The Vaudeville Star

But he kept his true feelings at bay whenever they were together, and it was hard to fight. He wanted her still. He wanted her as he had never wanted another woman before. She haunted his dreams at night, and in his waking hours, he ached for her.

He had seen her onstage and had not been surprised at the way she easily captured the hearts of men in the audience. Her sweet face and smile were only the beginning, followed by a lush body that he could still remember under his hands.

It had been heaven and then hell to know that she was not a woman to cry at him and try to wring a marriage proposal from him. Indeed, Ruby had almost laughed at him and wanted nothing from him, which was all the more frustrating. Even though he had never said another word, nothing had changed from that

night. He wanted her still.

He had watched her from afar and had his colleague follow her to keep her safe. He had seen her perform and applauded with everyone else. But he was not like everyone else. And in his heart, he had never let her go.

“You had tea with Ruby Sutton? Why?” King asked when Ford left and was replaced by Alice, who had told her son the very thing he had just asked.

“To meet her. I know you like her. She’s lovely.”

“Don’t interfere, Mother. Not in this.”

“I didn’t at all. How could you think that?” she said soothingly.

“At this point, I am backing the tour and nothing more. I also intend to travel to London with the troupe,” he explained.

Alice looked sharply at her son but said nothing. “I’m to stay here with Caroline?”

“Of course. Who else?”

Alice was about to speak and then changed her mind. “Of course I will stay to look after Caroline. And you must do as you please, my dear.”

King smiled. “I know you were curious. But really, Mother, nothing is happening that concerns you. It is business. That is all.”

“One that is taking you to London,” Alice stated.

“Just so.”

“Zeta is looking for new material,” Bessie told Ruby as they walked together to the theater. “Ezra told me.”

“I suppose that’s good for her,” Ruby said.

“She’s terribly threatened by you, Ruby.”

“I can’t help that. I only got the three songs thanks to King, but I’m grateful to him. But I can’t help what he does any more than I can help my age or hers. I don’t want to feel sad because of it.”

“Nor should you Ruby.”

“But I do. I hate feeling that my rise may be her downfall.”

“No. You do your very best and leave Zeta to Zeta. Whether she continues or falters will be on her. You concentrate on yourself. And just think. London! I never thought it possible until you came along.”

“We owe it all to King.”

“No. We owe it all to you. Our good luck charm,” Bessie said, hugging her friend.

When they entered the side door to the theater, Lewis was sitting in his usual spot reading the newspaper.

“For you,” he told Ruby and pointed at the wilted daises beside him.

“Again?”

“Guess so.”

“Did he say anything?” Ruby asked, picking up the pathetic-looking flowers.