Page 41 of The Gilded Heiress

Josie

“You are pale.” Mrs. Pendelton’s sharp gaze examined my face upon my return. “Has something happened outside?”

“It’s not important.” I retook my seat, grateful to have a moment to absorb what I’d learned a moment ago. My knees were still

shaking.

I used the manager angle to get close to you.

I put a hand on my stomach, as if to ease the nausea and heartache, but it was pointless. More than a few deep breaths would

be required to get over this betrayal.

Never trust anyone.

Hadn’t I always known it? Yet somehow, I’d allowed Leo to worm his way under my defenses. Indeed, I supposed that was what

all good confidence men did.

“I cannot stay long,” I told the older woman. There were now a whole slew of tasks awaiting me today, including finding somewhere

to live.

“You’ll stay as long as I like,” Mrs. Pendelton said in a no-nonsense tone. “I demand answers.”

“Oh, yes. I suppose that’s fair. You see, those two men—”

“I needn’t hear anything more regarding those two hooligans. I meant you , my dear. I want answers regarding you.”

Hooligan was an apt description. I straightened the flatware on the table, avoiding her shrewd gaze. “About what, exactly?”

“Let us start at the beginning. You are from Boston, obviously. It is plain in your voice.”

“Yes, that’s true. Lived there all my life.” I was fairly certain, anyway.

“With your parents?”

“No, ma’am. I was raised at the Boston Children’s Asylum until I was eighteen.”

A small divot formed between her eyebrows as she frowned. “And your age when you were deposited at this children’s asylum?”

“The nuns believe seventeen or eighteen months. More than a year but less than two.” I shrugged. “No one really knows for

certain.”

“The person who dropped you off left no information regarding your background? What of your birth parents?”

I shifted uncomfortably on the tiny seat. Why was she asking so many questions? God knew this was my least favorite topic

to discuss. “No information, and I haven’t a clue as to who they were.”

“And no other set of parents adopted you or took you in?”

On top of Leo’s betrayal this was too much. I couldn’t withstand dredging up more memories or emotion at the moment. “If it’s

all the same to you, ma’am, I’d rather go and not answer any more questions.”

“Why?”

I nearly gaped at her. Was she so oblivious, then? I could feel my control slipping, the anger taking over. “Because you are

delving into my past, which I’d like to forget. Not to mention that it’s been a miserable damn day.”

Mrs. Pendelton drew herself up and peered down her nose at me. “There is no need to be rude, young lady. And kindly refrain

from using profanities in my presence.”

I shrank in my chair, small and inferior, like I’d disappointed her. Which was silly, considering we were strangers. “I beg

your pardon, ma’am. Though I must say, you were much nicer in the ladies’ retiring room.”

“That was before three charlatans attempted to swindle me.”

I exhaled and rubbed my eyes. “I am no charlatan, but I suppose you won’t believe anything I say at this point.”

“How do you know those two men?”

“I met Leo in Boston and we came here together. Ambrose is Leo’s friend. For some reason they thought...” I swallowed hard

in an attempt to clear the bitterness. “They wanted you to believe I’m your missing daughter. Then they planned to collect

the reward.”

She lifted her teacup and sipped, each movement precise and perfect. “Many have certainly tried. That young man called you

Josie, but your stage name is Joséphine?”

“That’s right.”

“Is Josie your given name?”

“I assume so. It’s the only name the nuns ever used for me.”

“And who thought up Joséphine?”

Suddenly, this was too much. Pain exploded behind my temples, all my emotions crashing into my skull with the subtlety of

a steam engine.

I rubbed my head. I hadn’t experienced a migraine in years. I used to get them as a young girl, when the prospective adoptive

parents would leave the asylum with another child. Each time had devastated me, but I never allowed myself to cry over it.

Pippa always said the headaches were my brain’s way of coping with emotions that overwhelmed me.

Nevertheless, I hated them. They made me feel weak and helpless.

Maybe if I could lie down, alone, it would go away. Then I could wallow and cry, scream and curse, let everything out that

I was holding inside. Afterward, I might feel a tiny bit better.

But where can I go?

I stared at the table, no good answer forthcoming.

“You’ve gone pale once again,” Mrs. Pendelton said. “When was the last time you ate something?”

I pressed on my temples, hoping to stop the incessant pounding. “I don’t know. I should leave, though. I don’t feel up to answering any more questions.”

“Are you ill?”

I rose with the intention to quickly get fresh air. Then I would wander the city until I figured out what to do. “I apologize

for upsetting you. Ignore those two men should they approach you again. Goodbye, ma’am.”

“Wait, where are you going?”

I didn’t owe her an explanation. Putting one foot in front of the other, I moved toward the door. Each step was agony, however,

like slogging through heavy mud. When I reached the door, the bright sunlight stabbed through my skull like a lance. I froze

for a long second, needing a moment to gather myself lest I throw up.

Squinting, I forced myself outside and dragged in a big lungful of air. Pedestrians crowded the walk in front of the hotel,

so I started off in the opposite direction. I’d find a bench and sit for a spell, wait until I felt better before deciding

where to go. Perhaps Melvin—

“Josie!”

My stomach roiled, both from the pain and the sound of Leo’s voice. Why was he still here? I didn’t stop, merely kept walking.

“Josie, wait!”

Before I could cross the street, he was there, standing in front of me, his features etched with uncertainty and panic. I

had no choice but to stop, else I’d slam into him. “Out of my way, Leo.”

“No, please. Hear me out. Come, let’s go sit somewhere and I’ll explain.”

“I’ve heard enough. You used me. This was all about your scheme with Ambrose. None of it was real.”

“That’s not true.” He shifted to block my path as I tried to go around him. “Wait, you have to let me explain.”

I shoved his shoulder to move him. “Explain how you intended to convince Mrs. Pendelton that I’m her missing daughter? God, Leo. That’s awful, even for a confidence man. How can you live with yourself?”

He shook his head. “It may have started out as revenge against the Pendeltons, but I changed my mind. I decided I couldn’t

use you in such a fashion.”

“That hardly excuses your behavior. You selfish, manipulative man. How dare you lie to me? How dare you use me for one single—”

Fresh pain burst inside my skull. I closed my eyes and bent over slightly, waiting for the nausea to pass.

“Are you all right?” He clasped my arm, but his touch infuriated me.

“Let go.” I gave a weak tug of my arm to break free, but failed.

“Josie, come with me. You’re pale and sweaty. Let me take care of you.”

“I already told you. I don’t want to ever see you again—”

“Release her at once, young man.”

Mrs. Pendelton was now beside us, flanked by a hotel doorman. Her disapproving gaze was focused on where Leo gripped my arm.

“Or I shall have you arrested for assault.”

Leo let go and held up his hands. “I only wish to speak with her, ma’am.”

The doorman stepped between Leo and me. “Get lost. If I have to say it again, it’ll be a roundsman for you.”

Leo began arguing with the doorman, but I paid no attention. Instead, I turned and started in the opposite direction, intent

on getting away from there, even though the pain in my head was excruciating. I bumped into a large man and nearly went tumbling

to the walk.

A woman’s hand grabbed my arm, stabilizing me.

“Come with me.” Mrs. Pendelton began guiding me toward the street. I winced at the jostling, every tiny movement like a hammer

to my skull.

“This isn’t necessary,” I protested. “I’ll be fine.”

“Nonsense. I fear you shall keel over on the walk.”

Through the haze of pain, I saw a large black carriage ahead, with a liveried footman lowering the step. I felt too weak to

resist. Fine, she could drop me off at Melvin’s office. He’d help me find somewhere to stay.

I climbed in, grateful for the temporary escape. The pain in my head eased slightly as soon as I was out of the direct path

of the sun. Closing my eyes, I relaxed against the fine leather seat. I heard Mrs. Pendelton’s skirts rustle as she settled

across from me.

With all the strength I could muster, I said, “You may drop me at Herald Square.”

“I have already instructed my man to take us to my home. I’m not through talking with you.”

Christ, would this nightmare never end? “Mrs. Pendelton, I have a terrible ache in my head. I’d like to go lie down and be

alone, if you don’t mind.”

“I do mind,” she snapped. “The company you keep is appalling. Who knows what this agent is like? Someone clearly needs to

save you from yourself.” When I grimaced, she softened her tone. “You may rest at my home until you feel up to talking.”

I stopped arguing. My head ached, not to mention that my heart felt as if it had been ripped out of my chest. I closed my

eyes and let my head rest against the seat back.

If a wealthy older woman wished to kidnap me, I no longer cared.

I awoke with a start.

I exhaled and stared up at an unfamiliar ceiling, intricately painted with angels.

Oh, yes. I was inside the Pendelton mansion.

Thankfully, the agony in my head was now reduced to a dull ache.

When we arrived earlier, Mrs. Pendelton placed me on their sitting room sofa and ordered me to drink a terrible-tasting tonic.

I hadn’t complained. Deep down, a part of me liked being looked after.

I wasn’t used to such consideration, even from the nuns or Pippa.

Regardless, whatever Mrs. Pendelton gave me helped me sleep off the ache in my head.