Ruby emitted a loud gasp. “Michael .. . ?” she said. “You are speaking of Michael Hopper? The Michael Hopper that I also know?”
Maria's heart began to throb wildly. It was true. Michael was at this place. He was only footsteps, heartbeats, away. “Then . . . you do . . . know of this . . . man?” she asked anxiously, looking toward the window, only able to make out fleeting shadows through the lacy, sheer curtains.
“Know of him? Yes. He's been quite a frequent customer,” Ruby said. “But I have to ask. Why is it you are so anxious to see him? Did you share more . . . than . . . uh . . conversation … on that ship?”
Maria turned her head from Ruby's imploring eyes. “I cannot say,” she whispered. “But I do want to see him. Only see him. Can you help me?”
Ruby moved toward Maria, lifting the tail of Maria's jacket up between her fingers. “You want to see this man dressed in this . . . this . . . outfit?” she said, laughing amusedly.
Maria moved away from her, embarrassment etched across her face. “You don't understand. Ruby,” she mumbled. “I want to see him. I don't want him to see me. Can you help me? Can you arrange this? I only want to take a look at him. I have a need to see him. Just one more time. Before. . ..”
“Before? Before what?” Ruby persisted, placing her hands on her hips.
“Nothing. It is of no importance. The thing that is of importance is that I want to see Michael.”
“But why would you want to see him, and him not you? I do not understand, Maria.”
“It's hard to explain, Ruby. But that's how it must be.”
“You are in love with this man, aren't you?” Ruby said softly, once again lifting Maria's hair from her shoulders. “No need to hide this from Ruby. It is only one person you will have to share this secret with. I talk to no one of gossip. Tell me. You love this Michael Hopper, don't you? You'd like to do more than see him, wouldn't you? You'd like to be with him. As man and woman. Tell me it's true. I sense it is a truth.”
Maria's eyes brimmed with tears wanting to surface. “Yes, Ruby. I love him. But it's no use. I can't confess such a love to him. There are too many things standing in the way of such a happiness between Michael and myself. Please. Please. I want to take just one look at him. If you can't help me, then I shall leave.”
“No. Don't leave, Maria,” Ruby urged. “You want to be with this man. Right?”
“More than anything on this earth,” Maria admitted. “But… like I said … it is impossible. . . .”
“Nothing is impossible,” Ruby said, laughing throat-ily. “When one is at Ruby's house? Nothing is impossible.”
Maria's eyes widened. “I don't understand. What are you saying?”
Ruby leaned down into Maria's face. “Honey, I have an idea. Want to hear it? Ruby's mind works in many directions. At all times. Ruby can sometimes play the part of Cupid. Are you willing to participate in a scheme I have just thought up?”
“I don't. . . know,” Maria said, fluttering her thick lashes nervously. “What do you have … in mind… ?”
“You don't want Michael to know you are here?”
“He can't. . . .”
‘Then he won't,” Ruby said firmly.
“What are you thinking of doing, Ruby?”
“You will be with Michael. Tonight you will be with Michael Hopper if you are willing to play a role. Are you?”
Maria's pulsebeat quickened. She swallowed hard. “I don't understand …,” she mumbled.
“You do want to be with Michael sexually, don't you?” Ruby said, smiling almost wickedly.
“Well… I . . .”
“Yes. You do. This truth shows in your eyes. In the way your heartbeat races in the hollow of your throat. So you will be with Michael in this way. Within the hour.”
“But.. . how … ?”
“Michael usually wants a woman before he leaves my house,” Ruby said. “Once he tires of gambling, he fulfills his desires of the more pleasurable side of life by choosing one of my best girls.”
Maria's eyes widened as she let out a loud gasp. She put her hands to her throat, listening further… .