Page 81 of The Gambler Wagers Her Baron

Joy and Abram moved to Payton’s side and turned to face the Craven House servant.

“We are very sorry,” Abram said.

“We did not mean to be caught, only to visit our governess as we were told she was sick.”

Payton noticed the sprig of flowers nestled in the pocket of Joy’s pinafore.

“Her gown is awful pretty to be worn when ill, Joy,” Abram hissed. “I shouldn’t have let you convince me to come with you.”

Sick? Was it a lie that Damon had told to put off telling the children of her departure?

“Be that as it may, I am happy you did accompany Joy, or something might have befallen her. London is a frightening place after dark.”

“She would have fared well,” Abram shrugged. “Mr. Brown caught us trying to saddle Father’s stallion and had Digby and the stablemaster bring us.”

“And what did your father say of your excursion?” she asked. She could not imagine that Damon would allow them to journey across London, after dark, to visit her.

“He thinks we are asleep in our rooms.”

Joy sighed. “Mrs. Brown brought supper up to our bedchambers and said we were not to go downstairs until morning. Father is having friends over.”

“Friends?” Payton asked.

“The ballroom was set up, as it normally is,” Abram clarified.

“I see.” The baron was hosting another gaming night. “So you slipped from the house unnoticed?”

Abram crossed his arms with a huff. “Those that care know where we are.”

Payton’s heart broke a little at the boy’s words. There was a seriousness and a finality to his tone that no boy his age should have.

“Your father cares very much,” she said. “For the both of you.”

Darla tsked and ambled back toward the kitchen.

“We thought maybe he did, but since you’ve been gone, he hasn’t been to see us, not even to check on our studies,” Joy whimpered with defeat. “We thought that after you kissed Father he would change, even keep you as our governess forever. But when you left…we feared you’d had a row.”

Payton stood frozen in the hall.

Their kiss? The children—or at least Joy—had witnessed their kiss?

“We did not want you to go—”

“Oh, dear one…” She’d heard Damon use the term on several occasions, and it came naturally to her lips. “You were not meant to see that.”

“You and Father did have a row.” Abram’s chest puffed in reassurance, but it immediately sank when he realized the consequences.

“I meant our kiss. It was a private moment between your father and me, nothing more.” Obviously, it had been nothing more to at least one of them. Payton didn’t want to discuss her intimate moment with the baron with Joy and Abram. “How did you know where to come to find me?”

She’d always been careful when instructing Mr. Curtis to pick her up and drop her off several houses down from Ashford Hall.

“Oh, that was simple,” Abram smiled. “Mr. Brown had you followed after you first started as our governess. He knew your directions.”

Mr. Brown’s words floated through her mind, “My missus claims I sleep more soundly when all the household is accounted for.”

Payton shouldn’t be surprised that the Ashford butler had taken precautions to make sure she was safe, no matter where she went.

“Now, tell us, when are you coming back?” Joy demanded, her brow furrowing. “Or did you and Father really have a row?”