Page 7 of Gabriela and His Grace (The Luna Sisters #3)

“There now. You look much better after your nap, Your Grace,” Brodie said as they passed each other in the corridor later that morning.

“Thank you,” Sebastian said, tugging on the brim of his hat as he stepped into the bright afternoon sun.

He felt remarkably better after he had slept for several hours, the nauseated sensation that had ached like the devil in his gut over the last day finally subsiding.

Sebastian was relieved, having almost convinced himself that he would never grow accustomed to the rocking of the ship.

But he had managed to keep down the contents of his stomach since that morning, when he’d shared a conversation with Gabriela, and now he sucked a greedy draw of sea air into his lungs.

He was beginning to feel like his old self.

Sebastian was stopped not long after he began his jaunt around the deck by a couple he had met the night prior.

Over roast beef tenderloin and pudding, Sebastian had learned that the gentleman, Mr.Conner, was a railway representative traveling to Mexico by invitation of the Maximilian government to assist the Imperial Mexican Railway Company with finishing work on the line between Mexico City and Veracruz.

Mr.Conner indicated construction had resumed three years prior on the almost decade-long project, but it had been hampered by the occupation.

He was surprised the imperial government was willing to continue work when the majority of French troops had withdrawn.

Still, his employer, the Great Western Railway, saw the invitation as an opportunity to stake an early claim in the development of railway lines throughout Mexico.

Their discussion naturally turned to the political turmoil that had gripped Mexico for the last handful of years, and how the Mexican empire appeared to be on its last legs.

Sebastian fancied he kept his finger on the pulse of what was transpiring in Mexico, if only to ensure his investment in the Camino Rojo mine continued to flourish, but no one could speak to the prevailing attitudes of the Mexican people quite like Gabriela Luna.

Throughout dinner, Sebastian had done his best to ignore the corner of the dining room where Gabriela had sat with her companion and an older couple.

If anyone on the ship understood the complexities of the political and social situation in Mexico, it was her.

Like her older sisters, Gabriela was well versed on the machinations of the Juárez government, and she was quite vocal of her pride for her homeland and countrymen.

It was she who should be speaking with Mr.Conner about how the railways could open Mexico to commerce and trade in ways that kept it isolated in the current system of transportation.

It was Gabriela who could discuss why French imperial representatives had reached out to British railways, and whether they had also been in discussion with American companies, as well.

He’d been tempted to invite her to join his conversation with Mr.and Mrs.Conner, eager to pick her mind about the various situations and scenarios they discussed, but Sebastian had hesitated.

Gabriela could barely tolerate him on a good day, so he wagered she would have no patience for him on a day when she had said a tearful goodbye to her family.

However, after their conversation that morning, perhaps he had been mistaken.

“Your Grace, it’s good to see you again,” Mrs.Conner said now, smiling as she sank into a curtsy.

Sebastian grasped her hand. “It is good to see you as well, Mrs.Conner. Mr.Conner.” He nodded at the other man. “I hope the day has been kind to you.”

“Indeed,” Mr.Conner replied, and his wife nodded in agreement. “We actually just met a lovely young woman returning home to Mexico. I believe you know her.”

The man’s words ended with a lilt, his brows rising in question. Sebastian dipped his head. “Miss Gabriela Luna, I assume.”

“Yes. She’s delightful,” Mrs.Conner said, looking over her shoulder with a smile.

Following the direction of her gaze, Sebastian spied Gabriela standing with a group of women under the awning.

She had changed from the nondescript gown she’d worn in the early morning hours, now fully in her role as the charming and wealthy Mexican heiress she was known to be.

Sebastian had rarely been subjected to her charm…

but then hadn’t she directed some at him that morning?

Sebastian leaned on his cane and pinned Mr.Conner with a look. “You know, sir, if you want to discuss the current political landscape of Mexico, you should speak with Miss Luna.”

The older man frowned, his gaze darting to his wife. “I should?”

“Yes. Her uncle is the Mexican ambassador to England, you know.”

The man’s expression morphed from dubious to interested in a heartbeat, and Sebastian swallowed back a smile. “I did not know that. How interesting.”

“Indeed.” Sebastian glanced at Gabriela again, watching as she laughed.

“Miss Luna’s family is very well connected within Mexican politics, and I’m certain she possesses an astute insight into the climate and the various players you will encounter if the Great Western Railway truly wishes to broker deals within Mexico. ”

Mr.Conner turned fully to look at Gabriela. “She doesn’t appear to be much older than our daughter, Claire.”

His wife chuckled. “She doesn’t, but then think of how clever and observant Claire is.”

“An excellent point.” Mr.Conner patted his wife’s hand. “Would you be so kind, my dear, as to ensure we dine with Miss Luna this evening?”

“Of course.” Mrs.Conner turned to Sebastian with a smile. “Will you dine with us as well, Your Grace?”

“I’d like that,” Sebastian said. Oddly enough, he meant it.

The older couple said their goodbyes and moved off to continue their walk, leaving Sebastian alone.

He wandered to the railing, his thoughts mulling over the conversation with the Conners.

With a sudden jolt, Sebastian realized that he’d perhaps shared more about Gabriela than she may have wanted.

He’d disclosed her familial connections merely to bolster her authority on such topics, but it was possible that she did not desire to make her ties to Mr.Valdés known.

The majority of the ton were still unaware that the Luna sisters were the ambassador’s nieces, their relation not disclosed out of a desire to protect the young women.

Sebastian had only learned the truth when Mrs.Fox was abducted by French sympathizers several years past. Gabriela may have made her home in England for the better part of four years, but most in the ton were ignorant of the political power her family wielded.

And Sebastian had just divulged it like he was passing along the race times at the Epsom Derby.

Glancing at Gabriela askance, Sebastian resolved to apologize and let her know of his misstep.

Preferably before dinner. Not now, of course, as she appeared diverted by her present company.

Soon, though, Sebastian would swallow his pride and confess what he’d shared.

He certainly deserved whatever tongue-lashing she subjected him to.

A familiar figure on the main deck below him snagged his attention, and Sebastian squinted his eyes to make out what Brodie was about.

The valet appeared to be taking part in a…

dice game? Brodie crouched in a circle with a handful of sailors, some sort of activity happening in the center that Sebastian couldn’t quite make out.

Whatever they were doing, the men were laughing loudly, calling insults to one another that Sebastian could just barely hear above the roar of the sea and the noise on the promenade deck.

Without another thought, Sebastian made his way to the servants’ stairs that connected the upper deck to the steerage deck below.

Passengers were only permitted on the promenade deck with proof of a first-class ticket, and first-class passengers rarely traversed to where the steerage passengers and sailors mingled.

Once he stepped onto the lower deck, Sebastian swiped his hands on his thighs and looked around.

Several men glanced in his direction, but none spoke to him or asked why he was there.

So Sebastian did what he always did: prowled forward like he knew what he was about.

As he approached the group of men, Sebastian was able to make out that they were indeed playing a game of dice.

But instead of playing for money, they appeared to be wagering with a clutch of small pins worth an amount known only to the men playing.

Whatever the case, the sailors appeared to be having a riotous time, the cacophony both grating and tempting.

Sebastian wanted in on the fun.

Nudging Brodie with his shoe, he waited for the older man to look back at him, stifling a chuckle when the valet’s eyes went wide. Brodie jumped up with a quickness that belied his age, rubbing his hands together. The group of men behind him fell silent and still, their gazes heavy on Sebastian.

“Your Grace, whatever are you doing here?” his valet asked, the normally jaunty tone to his voice missing.

“I’m here to play dice,” he said, tapping his cane on the ground.

“You are?” Brodie took a step back. “I didn’t know you played dice.”

Sebastian raised a shoulder. “There’s a first time for everything. And since you all seem to be enjoying the action, I thought it would be diverting to learn.”

He could practically see Brodie’s brain turning over his words, considering them from all sides. The older man seemed to come to a decision when his lips mashed together. “Play is quick, so it’s best to pay attention to learn the rules.”

Ah , so Sebastian wouldn’t be receiving a breakdown of the rules. All the better to swindle a new player. What was Brodie up to? Sebastian trusted him implicitly, but that certainly didn’t mean the valet wasn’t a troublemaker.