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“Greetings”

Eric led the way, and she followed As the man closed the door behind them Melody’s breath was taken away by the beauty of the plantation house The walls ashed in bright, elegant white Wide paneled floors gave way to a sprawling staircase that dominated the s of beauty — paintings, portraits, exotic furnishings Colorful vases Meticulously-woven rugs

“You rang?” Eric whispered into her ear with a giggle Melody’s brown furrowed

“What?”

“You rang,” he repeated again under his breath He bumped her and nodded toward the man who’d let them in “Lurch! From the Addams family!”

“The Addams what?”

Eric looked wholly disappointed ?

?Forget it,” he sighed “I guess it was before your time”

She wasn’t sure how far ‘before her time’ it could’ve been, really Eric looked like to be in his mid to late twenties, tops Only a few years older than she was

Theso Melody pulled a small card of parchment from inside her dress and held it out to him

“Hi!” she began cheerily “I’m Melody Larson, here for the cotillion”

The le word Just as she began feeling uncomfortable, his eyes shifted to Eric

“Me too,” was all Eric said

Their host nodded slowly but didn’t take her invitation Eric didn’t offer one of his own, either

“The Lady of the House is expecting you,” the man said impassively “This way please”