Page 90 of The Gambler Wagers Her Baron

Payton remained silent, her arms crossed, and waited for her brother to break through Mr. Brown or for the duke to wrench the door open from the inside. Her complicated situation was being made more complex by the moment. She hadn’t told Garrett about her debt to Catherton or the baron having settled it.

The door burst open, and Garrett stumbled past the butler and into the room.

The duke’s back stiffened. “Davenport?”

And Garrett’s eyes rounded. “Catherton?”

“What are you doing here?” Catherton pivoted to face Damon, while Garrett met her glare over the duke’s shoulder.

“I might ask the same thing.” Garrett didn’t wait for an invitation to join the fray. “Pay, you didn’t return. I was worried.”

Contrite was not a trait her brother exhibited often—or ever, really—but he was clearly apologetic for bursting in on them.

“Davenport.” The duke focused on Garrett, pleased to have yet another adversary in the room. “Are you aware your sister owes me a hefty amount?”

“She owes you nothing,” Damon interjected. “Her debt was settled. By me.”

Garrett appeared amused, if anything, now that he’d seen for himself that Payton was whole and unharmed. “Lord Ashford,” her brother said, ignoring Catherton’s question. “It is a pleasure”—he glanced toward Payton and winked—“to make your acquaintance. I’ve attended your gaming night a time or two. Lovely gathering. My sister has spoken fondly of you and your children.”

She wanted to throttle Garrett. He was acting as if he and Damon had been introduced amidst a ballroom and not in the study of her previous employer over a gambling debt. And to insinuate that she’d shared anything with her brother about the nature of her relationship with Damon had her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Damon appeared to be working through something in his mind, but Garrett continued before he could reply. “It was a pleasure meeting Miss Joy and Master Abram this evening. Fine-looking pair, I assure you.”

“You’ve met my children?” Damon set his hands on his hips and glared.

Mr. Brown took the moment to clear his throat, gaining everyone’s attention. “Is there anything else you require from me, my lord?”

“I demand the magistrate be called.” Catherton’s anger increased ever more.

“My dear sister,” Garrett tsked. “Marce swore that bribing Mr. Newman to release Jude was the final time she’d rescue any of us from the clutches of the law.”

“Ashford.” Catherton stalked toward Damon until the toe of their boots nearly touched.

Garrett chuckled—chuckled!—placing his hand on the duke’s shoulder. “As Payton’s brother, and her eldest male relation, this situation is mine to remedy.”

“I have settled the situation,” Damon repeated. “Miss Samuels’ debts were paid.”

“This is not about money,” Catherton seethed, spittle spraying the lapel of Garrett’s evening coat. “She is a fraud, and I have half a mind to tell the magistrate that you, Ashford, are responsible for bilking your guests right alongside her. I am certain she cheated during our first game.”

Garrett glanced at her, his eyes questioning. It hurt to think that he believed that there was a possibility she had cheated. Her younger self wouldn’t have needed to ponder the decision, she’d have done anything to win, consequences be damned.

But she shook her head, hoping he believed she’d won the first game fair—just as she’d lost the second.

The last thing she wanted was Damon and Garrett arguing over who was responsible for the mess she’d created.

“Enough.” Payton slashed her hand through the air before placing both palms flat on Damon’s desk. “I lost at cards. Damon—er, Lord Ashford—settled my debt, but I am more than capable of accepting the consequences and also repaying the baron.”

“That is not necessary.”

“But it is.” Payton needed Damon to understand that she could care for herself, or at least that she was trying to. Her family didn’t think she could tend to her own life, make her own decisions. She’d taken her position as a governess to prove that she was no longer a little girl but a woman capable of caring for herself. Her stomach sank to think they could be correct.

“Catherton, there is not a magistrate in London who will take your words seriously when there is no debt left,” Damon said. “Neither her brother nor I will allow a magistrate to be summoned, and I assume you will not relish the scandal that will follow if you are responsible for Miss Samuels being apprehended. Besides, I am certain Lord Garrett would never back your claim that it is Miss Samuels who lost to you. In fact, I believe it was I who lost to you. Perhaps the magistrate should be called for me.”

“That is utter nonsense, Ashford,” Catherton chortled. “It was this woman who I bested at cards, not you.”

Damon glanced at Payton’s brother. “That’s not how I remember it happening, what about you?”

“Not close at all.” Garrett shook his head. “I was sitting at the table. Couldn’t believe my eyes. Catherton won a sizable hand, you paid him promptly, and Catherton left with heavy pockets.”