“Billy, I really wish you would reconsider moving into the cottage,” Charles told his son.
Will moved a poached egg around his plate with sheer indifference. He didn’t want to have breakfast with his dad, but Charles had heard the rumor from the staff, so he wanted to ensure it wasn’t true. For Will, living under the same roof with India was unbearable. Will sighed as he took in the sight of the glorious Morning Room. “Dad, it’ll be for the best. I’m a little too old to live with my dad.”
“You are looking a bit rough around the neck, Billy.” India strode into the Morning Room, poured a cup of coffee, and bit into a croissant. “But that’s my opinion…”
“India, now is not the time,” insisted Charles.
“I haven’t said anything that isn’t true. Billy spends too much time in the sun on those horses. It’s bound to age anyone,” explained India, breathlessly.
Will rolled his eyes. “I’ve lost my appetite.”
“Oh, calm down, Billy,” laughed India. “I like having fun with you.” India sat at the table, unfurled a monogrammed linen napkin, and buttered her croissant. “Actually, I heard quite the noise coming from your room the other day. I was on my way to the library when I heard the worst grunting and groaning. I thought you were in trouble, but then I realized that Connor was here, so I knew you were in big, strong safe hands. Tell me, Billy, does he still have that small mole on his inner right thigh?”
Will slammed his napkin down on the table and stormed out of the Morning Room.
“Someone’s touchy this morning,” trilled India.
“India, darling,” began Charles, “I don’t think it’s necessary to goad Billy.”
“Daddy, he’s always been sensitive. Always. We can’t have any fun for fear for upsetting Billy. The last time I checked, this wasn’t the William Montgomery Sad Sack Hour.” India gently sipped her coffee. “He’ll get over it. I’m sure Connor will find a way to calm him down.”
Charles shook his head. He couldn’t imagine why his children were interested in the same man. It belied his entire belief system. “India, I think you may be better served if you re-route your energy elsewhere.”
“Daddy, that’s not very nice,” pouted India.
“I have to meet with Sheila later today. We have a meeting at the bank concerning Faren’s trust.”
India cast her eyes down towards her plate. How she missed her daughter… How she wished she could be the mother Faren deserved… In spite of that, India wasn’t ready to be that mother… “Oh.”
“That’s all you can muster regarding your daughter?”
“I spoke with Eli over the weekend. He said she’s fine!”
“You didn’t speak to her? India…”
“She had a ballet lesson! Eli is her father. She’s in safe hands.”
“India, maybe it’s time that you and Eli came to…an arrangement concerning Faren’s care…”
“Eli lives in San Francisco. He’s not going to uproot Faren for me.”
“Have you asked him?”
“Daddy, please mind your business!” snapped India. “Oh, Daddy…” sighed India. “I love Faren so much. I miss her, but Eli is the better parent. Everyone knows it.”
“She’s your daughter. Whatever you and Eli think, she needs you, India. Stop goading Billy and thinking about Connor. It’s time you put your daughter first before it’s too late.”
Sheila Davenport and Charles Montgomery, IV walked into the dining room of the Kingsport Country Club after their meeting at West Haven Valley Private Bank and Trust, the premiere bank to the best families in Kingsport. You had to have a minimum of five million dollars cash to open an account to ensure you were worthy of this esteemed private bank. Sheila and Charles settled into the star table which shielded them from public view yet gave them a prime view of the entire dining room. “I think that was productive,” said Sheila, crisply.
“Sheila, I know you don’t like Mavis Andre, but she did have a point,” replied Charles as he motioned for the waiter.
“I did not appreciate her tone. She acts as if this is her money. Some people,” sniffed Sheila.
“Mr. Montgomery. Mrs. Davenport. Would you like to place an order?” asked one of the musty waxwork waiters.
“I’d like an extra dry gin martini with two olives,” said Sheila.
“I’ll have the same.” Charles waited until the waiter had walked off before he said, “I had a rather interesting conversation with India this morning.”
Sheila pursed her lips. “Charles, I don’t think we should discuss her.”
“She’s Faren’s mother. We have to discuss her. I’m sure you and Alison talk about India all the time.”
“Alison is my dearest friend. I’d never break her confidence, nor she mine. When it comes to India, I don’t know what to do, Charles. She’s shown no interest in Faren for years and it’s beginning to take a toll on her.”
“I’m aware of it. It’s time for her to become a mother whether she likes it or not. I thought sending her to Paris to be with Alison would have helped, but India’s the same person.”
“That’s not a good thing.” Sheila stopped talking as the waxwork waiter delivered their martinis and left without a word. “Charles, we should probably defer to Elijah where Faren and Alison are concerned. Apparently, he and India are in regular contact.”
Charles gave Sheila a curious look. “Then I take it you’ve been in touch with Eli?”
“It’s not like it sounds. I heard that India was in town and I called Eli to see if he knew why.”
“You could’ve called me…or Alison…”
Sheila took a long sip of her cold, perfectly shaken martini. “It’s not my place, but I will say this: Alison has done a lot for India. I think it’s time she had a break.”
Charles knew what Sheila meant. Even though he and his estranged wife spoke infrequently, he was well aware that India’s time in Paris had been trying for Alison. “What are we going do when it comes to Faren and India?”
“We’re going to do the hardest thing of all.”
“Which is?”
“Nothing. This is up to Elijah and India to straighten out. Maybe it’s best if Faren is three thousand miles away from her mother right now. Let’s see how India fares in the next few months. Once we see that, we can make alternate plans…”
The sound of Charles ringing cell phone interrupted Sheila’s train of thought. Normally, Charles wouldn’t answer his phone, but something told him to answer the call from his office. He picked up the call and listened intensely to his Chief of Staff, Xander Holm. “I see… Please keep me updated, Xander.” With that, Charles ended the call, a look of concern painted across his face.
“Charles… Is everything all right?”
“That was my office… It’s Billy.”
“Is Billy all right?” asked Sheila, carefully.
“He’s leaving.”
Sheila gave Charles a curious look. “Where is he going?”
“He… Billy called the family office to book the private pane from Kingsport to Paris leaving first thing.”
“Charles, I’m sure it’s nothing. He probably wants to spend some time with Alison…”
“It’s not that, Sheila. There’s no return flight. Billy is leaving town for good and… God, I should’ve seen this before…”
“Seen what?”
“He’s leaving town for good to get away from India. I can’t let this happen, Sheila. I can’t lose my son.”
In our next installment, India prods Jill for information…
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