Page 51 of The Gilded Heiress

Mason slowly turned the box over, revealing the official coat of arms of the Prince of Wales embossed in gold underneath. Ambrose eased back in his chair and I could almost see his mind spinning as he studied the feast of diamonds on the table. Finally he said, “I wish to buy that, sir.”

Mason closed the box carefully. “You said you had only a hundred thousand.”

“I can bring you fifty more tomorrow.” Ambrose reached inside his coat pocket, pulled out the check, and flattened it on the

table. With two fingers, he pushed it closer to Mason.

Suddenly, Mason began coughing, and he brought a handkerchief to cover his mouth. “I apologize. I’m recovering from a slight

cold. Anyway, Mr. Lee, that isn’t how this works. I require all the cash up front—”

A crash sounded from the front of the store, the door’s bell jangling violently. We all froze, not even daring to breathe.

A voice barked, “Come out, all of you. It’s the police.”

Mason began wrapping the small diamonds up in the brown paper, his fingers flying. Ambrose’s panicked gaze met mine. “I can’t

be caught,” he whispered. “They’ll send me to the Tombs for certain.”

“Go.” I pointed toward the back exit. “I’ll answer their questions and cover for you. They have nothing on me. Go, Ambrose!”

Mason was already wrapping the diamonds in an effort to hide them. The sound of heavy boots drew closer, and I heard at least

two sets of steps. “Shit!” Ambrose exclaimed, then leapt over the table to grab the box with the pink diamond out of Mason’s

hands. Mason tried to hold on, but Ambrose was too strong.

Mason snarled as Ambrose darted toward the exit. “Return that this instant! You have no right to take it!”

Ambrose pointed at the check on the table. “There’s your payment.”

“It’s not enough!”

“I sympathize, sir, but you never should’ve shown me this.” He shoved the box into his coat pocket.

“Hey!” Two officers, dressed in their caps and blue coats, appeared in the doorway. “Nobody moves until we find out what’s

going on in here.”

Ambrose didn’t wait. He lunged for the back door, opened it, and quickly disappeared into the alley. One of the officers gave

chase, while the other copper put his hands on his hips. “Now, what exactly is goin’ on here, boyos?”

I put my palms on the table. “Nothing, Officer. A friendly chat, is all.”

“I don’t believe it. We’ve been watching this place for weeks...” He trailed away, then gave a peek at where Ambrose disappeared.

“Think he’s gone?”

I stood and walked over to the open door. No trace of Ambrose or the other “officer.” Turning around, I clapped my hands.

“He’s gone. Well done, gents.”

Mason chuckled, his shoulders relaxing. “It went down as smooth as silk, just like you said it would, Leo.”

“I’ve known Ambrose a long time. He’s fairly easy to predict. Mason, you were perfect with the diamonds and knowing which

ones to hand him.”

Mason, an acquaintance from Philadelphia, slipped the packet of small real diamonds into his pocket. “It helps to know how

to spot the real ones from the fakes. Not that hard once you know what you’re looking for.”

“You did it seamlessly. And the prince’s box for the pink diamond was a nice touch,” I said. “Where’d you find it?”

“Found it years ago with cuff links inside. I’ve been waiting for the right time to use it.”

I picked up the Pendelton check off the table and slipped it into my coat pocket. The scuffle of shoes sounded outside just before the other “officer” strolled in from the alley door. I paused, asking, “Is he... ?”

“Long gone,” the man answered with a smirk. “Took off and didn’t stop running.”

Good. I doubted I’d ever see Ambrose again. He’d take the pink diamond to another city and try to sell it to someone. I hated

to see his face when he learned it was glass.

Reaching for my billfold, I withdrew the remaining money I owed my accomplices. After I paid them, I shook their hands. “If

you’re ever in Boston, come look me up.”

“If you decide to stay in New York,” one of the fake officers said, “we could find use for you.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m headed back tonight.”

Mason shut the safe and locked it. “What are you fixing to do with that check?”

I shoved my derby onto my head. “Return it to its rightful owner. Afternoon, gents.”

Josie

“You sound beautiful.”

My head snapped up. My mother stood in the entryway, a soft smile on her face as she observed me at the piano. Though I couldn’t

play, I enjoyed standing by the gorgeous instrument to practice singing. “Thank you.”

We hadn’t revisited the issue of my stage career. While I didn’t wish to argue with her, I would stand firm on the issue.

Thankfully, my father was in my corner. Privately, he told me he would hire a team of Pinkertons to keep me safe, if need

be, should I decide to pursue a public singing career.

“Which song was that?”

“Oh, it’s a popular show tune I heard recently.”

“And you are recalling it without sheet music? That’s remarkable.”

I shrugged. “Once I hear a song it’s stored up here.” I tapped my temple.

“Yes, just like your grandmother.” She approached, her green silk skirts rustling softly. “Though no one in my family could

sing nearly as well as you do.”

“What was she like?”

“Your grandmother?” My mother leaned against the side of the piano, her gaze thoughtful. “Smart. Strong. And she always made

us laugh.”

“Do I have aunts and uncles? Cousins?”

“Your father was an only child, but I have many relatives in Indiana. Someday I’ll take you there to meet them.”

“They never visit?”

A shadow passed over her expression. “I haven’t seen them in, oh, seven or eight years now. We haven’t been exactly welcoming

to guests in the last few years.”

Another reminder of how much was affected by my kidnapping. “You must miss them.”

“I do, yes. But it was me. I grew tired of answering questions about the investigation and how I was faring. I found it easier

to stay home and avoid people.”

“Understandable, though I suppose it was an attempt on their part to offer care.”

“Most definitely, but some days the pain was unbearable. I cannot fathom how I survived it, actually. The house was a constant

reminder, too.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t sell it and move.”

“Your father suggested it many, many times. He thought we needed a fresh start.” She pressed her lips together and stared

through the window that overlooked Fifth Avenue. “Leaving felt as if we were giving up, admitting we would never see you again.

I always held out hope that you’d return.”

“I would’ve returned sooner, had I known. I longed for a family growing up, a mother and father who loved me. You have no idea how much.”

My mother rubbed my shoulder as her eyes welled with tears. “I hate that you doubted it for one single day.”

I could feel my own throat closing with emotion. “Please, ma’am. No more or else I’ll start crying.”

If she found it strange that I still didn’t often call her “Mother” or “Mama,” she hadn’t mentioned it. I was glad. It didn’t

feel right to refer to my parents with those terms yet. Someday, perhaps.

But I needed time to grow accustomed to it.

“You’re right.” She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. “Speaking of hurt, I wish that I could have spared you the disaster

of that young hooligan from Maillard’s. Mr. Hardy’s son.”

She said it casually, but her gaze remained sharp. I sensed she was fishing for information about my love life, as any mother

might. Except Leo was a topic I devoutly wished to avoid. “He’s not a hooligan. A bit gray morally, true, but not a bad person.

He has his five sisters and a mother to help provide for, so I can’t blame him for hustling.”

I did blame him for using me to do it, however.

“Did you care for him?”

“Yes.” My quick answer startled both of us, so I amended, “At least I thought I did.”

“I am surprised, then, that he hasn’t tried to see you again.”

I trailed my finger over the shiny black lacquer surface of the piano. “I’m sure he’s gone back to Boston. There’s no reason

for him to stick around.”

“No, he’s still in the city.”

I cocked my head at her. “How do you know?”

“Because he’s downstairs with your father right now.”

I straightened, my chest fluttering with both panic and excitement.

Leo was here? Why?

I moved around the piano to find out for myself. “Why has no one told me?”

My mother caught my arm as I tried to pass. Her grip was firm. “Josie, where are you going?”

“Down to see what Leo wants.”

“Let your father handle it. He is seasoned in dealing with undesirables. Let him protect you from whatever this is.”

“Whatever this is pertains to me. I’d like to know what is happening.” I eased out of her grasp. “And Leo is not an undesirable.

He’s a fool, but that’s all.”

I crossed the floor quickly, but my mother followed behind me. “Josie, you cannot go barging into your father’s office. It’s

simply not done.”

Thankfully, I didn’t know the rules of what was “done” and “not done.”

I kept going, my feet flying down the main stairs, and just as I reached the next to the last step, my father’s office door

opened. Leo and my father shook hands. More confused than ever, I paused on the step.

“I wish you luck, son,” my father said.

“Thank you, sir.” Leo stepped out of the office and into the hallway—and our eyes locked. He froze, derby dangling in his

hand.

I soaked in the sight of him, cataloging every detail. He wore the same dark blue traveling suit as when we arrived from Boston.

His hair was oiled and neat, his face clean-shaven, but there were shadows under his eyes. His lips curled into the faintest

of smiles then executed a perfectly polite bow. “Miss Pendelton. Mrs. Pendelton. Good afternoon.”

Without waiting for a response, he jammed his derby on his head and went for the exit. Ronald waited to assist with the door,

so I blurted, “Leo, what are you doing here?”