The Vaudeville Star

“It’s always been you, Ruby. And it’s always been me. Since that night long ago in the watering hole when you were seducing me and you didn’t even know the meaning of the word.”

“That was a childhood crush.”

“And Connecticut?” he asked roughly.

“A mistake.”

He paused for a second. “I won’t let him have you, Ruby. You are mine. You gave yourself to me in Connecticut. You knew what you were doing. Sure, the timing was all wrong and you were grieving for your father, but don’t hide behind that.”

“I’ve never hidden my feelings. You’ve always known I loved you.”

“Do you love me still?” he asked hoarsely.

“I think it was as you said long ago. A childhood fantasy. Maybe half wanting you as a crush and the other half not wanting Pernetta to have you,” she lied, not daring to believe that he had suddenly fallen in love.

“That’s bullshit.”

“I lo

ved you for years, and now because another man is giving me the slightest attention you decide, what? That you love me? That you want me?”

Ruby tried to jerk her arm away, but he held her tight. “I’ve always wanted you, Ruby.”

He wanted to kiss her so badly. He wanted to feel her soft lips against his. He wanted to feel those delicious curves under his hands. He wanted those legs wrapped around his waist and her sighs in his ear.

“You should go,” she whispered.

He gave her a scorching look, as if he barely had control of his emotions, but said nothing more and left.

When he was gone, Ruby felt her legs give way, and she leaned against the dresser. She had been so close to throwing herself at him and making a fool out of herself once more. She longed for him and knew that in her heart there was no room for any other man.

15

Ruby stared out into the deep blue sea as she waited for Bessie to join her so they could take breakfast together. She thought of the night before with King, who had been drunk and not behaving like himself. But she wasn’t as concerned about him as she was about Ford.

His behavior worried her. His dark eyes and his words burned into her brain, and the desire and the heat of him had completely dissolved the normally cool man she had grown up with. He seemed to be consumed by a jealousy that she didn’t understand. He wanted her. He had said as much, but there was an underlying need mixed with regret that she didn’t understand.

“Ah. The little peasant,” Zeta said, joining her at the ship’s rail.

“Good morning, Zeta.”

“Yes. Yes. It is a good morning. Clouds roll by, and the blue of the sky stays.” Zeta waved at hand at it.

Ruby smiled at the poetic words. “Indeed.”

“I wonder that you are up so early.”

“Really? I didn’t know that you noticed my schedule. It is breakfast time, is it not?”

“Oh yes. Si. It is. I should correct my comment and say, a woman who juggles two men must be very tired. I would have guessed that you would be in bed still. Although whose bed, I really couldn’t say.”

Ruby felt herself grown warm and turned to the diva. “What are you insinuating?”

“Oh, but no, little one. I’m not insinuating anything. I saw you in the smoking room surrounded by your admirers. So sweet! Then you are in King’s cabin. What you do there is your own business, of course.”

“It is my business. And so you know, I went in for a drink.” Ruby corrected her. “At his request.”

“Oh, good. Excellent! I would use that excuse myself.” Zeta nodded approvingly.