The brass knocker shone in stark contrast to the white door. Eddie Ryland stared at it , incomprehension plain on his face. To him, the knocker symbolized a gate- one he could not get through unless the gate keeper let him through. Would she? He didn't know. The twenty year old stomped his cold feet nervously in the hard packed snow and looked longingly at the safety of his home next door.
It had been eleven years since he was last here, at Samantha Parkington' s house, annoying her and that servant girl-What was her name? Oh, yes, Nellie-to no end. So much had changed since then. Elderly Mrs. Edwards and the Admiral had died, leaving their large Mount Bedford home to Samantha. He looked expectantly at the door and sighed. What was he waiting for?
He lifted the heavy knocker and knocked. A middle aged butler appeared at the door.
"Yes?"
Eagerly, Eddie stumbled over the words.
"Is Samantha-I mean Miss Parkington- here?"
"I'll inform her of your presence. Your name?"
"Edward Ryland."
The butler nodded, gestured at a seat, and left, bowing formally.
Eddie tool the opportunity to glance around the parlor. It was just as ornate as he'd remembered, as a small boy visiting with his mother. The butler emerged as he was inspecting a Ming vase, Samantha in tow. Quickly Eddie removed his hat.
"Miss Parkington."
Samantha blinked in surprise.
"Eddie?!"
Eddie Ryland? Was it really him? He was taller, his voice deeper, and... he had gotten quite handsome, hadn't he? She pinked slightly.
"It's nice to see you again, Eddie."
He smiled. Eddie. Just like old times. "Thank you, Miss Parkington. It's nice to see you again as well."
She grinned shyly and stopped, suddenly formal again.
"Let me call my sister, Nellie. She's staying here to help me settle in."
She turned to the butler.
"Please send Miss O'Malley in."
Eddie's mind was churning. Sister? Oh, that was right, they'd adopted the same servant girl who'd once worked for Mother. But things have changed since then...hadn't they? He hoped Samantha and Nellie wouldn't remember his old annoying ways.
Samantha was talking to him. "How have you been all these years, Eddie?"
"Quite well, thank you. It's good to be home again. I've been away at school, you know. I was very sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing."
"Thank you."
Samantha kept her eyes on him, and he squirmed, remembering when they used to fight over the hedge between their houses.
"I've moved home as well, to manage the estate for Mother."
He spoke lightly, but there was a note of sadness in his voice, and Samantha remembered, (all too late) of Mr. Ryland' s untimely death due to influenza, and how his wife had been left grief stricken. Nellie entered then, and when she saw Eddie, her face changed...
Should I continue? Please review!