The Keys of Love by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page A

they’re bringing him this way.”
    A man, wrapped up in a cape and held on two sides by Stewards, was bundled protesting past the door.
    â€œHow dare you take hold of me I am a Prince !” he cried angrily, struggling to free himself.
    Henrietta froze.
    That voice was it familiar?
    â€œD-did that man say he was a Prince?” she asked Kitty falteringly.
    â€œSure, but them Princes are ten a penny these days, Steerage is full of ’em. I sometimes go down there to dance or play cards and believe me, every second fellow is Prince of Timbuktu or something.”
    Her down-to-earth appraisal reassured Henrietta.
    â€˜I’m too jumpy,’ she thought.
    She was imagining Prince Vasily under every rug!
    He could have found out that she was travelling on The Boston Queen tongues wagged, she knew that, but what reason on earth had he to follow her?
    She had made her view clear and there were plenty of other hapless heiresses to pursue in America.
    Whistling, Kitty took Henrietta’s chin in her hand and turned her face this way and that under the lamplight.
    â€œThat’ll do,” she announced with a final flourish of the powder puff.
    She held up a mirror and Henrietta gave a start.
    Who was that young lady staring back at her? The kohl around the eyes, the vivid red lips and the high pink of the cheeks, gave her a sophisticated and knowing air.
    It was not Henrietta Radford, but somebody else entirely different.
    â€˜ Harrietta Reed ’, she felt suddenly with a sense of mounting hysteria and began to giggle uncontrollably.
    â€œHey, just what’s so funny? I think you look like a woman of the world!” said Kitty, stung that her handiwork was not admired.
    â€œB-but what would my f-father say?”
    â€œI don’t know, but he’s not here to say it!” rejoined Kitty. “So why worry?”
    â€œI suppose you’re right,” she murmured.
    She also wondered what Nanny would say, but she could hardly reveal that fear to Kitty.
    When Henrietta first stepped onto the dais with the Eddie Bragg Orchestra, she did not dare look towards the Captain’s table, where she knew Nanny was sitting as well as Lady Butterclere and Romany Foss.
    Eyes low, she sat down at the piano and listened as Eddie began to introduce himself and his orchestra. He left his most recent member to last.
    When she heard him mention “ our new pianist Miss Harrietta Reed ,” she was forced to turn round and nod.
    In that one moment, she became aware of Nanny’s thunderstruck gaze.
    Eddie lifted his baton and the music began. After a few bars it was evident that the evening was
    going to be a success. Henrietta could sense the tapping feet, the smiles and the muttered approval.
    After the final number, the applause was prolonged and enthusiastic.
    Eddie insisted on leading Henrietta to the front of the dais. Her shy curtsy was in puzzling contrast to her gaudy make-up and plunging décolletage .
    The audience, mainly the men, responded heartily. Many stood up to extend their congratulations as Eddie led her over to the Captain’s table.
    Lady Butterclere looked around in alarm as Eddie drew out a seat and Henrietta sat down.
    â€œI don’t think it appropriate for us to be seated here with a with a performer ,” she hissed at the Captain.
    â€œNo?” responded Captain Hanket jovially. “Then pray do not let me detain you, Lady Butterclere. You are welcome to find a seat elsewhere!”
    She half rose and then, noting that everyone present looked relieved at the thought of her imminent departure, sank down again. She was not one to accommodate other people’s desires in any way.
    â€œMy companion, Miss Foss, has a yen to see how the other half lives,” she explained. “Since this is the only chance she is ever going to have of indulging her curiosity, it would be wrong to deprive her of the opportunity.”
    Nanny, who had been looking at