Page 32 of Gabriela and His Grace (The Luna Sisters #3)
It was a soul-crushing realization to learn one’s own mother didn’t truly know her.
And Gabby rather doubted her mother cared to know her.
Not the real Gabby, at least. It assured Gabby that her decision to send a note to Isabel earlier in the evening had been prudent.
Ignoring the cold, empty certainty that took root in her chest, Gabby shook her head.
“It’s not that I always wanted more. It’s that I wanted enough .
” Gabby stared at the doorway her father had walked through, a bitter resignation settling over her.
“I was starved for attention, yes, but more so I was starved for love. You gave me what you could, but you alone couldn’t give me what I needed . ”
With her shoulders sinking, Gabby walked to the doorway but paused, glancing back at her mother. “I’m done grasping for crumbs.”
Not giving her mother a chance to respond, Gabby slipped away.
She knew María Elena would not follow her as they still had a guest, so she quickly gathered the small number of her dresses, gowns, and undergarments she’d brought with her and packed them in her trunk.
Racing around the room, she snatched up her books, jewelry, hats, and hairpins, shoving them into a satchel.
Taking one last glance around the space, Gabby released a long breath.
She had been comfortable here, but this was not home.
Her mother was not her home anymore, and at some point in the future, Gabby would allow herself to mourn the loss of their relationship. For now, though, she needed to leave.
Throwing her satchel over her shoulder, she hoisted her trunk through the doorway as best she could.
Thankfully a servants’ entrance led to the narrow alley that ran behind the villa, and Gabby did not have to drag her trunk for long before she spied the sleek black carriage waiting for her.
Without a word, the carriage door flung open and Sirius ran down the alley toward her.
“Let’s hurry. I’d rather not have a confrontation with your father,” he murmured, taking the satchel from her shoulder.
The driver grabbed her trunk and stored it while Gabby climbed into the cab. She gasped when she spotted Isabel waiting for her in the dim interior.
“Oh Isa,” she exclaimed, launching herself into her sister’s arms.
“Ay querida,” Isabel crooned, stroking the hair back from Gabby’s brow. “I was hoping your note had just been a precaution, but of course we came. I’m sorry that things have gone this way.”
The carriage lurched forward, and Gabby glanced out the window over her sister’s shoulder. Her parents’ brightly lit villa moved farther from view as they rumbled over the gravel street, and she bit her lip to keep the tears at bay. Gabby felt like a failure.
“Your parents are obviously going to know you’ve left to stay with us, and I assume they’ll give you a few days to calm yourself.” Sirius emphasized the word with a roll of his eyes. “But if your father is intent on securing a Spanish husband for you, he will only be patient for so long.”
Gabby nodded. She had two or three days, at most, before she’d be summoned to another dinner or event where she would be paraded about like an empty-headed doll. Her stomach dropped at the thought.
“So we have a few days to make our plans.” Isabel paused and then slowly pulled back from Gabby. Her sister’s dark eyes snared hers. “What do you want to do? If you want to stay in Mexico, say the word, and Sirius and I will search for a place you can go. Maybe with your friend Senorita Moreno?”
“Maybe,” Gabby murmured dejectedly. Lucia had mentioned in her last letter that she’d fallen into a comfortable routine with her abuela, and Gabby didn’t want to disturb her friend’s peace.
“Of course you can return to England. Ana and Gideon would be happy to have you as well, you know.”
“The thought of seeing baby Estella again does make me happy.” And perhaps any gossip that arose after the Wright ball had been put to rest, and Gabby could make a quiet return. An idea occurred to Gabby, and she swung her head to look at Sirius. “When does the duke depart?”
Her brother-in-law jerked his chin back. “Sebastian travels to Altamira the day after tomorrow.”
Gabby nibbled her lip. That gave her a day to convince the duke to allow her to accompany him. Would he say yes? Faith, she hoped so.
“Querida,” Isabel uttered the word like a sigh, “you can’t travel with the duke unaccompanied. You need a chaperone.”
“First, I don’t know that Whitfield will even consent to me traveling with him,” Gabby said, ignoring Sirius’s soft snort. “And second, I would need to purchase a ticket, if there are any still available.”
“I’ll have my secretary inquire about tickets.” Sirius held up a hand when Isabel made to speak. “I will ask him to do so anonymously.”
Isabel nodded, and turned back to Gabby. “So we have a day to find you a chaperone.”
“If Whitfield agrees, that is,” Gabby said, unease twitching along her limbs.
“He’ll agree,” Sirius said definitively.
“This is Whitfield we’re talking about.” Gabby arched a brow. “The Whitfield who’s delighted in antagonizing me since we met.”
The corner of Sirius’s mouth tipped up. “I’m well aware. I’ve heard many complaints about the youngest Miss Luna.”
Isabel chuckled, and even Gabby felt a smidge of amusement.
“But I know my friend, and he’ll say yes.” Sirius crossed his ankles and propped his elbow on the narrow window ledge. “I have no doubt in my mind.”
Gabby glanced at her sister, who smiled at her reassuringly. If Sirius and Isabel believed the duke would come to her aid, then she would cling to their confidence. Because she had very few options at this point but to rely upon the Duke of Whitfield.