A visitation Shrouded: Part Two

Matilda and Hugh followed her inside.

Matilda stepped across the marble floor of the entryway, then the large oriental rug centered in the foyer. She momentarily studied the unusual design before crossing to the small sitting room. Two tufted straight chairs faced the settee with the coffee table anchoring the middle. A vase of fresh blue bell flowers sat on the table, completing the charming look of the room.

Viola grimaced for a quick moment, wrinkling her nose. "Where are my manners? Please sit down." She held her palm up with her fingers pointing toward the available chairs." Viola smiled and began to hum lightly.

Bewildered by the humming and wanting to hurry, the confused couple decided to remain standing.

"I apologize, Mrs. Jenkins, but Matilda and I are leaving soon," Hugh spoke with a soft tone.

"Oh, you poor thing." Matilda frowned and tilted her head. Her eyes were now glassy with moisture now welling up.

Viola's face went stony. Her breathing became small shallow gasps. A frigid smile appeared on her face. Viola's hands started to tremble, but she clasped them together and narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean by that?" Her icy tone and stare were aimed at Matilda.

Matilda's face started to flush. What did she say?

Hugh watched the interaction, his eyes taking in Viola's body language. He decided to stand behind Matilda in case they had to take a quick leave.

"You might not know yet," Matilda managed, trying to hold back tears. "Thea and Beatrice are missing."

Viola took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Her shoulders became tense. "They are? Are they? How troublesome." She frowned, then quickly recovered. "Well," she paused, "there has to be more. Please catch me up on the world."

Hugh folded his arms. He directed his full attention toward their hostess.

Viola frowned, clicking her tongue. "Is there an issue?" she stated as if challenging.

"No, please continue." Hugh leaned back on his heels and put his hand into his trouser pockets.

Viola held her lips in a thin, tight smile. Her shoulders seemed to let go of some of the tension she had been holding in.

"I received a strange envelope." Matilda spoke louder, trying to rally some strength. She hated that she could so quickly become intimidated.

Viola raised an eyebrow and her voice became shrill, "An envelope? Well, there must have been something inside of it."

Matilda stopped for a moment, contemplating on how to respond. "Fingers and Beatrice's ring," she said more tersely than she had intended.

Viola looked down for a moment, glaring at the floor. "Someone must have been trying to send you a message. You might not have received it yet."

Matilda nodded in agreement. "Hugh and I assume so."

Viola managed to return to her hostess personality, then lifted her head. "It must have been terrifying to receive," she said, almost kindly.

"It was." Matilda nodded again.

Viola leaned toward Matilda. "Do tell." Her eyes expanded.

Was her interest just curiosity or could something more sinister be at play? Hugh questioned himself.

Matilda remained silent for the moment, studying Viola with raised interest, then continued, "Before I go on a tangent, have you received any strange letters?"

Viola rolled her eyes. "My husband is a businessman. We receive all sorts of letters. I have little acquaintance with them. Why?"

"Any of the envelopes carry a lion seal?" Matilda asked her.

Viola shrugged. "I do not know, perhaps a few. My husband mainly keeps the mail to himself. That does not mean I have not seen a few pieces here and there. I must ask what is this about?"

"It's just that Clementine received a strange letter, also Sir Brandy."

"So you think that I received a letter, as well. No, I have not received any letter yet, but you will be the first to know. Billy, how comes the tea?" Viola called out.

"Coming, Madam." Billy returned with a pot of tea and a couple of tea cups on a small silver tray. He sat the items on the coffee table before Viola.

Viola glared at Billy's hands as he retreated from the tray. "Will you pour?"

"Of course, Madam," Billy then lifted the teapot and poured for Viola. He glanced to Hugh and Matilda. "Shall I pour for your guests, as well?"

"No, we will not be here that much longer." Hugh spoke up, then turned to Viola. "Something has been bothering me since we arrived. Forgive me, I must ask. Why are you receiving us in your nightclothes?"

Viola pursed her lip for a quick second and narrowed her eyes. Then she formed a cunning smile but trembled noticeably. "My husband, experiencing a drunken rage, destroyed most of my things. Unfortunately, that included clothes, too.

Matilda stomped her foot. "Viola you should come with us. We could get you help. Maybe even get him . . . "

Viola looked down and sighed. She placed her cup on the coffee table. "Are we done here? You might want to check with Thea's cousin, the undertaker down at the funeral parlor, about those fingers. He might be able to tell you something. Her hands grabbed onto the edge of the settee. She bit her lip and shook for a few seconds. But quickly calmed down, plastering another smile on her face.

Billy winced, then quickly covered it up and smiled politely.

"If you are leaving, now would be the time. It was nice seeing you, Matilda." Viola sneered with her dismissive tone, her head hanging down, her eyes staring at the floor.

To the contrary, Matilda's eyes lit up. Her lips smiled with childish glee as she almost sprinted toward the door. "You are a dear! Hugh and I didn't think to check there!"