The Vaudeville Star

He looked down into her flushed face, and a sudden desire to hold her tightly and feel her against him rushed over him. He knew he was jealous. Painfully so. Whenever King mentioned Ruby, he wanted to smash his fist into his face.

When he sought her out to give her attention in front of everyone, he was marking his territory. It was clear enough. He was telling the entire vaudeville group that Ruby was his. It could be no plainer.

He hated King for it. He had known Ruby her entire life, and he had not taken her virginity lightly. He had wanted to do the right thing, but she had been set on her dreams of the stage. Now here they both were, far from home, and nothing was in his control. She was correct. She could do as she pleased. He had no hold over her, and he hated that feeling.

“So if King demands payment for all of this, what will happen then?” Ford asked, looking down at her.

Ruby looked away. “I don’t intend to give him anything. I could never—never do that with someone I don’t love.”

Ford felt a shiver of possession. He knew what she was saying.

“Ruby . . .” He was suddenly thinking of that nig

ht in Connecticut when he had covered her naked body with his. “Do you know what it’s like to sit through a meal and have him talk about you? Hear him praise you? Knowing all the while that I’ve been inside you. I’ve tasted you. I took your virginity.”

Ruby shook her head. She couldn’t breathe. “Don’t. You can’t speak to me this way. I’ve done nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing.”

Ford fought the desire to kiss her. He wanted to taste her lips and push himself inside her, but he wouldn’t. He was losing control. He was fighting himself and Ruby. He wanted more than he could admit, and he had not been honest with himself. He came to his senses and released her suddenly.

“Ruby.” He reached out to touch her but dropped his hand. “I’m sorry for what I said. I’m concerned for you. That’s all.”

Ruby met his eyes and nodded. “I know.”

He moved toward the door but turned back. “Just tread carefully. He has his sights set on you.”

Before dinner, Ruby and Bessie walked along the deck in the early evening air. Neither woman spoke much, and Ruby’s thoughts were a jumbled mess. She tried to focus on London and steady herself for what was to come, but she also was plagued by King’s attentions and now Ford’s strange jealousy.

She had always been in love with Ford, but he had viewed her as a child. When they had made love in Connecticut, she had been thrilled, but her plan had already been set by then.

Now they were both bound for London and tied together by another man’s will. Ford should know her better. She had no intention of giving in to King’s desire. She would not be his wife. She would not be his mistress.

But what had surprised her most that afternoon was Ford’s behavior. Ford, who was normally so calm and cool, had been completely out of control with his emotions. She didn’t understand. He had offered marriage in Connecticut because of his chivalrous sense of duty. He had never claimed to love her, but now he seemed to be acting like the jealous husband. It was odd.

The two women moved indoors and walked along the passageway toward the dining room. She had seen several of the other performers on board ship, including Lou and Zeta, who preferred each other’s company as they had long been involved.

Lee Chen and Archie played cards and strolled the deck while the Vadas sisters were like bright flowers among drab daisies. They seemed to catch the attention of every single man on board ship from eighteen to eighty.

Dinner was delicious, and afterward many of the men retired to the smoking room for cigars and brandy. Ruby was approached by a waiter who had an invitation from King to join him for an after-dinner drink.

Bidding Bessie a warm good night, she made her way to the smoking room, which was graced with two large domes and a delicately carved ceiling with molded ribs. She was wearing a lavender-colored gown with a V-neck and off-the-shoulder sleeves as she joined King and several men.

She noticed Vern sat on the long sofa with a glass of port with King in a chair facing him. Ford was seated nearby, and Max was also in the circle. King stood when he saw her, and the other men followed suit. She took the couch opposite Vern.

“Please don’t let me interrupt you.” She smiled at them all.

“You aren’t, Ruby. After all, I invited you,” King said.

Ruby saw the dark look that passed over Ford’s face before he shuttered it. King waved over a waiter and asked Ruby what she would like to drink.

“A brandy please,” she said.

“We were talking about London. We’ve all been, apparently. Ford with his sister, Vernon when he was a child, and I on my honeymoon. Have you been?”

“No, I haven’t. In fact, besides my hometown, my school in Connecticut, and of course New York, I’ve never traveled.”

“Your family didn’t like to travel, my dear?” he asked, leaning toward her.

Ruby noticed Ford’s jaw tense while Vern focused on something Max had said.