The Keys of Love by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online

to be sure there would be no mishaps.
    It was late afternoon by the time Eddie consulted his watch and laid down his baton.
    â€œOkay, we’ll call it a day,” he suggested. “I wonder if we should meet tomorrow to run through it all again ”
    The whole orchestra including Henrietta let out a groan in unison.
    Eddie threw up his hands.
    â€œIf you’re happy, fellas, I’m happy too.”
    Henrietta was too exhausted to join them for dinner. She ordered food to be brought to her cabin.
    Nanny stayed with her although Henrietta could see the old lady was chafing to be Mrs. Poody again.
    The next evening Henrietta was feeling too nervous to attend dinner, although she and Mrs. Poody had once again been invited to dine with the Captain. She insisted that Nanny go without her, but she was reluctant.
    â€œOh, you should go, Nanny. The Captain will be disappointed if neither of us appears. Besides I will have to wear the dress I’m performing in at the table and I don’t want to spoil the surprise!”
    She felt that she could as well have said ‘shock’ instead of ‘surprise’.
    She had a feeling Nanny was not going to approve of the scarlet gown. If she appeared in it at dinner Nanny
    might make a fuss, but once she was at the piano her outfit was a fait accompli !
    She remembered that Lady Butterclere and Romany Foss were likely to be guests of the Captain tonight and she shrank from revealing herself to their disapproving gaze.
    Luckily Nanny was persuaded in the end to go to dinner without her.
    Henrietta waited for a moment after Nanny had left before opening the door and peering along the corridor.
    It had been decided that she should make her own way to Kitty’s cabin, where Kitty would help her dress.
    The corridor was now empty, so she slipped out and hurriedly made her way to Second Class.
    â€œYou’re late,” scolded Kitty as she opened the door to Henrietta. “The dinner gong rang a while ago.”
    â€œI’m not going in to dinner,” she replied, stepping quickly out of her dress. “I’m not hungry.”
    Kitty shrugged and handed Henrietta a peignoir.
    â€œHere, put that on while I make you up. We don’t want to get lipstick on your costume, do we?”
    â€œL-lipstick?”
    Henrietta had never worn lipstick before nor any cosmetics for that matter.
    â€œAnd rouge, too,” elaborated Kitty. “We are going to make you the absolute belle of the ball!”
    Henrietta sat patiently as Kitty worked, whistling as she applied the powder and paint.
    â€œYou stepping out with anyone, honey?” she asked as she pressed the puff to Henrietta’s cheeks.
    â€œNo, I’m not.”
    â€œAnd no one in mind?”
    She hesitated as, for some strange reason, the image of a gentleman with his aquiline features and dark brooding eyes rose in her mind. It was the same gentleman she had envisaged when she was playing the French air.
    She was beginning to feel haunted by him.
    She somehow associated him with her return home as if he was waiting ahead for her in her future.
    She gave herself a shake before she replied.
    â€œNo one really.”
    â€œI’m sure there’ll be someone real soon, you’re just too purty ” added Kitty breezily, when there came the noise of a sudden brouhaha from the corridor outside.
    Running footsteps and shouts and the sound of a scuffle. Henrietta shrank in her chair, but Kitty threw open the door to see what was happening.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” she asked a Steward.
    He gestured towards the end of the corridor.
    â€œThat fellow over there they are restraining. He is from Steerage. He stabbed a fellow during a poker game. Tried to escape this way, but we’ve got him now.”
    â€œDid the other fellow die?” asked Kitty baldly.
    â€œNo, thank God, but our assailant here will have to be locked up till we sail into Liverpool. Step back, lady,