A Family of Secrets

"Virginia, this is my husband James Knight." She shook James' hand firmly. "And James, this is Hy's sister, Virginia Murtaugh De Witt." Iris added. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She said pleasantly. Where is Colin?" Iris chimed in. Virginia glanced at Hyacinth discerningly. An uneasy silence drowned the vestibule. Iris suddenly realized that her query may not have been asked at the most convenient time. Neither Virginia or Hyacinth seemed too enthusiastic about answering. "Actually Colin. . .went away on business just a few days ago." Virginia replied with a tinge of hesitation in her voice. "That is too bad. I was looking forward to seeing him again."

"He had some urgent business to take care of. He will probably be in town for the next couple of. . .weeks." James detected a note of disparagement in Virginia's reply. Even though he had just met them, James got the feeling that they weren't exactly telling the truth. "By the way, James, what is it that you do for a living?" Virginia asked quickly changing the subject. "I am an Inspector for the Westerbury Police department."

"Then you must come across all of the degenerates of Westerbury everyday." She laughed. "Not quite as many as you think." James replied concealing his true anger at her generalization. "I am sure you two will have time to chat later. For now let me show you to your room." Hyacinth suggested. James picked up Iris' bags and followed Hy and his wife to the staircase.

As they were about to head up the stairs, a gentleman appeared on the landing. "Do my eyes deceive me or has a beautiful woman graced my presence?" He said cunningly. James rolled his eyes at his remark. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he tenderly kissed Iris' hand. "It is wonderful to see you again, Iris." He smiled beguilingly. James watched in disbelief as she smiled softly at his charming repartee. He could not believe that she was actually falling for his insincere compliments. When James glanced at Hyacinth to see her reaction, he noticed that her smile faded and that she became somewhat uneasy when he showed an interest in Iris. "If you will excuse us, Beau, I was about to show Iris and James to their room." Hyacinth replied piqued. Beau turned his attention to James.

"And who are you to my darling Iris?" He replied putting his arm around her. "This is James Knight. He is Iris' husband." Hyacinth replied smiling smugly at Beau. "Oh really I was not aware that you had remarried. Tell me how long have you been married to Jeremy?"

"You mean James. My husband's name is James." Iris quickly replied. "Whatever." Beau replied dismissing him non-chalantly. "I hope this is not an epidemic. You should not go around trading in old husbands for new ones, especially if you have to downgrade." He teased while glancing over her shoulder at James callously. James' first instinct was to wrestle him to the ground, but he pushed his anger aside and kept himself composed. The last thing he wanted to do was make a scene and completely humiliate Iris. "Beau, are you done ogling Iris so that I can take them to their room where they can unpack?" Hyacinth asked impatiently. "Very well then, I will see you at dinner. . .Iris." Beau glanced at James insolently as he exited the vestibule.