Page 18 of The Gilded Heiress

“Let me worry about that. I have some friends at the newspapers.” Melvin cocked his head at Leo. “Now, I have to ask, who

are you in relation to her? The sweetheart?”

“No, I’m the manager.”

Melvin’s glance darted to my wrist, the one Leo had been holding a moment ago. “And what experience have you in managing a

singer?”

“None,” Leo answered, “but I come from sales. I know what it takes to hustle. More important, I’m committed to looking out

for Miss Smith’s best interests.”

“I see.” Melvin sounded as if he didn’t believe it.

Sakes alive, why did everyone assume Leo and I were sleeping together? “There is nothing romantic between me and Leo,” I asserted.

“I should hope not, for everyone’s sake.” Melvin reached to press a button on his desk and suddenly we heard Miss Bryce’s

voice.

“Yes, sir?”

“Draw up a standard contract for Miss Smith, will you? I’d like to get her signed right away.”

I glanced over at Leo, who was already looking at me, his eyes dancing with excitement. Was this really happening?

“Now,” Melvin said and clapped his hands to get our attention. “We need to gain publicity in a short amount of time. I don’t

like the name Josie, though. It’s too boring, too plain. No offense, merely stating facts. Do you have a middle name?”

“None taken,” I said with a shrug. “And no, I don’t.”

“We need something else,” Melvin said, stroking his jaw. “Another name. One with panache.”

“What about Joséphine?” Leo suggested. “It’s similar.”

Where had he thought that one up? It sounded too grand, too fancy. “I’m not certain—” I started, but Melvin interrupted me.

“Mysterious, foreign,” the producer said. “But close enough to her actual name. I like it. And it helps with the backstory.”

“What backstory?”

“You let me worry about that.” Melvin rose out of his chair and straightened his vest. “We’ll have the whole town talking

about you soon.”

Leo

After Josie signed her name on the contract, we left Melvin’s office. I could tell she was ready to burst with excitement,

but she contained herself until we reached the walk outside.

“Oh my god, Leo,” she breathed, grabbing my arm. “That was amazing!”

Without thinking, I took her hand and led her into the alley between buildings. The excitement and relief weren’t merely on

Josie’s side. I was grateful that meeting went as well as it did. Melvin would ensure the entire city talked about Josie,

which meant I’d be able to get her in front of Mrs. Pendelton that much sooner. Everything was lining up even better than

I’d hoped.

When we were away from prying eyes in the alley, I dragged Josie to my chest and hugged her. She went stiff for a brief second,

then slowly relaxed. “Bravo, Josie,” I said into her ear. “You were dashed perfect in there.”

“Thank you. I was so nervous when he got up and went to the door. I thought for certain he was kicking us out.”

I squeezed her tighter, my brain overcome with happiness. “You sounded too good for him to kick us out. Did you see their faces when he opened the door?”

Her arms shifted and she gripped me loosely about my waist. She’s hugging me back.

“I did,” she answered into my collar. “I was relieved they seemed to appreciate it.”

Her breath tickled my throat, the soft warmth of her body pressed to mine, and my brain finally caught on. Warmth traveled

through me to settle in my belly, then moved even lower. It was the closest we’d ever been and I... liked it. A lot.

And soon she’d be able to tell how much.

Shit.

Abruptly, I let her go. She stared at my chin, not meeting my eyes, and I used the opportunity to set myself to rights. I

straightened my vest and adjusted my cuffs. Keeping my tone light, I inquired, “So tell me. How would you like to celebrate,

sweetheart?”

“I want to see Central Park. Will you take me?”

How could I say no? Josie was impossible to resist, with her big eyes brimming with hope and happiness, and a smile that could

tempt a bishop. Men waged wars over a beauty like hers, and I had no chance of denying her when she looked up at me like this.

Treat her like an older brother. I could do it. I had to think of her like one of my own sisters—Molly or Hattie, maybe.

Yeah, that could work.

I took her arm and led her out of the alley. “Central Park it is.”

We took a northern-bound streetcar. I decided to splurge today in celebration, even though I didn’t have a lot of money. As

we walked around the park, we ate clams and hot gingerbread. Then I bought her ice cream and took her through the Central

Park Menagerie. She gawked over the elephants, camels, and monkeys, every bit as enthusiastic as the children around us.

The sun was low in the sky by the time we headed toward the trolley stop, Josie holding on to my arm as we meandered the paths in the park.

An easy silence had fallen between us, and I tried not to think about how much I liked spending time with her.

She was good company, funny and bright, and didn’t feel the need to fill the silence with empty chatter.

A sister. Think of her like a sister.

“Tell me about growing up here.”

Her question caught me by surprise and I hesitated. It wasn’t my favorite topic. “Why?”

She nudged my shoulder with her own. “Don’t sound so prickly. Your childhood can’t be worse than mine. Tell me.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Anything. Everything. All you said was your father was a gardener. Who did he work for?”

I debated what to say. Was there a reason not to tell her? I tried to see the problem from all angles, but the silence dragged

on too long. I decided to go with the truth. “The Pendeltons. Have you heard of them?”

“I think everyone in the country has heard of them.” She let out a low whistle. “Big money.”

“Indeed, but I’ve generally found that more money doesn’t mean more character.”

“How so?”

“My father worked for them for twenty years. Helped Mr. Olmstead himself design the gardens in the back of the Fifth Avenue

estate. Then the Pendeltons let him go with no notice, no reference. When he couldn’t find work, we came to Boston to live

with my ma’s family.”

“That is awful. It must’ve been a shock to your whole family.”

I remembered my mother’s tears when she packed up our small house here, my father’s misery. Everything changed—and not for

the better. “It was a rough time. But I learned a valuable lesson: Never rely on anyone other than yourself in this world.

Because they’ll only let you down.”

“I feel the exact same.”

I believed it. Life had kicked Josie around too. “How old were you when you arrived at the asylum?”

“You mean when I was left on the doorstep? Around two, I’m told.”

“Any clue as to who left you? A note stuck to the swaddling?”

“None.” She inhaled and let it out slowly, like trying to clear away unpleasant emotions. “I used to make up all kinds of

stories, though. My favorite involved a prince and princess, who left me with the nuns for safekeeping during one of their

trips abroad. I imagined them returning for me, showering me with a crown and jewels.”

I understood those sorts of childhood dreams. “I imagined the Pendeltons mailing my father a check with an apology letter.

Then we would move into one of those big Beacon Hill houses and be happy again.”

A man came toward us, but he switched to walk on Josie’s side of the path. Then his gaze darted to the coin purse on Josie’s

waist. I went on alert, my senses tingling. I could be wrong, so I didn’t want to worry Josie unnecessarily.

I tightened my grip on her arm, watching the man through my lashes.

When the man bumped into Josie’s shoulder, it threw her off-balance and into my side. I knew what was happening, so I grabbed

his wrist to stop him before he could lift Josie’s coin purse. “Don’t try it,” I warned.

The man began struggling, as did Josie, who asked, “Leo, what on earth are you doing?”

I tried to hold on to both of them, but it wasn’t easy. Just then the man hit me in the cheek with his free hand. Pain exploded

and my grip on the thief’s arm slipped, my derby tumbling to the ground. He seized the advantage and took off running through

the park.

“My purse!” Josie lifted her skirts and instantly gave chase as the man darted into the woods.

“Josie, no!” I called after her, but it was pointless. Panicked, I snatched up my derby and sprinted after them. My cheek throbbed, each beat of my heart echoing in my face, but I kept going, petrified of what could happen to her. Damn that reckless woman.

Branches slapped my legs and chest as I tore into the woods. “Josie!” I called. “Let him go. It’s not worth it!”

Where was she? I kept going, pausing every few steps to listen for any sign of her. After a few minutes I heard grunting and

cursing off to my right. I jumped over a log and pushed through some bushes. On the other side was Josie, sitting on the thief’s

back, while he was pinned to the ground. She wrestled her coin purse out of his hands with a mighty tug.

Then she scrambled to her feet and kicked the thief in the ribs with the toe of her boot. “That is for taking a lady’s only

good purse.”

He groaned, rolled to his feet, and disappeared off into the undergrowth. Josie took a step in that direction, but I lunged

for her arm to stop her. “That’s enough,” I said. “No more fighting hooligans.”

Emerald fire flashed in her eyes. “But he stole my bag, Leo! We must turn him over to the police.”

“He tried to steal your purse. He failed. And the police here have more important crimes to worry about.”

She lifted her chin and let out a frustrated noise. “Then some other woman will have her bag stolen.”

“They are not my concern.” Gingerly, I touched my cheek. “You are.”

That gained her attention. She gasped when she saw my face. “You’re hurt. Oh god, Leo. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m fine,” I muttered. It hurt, but it wasn’t the worst punch I’d ever taken.

Josie didn’t listen. She dragged me over to a rock, stripped off her glove, and examined my cheek carefully, pressing gently with her bare fingers. “I’m fine,” I grumbled.

“It’s my fault you’re hurt. Let me ensure that your cheekbone isn’t broken.”

With nothing to do but sit, I realized how close we were at the moment. She was near enough that I could count each long eyelash,

study her high cheekbones and straight nose. The gentle curves of her full lips and her flawless skin. God almighty, she was

pretty.

When was the last time someone took care of me like this? Caressed me with such care and tenderness? Normally I was the one

looking after everyone else.

Josie’s exhales warmed my skin and a surge of nonbrotherly heat rolled through me, sparks that spread south to my groin. I

could kiss her so easily. Just lean forward and place my lips on hers. I wanted to, desperately.

I was starving for it, in fact.

I knew it was a terrible idea, but in this secluded section of the park, surrounded by trees, my resolve weakened. It was

like we were in our own world in the midst of the most crowded city in the country. Me and Josie, no one else, with the sweet

brush of her fingers against my skin.

“Stop staring at me, Leo.” Her gaze remained locked on my cheek.

The truth tumbled out. “I can’t help it. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever encountered.”

Her breath hitched as her eyes flicked to mine. “You’re not supposed to say things such as that.”

“Why not?”

“You know why.”

I did, but those reasons mattered less and less with every passing second.

The hint of a pink tongue emerged as she moistened her lips.

The movement was innocent, yet highly erotic, and I nearly groaned.

“Josie,” I whispered helplessly, adrift and unsure.

I wasn’t a man who became tongue-tied very often, but sitting this close to her, alone, I could hardly string two thoughts together.

Her free hand came up to cup my jaw, her palm warm and soft on my skin. Earlier in the apartment, her bold touch had scared

and surprised me. Not now. At this moment I longed for her to caress me all over.

“Careful,” I warned, my voice husky. “Or I might attempt to corrupt you.”

Her mouth twisted slyly, like she had a secret. “Perhaps I’ll let you, tomcat.”

“A man may dream,” I murmured. “But I shouldn’t like to take advantage of you.”

“What if I wish to take advantage of you ?” She let her fingers trail up over my temple, down along my hairline, and along my jaw. “I’m curious. Aren’t you?”

Yes. In fact, I was dying to know what she tasted like, what she felt like. She was sharp and bold, a fierce lioness with

a whole heap of talent. I’d bet my meager life savings that screwing her would be electrifying in the very best way. “Josie...”

I didn’t want to lie, not about this, but I’d promised both myself and others that I wouldn’t.

When I remained silent, her hand angled my face toward hers. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

And then she kissed me.