Page 54 of Gabriela and His Grace (The Luna Sisters #3)
Sebastian knew something was wrong as soon as he saw Mrs.Evers waiting near the garden gate.
“Boys, wash your hands and see if Cook has a snack to share. She usually bakes shortbread on Thursdays,” he added with a whisper.
“Yay,” James and David cheered, sprinting toward the back door without another word.
He watched them scamper away, although his attention had already turned to the housekeeper. “Has something happened?”
“The duchess left.”
Sebastian kicked up gravel as he spun to face her. “What? Ella’s left?”
“She has, Your Grace. More than an hour ago,” Mrs.Evers said, her expression grave.
Panic tore through his body, robbing it of air. Gabriela had left? Why?
Regaining his voice, Sebastian demanded, “Why didn’t anyone tell me? I should have been told the moment she asked for the carriage.”
“We couldn’t find you, Your Grace.” The housekeeper swept an arm in the direction of the lake. “Thomas searched all along the beach for you, and even up to the quarry.”
He ripped his hat from his head and shoved his trembling hand through his hair. “We were in the southwest fields with the new lambs.”
Mrs.Evers pressed her lips together. Eventually she glanced back at the manor. “She saw you in the nursery.”
Only his good manners and the deep respect he had for Mrs.Evers kept him from cursing aloud. As it was, Sebastian clenched his eyes closed as he imagined what Gabriela thought when she’d seen him with James and David.
The gravel crunched under the older woman’s feet as she approached.
“Since you left for Eton, I’ve done my best not to interfere with your life.
I’ve never wanted to overstep boundaries.
” Sebastian glanced up to meet Mrs.Evers’s gaze, unsurprised to find her staring sternly at him.
It was a look he found just as intimidating now as he had as a boy.
“But you were foolish not to tell the duchess the truth.”
“I know,” he sighed, dropping his chin to his chest.
“And you made us all complicit in your lie.” The housekeeper huffed an angry breath. “I had to see the hurt and disappointment in that girl’s eyes, and know I helped put it there.”
A scorching shame encased him from his head to his feet.
“The duchess has been nothing but warm and genial since she arrived, and has had a smile for everyone. She would have loved our boys, if you had just let her.” Mrs.Evers was silent for a moment, and Sebastian simply stood there, disgrace rooting him to the ground.
“Now what are you going to do to make this better?”
What could he do? Hadn’t Sebastian just confirmed all of Gabriela’s worst beliefs about him? That he was a rakish liar with little morals?
At that moment, Sebastian wanted nothing more than to get lost in the bottom of a brandy bottle. He could think of no better way to erase the image his mind conjured of Gabriela heartbroken and betrayed. Fuck, he really was a cad.
“Master Sebastian, listen to me,” his housekeeper began, planting her feet before him. “Did the duchess make you happy?”
He nodded, miserable.
Mrs.Evers clicked her tongue. “Of course she did. I’ve never seen you smile and laugh as much as you have since you married her…even when your dear mother was alive.”
He turned his head away so she wouldn’t see how his throat worked.
“You deserve to be happy, Your Grace. We all want you to be happy.”
Happiness now seemed like an impossibility with Gabriela gone.
Plucking his spectacles from his nose, Sebastian covered his face with his hand. “I don’t deserve her.”
Mrs.Evers was silent until he dragged his gaze to hers. “I wouldn’t dare say whether you deserve her or not, but what I do know is that girl loves you.”
“Do you think so?” Sebastian asked, ignoring the longing in his voice.
The older woman’s expression softened. “How could she not love you? You’re your mother’s son.”
Pivoting on his heel, he blindly wandered several steps away. Sebastian stared at the distant lake, sparkling like a sapphire in the countryside. “I haven’t felt much like her son lately.”
“Perhaps not…but there’s always time to do better.”
The gentle hum of the breeze and the chatter of birds flitting to and fro in the garden serenaded them as Sebastian grappled with his wayward emotions.
Everything he feared had come to fruition, and he had no one to blame but himself.
Sucking a deep breath of sweet air into his lungs, he willed it to ease his guilt-addled mind so that he could find a way forward.
If he wanted to earn Gabriela’s forgiveness, he needed to swallow his pride. He’d already made Gabriela swallow so much of her own.
Adjusting his spectacles, Sebastian turned to his housekeeper. “Will you have Polly pack a trunk for the boys? They’ll need clothes for a week, at least.”
The older woman smiled. “I’ll make sure it’s done right away. Should I have a telegram sent to Whitfield Place, letting them know of your impending arrival?”
“Yes, please.” Without another word, Sebastian turned to prowl up the garden path…when he stumbled to a halt. “I’m sorry for asking you to act so outside of your character. I’m ashamed I let this go on for so long.”
“Now that the duchess knows, you have to decide how you want to proceed. If you love her, tell her. If you’re sorry, apologize.”
“You make it sound so easy.” When Mrs.Evers laughed, he smiled…but he quickly sobered. “She might not even hear my apology.”
“She might not,” the housekeeper agreed, “but you have to try.”
Sebastian repeated those words as he packed the paperwork he might need during his time in London.
After speaking with his steward and the foreman overseeing the renovations about the work to be done in his absence, Sebastian made his way to the nursery.
The sight of the boys excitedly clutching their knapsacks filled with an assortment of books and toys made his chest a tad lighter.
“Are you ready to visit London?”
James and David nodded, but it was the older boy who said, “We’re going to help you win back the duchess.”
“She’ll have to forgive you when we tell her what a great brother you are,” David added, with the effortless bravado of an eight-year-old.
“I don’t think I’ve been a great husband, though.” Shifting on his feet, Sebastian sighed. “And I’ve not been a good brother. I should have introduced you to Gabriela as soon as we arrived. I’m sorry, boys. I kept you both a secret as if I were ashamed you’re my brothers, when I’m so damn proud.”
The boys stared at him, their brows puckered in consternation.
“You’re truly not embarrassed?” James asked, his blue gaze serious.
“Not at all.” Sebastian crouched down until they were face-to-face. “I’m sorry I ever made you believe I was.”
James nodded while David clasped his hand. “Then we’ll definitely help you.”
Sebastian closed his eyes, allowing himself a moment to soak up his brothers’ love and support. Surely this was what it felt like to have a family.
It was a feeling he was determined to share with Gabriela. If he wasn’t too late.
· · ·
Gabby had been at Yardley House for exactly one hour when she was summoned to join the viscountess in her private salon.
Standing outside the room now, Gabby mentally prepared herself for the assault that was Lady Yardley.
The train ride to London had been uneventful, which she was thankful for because it allowed her to privately let loose the sobs that tore at her throat and the tears that blistered her eyes.
A porter had hailed a hackney for her and Lupe, and she hadn’t thought twice to direct the driver to Yardley House.
Although she craved Ana María’s comforting embrace, Gabby was not ready for her sister’s questions.
She was certainly not prepared to defend her husband from Gideon’s recriminations, especially when she wasn’t certain Sebastian deserved her defense.
Just thinking his name flooded her with a confusing deluge of emotions…emotions she could not focus on if she was to survive this visit with Lady Yardley.
Inhaling a bracing breath, Gabby sailed into the room and took her customary seat on the settee across from the viscountess’s armchair.
The older woman peered at her impassively before she leaned forward to pour Gabby a cup of tea. She accepted it with a quiet “Gracias.”
Surprisingly, Lady Yardley didn’t immediately launch into an inquiry. Didn’t say anything aside from benign observations about the weather. Gabby was instantly suspicious.
A suspicion that was proven right when the drawing room door suddenly opened and Ana María appeared on the threshold. Her gaze immediately snared hers, and Gabby flinched. Her eldest sister took a seat directly next to her, and reached out to grasp her hand.
“Right, now that you’ve arrived, let’s get started,” Lady Yardley declared, turning her sharp eyes on Gabby. “Why are you here?”
Gabby jerked her chin back. “Well, it’s nice to see you, too.”
The viscountess snorted. “Oh, now you’re concerned with niceties. After you showed up on my doorstep on a random Thursday with no advance notice. Did you really think I wouldn’t have questions?”
“I knew you would,” Gabby grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. “I had just hoped you would give me more time to get comfortable.”
“Get comfortable?” Lady Yardley cocked a brow. “Will you be staying long?”
“Your ladyship,” Ana María snapped, flashing the older woman a censorious look, “you’re not helping.”
“And what would help, Ana dear?” The viscountess tossed her hands in the air. “Gabriela should be in Gloucestershire with her husband, yet she’s here. In my home. I think I deserve to know why.”
Gabby rolled her eyes. “I thought you’d be happy for me to visit.”
Lady Yardley blinked. “You did? What a darling you are.”
“Escúcheme,” Gabby began, narrowing her eyes on the older woman—
“Ay, Gabby”—Ana María smacked her leg—“you arrived in London with no warning and without the duke, and we’re not supposed to ask any questions? You’re not being reasonable, querida.”