The Keys of Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

sea, 
    sparkle for all men and never just me. 
    I can’t tell who you are or what you are you mysterious girl! 
    But I’m here to reveal
    you set my heart a-whirl .”
    Henrietta felt her cheeks flush scarlet.
    In the meantime both Captain and Mrs. Poody had stopped talking to listen.
    â€œWhy that’s that’s so new world ,” exclaimed Mrs. Poody at the end of the song.
    â€œOh, our Eddie’s a real new worlder,” explained the Captain pleasantly. “Even if he was born in London!”
    â€œYou were?” questioned Mrs. Poody.
    â€œIn Clapham,” nodded Eddie. “My parents came out to America in 1862. I was ten at the time. My Mum’s brother had already emigrated to New York.”
    Every so often Henrietta stole a glance at Eddie.
    There was something engaging about him.
    His brown hair fell over his eyes, which were warm and full of humour and he really did sing like a dream, but already he felt more like a brother to her than a suitor.
    She sincerely hoped he was not going to court her, for she would never wish to wound him with a refusal.
    â€œYou will have a real treat Wednesday night, Mrs. Poody,” she heard the Captain saying to Nanny, “when the Eddie Bragg Orchestra play at dinner!”
    There was a long silence, while Eddie stared down at his plate. At last he looked up.
    â€œA problem, cousin. I’ve lost my piano player!”
    â€œ Lost him?”
    â€œHe didn’t make departure. I waited for him on the quayside as long as I could. Stuck in some low down bar, I wouldn’t wonder. But we’re in real trouble for most of the programme. It’s built around the piano.”
    â€œSurely you can look for a replacement?” asked the Captain. “ Someone on board must be able to play.”
    â€œOf course,” came in Mrs. Poody, “Hen Harrietta there is most accomplished at the keyboard.”
    Henrietta gazed at Nanny feeling flustered.
    She wished her old nanny had not said it. She was getting so carried away with it all that she was beginning to forget that Henrietta was supposed to be Harrietta.
    Eddie was now regarding her with renewed interest.
    â€œYou play?”
    â€œShe plays as good as anyone I’ve heard!” declared Mrs. Poody. “She was taught by her mother and she , bless her, studied at the Conservatoire in Paris.”
    Eddie pushed back a lock of hair from his forehead.
    â€œCan I hear you play?” he asked Henrietta urgently. “You just might be the answer. And boy, would you be easy on the eye!”
    Henrietta stared at him in horror.
    â€œI couldn’t possibly,” she began and then her voice trailed away as she realised her predicament.
    How could she possibly explain that the daughter of Lord Radford could not be seen performing in public with any orchestra in the world let alone with the Eddie Bragg Company of New York?
    Such wayward behaviour would never be condoned in aristocratic circles!
    The problem was, for the purposes of this voyage, she was not an aristocrat. She was just plain Miss Harrietta Reed and there was no protocol that she knew of to prevent a Miss Reed from playing at least for one night.
    â€œAw, don’t be modest, just allow me to hear a few notes,” pleaded Eddie, misinterpreting her confusion.
    â€œGo on,” encouraged Mrs. Poody, waving her fork at her charge. “I’m sure you would enjoy it.”
    Henrietta toyed with the stem of her glass.
    â€œWell ”
    â€œGreat!”
    Eddie clapped his hands.
    â€œAfter dinner, when everyone has left the dining room, you can try out on the grand over there.”
    Turning, Henrietta could see a dais at the end of the room with a piano under a white sheet.
    Now that Henrietta might prove to be the answer to his problem, Eddie appeared to see her in a new light. A professional rather than a romantic light.
    He talked enthusiastically about his plans for his