sinking farther into his chair.

“How far is your silver mine from where we’ll be staying?” Brodie asked, glancing at him over his shoulder.

“Sirius purposely withheld that information. He said that while monarchists had abandoned his area of Mexico, he didn’t want it known an English duke was arriving to tour the mine operations.

” Sebastian ran his fingers through his hair.

“But from what I can gather from the references he’s made, it’s within a day’s ride. ”

“That’s some good news. I’d hate to have to lug your trunks all over Mexico,” Brodie said with a chuckle.

“Yes, it would be a real pity for you to have to do your job.” Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Perezoso.”

“Does Miss Luna know you speak Spanish?”

Sebastian frowned at Brodie’s back. “Why do you ask?”

The valet raised a shoulder. “I overheard her speaking with Miss Moreno, and it occurred to me that they could openly be discussing you or any of the other passengers and no one would know. Seems it would be a great way to learn exactly how that pretty lass feels about you.”

“I don’t need to eavesdrop on Miss Luna to know how she feels about me.” He took a bracing gulp of brandy. “She’s always made her opinion of me abundantly clear.”

“And her expressions certainly let you know your place with her.” Brodie barked a laugh…and abruptly grew sober. “But I think she’s softened toward you a little.”

Sebastian’s heart lurched out of rhythm, and he scowled at his nonsensical response. “Why do you say that?”

“Well, as I said, her expressions are quite telling, and Miss Luna has never seemed concerned with schooling them for your benefit. But lately, I’ve noticed she doesn’t scowl in your direction like she did when I first met her.

She still watches you, except now it seems she does it out of curiosity rather than self-preservation. ”

Sitting up, Sebastian set his empty tumbler aside. “Miss Luna watches me?”

Brodie scoffed. “Of course she does. Most of the women on the ship do. You’re a bloody duke, Yer Grace.”

“A fact I’m aware of.” Still, he had no notion Gabriela was keeping tabs on him, and was surprised by how delighted the thought made him.

She probably just wants to make sure to avoid you . That thought deflated his mood, and he shared the idea with Brodie.

“Miss Luna has been avoiding you, hasn’t she?” Brodie replied, with a sad nod of his head.

“I beg your pardon, but I’ve been avoiding her .”

Why Sebastian felt inclined to make this clarification, he didn’t know, but he immediately wished he could recall it when his valet turned around and planted his hands on his hips. An ecstatic grin spread his weathered cheeks taut.

“Now why would you be wanting to avoid the lass, Yer Grace?”

Clearing his throat, he said, “We’ve managed to set aside some of our acrimony for each other, and I would hate to resurrect it by being too much in her pocket. We’ll be spending even more time together once we reach Mexico. Better to create some distance to keep the peace.”

There. That sounded perfectly reasonable. Sebastian almost smiled at his well-crafted argument.

“I think it’s because you’ve found she’s just as bewitching as you feared.” With a decisive nod, Brodie turned back to packing the trunks.

Sebastian really should think about sacking his valet.