Page 11 of The Gilded Heiress

“As I told you earlier, I’m planning to help her become rich and famous.” Just not as a singer.

“And that’s all?”

I gulped the rest of my drink in one go and set the cup on the table. “Of course.”

“I saw the way you looked at her.”

“Like she’s a pain in my ass?” I muttered.

“No, and do not be so crude. You looked at her like you wanted her. In the biblical sense.”

“Balderdash—”

“Don’t lie to me. You think I haven’t seen that look in your eye once or twice myself? I know what it means.”

“It means I need new friends.”

Martha laughed and shook her head. “Fine. Enjoy your denial. But don’t hurt her, Leo.”

“Why does everyone keep saying that to me?” I stretched one arm along the sofa back and crossed my legs. “You’ve met her.

Josie can hold her own.”

“Does she know what you do for a living?”

“No, and don’t tell her. I’m turning over a new leaf with her.”

“Oh, darling.” Martha lifted her cup and sipped her tea, her gaze holding mine over the rim. “Men don’t turn over new leaves.

They just find new pots with fresh dirt to ruin.”

“You’re wrong, but I don’t have time to argue. I still need another favor.”

Martha’s lips parted as her eyebrows soared. “My goodness, you are bold today.”

“I know, but she needs a few things to wear in New York. I’d be grateful if you could see fit to helping us.”

“You are mounting quite the large debt with me, Leo Hardy.”

I let my voice drop. “I’m happy to work it off however you see fit.”

She pursed her lips, then exhaled heavily. “I shall hold you to that. But fine, I’ll lend her clothing.”

“Thank you, Martha. I appreciate it.”

“Speaking of your debt, do you plan to stay after?”

Josie

Speaking of your debt, do you plan to stay after?

I stood near the edge of the doorway, out of sight, as I eavesdropped, awaiting Leo’s answer. Would he stay? I nibbled a broken

fingernail, my stomach churning. Either those two tea sandwiches were spoiled or I hated the idea of Leo with another woman.

Even one he paid for.

I shouldn’t care. But now, thanks to our earlier conversation about sleeping together, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Hot sweaty bodies, rolling around in bed together. Eager kisses and rough hands. What it would feel like to run my fingers

through his thick dark hair...

“You lonely today, sweetheart?” Leo asked in the other room, his voice deepening into a sensual purr—and heat exploded under

my skin.

I fanned my face, suddenly parched. No man had ever talked to me in such a way, like he was seducing me. I’d initiated my

few intimate encounters myself, mostly out of curiosity and boredom, but none of them had been particularly exciting. I never

felt hot and cold at the same time, not like this.

I put a hand on the doorjamb and took a deep breath. I couldn’t walk back in there with lust in my eyes and sweat running

down my face.

“No,” Martha said. “I’m far too busy for you this afternoon. But I’m sure one of the other girls would be happy to entertain

you for a bit.”

“Sadly, I must decline,” Leo replied. “I’m broke.”

I exhaled, relieved. So that was that. Good. He could focus on me and our upcoming trip to New York...

Wait, how did he plan to manage it without any funds?

He’s lying to me. He can’t help me.

The words, dark and poisonous, crept through my mind, and I could feel my natural skepticism coloring what had been an amazing

day.

True, Leo admitted he wasn’t rich, but that was different than being broke . He definitely hadn’t mentioned that. I had some money saved, but not enough to float a trip for two to New York.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why had I blindly followed his lead and believed whatever came out of his mouth? Didn’t I know better?

At an early age I had learned not to count on anyone other than myself. Maybe Pip, but definitely not a stranger.

Yet for a few hours today, I’d forgotten. Between Leo’s pretty face, Lotta’s attention, and Martha’s tea, I’d started to think

there might be goodness out in the world. That some people really were angels here on earth.

But angels weren’t real, and the world was mostly full of devils who used others for their own gain. I needed to stop relying

on Leo for everything. My fate rested in my own hands, no one else’s, which meant I needed to take more of an active role

in the planning.

Leo owed me answers.

Head high, I strode into the sitting room and retook my seat. Martha was sitting with her hands folded in her lap, her ankles

crossed under her chair, so I tried to emulate her even though my limbs felt awkward. Play the part, Josie.

“Josie,” Martha said with a smile, “I have some gowns upstairs that might fit you. This would save you the time and expense

of visiting a dressmaker. Would you like to see them?”

“That is incredibly generous of you, thank you. And I insist on paying you for whatever I take.”

Leo leaned forward, his brows pulling low like this comment confused him. “That isn’t necessary. I’ll settle up with Martha.”

“I prefer to settle with her myself,” I explained, my voice leaving no room for argument.

But of course, Leo started one. Jaw tight, he asked, “Do you have such funds on hand?”

“Consider the dresses a loan,” Martha interjected. “All I ask is that you bring them back in decent shape.”

“I swear that I will,” I said, putting my hand over my heart. “Thank you. May I see them now?”

“Direct and to the point. I approve, Josie.” Martha rose and smoothed her skirts, shaking them out a little.

I did the same, mimicking her. My dress wasn’t nearly as fancy, though, and her sleeves were puffier, which was all the rage

these days.

Someday I’ll own expensive gowns and wear them in my own sitting room.

“Leo,” Martha said, “you may go to the kitchen and wait, if you prefer. There’s some ham and more bourbon there.”

He rubbed his jaw and didn’t respond, his expression inscrutable. Was he unhappy with me? Tough. I had a mind of my own and

if we were doing this, we needed to be partners.

“Ready?” I gestured toward the door.

Martha nodded and led me out of the sitting room. I didn’t look back at Leo, even though I swore I could feel the weight of

his stare on my back.

I followed Martha upstairs. When we were alone, I couldn’t help but ask, “You and Leo. You go way back?”

“Oh, yes. I’ve known him a long time.”

“And?”

She paused outside an ornately carved wooden door. “You want to know if he’s paid me for services.”

“No, I don’t care about that. I want to know if he’s on the up-and-up.”

Unlocking the door, she pushed inside. We entered a bedchamber and Martha placed her keys on a small round table. “Leo is

Leo, Josie. And he’s not the kind of man you keep.”

“Oh, I don’t—”

“Pray, hear me out.” She strode to a wardrobe and pulled open the latch.

“He’s not a man who sticks. Do you understand?

He’s interested in Leo, nothing more. My grandmother would have said he’s like a puddle, shallow and small.

You don’t want a man like that. You want an ocean, deep and infinite.

A man who will love you without limits.”

“I’m not interested in him that way.”

“Good. See that it remains so.” She took out a dress of golden silk. “This is the right shade for your coloring. Here, hold

this up in the glass.”

The evening dress was so magical that I was almost afraid to touch it. The embroidery was delicate, the fabric smooth and

shiny. It would hug my body, giving me a true hourglass shape. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered. “I couldn’t possibly borrow

it.”

“Nonsense. You need something to wear at night and that will fit you perfectly. I don’t have a ball gown, but I’ll lend you

a tea gown and a few day dresses. They’re new and I’ve hardly worn them.”

I was overwhelmed by her generosity. “Thank you. I’ll take very good care of them.”

Martha gave me a kind smile. “I know you will. I could tell the moment I saw you.”

“How?”

“Your shoes.” She gestured to my boots. “They’re old, but polished with new heels.”

I lifted up my skirts to show her. “I believe in having things that last.”

“Precisely why I’m warning you away from romantic notions surrounding Leo Hardy.”

“I swear—”

All of a sudden, there was a scream and loud thumps down the hall. Was a customer getting rowdy with one of Martha’s girls?

“I was afraid of this,” Martha said as she dashed toward the door. “Excuse me, Josie!”

I wasn’t about to let her face that ruckus alone, so I hurried into the corridor.

Martha was faster, though, having already flung open one of the doors and disappeared inside.

Before I could close the distance to see for myself, Leo came flying up the stairs two at a time, a blur as he bounded into the open room.

I skidded to a stop in the doorway just as Leo pulled his arm back and cracked a half-naked man across the jaw. The man stumbled,

his big body off-kilter as he tried to stay on his feet. When he righted he launched himself at Leo, his face mottled with

fury. “How dare you hit me, you fucking—”

Quick as a flash, Leo punched the man in the face and twice in the stomach. Just like a bare-knuckle fighter. I gaped at him.

The man dropped to the ground, curling in on himself. “She owes me,” he wheezed. “You have no right to intervene.”

Even though the other man had at least fifty pounds on him, Leo showed no fear, leaning down to snarl, “The hell she does.

Now, stay down or I’ll hit you again.”

“Sir,” Martha said, her arm around a sobbing young girl on the bed, “we already discussed this. Your payment is nonnegotiable.

Ariella and I both told you what your money would buy, nothing more.”

“She’s a whore, and she’ll take it anywhere I say!”

Leo snatched the man’s hair and somehow got him up on his feet. Then Leo was holding a blade to the man’s throat. The man

sputtered and attempted to break free, but Leo held him fast, his expression menacing and fierce. “You’re going to apologize

and get the hell out of here,” Leo snarled, “or I’m going to spill your blood all over the floor. Understand?”