The Keys of Love Read Free

they betrayed.
    â€˜Well,’ she thought, ‘at least he likes me and I think he does like me for myself alone, for he has no idea of who I am.’
    â€œYour home is far?” he asked with evident concern. It was clear from his accent that he was not American.
    â€œNo, very close,” replied Henrietta. “We are just over there. The house with yellow shutters.”
    The gentleman followed her eye. Henrietta gave him no chance to enquire her name.
    She did not wish to spoil the pleasure of being admired for herself alone.
    Back in her little red boots and galoshes and her muff restored, she quickly bid the stranger adieu.
    When she glanced over her shoulder as she left the common with Nanny, he was still watching her.
    *
    The very next morning she heard the doorbell ring.
    A moment later a maid came into the drawing room to announce that Prince Vasily of Rumania requested the pleasure of calling upon the young lady with the red boots and the white fur hat.
    It was clearly the gentleman from the day before.
    â€˜ And he still does not have any idea of who I am ,’ thought Henrietta in delight.
    Prince Vasily was dressed in scarlet and clicked his heels when he greeted her.
    â€œYou now know my name,” he began, “but I am at the disadvantage, for I do not know yours.”
    Henrietta hesitated.
    â€œIt is Henrietta Radford,” she replied at last, staring up at him.
    She waited for an instant gleam of recognition, for the inevitable glitter of pecuniary interest to enter his eyes as with so many of her suitors, but it did not come.
    â€œRadford?” he repeated. “I think you are not native to Boston, no?”
    â€œNo,” she breathed. “I am English. My father is in Texas for a while on business.”
    â€œI wish him success, for Texas is hard country.”
    Convinced that here at last was a man who had no interest in her fortune, the next hour passed like a dream.
    She learned that the Prince was travelling the world before he settled down to administer his estate near Okna, in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains.
    When the Prince begged leave to call on her again, Henrietta was happy to accede to his wish.
    Even Nanny approved.
    The Prince took to calling every morning and soon he and Henrietta were driving out together in his splendidly upholstered carriage.
    One morning he sighed as he looked out upon the snowy streets of Boston.
    â€œIn my country now, there is also much snow, and the mountains are looking like pillars of ice.”
    â€œIt sounds as if it’s very beautiful there,” murmured Henrietta.
    â€œIt is beautiful, but ” the Prince heaved a deeper sigh, “mine is a Kingdom that is lacking a Princess!”
    With a thrill Henrietta realised that the Prince was now seriously courting her.
    Since he had not known her name when they first met and therefore could not possibly be a fortune hunter, Henrietta allowed herself to take his attentions seriously.
    She began to imagine herself as a Princess, strolling the grounds of Okna on the arm of her handsome husband.
    She found herself blushing whenever he raised her hand to his lips or fixed an especially ardent gaze on her.
    She was very excited when her father wired to say he would be arriving that weekend for a short visit.
    She could not wait to introduce him to the Prince.
    He was almost the first subject raised as her father set down his case in the hall on his arrival.
    â€œHe is very aristocratic, Papa, and his manners are impeccable! And he must have a fortune of his own, for he rides in a fancy carriage. He is just as a Prince should be!”
    â€œIs he, indeed!” smiled her father, handing his hat to the maid.
    He was only too well aware of the many greedy and unscrupulous men who had been endlessly plying her with their attentions for the last twelve months.
    â€œOh, he is, Papa. And the best thing is he had no idea who I was when I first met him and no