The Vaudeville Star

“Come sit here next to me on the sofa,” Alice directed, and Ruby did. “It’s much more comfortable.” She looked Ruby up and down and nodded. “You’re a lovely girl, but then I’m sure you’ve been told that many times.”

“Indeed, no,” Ruby said softly.

“Really?” Alice seemed surprised. “I was once very pretty too. But of course that was many years ago.”

The tea arrived, and the polished silver set was placed before Alice. The maid poured out two cups using the strainer, and Ruby was handed the first cup as the guest. Alice received her teacup, and the maid departed, closing the door behind her.

Alice sipped her tea. “Was my invitation surprising?”

“Yes, I confess it was. I’m a stranger to you.”

“Perhaps. But not to my son.”

“No. Your son has been very kind. He is backing our tour to London and Paris. I’m sure you’ve heard.”

“Hmmm.” Alice smiled. “My son. He always had an eye for beauty.”

Ruby looked down at her gloves. She saw she needed new ones. Her white gloves were discolored from use and the dirt of the city, and she suddenly felt uncomfortable in this grand house wearing her drab dress and old gloves.

“He’s mentioned you several times,” Alice continued.

Ruby set the cup and saucer back on the tray. “Has he? I’m sure I’ve done nothing to warrant it.”

“Come now, Miss Sutton. Ruby, if I may?”

Ruby nodded. “Please.”

“You don’t need to be coy. As I said, you’re a beauty, and male attention follows beauty. I know all about you. You aren’t some little theater tart trying to steal my son. In fact, you are much more on the same social standing as us. Second daughter of Earl and Lucille Sutton. Born and raised in Mississippi. Educated in Connecticut at Miss Porter’s School.”

“All that is true,” Ruby confirmed, though she felt uncomf

ortable as to the reason why King’s mother had chosen to find out so much about her.

“Of course it is. It’s also true that my daughter-in-law is ill. Quite ill.” She selected a small iced cake that had been placed before them on the tea tray.

“Yes, you mentioned that before.”

“I must have grandchildren, Ruby. It’s essential. And William must have a son. An heir.”

Ruby swallowed lightly. The room felt stuffy, and the tea seemed bitter. “I’m sure your daughter-in-law will recover.”

“She won’t. The doctors all agree.”

Ruby looked at the lilies in the window and saw that one petal had fallen onto the table. It was such a small thing, but it seemed to add a bit of disarray to the pristine room. Ruby liked it. It made her feel at home.

“My son is quite taken with you. Why do you think he’s financing this tour?”

“I had heard he was a patron of the arts.”

“That’s quite true. He is. However, I think this time he wants something more.”

“Madame—” Ruby began.

“Come now, Ruby. There is no need to blush and stammer. My son is attracted to you. That much is clear. And you are lovely and young, and I’m sure you’ve had admirers.”

“Not really.” Ruby shook her head.

“I want you to keep an open mind is all. Half the battle is finding a suitable young woman, and the other half is finding someone that William likes. Caroline was lovely too when she was younger, but she was fragile. I warned him. She had three miscarriages, and then that was that. He could no longer bed her. But you are strong. I see that.” Alice’s eyes flicked over her.