The Vaudeville Star

“What are you two on about?” Ford asked in amusement.

Ruby turned to Ford and laughed. “Nothing.” Then sinking into a curtsy, she said, “Your Majesty.”

“Ahh. The king’s visit.”

“Yes!” Ruby said in a delighted voice. “Do you think we will be presented, Ford?”

“I don’t know the king, but from what I’ve read, he likes the theater very much. He always has since he was a young man.”

“But that doesn’t mean we will be presented,” Ruby rightfully surmised.

“He has an eye for the ladies. Especially lovely ones,” Ford said, giving each lady a look before he bowed low to them both.

“My lady,” he said softly as he bowed to them before he retired to his room.

Ruby was nibbling on her thumbnail the morning of opening night as she looked out the window from her hotel room. Bessie had ventured downstairs for breakfast, but Ruby couldn’t eat a thing. She sat in her chemise, curled at the window, as she had done so many times in New York, watching the pedestrians pass by.

She could hardly believe that she had come so far in such a short amount of time. It almost didn’t seem possible. She had left Connecticut with no true understanding of life in New York. She knew what she wanted, but how many young people ventured to New York for the same thing and never achieved their dreams?

She didn’t consider herself any different than those who had failed. She had talent and beauty, but so did many others. She had succeeded because she had been in the right place and met Bessie, who had also seen something in her and had wanted to help. Now with King’s financing . . .

She let the thought drop and sighed heavily. She hadn’t seen him since their departure from the ocean liner, and she viewed that as a good thing. She didn’t want to focus on him, rather on her performance and what she wanted to accomplish.

She liked the camaraderie of the other troupe members. She felt a part of a family that she had never known before. She felt a sudden twinge of guilt. She had never written to her mother or sister since leaving Connecticut, and she wondered if they ever thought of her.

A knock sounded on the door, and Ford entered carrying a tray of coffee and toast. He kicked the door closed with his foot and moved forward into the room.

“Ford! I didn’t expect you!” she said, pulling on her dressing gown.

“I didn’t realize. I thought you would be dressed. I saw Bessie downstairs, and she said you were not hungry, so I brought you some coffee and toast.”

Ruby saw the little tray also held a red rose in a tiny vase. Ruby felt her heart race.

“That was kind of you. Let’s each have a cup,” she said, moving to the tray and pouring out the coffee.

Ford saw her hand trembling, and he stopped her. “I’ll do it.”

He finished pouring and handed her a cup.

“Don’t be nervous, Ruby. You’ve no need to be.”

“Don’t I? It’s London. Maybe they won’t like me. Maybe I’ll sing off-key. Maybe they’ll throw something at me.”

“And maybe they’ll love you,” he said quietly.

Ruby smiled. “Maybe.”

“Then stop all this nonsense. You’re a Southern girl. You’ve got grit. You’re strong.”

“Is that how you see me?” Ruby asked, smiling.

“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded.

Ruby laughed. “Then I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

They finished their coffee, and Ford moved to leave but turned to her.

“About the king. The real king. Don’t worry about being presented to him or performing the curtsy wrong. Just smile and charm him like you do everyone else.”