Page 7 of The Gilded Heiress

“Shut it,” I snapped. “No one knows about that—and this isn’t a scheme. It’s legitimate.” Sort of.

“I ain’t buyin’ it. You don’t do anything on the level.”

Roy and I had known each other for years, though he went straight a while ago when he met his wife. After checking to make

sure we were alone, I lowered my voice. “Look, don’t ruin this for me. The girl is talented and I’m going to manage her career.”

Roy shrugged. “Whatever you say, Leo. Just leave me out of it. I need this job.”

Roy was safe from me—as long as he didn’t get in my way. “Consider yourself uninvolved. I’m bringing Josie here tomorrow to

sing for Lotta. Once she hears this girl, big things are going to happen.”

“With you that could mean any number of things and god knows I don’t need a brush with the law.” Roy pushed open the door.

“Get lost, Hardy. Forget we know each other.”

I stepped into the alley, my mood too jubilant for anyone to ruin. “Already forgotten. See you tomorrow, stranger.”

Josie

My leg bounced as nerves twisted inside me. Leo had insisted on taking a hack over to the theater, which was absurd. I would’ve

been fine walking or riding a streetcar. Now all I could do was sit and think.

This could go wrong in a hundred different ways. Maybe my voice would crack. Maybe Miss Crabtree changed her mind. Maybe our

hack overturned and we were killed on the way over—

“Will you please relax?” Leo said. He sat across from me, looking as cool as a block of ice.

“You’re not the one who has to get up and sing. I’ll be calm when it’s over.”

“Take a deep breath. This will go well, I promise.”

He was just telling me what I wanted to hear, but I didn’t care at this point. I inhaled and exhaled a few times, trying to

stave off the panic. Part of me still couldn’t believe this was happening. In one day Leo had landed me an audition with Lotta

Crabtree. It was unbelievable. Everyone with a pulse had heard of the actress.

Now I was going to sing in front of her.

Black dots appeared in my vision, so I bent over and tried to put my head between my legs. Damn corset made it impossible.

Why had I laced it so tight today?

Sitting up, I dragged in a breath. Strong fingers suddenly wrapped around my hands. Leo’s voice broke through the chaos in

my mind. “Look at me, Josie.”

I peered over at his serene gaze and some of the tension left my shoulders. “I’m nervous.”

“Good. That means you’re alive. I’d be concerned if you weren’t.” His mouth lifted in an adorable half smile and I found myself

smiling back. “There you go,” he said quietly, his deep voice soothing. “You can do this. You have an incredible voice. This

is merely the first step toward the rest of your life, sweetheart.”

His eyes were the color of the ocean on a sunny day, with streaks of lighter blue and gray running toward the center. They

reminded me of the time Pippa and I went out to Wollaston Beach. It had been the best day of my life, up until today. If this

audition went well, I supposed this would take top prize.

He called me sweetheart.

I licked my dry lips. “Thank you. That helped.”

He leaned back, releasing me. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Maybe having a manager wasn’t as bad as I feared. At least I’d give Leo today. I had nothing to lose, except a few hours of

my time.

Soon we were pulling up to the theater. Leo paid the fare, then helped me down to the walk. I could hardly stand, my knees

were knocking so fiercely, but I refused to take his arm. If I was going to do this, it would be on my own.

We walked to the stage door and Leo rapped twice. The heavy metal parted and a man’s face appeared. “Oh, it’s you,” he said, frowning at Leo. “Come in, I guess.”

“Thank you, Roy.” Leo swept his arm out for me to go first. “After you.”

When we were inside the man named Roy said, “Miss Crabtree wants you out onstage. Through there.” He pointed to a corridor.

“Third door on the left and keep going. You’ll see the steps.”

I lifted my chin and forced my legs to move. The small amount of food in my stomach threatened to come back up, but I took

more deep breaths and kept going. Before I knew it, I was at the edge of the stage. A single light shone overhead.

Lord, I was scared.

“Josie, wait.”

Leo grabbed my arm as I started to move forward, stopping me. Turning, I tried to stem my rising panic. “What is it?”

He put his hands on my shoulders, but maintained a respectable distance. “Repeat after me: I’m going to be one of the greats.”

“I’m going to be one of the greats,” I whispered.

“Now say it like you mean it.”

“I’m going to be one of the greats,” I said with more conviction than I felt.

He nodded once. “Good. Now you’re ready.”

Was I? At least he’d distracted me from my terror for a brief second. Was that what managers did? Calmed down singers who

were on the verge of hysteria?

Releasing me, he folded his arms but didn’t move. I motioned to the stage behind me. “Aren’t you coming with me?”

“I’ll be right here. I’ll be watching the whole time.”

It was now or never. I’d sing on street corners forever if I didn’t take a risk sooner or later.

Exhaling, I hurried out onto the stage. My boot heels thumped on the wooden floorboards, the sound echoing as I walked. When

I was under the light, I gazed out at the audience.

Sakes alive, this place was huge.

Rows and rows of empty seats surrounded me, the details indiscernible thanks to the light in my face. But I could make out

the loge and mezzanine, up to the balcony, as well as the surrounding boxes. What was it like to have all those eyes on you?

Everyone’s attention solely focused on the sounds coming out of your mouth?

My knees started knocking again and I took a tiny step back. Maybe I couldn’t—

“There you are,” a woman’s voice called from the darkness below. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d changed your mind. Do

you need to warm up your voice?”

I frowned. Warm up? “No, ma’am. I’m ready.”

The tip of a cigar glowed in the audience. Who was out there with Miss Crabtree? “Well, so am I,” the woman said. “Let’s hear

it.”

I had decided to sing songs I knew well, the ones I thought best showcased my vocal range. Inhaling, I stared off into the

distance and delivered my first note. The sound startled me, it was so loud and clear, like the vibrations were reverberated

back at me. I stopped and cleared my throat. “My apologies. I’ll start again, if that is all right.”

“Of course, honey.”

I began singing a light and bubbling piece from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers . The theater was silent when the final notes finished and I wasn’t sure what to do. I hadn’t expected applause, but perhaps

some sort of reaction would be nice. Hadn’t Miss Crabtree liked it?

Panic started to swell in my chest, but I beat it back. I couldn’t fail. Maybe she preferred more popular tunes?

I quickly began singing Sousa’s “You’ll Miss Lots of Fun When You’re Married.” I lost myself in the rousing tune, one that

always pleased the saloon crowd. It was better with a piano, but I made sure to sing dramatically.

More silence ensued when I finished. I resisted the urge to fidget.

Broadway. Of course! Miss Crabtree was known for her work in Broadway shows, so I should sing one of those. I quickly began

a song from The Shop Girl , a very popular musical comedy from London that had been on Broadway last year. Surely, Miss Crabtree would know it.

In the middle of the second chorus, the woman called out, “No need for more, honey. Leo, are you there?”

“I’m here, Miss Crabtree,” he said, stepping out onto the stage.

“Bring her to my dressing room, will you?”

“Will do!” He motioned to me. “Come on.”

“Was I any good?” I whispered when I reached him. “I can’t tell whether she liked it or not.”

“You were dashed fantastic.” He grinned at me. “I have a feeling she liked it.”

Excitement thrummed through my veins as he led me backstage. I felt numb, like my brain was spinning, and I couldn’t focus

on anything. What if Leo was wrong? What if I’d blown my only chance?

He stopped at a door and knocked. “Enter,” the voice called, and then I was standing in front of Lotta Crabtree. Should I

curtsy?

“Hello,” I said, dipping my knees awkwardly.

“Oh, aren’t you the cutest?” Lotta came forward and stuck out her hand. “I’d rather shake hands than bow.”

I shook the other woman’s hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Crabtree.”

“Thank you, honey. Have a seat.” She glanced over my shoulder. “Leo, wait in the hall, will you?”

Leo tipped his hat and withdrew, closing the door behind him. Lotta sat on the divan opposite from me. “Forgive me,” the famous

performer said, “but I wanted to talk to you alone, without your manager listening in.”

“Because it’s bad news?”

“No, nothing like that. You are very talented, Miss Smith.”

“Thank you—and please, call me Josie.”

“You are talented, Josie, but unpolished. You’re a little rough around the edges.”

My stomach sank, my chest caving in on itself. I’d muffed it. “Oh.”

“Now, don’t let that give you frown lines. What I mean is you’re young and you haven’t any experience performing. It’s clear

you need some training. But with the right guidance, you’ll go far in this business.”

“That makes sense. I mostly sing on the street. I’m not used to being onstage.”

“I can tell. Now, from what I understand you don’t have anyone looking out for you.”

“Well, there’s my friend Pippa. And Mr. Hardy, of course.”

“A man like Leo is not on your side, honey. He’s on his side. Never forget it.” She reached and lifted the lit cigar from

the dish on the table, then took a few puffs. “Forty years I’ve been in this business and without my mother watching out for

me, I never would’ve made it half that long. She made certain I was paid and she invested my money. Never let anyone cheat

me. Do you understand my meaning?”

“You don’t trust him.”

“I’m warning you to be careful. He’s handsome and charming, but how much do you truly know about him? Maybe I’m wrong, but

I’ve seen it happen too many times. Some talented young woman led astray by pretty words and a slick smile.”

I nodded, though I knew better. I wasn’t some sheltered girl who sat at home, working on my needlepoint. I’d been raised by

no one but myself. Right now, I was keeping one eye on Leo and the other on my future. Nothing would stand in my way. “I understand.”

“Good girl. Come by tomorrow morning and I’ll show you some things. Does that sound all right?”

My jaw fell open, my brain scrambling to make sense of the offer. “It sounds amazing! Holy Christmas!”

Lotta chuckled. “I suspect we’re going to get along just fine. I should mention that I’m leaving in two days, so unfortunately

tomorrow is all I can give you.”

I lunged out of my chair and thrust out my hand. “That’s more than I ever dreamed. Thank you.”

Lotta took my hand in hers. “You’re welcome. We all need a break in this business, and I’d prefer to help you do it the right

way. But I predict your name will be on everyone’s lips before the year is out.”

I left Lotta’s dressing room in a daze, my skin buzzing with possibility. Leo straightened off the wall, his eyes searching

my face. “Well?”

“She asked me to return tomorrow morning. Offered to show me some things to help my performance.”

His face broke out in a wide grin. “Josie, that’s wonderful. Congratulations.”

I nearly skipped toward the exit. “I can’t believe it. This is like a dream. Thank you for this!”

“I told you I’d get you a meeting,” he said. “Does this mean I am your official manager?”

“Yes, I believe it does.”

He stopped and held out his hand. “Let’s shake on it, then.”

I clasped his palm and pumped his hand eagerly. “I look forward to doing business with you, manager.”

The light bounced off his sparkling blue eyes and formed a golden halo around his dark hair. He seemed almost magical in that

moment, a guardian angel who’d dropped out of the sky to help me achieve my dreams. He leaned closer, still holding on to

my hand. “You and me, Josie? I guarantee we’ll make headlines together.”