The Vaudeville Star

“I don’t want Ruby to think I’m unsympathetic.”

King gave her a cold look. “It seemed for a second there you didn’t even remember we were in mourning.”

“Well, I have a lot on my mind,” Alice complained. “Much of the funeral arrangements fall to me. It’s tiring. Meanwhile, you’re off to London.”

“Yes,” King said in a long drawl. “But I too still have certain arrangements to make before I go.”

The next day, Caroline Parker’s obituary was printed in The New York Times, and much of New York was talking about it. King had amassed his wealth through certain business practices, many of which were honest, but a few were of not-so-honest means. He had many enemies and almost immediately there was talk that Caroline had died under abnormal circumstances.

When Ruby awoke the next morning, she lay in bed listening to the bustle outside the window and tried to focus her mind. She had hoped stupidly that her rise to fame would be her own doing and she woul

d be proud of her achievement.

But now it seemed she had fallen into a web of which she wanted no part. True, she wanted King to financially back the tour, and she wanted to shine, but she certainly wouldn’t give him anything short of her appreciation. She would never allow him access to her body simply for his help, and marriage to him was unacceptable.

When the knock sounded, she bid enter as she flung back the bed covers.

“Still in bed?” Bessie asked, carrying two cups of coffee with the newspaper under her arm.

It was their ritual now to meet in the mornings over coffee and the paper. Bessie had asked Mrs. Hodges if she could prepare their coffee, and in lieu of a larger meal, she had agreed. Their landlady was happy to accommodate as the two women never caused her trouble.

“I’m up,” she said, gratefully taking the coffee offered her.

“Have you seen the paper?” Bessie asked as she handed it to her.

“You mean the one you just handed me?” Ruby asked, smiling and taking both paper and coffee to the window seat.

Bessie sat next to her. “Yes. That one.”

“Silly you,” Ruby said, smoothing out the newspaper and sipping the coffee.

When she came upon the obituary for Caroline Parker, she nodded. “Yes, I know.”

“You know? How?”

“I had dinner last night with King.”

“Dinner?”

“Yes.”

“His wife just died,” Bessie said, her voice filled with accusation.

“Believe me, it wasn’t my choice. I don’t welcome his attentions,” she told her friend. “In fact, the whole thing preys on my mind. I want to be onstage, and I want top billing. What I don’t want is to be King’s wife.”

“His wife?” Bessie sounded shocked.

“Yes. He’s made his intent clear.”

“He could give you such a life,” Bessie added. “Are you certain you don’t want it?”

Ford’s handsome face flashed into Ruby’s mind. “I’m absolutely certain. I know what I want. What I don’t want is King Parker.”

“Hmmm. This is a pickle. He obviously desires you. What do you plan to do?”

Ruby scanned the paper. “I’ve given it some thought. He has to remain in mourning. To do anything less would appear disrespectful.”

“That’s true.”