The Vaudeville Star

The woman patted her shoulder. “It’s the truth. You were splendid. Enjoy your dinner.”

They moved out of the dining car while everyone stared at Ruby. She smiled back at them.

“Nice of her to say,” she said as she took another spoonful of soup.

Ford smiled at her, his heart bursting with pride. When they returned to their carriage, Bessie pulled out a book while Ruby turned to the window. She felt Ford’s hand on her neck, massaging it softly.

“Remember that summer you and Jessbelle climbed into that tree to see the bird’s eggs and you got stuck?” he whispered into her ear.

“Yes. And your Daddy fetched you to come get us. You looked up into the tree and said it served us right to be stuck and that you were going to leave us there.”

Ford chuckled. “I said I might come get Jessbelle, but not you.”

“Meaner than a snake,” Ruby said but without malice.

“You were always a handful, Ruby Mae,” he said, still massaging her neck.

She closed her eyes. She loved the feel of his hand on her and his voice as he said her name. No one called her Ruby Mae anymore, not since she had left Mississippi. But Ford was a part of her past and a part of her future. He would be able to understand her like no one else could.

The trip to Paris was long but uneventful. The ferry from Dover to Calais was a little rough going, but they arrived safely in France. Ruby’s ears pricked at the French language that suddenly surrounded them, and she tried to pick up words here and there.

She noticed the men stared at her longer than she was used to, and though she dismissed it, Ford grew irritated. When they finally made it to the Hotel Chopin, they were a tired bunch.

“Spend the night with me,” Ford whispered in her ear.

Grabbing one of her smaller trunks, she followed Ford to his room, smiling at Bessie.

“Alone, alone, alone at last. All those Frenchmen ogling you,” he growled, pulling her close.

“Since when did you become so possessive?” Ruby laughed.

“Since I discovered I loved you and am about to make you my wife.”

“Wife? I knew nothing of this,” she said in astonishment.

He pulled her to the bed, and she fell against him. His fingers tangled in her long blond hair as he kissed her mouth.

“Do you mind so much that they look? I can’t help it,” Ruby said, looking into his hazel eyes.

“Darling Ruby. I don’t mind that men look. Because they will look. You are too beautiful,” he said as his hands were undoing her laces.

Tangled together, their mating was quick and passionate, and afterward they lay together spent, surrounded by their trunks that they had not yet unpacked.

“I telegraphed the agency and told them I would be taking time off in Paris. They know to reach me here should they need to do so.”

“I’m so glad you’re here, Ford.”

“You have nothing to worry about, Ruby. You’ll conquer Paris the same as you did London, and everything will be well.”

“And King?”

“King is a smart and powerful man. I think if anything he is headed back to New York to get a lawyer and take it from there.”

Ruby let the tension drain from her body. “Yes. That makes sense. He has resources there.”

“Focus on Paris. Focus on the show. Soon you’ll have Paris in the palm of your little hand,” he said as he picked up her hand and planted a kiss in the palm of it.

She leaned up and kissed his lips before she snuggled against him to sleep. Ford said what Ruby needed to hear, but he knew he must be on his guard. King would want to protect his name and dignity, but he could also be unpredictable.