The Keys of Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

conductor!”
    She turned and began to make her way back along the Second Class deck with Eddie at her heels.
    â€œI cannot let you go without a promise that you’ll take a cocktail with me,” he insisted breezily.
    â€œI have never drunk a cocktail in my life,” replied Henrietta truthfully.
    She began to climb up the stairs and again, Eddie followed her.
    She hurried to the white gate that led through to the First Class area, but Eddie darted ahead and reached it first.
    â€œWell then,” he puffed, opening the gate, “I’ll just have to dedicate a number for you when we play at dinner tomorrow night.”
    Then his face darkened.
    â€œ If we play ”
    Henrietta was about to ask what he meant by this qualification when she caught sight of two ladies, one of whom was staring disapprovingly her way.
    The elder of the two was tall and stout with a long imperious nose and a haughty expression. She was swathed in furs and a purple hat that the wind tugged at viciously.
    The other one was younger, perhaps not much older than Henrietta. She was also tall, but thin as a post, with tiny boot black eyes and a nervous grimace on her face.
    â€œI wonder how it is that the gate is not locked,” said the haughty woman. “It is simply wrong that Second Class passengers should come up here without a by or leave!”
    â€œYes, Lady Butterclere, it is indeed,” sniffed her thin companion.
    Eddie seemed amused.
    â€œIf it's any of your business, Lady B-B whatever, we’re First Class passengers who decided to see how the other half lives!”
    â€œHow the other half lives?”
    Lady Butterclere’s voice rose to a shrill crescendo that was in direct competition with the wind.
    â€œI have no idea why anyone should wish to do such a ridiculous thing. But if you are First Class, I wonder that any young lady should be without a chaperone. Unless you are her chaperone a relation, perhaps?”
    â€œHer chaperone ?”
    Eddie threw back his head and roared with laughter.
    â€œI’m no chaperone, Lady Buttery. I’m a composer and conductor of the Eddie Bragg Orchestra.”
    Lady Butterclere’s lip curled with distaste.
    â€œAn artiste .”
    She drew her furs closer about her as if in danger of being contaminated.
    â€œI might have guessed.”
    With that, she swept away, crooking her finger at her companion to follow.
    â€œWell,” observed Eddie chuckling, “if that doesn’t beat all! She must think she’s become The Boston Queen incarnate!”
    â€œOh, Eddie!” expostulated Henrietta, trying so hard not to join his burst of laughter.
    Eddie stared, ruminating, after the two ladies.
    â€œYou know, I’m sure I’ve seen that skinny Lizzie who was with her before.”
    â€œSkinny Lizzie?” repeated Henrietta, puzzled.
    â€œThat’s what we call a girl who aw, never mind. Say, now I’ve got my music folder back, I’d better get on down to check that the fellows have settled in. So good to meet you, Miss Reed.”
    â€œGood to meet you, Eddie,” murmured Henrietta to his already retreating back.
    She had never met anyone quite like Eddie Bragg.
    This time she made her way without any difficulty all the way to her cabin.
    Nanny had unpacked the trunk and hung everything up and now suggested that she take a nap before supper.
    Lord Radford had arranged for the cabin to be filled with roses and their scent filled the air.
    As Henrietta lay dreamily in her bunk, the image of the gardens at Lushwood floated before her.
    It was to be longer before she saw them again than she could ever have imagined.
    *
    Nanny woke her excitedly.
    â€œThe dinner gong has sounded,” she cried. “And we are invited to dine at the Captain’s table!”
    â€œWe are?”
    â€œA Steward brought the invitation on a tray. It said ‘ Miss Reed and Mrs. Poody are hereby requested to dine at the