#3
The sting from Will’s revelation two days ago left Warren in a state of shock. As the oldest of Charles and Alison Montgomery’s three children, he was well aware of the animosity between Will and India. Ever since they were children, they hadn’t gotten along. India, being the middle child, loathed Will for merely existing. There were many times when, as a child, Will’s life was placed in danger, only to be saved at the last minute by India. Warren knew his sister could be unstable and dangerous, but that’s why she had been living in Paris with Alison for the last three years. Warren couldn’t fathom why India would accuse Connor of rape, but the only person who could answer that question was Connor.
As Warren walked up the path to Connor’s house, he felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He and Connor had been friends since they were children. They knew each other’s secrets. They had drifted apart after high school, but when they both returned to Kingsport after graduate school, they became fast friends again. The Connor he knew would never rape India or harm anyone else. However, Warren’s practical brain was well aware that everyone had a dark side they worked quite hard to conceal from the world.
“Warren. What’re you doing here?” Dr. Connor Windsor asked as he welcomed Warren into his house. Connor’s house was on his parents’ ten-acre estate, but it had its own entrance and felt separate from the rest of the Windsor family compound.
“I don’t want to ask you this, but if I don’t, it’ll haunt me for the rest of my life. Billy came to see me the other day and he said that India accused you of raping her.”
Connor lost all of the color in his face. He lost all feeling in his hands. He left like he would die on the spot. “Warren, I’ve never laid a hand on India. You know that.”
“Then why did she say it?”
“Because… We all know India isn’t…stable…”
“Connor…”
“Will has told me the stories, Warren. She’s been obsessed with me since we were teenagers. You know it’s true.”
Warren nodded, sadly. “I know, but…”
“I wanted a restraining order against her, but our families didn’t want anything like that in the public record, so she was allowed to keep doing it until your father sent her to Paris to live with Alison.” Connor rubbed his temples, unwilling to dredge up the past. “When your sister accused me of rape, your mother hired a private investigator who looked into her claims. They were totally false. I don’t know why India said it, Warren. You have to believe me.”
Warren sat on a bench in the foyer. “I don’t know what to believe. She’s my sister. You’re involved with my brother. It’s not a cut and dry situation.”
“It is. I’m telling you the truth.” Connor’s pager went off as he said, “I have to get to the hospital. I’m sorry Will told you, but it’s out now. I’ll talk to you later, Warren.”
Barbara Wilkes studied herself in the mirror of the staff quarters with grave sorrow. The maid’s uniform she was being forced to wear did nothing for her body. It hid all of the curves and shapeliness which made men throw themselves at her. This muted gray uniform made Barbara feel like the one thing she hated most of all: Feeling invisible. She quickly tied back her hair, slid her feet into her staff issued rubber shoes, and tied an apron around her waist. Upon closer examination, Barbara didn’t recognize herself. If she couldn’t see herself buried behind this grotesque costume of the working class, no man would desire her. In that moment, Barbara knew her sparkling charm would be the key to succeeding as a maid at the Montgomery Estate.
Dane Hurley gave her the lay of the land while walking Barbara to the kitchen. “Charles Montgomery and his youngest child, Will, live at the estate full-time. You are to call Charles and Will ‘Mr. Montgomery’. Alison Montgomery lives in Paris with their daughter, India. Alison is ‘Mrs. Farrell Montgomery’ and India is ‘Miss Montgomery.’ Oh, their son, Warren lives across town with his wife, Jill, and their daughters. Again, the family is always addressed formally. They are not your friends. Never refer to them by their first names. Is that understood?”
“Yes,” smiled Barbara.
“Charles’ two sisters and his brother drop-in whenever they feel like it. It’s a great nuisance, so we always have the cottages ready for them along with the White Suite.” Dane opened the servant’s door to the kitchen as Barbara entered the vast commercial grade space. “You’ll be based in here for the time being. The family will either call down their orders on that phone, text, or send an email. There are plenty of alerts so you never miss anything. Mrs. Taplin, the housekeeper, will let you know when bathrooms or the like need to be cleaned. Otherwise, stay down here. Stay out of sight. When it’s time for your meal breaks and breaks, just ask the chef for a meal. It’s fine. Oh, and if you have any questions that binder is full of dos and don’ts. Any other questions ask me or Mrs. Collins.” With that, Dane left Barbara in the bustling kitchen full of cooks and a chef who took no time to notice her.
Barbara sank into a chair near the phone with a heavy heart. Nothing today had gone according to her plan. Here she was stuck in the kitchen which meant the smell of food would cling to her. If she wanted that life, she would have worked at fast food joint. Barbara knew she would have to devise a way to get upstairs, out of this unflattering uniform, and into the opulent rooms above.
Dr. Connor Windsor came out of surgery having successfully saved the life of a sixteen-year-old victim of a hit and run. While he should have been in a heady mood, a dark cloud engulfed him and refused to let go. Had he only been able to silence India Montgomery when he had the chance, he would have done so. That girl was a nuisance of the tallest order and she showed no signs of ever leaving him alone. Her baseless lies, her stalking, and her obsession with him had made Connor’s life a living hell for the better part of a decade. Quite frankly, he was sick of her. He finally managed to find happiness with Will only to now have it threatened by India’s return to Kingsport.
Connor walked into the staff room, grabbed his phone, and contemplated what to do next. He wondered why India would want to come back to town when her family thought she’d be happier in Paris. Will didn’t give a lot away when it came to the inner workings of his illustrious family, but Connor had a feeling that something was amiss. If India’s accusations ever got out, they could ruin him. That was one thing Connor would not let India Montgomery do to him. After what seemed like an eternity, Connor made a Hail Mary call with a desperate plea to have coffee within the hour. For Connor knew that the only way to deal with India was to give her something else…or someone else…to obsess about…
Sheila Davenport sat in the drawing room of the Kingsport Country Club with a feeling of dread in her soul. While she was friendly with Dr. Connor Windsor through his mother, Raquel, he wasn’t one of her favorite people. “Connor,” said Sheila softly as he approached her, “I hope you’ve been well.”
“Actually, I haven’t been well.” Connor waved over a waiter, ordered two coffees, and let his head fall into his hands. “It’s India. She’s coming back to town.”
Sheila stiffened. “Alison didn’t mention it…”
“I’m worried about what she’ll do this time, Sheila. You know as well as I do that India is unstable.”
Sheila reached for her purse as she said, “Connor, I’m not comfortable discussing India with you.”
“Sheila, please. India is the mother of your granddaughter. If anyone can talk India into staying in Paris, it’s Alison. Alison is your best friend. Please, Sheila. You’ve got to convince Alison to keep India in Paris or else she’ll ruin my life.”
In our next installment, Barbara learns a thing or two…
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