The Vaudeville Star

“Pernetta is a cold one, like her Momma. I never thought her temperament suited Ford,” Marshall had admitted.

“Now you say that!” Faylene had rolled her eyes.

“But that Ruby. She’s an awkward girl now, but wait a few years. She’s going to collect hearts like some children collect fireflies in a jar.”

Ford looked over at the sleeping Ruby. Her arms were thrown above her head, and he had the strongest urge to cover her body with his. It would be like it had been that one night, only this time he would never let her go. He breathed out and closed his eyes in frustration and then looked out the porthole. It was still dark, but it wouldn’t be for much longer.

There was a grayness crawling into the sky, and they would need to move soon. He sat up and stretched his limbs. He walked over to the basin and poured the cold water from the pitcher into it. He splashed a little bit on his face and then brushed his teeth quickly.

He didn’t want to wake Ruby. She looked peaceful, like a sleeping angel. He sat on the side of the bed and touched her bare shoulder. It was smooth underneath his hand.

“Ruby.”

“Hmmm,” she murmured in her sleep, but it came out like a soft moan.

“Ruby.” He touched her shoulder, and she moved onto her back, slightly stretching.

“What?” she asked softly, not opening her eyes.

“I need you to get dressed.”

She was still for a moment, and then her eyes snapped open. “What?” She sat up and looked down at her state of undress and scooted away from him.

“What did you do?” she squeaked.

Ford decided to tease her for all the torment she had put him through the night before. “Don’t you mean what did we do?”

Ruby’s eyes widened. “Ford. Tell me. What happened?”

“What usually happens between two people in a dark bedroom,” he said smoothly, sitting back from her.

“My God. You took advantage of me!” she hissed.

“Lower your voice. It’s early in the morning.”

“Now you are worried about propriety? Now? After you had your way with me?” Ruby clutched at the blankets.

Ford chuckled. “First, I’ve seen you naked before, Ruby. Second, nothing happened

.”

“Nothing happened? Am I to believe that?”

Ford jerked his head over his shoulder. “Look over there. I slept on the sofa.”

Ruby saw the rumpled blanket and the indent of his body upon it. Suddenly, she gasped. “Oh, my head.”

“Hangover.”

“It hurts.”

“Come on, Ruby. I need to get you dressed and back to your own cabin before it gets any lighter.”

Ruby moved to the edge of the bed while Ford swooped down to pick up her corset and dress.

“Where on earth did you get this dress anyway? It should be ripped to shreds,” he whispered.

“And why is that?”