He was still angry over her foolishness last night. To gamble elsewhere was a slap to his face, let alone choosing one of Mulligan’s spots to do it in. Had she any idea of the danger, how terribly wrong it all could’ve gone without Jack to intercede on Clay’s behalf?

He’d nearly worn a hole in the floor, pacing, until he’d learned of her safety. The relief he felt at the news told him all he needed to know about the way she had gotten under his skin.

Clayton Madden, gone soft for a fancy uptown debutante.

He was beginning to think it was true.

No, he couldn’t let it be true. Duncan Greene’s daughter was off-limits for so many reasons.

Making no sound, he approached and halted directly behind her. He saw her breathing hitch, knew she was aware of his presence.

“I had an inkling you were here somewhere, observing.” She threw him a quick glance over her shoulder. “Hello, Clay.”

He said nothing. His thoughts were an amalgam of anger, relief and lust, none of which he was ready to voice quite yet.

She sighed and spun around. “Let’s have it, then. No doubt you are brimming with recriminations about last night.”

He thrust his hands in his pockets and studied the perfect skin, the delicate features of her face, questions buzzing in his mind. Why would she risk her reputation—not to mention her person—at one of Mulligan’s dives? Had she truly been repulsed by Clay’s interaction with Bill? Was that why she’d gone gambling at a seedy casino last night? What would she have done if Jack hadn’t intervened with Donnelly? What would she do if Clay kissed her?

It was that last question that had him clamping his lips tighter.

“Fine.” She threw up her hands. “You’re clearly angry with me. It was stupid, of course. I wanted to win some money and test out the advice you’d given me, so I went back to Donnelly’s. I didn’t go alone, however, and took my sister with me. I never should’ve stayed so long at that table. I wasn’t paying attention to the amount I’d won and soon it attracted the wrong kind of notice.” She dragged in a long breath and kept right on going. “I did not bring up your name. My sister did that, despite my efforts to get her to shut up. I never wanted you or Jack involved. But thank you for sending him to help us.”

He let her words sink in and contemplated them, remaining silent. The two of them obviously had differing views on what the issues were, because the tightness behind his sternum didn’t dissipate one bit after her diatribe.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” she asked when the silence stretched.