“What’s going on?” he asked.
“We are learning to curtsy. Your Majesty,” Ruby said as she descended into a curtsy and again almost toppled over.
“My goodness, Ruby! What are you doing wrong? You look like a newborn colt!” Bessie laughed.
“I can’t help it!” she said, laughing. “I want it to be perfect and majestic!”
“I stopped by to invite you both to dinner. But it seems like you two might be at this for some time,” Archie said.
“No! We won’t be. I’m starving,” Ruby told him. “Come, Bess.”
“With pleasure, Your Highness,” she said, sinking gracefully into a curtsy.
“Stop that! You make it look so elegant,” Ruby complained.
“Well, think of us poor men. Look what we must do,” Archie said, and he performed a low bow to both ladies.
“Oh, you!” Ruby smacked his shoulder. “How about I’ll bow and you curtsy?” she told him as they walked along the corridor.
They decided to dine at The Duke again, which was conveniently located, and discovered it was quite full. She saw Ford sitting with Vern and Max as they grabbed a booth and ordered their food and pints.
“Do you think we will be presented to the King, Archie?” Ruby asked him.
“I do.”
“You’re very certain.”
“Logical.”
“How so?”
“The King will not miss a chance to be presented to all you lovely ladies. So if you want my advice?”
“Which we don’t,” Bessie teased him.
“Then learn to curtsy.”
Ruby nodded. “After dinner, Bess. We must perform the perfect curtsy.”
Ford had made it a habit since he had joined the agency to study people. Sometimes body language was easy to read. The Vadas sisters were clustered together with three men, and it wasn’t hard to see that the men hoped to bed the vivacious Hungarian women. They sat close to one another with their bodies
turned to them.
He looked across at Lou seated with Zeta. Theirs was a more complex relationship, he mused. Lou seemed to dote on Zeta while she seemed reserved and cool. It was clear that her heart was not given so easily, or perhaps she was not as invested in their relationship.
Finally, he turned his attention to Ruby’s table. Their table seemed to be a mix of easy friendship and family. He could tell that everyone was fond of Ruby. Bessie sat nearest her with a shoulder against hers and a smile on her face. The men were animated, but neither man touched Ruby or looked at her longer than was necessary.
“So what do you think about our news?” Vernon said as he leaned over to Ford, breaking into his thoughts.
“I think you owe someone a favor,” Ford said as he sipped his pint.
“Right you are! Truth is, I barely know the owner. Perhaps King had something to do with this. Have you told him the good news?”
“No. In fact, King had business to take care of, so I’ve not seen him since Liverpool.”
“Well, if it was his doing, we have him to thank yet again. If he does attend, our tickets will sell like hotcakes.”
When Ford looked up again, Ruby’s table was empty. After ten minutes, Ford walked back to the hotel. As he turned into the hallway, he heard giggling followed by laughter. Bessie was curtsying to Ruby, and Ruby was doing the same.