Page 31 of Gabriela and His Grace (The Luna Sisters #3)

Tearing her gaze away, Gabby stared at the landscape.

Was that her future, too? Hadn’t she fled London because a titled man had tried to trap her into a loveless marriage?

He’d only valued her because of her family fortune, and not for any of the things that made her Gabriela Luna.

Had any man ever inquired about her interests?

In the things she was passionate about? Had any man ever bothered to look beyond the sarcasm she used as a shield?

If all you see is her beauty, you’re missing the fire, the depths that make her incomparable.

Biting her lip, Gabby buried her face in her hands.

“When do you plan to bring the rest of your luggage from your sister’s house?”

Peering at her mother through her fingers, Gabby frowned. “What do you mean?”

María Elena cocked her head. “I just assumed that since you’ve been here for a fortnight, you should return home officially.”

The icy fingers of dread circled around her neck. “Home? Do you mean Mexico? Or… here ?” Gabby twirled her finger, indicating the room around them.

“Here.” Her mother frowned. “Surely you’ll be living with your father and me.”

Gabby was shaking her head before her mother finished speaking. “I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but Isabel and Sirius said I could stay with them indefinitely.”

María Elena shook her head in confusion. “Your father expects you to live with us going forward. I understand you may want to stay with Isabel, but she’s married and deserves her privacy.”

Gabby knew she couldn’t truly live with Isabel and Sirius long term, but she also wasn’t prepared to return to her parents’ home. Not now…and maybe not ever.

“I know I cannot stay with Isabel forever, but I’ve missed her and am not ready to say goodbye,” Gabby tossed out blithely, even while her fingers twisted in her skirts.

Her mother sighed, but something about her mien gave Gabby pause. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

One of María Elena’s dark brows rose. “Why do you ask?”

Answering her question with a question did nothing to douse the suspicion firing in Gabby’s gut. “Has Father said something?”

Immediately, her mother dropped her gaze. “He’s made a comment or two regarding you.”

Coming to her feet, Gabby crossed to crouch before her mother, grasping her hand. “What did he say?”

María Elena’s hazel eyes darted between Gabby’s. “He mentioned that several gentlemen have asked after you. Apparently you made an impression with your red gown.”

Gabby pressed her lips together as her mind raced. Did that mean—

“He’s invited Senor Espinoza to join us for dinner tonight. He’s been overseeing the delivery of correspondence between here and Mexico City.” Her mother patted the back of her hand. “He’s a nice young man. Even a little handsome.”

With an exhale, Gabby collapsed back onto the floor, her skirts billowing around her. “So he’s already trying to find me a husband. Does he truly not think I can find one on my own?”

“He doesn’t think you want to, Gabriela.” María Elena tossed her hands into the air. “You return to Mexico without telling us because an Englishman asked you to marry him—”

“Carlisle tried to compromise me!” Gabby exclaimed.

Her mother exhaled a long breath. “I know, and I’m sorry that happened. But perhaps it would have been better had you accepted him.”

Gabby’s head jerked back as if she’d been slapped. “Better? You believe I should have accepted the marriage proposal of a man capable of such horrid behavior? Who does not love and respect me?”

“Mi hija,” María Elena sighed, rubbing her temple, “you’ve had four years to marry for love. Your sisters have. Why not you?”

Recoiling, Gabby stared at her mother with wide eyes. Why hadn’t she married? As if her mother agreed that all Gabby was good for was a marriage bargain. Possibly even a broodmare.

Her breathing grew uneven. “Why even ask about my plans when you and Father have already decided for me?”

María Elena tapped her fingertips against her lips as she considered her. When she eventually spoke, her tone was one of sadness. “Gabriela, you had your chance. But now that you’re home, your father expects you to do your duty. And your duty is to the Luna familia.”

Gabby pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth, hoping it kept her from crying.

Her mother continued. “Your sisters married British men. Well connected, influential they may be, but British nevertheless. Your father believes that with your light skin and light eyes, you could attract a Spanish husband who could bolster the family’s legacy and help lead Mexico into an era of reconstruction and reform. ”

“He wants me to marry a peninsular,” Gabby whispered.

“Surely you’re not surprised by that.” María Elena waved a dismissive hand. “You look like a Spaniard, more so than your sisters. It has been your father’s hope for the majority of your life. I believe he was relieved when you returned home without a husband.”

Her legs were wobbly as she returned to her seat. Although she longed to pull her knees into her chest and curl into a ball, Gabby sat straight backed on the chair. “I understand.”

María Elena’s expression brightened. “I’m delighted to hear it, querida. Your father will be pleased.”

As Gabby listened tight-lipped to her mother as she chattered away about Senor Espinoza and the other young men—and not -so-young men—who were eager to align themselves with Elías Luna and his family, she grew more and more nauseated.

Gabby should have known this would happen.

She had been arrogant to believe she could return to Mexico a different Gabriela Luna than the girl who had fled it.

Stupidly, she’d thought she could show her father that she’d changed and grown more mature, but he would always view her as the same silly girl he deigned to pay attention to only when it suited him.

She was the fool.

But no longer. Gabby had been wrong to return, but that did not mean she was helpless.

Isabel and Sirius would help her. And didn’t Whitfield say he would always be available to assist her?

Swallowing, Gabby knotted her hands together in her lap and prayed her countenance gave away nothing of her impatience to her mother.

She had a note to send to her sister, and Gabby was desperate to see to the task before her newfound resolve was tested.

· · ·

Throughout dinner that night, Gabby did her best to play the role of a dutiful daughter.

She dressed in her navy brocade silk gown with the black lace underlay, and wore the simple sapphire and silver drop earrings Ana María and Gideon had given her for her last birthday.

The maid had styled her hair in a simple updo, and Gabby had even applied a touch of color to her lips.

Her mother had gasped when she walked into the sitting room, her face alight with admiration as she pressed a kiss to both of Gabby’s cheeks.

And while her father had not said a word, Elías had nodded his head after taking in her appearance.

Senor Espinoza proved to be a friendly enough gentleman, if a little pompous.

The son of a wealthy banker from Barcelona, he’d only emigrated to Mexico after the War of Reform had ended, but he’d quickly risen through the Liberal ranks.

Gabby could understand why her parents wanted a match between her and the young peninsular, for Espinoza practically fawned over her father.

Oh, he’d paid compliments to her beauty and engaged her in conversation—just enough to not tax Gabby’s already frayed nerves—but then Espinoza had spent the majority of his time trading tales and discussing strategy with her father.

She tried multiple times to add to the conversation, not accustomed to being so completely overlooked during a dinner party, but her father would simply cut her a glance and then ignore her.

It infuriated her, but Gabby did her best to hide it.

She replayed happy moments she’d spent with her sisters in London, and imagined what her friends with the women’s group were doing to shape a franchise bill.

Gabby even allowed herself to reflect upon the voyage to Mexico, when Whitfield had encouraged her to speak about politics and share her opinions about the occupation.

Or when he teased her while they played hopscotch with the children.

Or when he’d danced el jarabe tapatío with her, his breath caressing her lips whenever the steps brought them close together.

She even allowed herself to imagine what his lips would have felt like against her own. What they would have tasted like—

“Gabriela,” her mother hissed in her ear. “What are you doing?”

Starting, Gabby darted her gaze about and realized her father and Senor Espinoza were already making their way from the dining room to enjoy drinks and cigars on the patio. She hadn’t even noticed when they’d risen from the table.

Placing her napkin aside, Gabby thanked the servant who pulled out her chair and turned to her mother. “I apologize. I was woolgathering.”

María Elena sighed. “You’ve been doing so well, mi amor. Don’t make a mistake now.”

Anger surged up her throat, and with as much grace as she could muster, Gabby asked, “What sort of mistake do you believe I will make?”

“Ay, Gabby,” her mother grumbled, “must I list the multitude of ways you’ve acted out over the years?”

Holding her mother’s gaze, Gabby moved a step closer to her. “Did you ever wonder why I acted out so much as a child?”

“Because you wanted things to be your way. If you desired something and it was not given to you, you became upset.” María Elena ran her knuckles over Gabby’s cheek. “You’ve always wanted more. You were never satisfied.”