Ruby thought about it and then smiled. “That sounds exciting!”
“Back home in Kansas, we ordered from the Sears catalogue all the time! My Momma loved ordering new things about as much as my Daddy hated paying for them.”
Ruby laughed. “I’ve seen the catalogue, but I never ordered from it.”
“I remember those catalogues coming in the mail, and my Momma turned those pages so many times she wore a hole in them. She loved to look at the pictures and tell my Daddy what she wanted. A new dress, a pair of gloves. Archie wanted a pistol one Christmas, and Momma said no.” Bessie smiled at her. “Here we are.”
Ruby looked up at the impressive building and watched several people enter the store ahead of them.
“You’ll love it, Ruby. They have nice things and worth the money. Everything I buy from here lasts.”
Once inside, Ruby was caught by surprise. Though she had spent time in Connecticut, her school had been situated in a small town with no grand stores such as this. In Mississippi, their dressmaker had come to the family, or they visited her small shop in town. But the Bloomingdale’s department store quite overwhelmed her.
There was a wide array of items being sold for ladies. Plush wraps trimmed with silk, heavy woolen jackets, ladies’ suits, underskirts, drawers, and nightgowns as well as a wide selection of corsets and dresses.
She lingered longingly over the fur muffs, which were satin lined. She had never even heard of American lynx. She ran her hand over the fine Siberian beaver. Immediately, she was asked if she required assistance, but she declined.
“You only have to say the word, and King would buy you a dozen,” Bessie whispered.
She shook her head. “No, Bess. The price would be too high.”
By the time they left several hours later, Ruby had purchased everything she needed, and the packages would be wrapped and delivered to her the following day.
Vernon had finally been able to secure a theater for their show in Paris via telegram. It had originally opened in 1889 as the Montagnes Russes but was renamed the Olympia in 1893. Vernon was excited to discover the theater as it had been founded by Joseph Oller, one of the creators of the Moulin Rouge, a nearby cabaret.
The Olympia music hall was easily recognizable by its giant red letters announcing its name, and it played host to circuses and ballets and was delighted to welcome the American vaudeville show.
The music hall recommended the small Hotel Chopin, located near the theater. They had been in business since 1846 and had a good reputation, so the theater told him. He knew it might not be as extravagant as some might hope, but he didn’t want to be too free with another’s man’s purse.
With both the London Matinee Theatre and rooms at Durrants secured as well, Vernon was ready to alert everyone that they must begin packing. He would then secure passage on the appropriate ship once King had approved everything.
He knew that King wanted to be involved in all aspects of the upcoming tour, and though it irritated him on some level, he was also thrilled to be living his dream. He was finally able to tour London and Paris, all due to the little blond who had been an absolute stranger to him.
He didn’t know exactly what Ruby had done to secure the tour, and he didn’t want to know, but he was extremely grateful to her. She had made a lifelong dream of his come true.
When Ruby returned from shopping at Bloomingdale’s with Bessie, a handwritten invitation had arrived for her to dine with King that evening. She sighed heavily. She wanted desperately to be onstage, but she didn’t welcome King’s attention. She donned the simple evening dress she had that wasn’t at all formal and took a taxicab to his opulent house.
When she knocked on the door, she noticed black crepe adorning the knocker, and her heart thudded inside her chest. Was it possible that Caroline was dead? She must tread softly. He was in mourning.
When she was shown into the library, King was already there, enjoying a glass of liquor. He came forward to greet her, kissing her on the cheek.
“Dearest Ruby. You are always prompt,” he said as the clock chimed the hour.
“I didn’t expect the invitation. I saw the door. You’re in mourning. I am very sorry.”
King nodded and gestured to the bar. “What will you have?”
“Nothing. Thank you. Was it, the death, was it sudden?”
“Her heart, apparently. So the doctor said.”
“Poor lady.”
“Yes, but if I’ve learned one thing in life it is that we get only the one. We must not squander it.”
He waved a hand before them, and as she walked to the dining room, she felt his hand at the small of her back.
“Of course, now we are all in mourning, you understand. The servants, me,” King said as he helped push her into the chair, even though a footman stood behind them.