The Keys of Love Read Online Free Page A

she answered. “And I’ll certainly remember that Nanny is now Mrs.Poody !”
    It was decided as well that Nanny should travel as a companion to Miss Reed to further protect her identity.
    Nanny gave a cross little shake of her shoulders at being Mrs. Poody. She would have liked something a little more dignified than a childish nickname.
    However, she could not be annoyed for more than a second with her beloved charge.
    Lord Radford took out his watch.
    â€œAlmost time,” he intoned with a sad glance at his daughter.
    The long queue of passengers tripping up the three gangways for First Class, Second Class and Steerage had by now slowed down to a trickle.
    It was therefore easy to see the sudden last minute flurry of figures that spilled out of the departure building and hurried towards the ship.
    Henrietta watched as they scrambled up the Second Class gangway. They were in black overcoats and carried leather containers of various shapes and sizes.
    â€œIt must be the ship’s orchestra,” commented Lord Radford, following his daughter’s gaze. “And those are their instruments.”
    â€œAn orchestra!” murmured Henrietta. “What fun!”
    One member of the orchestra had lingered behind on the quayside. He seemed to be waiting for someone, as he had his back to the ship and was eagerly scanning the departure building.
    The ship’s horn blew a long and mournful sound.
    â€œI must disembark,” said Lord Radford softly.
    Henrietta threw herself into her father’s arms.
    â€œGoodbye, dearest Papa, I shall miss you so. But you will follow soon, won’t you?”
    â€œAs soon as I can, my darling,” he promised.
    He winked at Nanny.
    â€œYou’ll keep a close eye on my treasure, won’t you, Mrs. Poody?”
    Nanny suppressed a giggle.
    â€œOh, don’t worry, I won’t let her out of my sight!”
    Henrietta and Nanny waved as he walked down the gangway. He turned on the quay and stood there, waiting.
    The ship’s horn blew again.
    The lone member of the orchestra on the quayside looked again at his watch as a sailor called down to him that they were about to raise the gangway.
    Shaking his head, he pocketed his watch and began to climb, not the Second Class gangway, as the rest of the orchestra had done, but the First Class, his face wearing a worried frown.
    Henrietta regarded him for a moment with interest before turning her gaze back to her father.
    Lord Radford watched The Boston Queen weigh its anchor and steam slowly away.
    He took off his hat and waved it until neither he nor the quayside were visible any more.
    Henrietta stayed a long while at the railing, staring out over the petrel grey sea.
    America was receding into the distance. For all its attractions, she had not found love there.
    Would she find love in England, she wondered.
    A chill sea breeze began to blow, but that did not drive Henrietta away from the rail.
    It was only when the shoreline had disappeared that she turned and went in search of her cabin.
    She walked along the deck and hesitated. Had she missed the entrance to the ship’s interior?
    There was nothing before her here but a small white gate with ‘Crew Only’ written on it.
    She glanced back.
    The gentleman she had seen waiting anxiously on the quayside was coming along the deck towards her.
    â€œExcuse me, sir, but is that the entrance to the First Class section over there?” asked Henrietta as he drew near.
    He turned lively brown eyes upon her.
    â€œWhy, sure. But you are nearer to the starboard entrance now.”
    â€œI am?” answered Henrietta dubiously, not certain of what ‘starboard’ entailed.
    â€œYeah. Follow me.”
    He opened the white gate in front of them and stood aside for Henrietta to pass.
    â€œBut that says ‘Crew Only’,” remarked Henrietta.
    The gentleman shrugged.
    â€œSo? Pretend I’m a sailor and put the blame on me. You