Page 12 of The Gilded Heiress

I watched, gobsmacked. Gone was the smooth-talking charmer, the handsome man-about-town. In his place was a dangerous ruffian,

a man who wasn’t afraid to slice off the tip of an ear here and there. This was a side to Leo that I hadn’t imagined.

I was impressed.

“You get one last chance,” Leo said with deadly intent as he squeezed the man’s throat. “Apologize and leave, or I’ll make you regret it.”

“My apologies,” the man rasped.

Spinning, Leo marched the customer in the direction of the doorway where I was standing. I couldn’t believe it was over. That

was it? This man deserved worse than a few punches.

When the unruly customer was right in front of me, I couldn’t help myself. I lifted my skirts and delivered a swift kick directly

between his legs. I used the toe of my boot, too, making sure to hit all the pertinent spots. “That’s for making her cry.”

The man slumped in Leo’s hold, groaning as he cupped himself, and Leo struggled to keep them both upright. “Goddamn it, Josie!

Was that necessary?”

“Only a man would ask such an inane question,” I said.

“Move.” I stepped aside and Leo shoved the larger man out the doorway then down the carpeted stairs. We all rushed to watch,

clutching the railing, as the scene played out.

“Wait, my clothes! I need my clothes!” the man said.

Martha disappeared, then returned with the customer’s coat, shirt, and collar. She threw them over the banister, where they

floated down to the first floor. “Nicely done with the kick,” she said to me under her breath.

“We were all thinking it,” I returned with a shrug.

Leo shoved the clothes toward the front door with his foot, never releasing his hold on the larger man. “You’ll get dressed

on the stoop. Keep moving.”

We stayed glued to the banister as Leo threw open the front door and shoved the man outside. Next went the clothes, thanks

to the footman standing nearby. Leo pointed in the customer’s face. “Don’t ever come back here. You hear me?”

The disheveled man was too busy collecting his things from the ground to put up a fuss, so Leo slammed the door closed. Then

he spun toward the stairs, his face twisted with irritation. “Josie, I swear to God!” he snarled. “Get down here this instant.”

“I’m not a dog, Leo,” I said. “Stop ordering me around.”

Putting his hands on his hips, he tilted his head back to glare at me. “You could’ve been seriously hurt! Are you cracked?”

Martha muttered, “Oh, dear,” before going down the steps. Unwilling to bend to Leo’s demands, I took my time and shook hands

with Ariella. She also thanked me for the kick and I wished her well. Then, at a leisurely pace, I descended the steps, my

head high.

Martha and Leo were having a heated exchange, but I couldn’t hear what they were discussing. It was past time to leave, however.

Martha had more important things to do than give me lessons and gowns. I found my hat on the side table and affixed it on

my head using the hallway mirror. “Leo, let’s go.”

He stalked over and snatched up his derby. Martha promised to pack up the gowns and have them sent to my apartment. I thanked

her profusely and said goodbye. Then Leo and I were outside.

There was no sign of the unruly customer.

Waves of anger radiated off Leo as he jammed his hat on his head. I didn’t pay him any mind and started walking south.

He caught up to me. “Do you ever think before you act or speak, woman?”

“He deserved it. You should’ve sliced his ear off.”

“You could’ve been hurt.”

“As could’ve you, tearing up the stairs like a banshee before you knew what was happening. And he had almost fifty pounds

on you.”

“Josie, wait.” He grabbed my arm and pulled us both to a stop. “Will you listen to me?”

I didn’t want to have this conversation. We had bigger issues than what happened at Martha’s. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re

broke?”

His lips parted and he searched my face. “What are you talking about?”

“I heard you tell Martha you couldn’t stay today because you can’t afford it.”

“You shouldn’t eavesdrop, Josie.” He stared off into the street, his arms folded across his wide chest. “It’s rude.”

Not in my book. Sometimes eavesdropping was the only way to learn the truth.

“Look, Leo,” I told him. “We’re either partners in this or the deal’s off. I need you to be honest with me. How are we getting

to New York?”

Oh, that jaw grew so solid, so tense. He didn’t care for this conversation one bit. “I told you I wasn’t rich.”

“Yeah, but you’re buying me ice cream, hailing hansoms, and talking about Broadway. I’m not some silly empty-headed ninny.

I might not know my exact age, but I’ve been looking after myself for at least nineteen years. So, tell it to me straight

or get lost.”

Head bent, Leo studied the ground. “You want the truth? Here it is. No, I don’t have much money.” He looked up and his steady

gaze met mine. “But I believe in you, Josie. I believe in your voice, your presence. You can be famous. I know it deep in

my soul.”

If he was lying, I couldn’t tell. There was nothing but sincerity looking down at me, no hesitation in his voice whatsoever.

Either he was the best actor in Boston, or he believed what he was saying.

Still, I wasn’t ready to declare him 100 percent trustworthy.

I folded my arms over my chest. “If we’re going to muddle through together, then we need to be totally honest with each other.

Right? I don’t like liars and I never forget the lies. Are you telling me the truth?”

“Yes.” He relaxed and nodded once. “Absolutely.”

“And everything with Lotta, that was legit?”

“Are you under the impression I paid her to say those things to you?”

I started walking again. I thought best when I was moving around. Leo caught up with me in two long strides. He nudged my arm. “Come now. You don’t really think I’d do something like that, do you?”

I thought about the man who’d held a knife to an unruly customer’s throat a few moments ago. “Considering I don’t know anything

about you, maybe.”

“Everything Lotta said was legitimate.” When I said nothing, Leo held out his hands. “What do you want to know? I’m an open

book.”

“Why do you carry a switchblade?”

“You grew up near Tremont Street, so you know why. The city’s dangerous.”

That was fair. Pippa carried a pistol for her walk home at night after the saloon. I dodged a woman carrying a basket of flowers,

then asked, “How are you planning to afford a trip to New York?”

“I have some money saved,” Leo said. “Enough for two third-class tickets. We’re staying at a friend’s place there.”

“What friend?”

“Someone I used to know here. But don’t worry, he’s out of town. It’ll just be you and me.”

Me and Leo, alone in a room? I didn’t find that news entirely reassuring, not when I considered my reaction to overhearing

him and Martha.

I lowered my voice as we crossed the street. “You said you don’t want to get me into bed. So why do you care if there’s a

man in my life or not?”

“Damn it, Josie.”

“Answer the question, Leo.”

We continued to walk, yet he remained silent. Evading my question again? This man was truly trying my patience.

After we stepped onto the walk, I grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop. “Why does it matter if I have a beau? You and

I aren’t romantic. What difference would it make to you?”

He stared off at the carts and horses in the street. The brim of his hat shaded his eyes from me, but I could see the tight set of his mouth. “Drop it. I never should’ve asked.”

“I won’t drop it. Not until you give me an answer.”

“There’s no reason. Curiosity, is all.”

“That’s bull and you know it. Just tell me.” The skin of his throat turned a dull red and he actually growled. Did he think

that would scare me? “Spit it out—”

“Because if I were lucky enough to call you mine, I’d never let you out of my sight. I certainly wouldn’t let you go to New

York with another man.”

He blurted the words like they were unwillingly pulled from his throat.

Neither one of us moved, the words falling between us like a stone. I sucked in a surprised breath and held it.

If I were lucky enough to call you mine...

Mine.

An indescribable rush of longing went through me, a tiny earthquake so strong that my knees actually shook. I couldn’t imagine

belonging to anyone or having anyone love me that much, let alone a man. After all, my parents hadn’t wanted me. Not one family

had inquired about adopting me from the asylum. Besides Pippa, I had no one.

What would it be like to belong to a man? To Leo?

Quickly, I repeated his words to myself. I never, ever wanted to forget them.

He’s not a man who sticks.

Good thing Leo wasn’t interested in me like that. At the moment all my focus needed to remain on me and my singing career.

Nothing more.

I patted his lapel. “See you tomorrow, Leo.”

“Wait, where are you going?”

“Home to pack.” I waved and disappeared into the crowded street.