Page 9 of Gabriela and His Grace (The Luna Sisters #3)

Sebastian was ten minutes late for dinner, which meant he had at least ten minutes of annoyance built up in his veins.

Setting his jaw as best he could, he nodded politely to the footman who opened the dining room door, and paused just inside the entry.

The room was relatively small, as first-class dining was a newer concept aboard passenger ships, so it was not hard to spot his dinner companions.

Sebastian stifled a sigh when he saw Mr.Conner raise his hand in greeting, and he regretted accepting the man’s dinner invitation.

After an afternoon spent around rambunctious men, Sebastian would have preferred to sit in the corner and eat his meal in silence.

Or perhaps share a private dinner with a quick-witted and pretty partner whose recent scolds had been more gracious than he’d expected—

“Your Grace, I’m happy you can join us for dinner again tonight,” the man said as he extended a hand in greeting. “I took the liberty of requesting a glass of that port you favored last night.”

Sebastian inclined his head. “Thank you, Conner.” Glancing to the man’s right, he nodded. “Good evening, Mrs.Conner.”

“Good evening, Your Grace,” the older woman said, a welcoming smile warming her face. “I believe you know Miss Luna,” she said, indicating the person sitting on her right.

Releasing a quiet breath, Sebastian finally allowed himself to glance at the woman whose presence shined bright in his peripheral vision, but whom he steadfastly refused to seek out. “Miss Luna,” he murmured simply, sinking onto a chair beside her.

“Your Grace,” she said, all formal politeness. As if they hadn’t chatted with each other just an hour or two beforehand. “I hope you’ve recovered from your diverting afternoon.”

Sebastian slid his gaze to her, keeping his eyes locked with hers.

It was a challenging task, for she was wearing a rich aubergine color that brought out the pink hue in her cheeks, and abruptly he was swamped with a desire to drag his tongue along her skin and discover where else it would flush pink.

Clearing his throat, he finally said, “I did, thank you. A nap was warranted.”

“Whatever entertainment did you find this afternoon, Your Grace?” Mrs.Conner asked, her gaze darting between him and Gabriela.

“Well, ma’am,” Sebastian began, mulling over what he wanted to share. A game of dice with the ship’s crew was not exactly a genteel pastime. “I spent some time on the lower deck with the sailors. They are an energetic bunch and taught me a thing or two about the mechanics of the ship.”

There. A vague answer that in itself was not a lie. Sebastian risked a glance at Gabriela, but she was smiling benignly at Mrs.Conner as if his reply were the truth.

For her part, the older woman stared at Sebastian for a heartbeat before looking at Gabriela. Whatever Mrs.Conner saw on her face seemed to placate her, for she eventually nodded. “That must have been quite interesting to learn about the ship’s engineering.”

Sebastian nodded, thankful for a reprieve when a footman brought him that glass of wine.

He took a sip as Mrs.Conner turned the conversation to mundane observations about the trip, and Sebastian listened in a detached manner, following the ebb and flow of the conversation but only contributing to it with short nods and grunts.

Gabriela, however, was adept at asking questions or adding supportive commentary in a manner that was natural and effortless.

When Mrs.Conner asked a question about Gabriela’s connection to Mr.Valdés, she artfully sidestepped it with a vague response immediately followed by a question about Mrs.Conner’s children.

The skill with which she deflected the attention away from herself made him snort in amusement.

The waiter arrived just then with the next course, and Sebastian assumed his response had been overlooked. He should have known Gabriela had noticed.

“What did you find amusing?” she whispered, leaning close so that her floral scent wove about him.

Holding his breath for a moment, Sebastian finally said, “You dance with expert precision.”

Her forehead puckered for a second, and then her lips curved up. “Years of practice, Your Grace.”

Sebastian dropped his head in her direction to murmur, “I had not realized. You’ve never attempted diplomacy with me. You’ve always been more than willing to confront me directly.”

Gabriela clicked her tongue, quickly pressing a napkin to her mouth. “You would have seen through any attempt I made to deflect. Just as you did now.”

That was true. Sebastian would not have let her get away with anything less than a candid answer. The fact that she knew such a thing about him, and thus never attempted to give him anything but the most brutal candor, made his ribs tighten in a manner he didn’t understand.

“I appreciate your honesty,” Sebastian said.

“Of course. I’d have to care to lie, Whitfield,” she said, batting her eyes up at him.

“Ouch.” He clutched at his chest.

Although she tried to stifle it, a giggle slipped out. “As if I could ever possess the power to truly hurt you.”

Before he could toss back a response, a throat cleared across the table. Sebastian looked up to find Mr.and Mrs.Conner regarding them.

“I forgot that you two are closely acquainted,” Mrs.Conner said, slowly stirring her soup.

“I wouldn’t say we’re closely acquainted—” Sebastian began.

“His Grace is good friends with my brother-in-law,” Gabriela hastened to explain.

The older couple followed Sebastian’s and Gabriela’s rushed explanations with avid eyes.

“You’re referring to Gideon Fox, are you not?” When Gabriela nodded, Mr.Conner’s gaze turned shrewd. “He’s made quite a name for himself in Parliament. I’m sure he’s been able to use his connections to help you keep tabs on what’s happened in Mexico since you’ve been gone.”

“His contacts within the Foreign Office have been quite informative.” The corner of Gabriela’s mouth curled. “I’m sure His Grace has contacts within the Foreign Office, as well as both houses of Parliament, and beyond. If only he would use his great privilege to support worthy causes—”

“Like, say, urging the Crown to support Juárez’s resistance,” Mr.Conner interjected, flashing a knowing look at Sebastian.

“Precisely,” Gabriela said primly.

Sebastian fought the urge to run his finger under his collar. “I confess that in the five years since I’ve officially taken up the mantle of Whitfield, I’ve yet to vote my seat. The machinations of Parliament have always seemed so incredibly tiresome.”

“It is a tiresome task I know many women would happily take upon themselves, and excel at, were they permitted to,” Gabriela pointed out, her brows high.

“As you said, it is a privilege.” Sebastian held up his hands to stave off additional retorts. “I have no defense. Perhaps upon my return to England I can finally see to my duty, if only to save myself your ire.”

A deceptively sweet smile touched her lips. “You should use your privilege to help those pushed to the margins, be they man, woman, or child. To protect those in danger. You can make the halls of Parliament listen.”

Angling his chin, he snagged her gaze with his own. “And what issues would you champion? The occupation, of course, but what else, Miss Luna? If I recall correctly, your women’s group sought universal education.”

“That is but one of the many worthy issues I would advocate for, in addition to a married women’s property law.

” Gabriela’s shoulders sank. “One of the hardest parts of leaving England was saying goodbye to the friends I made within my women’s group.

We had made strides to join with other like-minded reform groups to organize a petition to submit to Parliament demanding the right to vote. ”

“You would have been a fierce proponent for it,” Sebastian said sincerely.

Color touched her cheeks, but she did not smile. “I envy your position of power, sir. Your easy access to intelligence. What a relief it would be to have some sort of regular insight into my family’s safety. To be able to fight for their freedom in a tangible way.”

Sebastian didn’t know what to say, especially as shame twisted in his gut.

He’d always been aware of the power of his birthright, even when the dukedom’s coffers were near empty, but he’d never considered all the ways it protected him.

Sebastian had very little family to care about until recently, and he certainly never cared about his father’s well-being.

The late duke had been an absent parent.

But his mother had always ensured Sebastian knew he was loved and cherished.

After her passing, there was no one to care about his safety and yet he’d never felt vulnerable…

until recently. He could only imagine the fear he’d experience if James and David were in danger.

Gabriela didn’t have to imagine. She had attended social events with a smile, behaving as if she hadn’t a care in the world, when in reality her family lived each day under foreign occupation.

Their safety and livelihoods balanced on a precarious invisible line.

Such resilience and bravery briefly robbed him of breath.

Sebastian did not miss how her lip trembled slightly when she said, “There have been several moments when I have outright feared for my parents’ lives. It’s not an experience I ever hope to relive.”

“I should think not.”

Sebastian only realized he’d spoken when Gabriela laughed dryly.

Her expression turned serious, though, and she fidgeted with the napkin in her lap.

“I’ve found there’s a special sort of helplessness to being separated from those you love the most. How can you ensure their safety, their happiness, ensure you’re not forgotten, when you’re so very far away? ”

“How long has it been since you left Mexico, Miss Luna?” Mr.Conner asked, peering at her curiously even while the waiter took away his empty soup bowl.