Page 40 of The Gilded Heiress

I needed to smooth this over, reassure her that everything was fine, but for the first time in my life I couldn’t speak. The

words wouldn’t come. My mouth was too dry, my tongue too thick with regret. I literally didn’t know what to say. How much

had she heard?

“Is it true?” she croaked. “Is that what you were planning to do?”

I stood silent, my mind racing. I couldn’t deny it, nor could I tell her the truth. I was caught and no escape plan came to

mind. All my abilities—reading a mark and saying what they needed to hear—deserted me. Josie wasn’t a mark, and she hadn’t

been for a long time.

Her eyebrows lowered as her gaze chilled. “You’re lying. You and Ambrose, this was a scheme to acquire the Pendeltons’ money.

To finally get your revenge.”

Inhaling, I closed my eyes and tried to think of what to say. Unfortunately, what came out was, “Ambrose and I are not working

together.”

“Oh my god,” she whispered and wrapped her arms around her waist. “You were doing this alone? I knew there was something off

about your sudden interest in me. But I let you—”

Her bottom lip trembled slightly. I’d never seen her look so small. It tore at my heart. “Wait. Josie, please. I can explain.”

“This is what you were planning all along, why you brought me to New York, isn’t it?”

“At first, yes. But not now. Josie, you have to believe me—”

“So it was never about my singing or our relationship. Everything since the moment we met has been a lie.”

“No! Your voice is a gift, unlike any I’ve heard. And the rest? The sleigh and what happened after? That was real, too.”

“Stop lying. Soon you’ll claim that finding me on the street in Boston was a coincidence.”

“It was a coincidence. But when I saw you, you reminded me of someone. It took a moment, but then I recalled Mrs. Pendelton.

Your hair and eyes are the same color. I used the manager angle to get close to you.”

“To get close to me,” she repeated, her voice raising. “Stop talking, Leo. Just... stop. You’re making it worse and I need

to return inside.”

“Don’t go—”

She talked over me. “I came out to tell you not to wait and I’ll meet you downtown later.” Though her voice shook, she drew

her shoulders back and seemed to regain herself. “Though I won’t be doing that now.”

I could feel her slipping away from me, like wisps of smoke. I stepped closer, desperate to hold on in any way I could manage.

“Josie.”

When I tried to grasp her hand, she stepped back. “Don’t touch me. Don’t wait for me. I don’t want to see you again.”

Spinning, she walked away, hurrying toward Maillard’s. I took a step after her, intending to catch up with her and help her

understand, but a hand landed on my arm, stopping me.

“Let her go,” Ambrose said smoothly. “No good will come from chasing after her on the street. Give her time to calm down.”

My muscles trembled with fury. Rounding on him, I pushed him with both hands and he stumbled backward. “Do not tell me what

to do. You’ve ruined everything, you bastard.”

He continued retreating, keeping me at arm’s length like he knew I was close to punching him. “You are angry because this

was your idea and I stole it.”

“Wrong. I didn’t want her used like this. Now she thinks I’m involved in your scheme and she’ll likely never speak to me again.”

“Not sure how that is my problem.”

I lunged for him, but he danced out of my reach. “Now, Leo. This is what we do, what we’ve always done. I don’t see a problem.

You should be thanking me. I’ve introduced her to the Pendeltons and you can still marry the girl. You shall be rich beyond

your—”

I couldn’t help it any longer. I charged at him and sent him flying backward into the brick, his arms flailing as he tried

to catch himself from falling.

We grappled for a moment or two, until Ambrose shoved me away. His lip curled into a sneer. “Do not dare claim the high ground

with me, Leo Hardy. I know you too well.”

No, he didn’t. Because I’d changed.

A year ago? Six months ago? Hell, even a week ago I would’ve jumped at the chance to fleece the Pendeltons out of that reward

money.

But now?

I didn’t want to use Josie for my own gain, even if it meant getting revenge on the Pendeltons and helping my family. Josie

didn’t deserve it, and I cared for her. A lot. “We are different people now, Ambrose.”

“Horseshit,” Ambrose spat, straightening to his full height. “I know you better than anyone else on this earth, even your

own mother. And you’d sell your soul to make a quick buck. Just like me.”

“No, I wouldn’t. Some things are worth more than money.”

Never thought I’d say the words, but there they were, falling out of my mouth and onto the dirty streets I used to hate.

But they were true. Josie was worth more than money to me. She was worth everything .

He snorted and brushed his coat sleeves. “Nothing is worth more than money—and anyone who believes such nonsense is a fool.”

“Nevertheless, this idea, this scheme stops now.”

“Oh, is that what you believe?” He poked me in the chest with one finger. “Hear me now, Hardy. I am fixing to collect that

reward money and nothing and no one will stop me.”

I shoved his hand away from me. “I will do everything in my power to ensure it doesn’t happen.”

Ambrose thrust his fists into his trouser pockets, a grin tugging at his mouth. “I do wish you luck, my friend. Because once

I have that money, I’m never letting go of it.”

He eased around me and started off down the walk. Heat simmered inside me, but I let him go. I would deal with Ambrose later.

First, I needed to wait for Josie.