Opening Scene – I Would Love Your Opinion

By , @Writing2Day

Below is the opening scene of my novel.  I would love to hear any comments or suggestions.  Mostly I am wondering if it leaves you wanting to read more.

1898

The wrought iron gate creaked in the morning fog. April hesitated, then continued up the path to the main house. Her footsteps echoed on the cobblestones, lending an eeriness to the still morning air. As she entered the courtyard, the house loomed above her. The grave stone walls were faded from years spent in the harsh sea air, their only color a coat of ivy weaving an emerald pattern in the morning dew. A slight breeze lifted the leaves, seeming to give the house a life of its own. April shivered and pulled her cloak tightly around her body, as if the action could take away her mounting anxiety which by now had almost turned into fear. The old mahogany door gave her a sense of reassurance and, lifting the knocker, she put all her reservations behind her. The door swung open abruptly. “May I help you?”
“Yes, I’m Marie’s sister, April. Lady Simpson told Marie if I came by early this morning I could start work today.”
April could feel the doorman scrutinizing her down the bridge of his nose. “Your sister should have informed you that the servants never enter through the front door. Go around back and knock on the kitchen door. Mimi’ll know what to do with you.” Sniffing his dismissal, the doorman turned and shut the door.
Flustered by her mistake and the obvious disapproval of the doorman, April practically ran down the stairs into the courtyard. As she rounded the corner of the house, a man appeared out of nowhere and before she could stop herself, she ran full force into his chest.
“I’m so sorry!” April exclaimed in a rush of air.
“And who might you be? I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before.” The man regarded April through cold black eyes that sent shivers down her back.
“I’m the new maid, sir. Please excuse my clumsiness, it won’t happen again.”
“And does the new maid have a name?”
“April, sir.”
“Well, April, you’d better get moving before you’re late on your first day of work here.”
“Yes, sir.”
April curtsied and continued down the path to the back of the house, wondering what else could possibly go wrong. So far she had made the impression of a lost little girl, thank goodness she hadn’t met Lady Simpson yet. By the time she arrived at the kitchen, she had regained her composure and, taking a deep breath, she tapped lightly on the door.

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