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orchestra, the successful tour they had just completed in major American cities and a two-month run in New York.
    They were booked to play at the Haymarket theatre in London for a season.
    â€œWhat I really hope for,” he said dreamily, “is to be invited to play at all the great houses in England. Maybe even at Buckingham Palace!”
    â€œA pity then that Lady Butterclere couldn’t be with us tonight,” mused the Captain. “She is the stepsister of a Duke and is on her way to take up residence on his estate.”
    Eddie shrugged.
    â€œI wouldn’t have thought she had a musical bone in her body.”
    â€œMaybe not, but she moves in the right circles.”
    â€œDoes she live in America?” asked Mrs. Poody.
    The Captain nodded.
    â€œSeems she was widowed about twenty years ago, but was left without a bean by Lord Butterclere. So she came to America to look for a rich husband.”
    Henrietta lifted her head with interest.
    â€œOnly she never found one, leastwise that anyone knows of,” the Captain continued.
    â€œThat anyone knows of ?” repeated Mrs. Poody.
    The Captain grunted.
    â€œThere was talk she met someone out West. But why would she accept her stepbrother’s offer of a home if she had a husband? Besides, she continues to call herself ‘Butterclere’.
    â€œThat she is,” agreed Eddie. “But who’s the poor little mouse she’s travelling with?”
    â€œThat lady is no mouse, but the intended fiancée of Lady Butterclere’s stepbrother, the Duke of Merebury,” added Captain Hanket.
    â€œHow do you know?” demanded Mrs. Poody.
    He stroked his beard with a twinkle in his eye.
    â€œA Captain knows everything about his passengers, Mrs. Poody.”
    Henrietta shrank into her seat. She sincerely hoped that was not true, at least not in her case!
    Eddie seemed to read her thoughts.
    â€œAh-ah, but he doesn’t know about you , Miss Reed! You’re the enigma that appears on every voyage.”
    The Captain laughed and pushed back his seat.
    â€œI am just going to greet a few of the other diners. Then, Mrs. Poody, we’ll go to the lounge for coffee. Eddie and Miss Reed have other business to attend to!”
    Eddie stood up and held out his hand to Henrietta.
    â€œReady?”
    She nodded and rose, taking his hand to be led over to the dais.
    Eddie removed the white sheet from the piano.
    â€œWhat’re you going to play?” he asked as Henrietta sat down and ran her fingers over the keys.
    She thought for a moment, her head on one side.
    â€œA waltz,” she said at last.
    â€œOkay. Fire away.”
    The melody held her quickly in its grasp and she forgot all about her surroundings.
    She was back at Lushwood, playing in the drawing room. The doors to the garden were open and a ray of soft sunshine fell on the carpet. Her beloved mother was there too, listening to the music with a smile on her face.
    Tears welled up into Henrietta’s eyes and trickled down her cheeks as she finished the piece and let her hands fall into her lap.
    Eddie was silent for a moment.
    â€œThe keys sing under your fingers,” he said at last.
    Henrietta gently closed the lid of the piano.
    â€œSo ?” she ventured, not knowing what response he actually desired.
    â€œSo you’ll do,” responded Eddie softly.
    His gaze lingered on her animated face, her pearly teeth visible between half-parted lips, her porcelain cheeks pink, her huge eyes moist with tears.
    â€œTomorrow I’ll introduce you to the troop. They’ll bleat a little at first you being a female and all but I’m sure they’ll take to you.”
    â€œAnd if they don’t?”
    â€œI’ll have them all flogged and thrown overboard! Now let’s go and join them in the lounge. I could sure use a glass of brandy!”
    As Henrietta allowed herself to take Eddie’s arm, she suddenly had to stifle a