Page 88 of The Gambler Wagers Her Baron

“You should go,” he whispered, notching his head toward the door. “Mr. Brown, make certain my guest finds her carriage and arrives home safely. Send Rigby as an escort.”

“Of course, my lord.” The Ashford butler cleared his throat, and Damon glanced away from Payton to see the servant nod upward. “If you will come with me, miss.”

On the landing above, both his children stood staring down at him in utter shock—and outrage?

“Return to your rooms, children,” Damon commanded. If at any time he desperately needed Joy and Abram to follow his demands, it was now. “I will come and check in on you in a few minutes.”

He was satisfied when both blond heads disappeared, but he waited to hear the closing of their doors from above. His guests had fallen silent behind him, likely hanging on every word spoken, committing it to memory, and ready to retrieve it during their rounds of social calls the following day.

“I am not leaving,” Payton said, gaining a gasp from the enthralled crowd and a scowl from Damon. She turned away from him to face the duke. “I do owe you a debt and mean to settle it as soon as I have the funds.”

“You owe him nothing,” Damon countered. “I made good on what was owed to Catherton.”

“Not before this woman fled your home like a thief in the night.” Catherton took in the awestruck crowd lingering in the hall. “See this woman”—he pointed at Payton, who shrank back a step—“she lost a sizable hand to me, and instead of paying her due, she left. She is a coward and a con.”

Damon turned to address his guests. “Please, return to the ballroom.”

In the dim corridor, Damon watched as one by one, the ladies and lords of the ton exclaimed in horror, and their mouths rounded in Os of surprise as Payton began to untie the strings holding her mask in place.

“Don’t!” It was all Damon could think to say. If the crowd learned her identity, despite merely being a governess in his household, she would never again secure a position in London or anywhere in England, for that matter. If the magistrate were summoned, she’d face far worse penalties for her crime than any proper lady would.

But his warning did nothing to stop her or even slow her as the mask slipped from her face, exposing her creamy white skin and her deep-set, catlike, blue eyes.

“Who is she?” a woman asked.

“I haven’t the faintest notion,” a man replied.

“Never set eyes on the girl before,” another male voice mumbled.

Of course, they’d not know Payton. Perhaps there was still hope the matter could be settled in private without the magistrate.

“Let us take this to my study,” Damon said. “You have caused quite enough of a disturbance, Catherton.” He turned to the crowd. “The spectacle is over. Please return to the ballroom.”

When the duke nodded, the crowd dispersed quickly and, within moments, the musicians could be heard tuning their instruments.

Satisfied, Damon held out his arm for Payton, who gratefully slipped her gloved hand into the crook of his elbow. Her actions befuddled him, not to mention her unexpected presence in his home. They followed in the direction of his guests towards the ballroom but turned right instead of left when the corridor split.

The duke’s sharp footfalls filled the corridor behind them with Mr. Brown’s shuffle scurrying after them all.

Once everyone had entered his study, and the door was securely closed behind them preventing anyone from eavesdropping on their conversation, Damon offered Payton the seat behind his desk. If anything, it was to keep Catherton as far from her as possible. With a piece of furniture between them, Damon did not fear the duke laying a hand on her again.

“Your disturbance here this evening was uncalled for, Your Grace.” Damon’s tone left no room for argument. “You have insulted me, my guests, and provided ample gossip for the papers. I do not take kindly to such spectacles in my home.”

“It was you who invited me, Ashford.”

Damon faced away from Payton, keeping his focus on Catherton and settling the matter without another call for the magistrate. “I sent my invitation to make amends and secure your agreement that this entire matter was resolved. You are friends with my sister and her husband. I did not want any ill will between our families.”

“Yet you, my lord, were hiding the woman in your home the entire time.” The duke fell silent, but Damon would not refute his claim. “You thought you could fool me as she did. It is dishonorable and, despite making good on what she owed me, the debt is nowhere near being settled.” His narrowed stare landed on Payton next. “I will have your name.”

She stood behind Damon’s desk, not taking the seat he’d offered her, and met the duke’s glare without flinching. “Miss Payton Samuels of Craven House, Your Grace.”

“Craven House,” he scoffed. “I should have known.”

To her credit, Payton did not appear wounded by his retort. She lifted her chin a notch and refused to break eye contact with Catherton.

“Lord Garrett Davenport’s sister, are you?” When Payton only nodded, Catherton chuckled. “I should have noted your lack of pedigree the moment you removed your mask.”

“You can summon the magistrate,” Payton said, her voice cracking with defeat.