Page 27 of Gabriela and His Grace (The Luna Sisters #3)

It took Sebastian a second to understand the question was directed at him.

In truth, it was the pressure on his arm that finally drew his attention.

Glancing down, Sebastian found a feminine hand wrapped around his forearm.

It belonged to a woman who had been introduced to him not long after he’d arrived.

She appeared to be around his age, and was quite elegant and attractive.

If the hungry look in her eyes was any indication, she would also happily welcome him into her bed. Sebastian had lost track of how many months it had been since he’d last enjoyed a turn in the sheets, so the advances of a pretty and willing partner should have stoked the fire in his blood.

Yet he was decidedly cold.

“Senora Delgado, correct?” When she smiled, Sebastian continued in Spanish. “My time in San Luis Potosí has been edifying. It’s a beautiful city filled with interesting people doing important things.”

The woman’s crimson lips tilted up. “Your Spanish is quite impressive, Your Grace.”

“Thank you.” Sebastian dipped his head. “When I first signed on as an investor of the Camino Rojo mine, I promptly found myself a Spanish tutor.”

“Are there many Spanish speakers in London?” Senora Delgado sidled closer to his side.

“As with any large, cosmopolitan city, there are. Plus, I had an advantage in that I’m on friendly terms with the Mexican ambassador to England.

” Unconsciously, Sebastian glanced in Gabriela’s direction.

The color was high in her cheeks as she stared up at Carrasco.

Unease prickled along his scalp. “Senor Valdés has been a staunch advocate for Mexico.”

“That is how you are acquainted with the Luna family, yes?” she asked.

Sebastian inclined his head. “That is one way. But I am also associated because two of my closest friends have married Senor Luna’s daughters.”

Recognition flared in her dark eyes. “Of course. The British captain, Senor Dawson. He married the morena daughter.”

A frown immediately tugged down Sebastian’s lips.

He was obviously aware of Isabel Dawson’s darker skin, but for it to be the first adjective used to describe her seemed like a sin.

Swallowing his irritation, he finally said, “Yes. The captain and I have known each other since we were boys. His marriage to Isabel Luna has made him very happy.”

Senora Delgado glanced to the left, and Sebastian followed her gaze to where Sirius stood with Isabel near the perimeter of the room.

They appeared completely engrossed in each other, as if they were the only two people about.

Sebastian quickly looked away when his friend brushed a curl from Isabel’s cheek, his knuckles lingering to caress her skin.

“They are an interesting pair,” the woman by his side murmured.

“They complement each other,” Senor Luna said, pivoting to join their conversation. The man’s dark eyes studied Sirius and Isabel, his mien contemplative. “My wife and I did not think Isabel would marry at all. For truly, who would want a dark-skinned mestiza with more brains than beauty?”

Sebastian locked his teeth together so forcefully they clicked.

“Yet Dawson arrived from England already infatuated with her.” Senor Luna shrugged.

“He is charming, and stands to make a fortune with that silver mine. And Isabel’s clever and reserved nature is an asset for her work with the First Lady.

Yes, they seem quite content with each other.

Isabel has far exceeded any expectation I had for her. ”

Catching a passing servant’s eye, Sebastian gestured to his empty glass. He needed fortification.

In comparison, Senora Delgado’s lips curled up in delight. “And your eldest daughter is married to a politician in England?”

“Sí. Ana María’s husband is a member of Parliament and has already made a name for himself.” The older man glanced at Sebastian. “Is that not true, senor?”

“It is.” Sebastian accepted a new glass of tequila from the servant eagerly. “Fox may one day be prime minister.”

Senor Luna smiled, and it did nothing to soften his features. “An alliance worthy of a Luna.”

Sebastian took a long sip of tequila.

Senora Delgado had managed to press herself into his side, and Sebastian held himself stiffly. “You have another daughter, do you not, Senor Luna? Has she married a British man, as well?”

At just that moment, a peal of laughter sounded above the din. Sebastian didn’t have to look to know it was Gabriela, but his eyes immediately went to her. She was holding an empty shot glass, her dimple flashing as she laughed along with Carrasco.

“Ay no.” Elías Luna rubbed at his brow, his own gaze fixed on the other side of the room. “My youngest daughter remains unwed still.”

“Maybe she’s waiting for just the right sort of gentleman to make a proposal.” Senora Delgado tapped Senor Luna on the arm with her fan. “A titled gentleman? Or maybe a handsome Chilean.”

His stomach dropped, watching as Carrasco gazed down at Gabriela.

“Or a duke,” Senor Luna quipped, turning to face Sebastian and raising his glass.

Unsure of what to say, Sebastian merely tipped his head in acknowledgment.

“Aah, is that the next match in the making?” Senora Delgado’s eyes narrowed on him. “Are you hoping to take the last Luna sister off the marriage market, Your Grace?”

Before Sebastian could formulate an answer, Senor Luna snorted loudly.

“Gabriela is meant for a Spaniard. With her güera beauty, my hope is for her to marry into one of the powerful Spanish families who have thrown their support behind the French. El presidente needs their allegiance if we are to successfully rebuild after Maximilian is deposed.”

“How shrewd of you, senor,” Senora Delgado said.

“Plus, let us be honest,” the older man continued, his lip curled, “Gabriela may be beautiful, but she’s hardly bright enough to hold the attention of the duke here.”

Sebastian scowled outright. “That’s patently untrue.”

“Is it?” Senor Luna cocked a brow, seemingly surprised.

Doing his best to suppress the anger that locked his jaw tight, Sebastian nodded curtly. “There is no doubt Miss Luna is beautiful, but if all you see is her beauty, you’re missing the fire, the depths that make her incomparable.”

“With all that fire, she should have been born a boy.” The older man shook his head. “Instead, that girl has always been difficult and always will be difficult, and I’ll have my hands full finding a peninsular husband willing to put up with her.”

Any words Sebastian had intended to utter were stolen from him on a silent gasp when a pair of hazel eyes collided with his.

Hazel eyes that had grown shiny with unshed tears.

He had been so incensed by Senor Luna’s sentiments that he hadn’t noticed that Gabriela had come to join their group until that moment when she spun about on her heel and bolted, her red skirts streaming in her wake.

No one else seemed aware she had overheard them, for Senor Luna and Senora Delgado continued to chatter. But Sebastian could not erase the picture of her stricken expression from his mind. Tossing back the remainder of his beverage, Sebastian set down his glass on a nearby table.

“If you will excuse me,” he murmured, and walked away without giving either Senor Luna or Senora Delgado a chance to respond.

They deserved no such niceties.