Tag: Alison Farrell Montgomery

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Kingsport #45

“Barbara, ya got a minute?”

Barbara Wilkes spun around in the staff room in the bowels of the Montgomery Estate to find Ada Burke glaring at her. She forced a tight smile onto her face as she said, “Sure. How are you, Ada?”

Ada hated it when Barbara put on that fake-nice voice. Ever since Barbara had gone upstairs to work for Mrs. Montgomery, she’d become a little faker. “Oh, I’m just fine. Ya know, things are still the same down here. Washin’, foldin’, runnin’ meals and whatnot…”

“I remember. Well, if you don’t mind, I should get back to sorting Mrs. Montgomery’s mail. My break is almost over.”

“Before you do,” said Ada, quickly. “Mind if I ask you somethin’?”

“Of course not,” replied Barbara, carefully.

Ada sat across from Barbara, her mind racing a thousand miles a minute. “Seems that a friend of mine lives in your building.”

“So?”

“Said there’s some man stayin’ with you.”

Barbara could feel her throat tighten as her stomach began to churn. She knew she’d been careful about keeping her private life to herself, so how in the world did the likes of Ada Burke know that someone was living with her. Thinking as quickly as she could, Barbara replied, “Ada, I really don’t like to discuss my private life…”

“Just thought we were friends…at least friendly, ya know? Didn’t you know had a fella.”

“Ada, I think…this conversation is really inappropriate. If you’ll excuse me…”

“It’s all right. Just thought I’d ask. Makin’ sure you’re all right and all that.”

Barbara forced a half-hearted smile on her face which hid the frantic fury inside of her. “Well, I don’t make inquiries into your home life and I would appreciate it if you didn’t into mine!”

Before Barbara knew it, she was out of the staff room and into the corridors beneath the Montgomery Estate. She couldn’t believe that someone in Kingsport knew about Kenny. Barbara had given him crushed enough pills in his food to keep him lethargic until she figured out how to get rid of him. And now, that nosey busybody, Ada Burke, knew about that man. She wanted nothing more than to scream, but Barbara gathered her composure. No, she thought, quietly, she had to keep playing the long game. In time, Barbara knew she would move upstairs forever. Once that happened, she would get rid of all of the people who knew anything about her past…and that included one Ada Burke.

“Yes, Steven. That’ll be fine. Call every single white shoe law firm in Connecticut, New York, Paris, and London. I want cut Charles off at the knees should he decide to divorce me,” said Alison Farrell Montgomery in a hushed voice. “Thank you. Set up the calls and we’ll take it from there.” Alison placed the phone on the receiver just as her youngest child, Will, wandered into her private sitting room. “Please tell me that you and Connor have made up, Billy.”

He let out a soft sigh before saying, “We have. The wedding will go ahead as planned.”

“Thank goodness,” said Alison, lightly. “After the story in the Kingsport Press…”

“Mom, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“If India was behind it…”

“India is always behind everything bad that happens in my life. She’s hated me since the minute I was born.”

Alison kept quiet because she, of all people, knew that her son was right. “Then onto brighter news: My fittings for my wedding outfits went off without a hitch. Oh, I meant to tell you that I’m re-opening my homes in Paris and Cannes once I return to Europe after your wedding.”

“You’re leaving?” asked Will, his voice quivering with sadness.

“Yes,” replied, Alison flippantly. “Billy, my life is in France. I can’t sit around Kingsport for months on end. I’ll lose my mind.”

Will sullenly bit his bottom lip. “I’ve enjoyed having you in town. I wish you would stay.”

“You have access to the Montgomery jets. If you ever feel lonely, book one and come see me. It’s not as if we don’t have the time and the resources to see each other on a whim!”

“I know, but… Mom, I do think Connor has a problem with our lifestyle…our money.”

“He’ll get used to it,” sniffed Alison. “Besides, he should be happy that he doesn’t have to support you on a surgeon’s salary. Sorry, Billy. I didn’t mean it the way it sounds.” Alison walked over to her son and touched his face. “Billy, Connor will adapt. If he loves you for who you are, then the rest of it doesn’t matter.”

“But what if the rest of it does matter…to him…?”

“That’s what divorce lawyers are for,” said Alison, honestly. “If this marriage doesn’t work out, it doesn’t mean the next one won’t.”

“I love Connor,” said Will, plainly.

“Oh, Billy, you’ve loved a lot of men.”

“Mom!”

“There was Lord Sam Duncaster, Brian Hepworth-Walton, and, let’s not forget the very first one, Nicholas Davenport. Actually,” said Alison in a low, private tone, “I thought you got together with Connor to get back at India.”

Will met his mother’s eye with shock and contempt. “That’s something she would do to me! I’d never do that to India…or anyone else!”

“I know that now, Billy.” Alison’s checked her phone which emitted an alert before saying, “I don’t want you to feel obligated to stay married to Connor, especially if it doesn’t work. There are other men out there who will love you for who you are, not for who they want you to be. A cliché, yes, but it’s true. Now, off with you. I have to change for lunch at the country club.”

As Will left his mother’s suite and considered her words, he knew then and there he was going to marry Connor and they would stay married forever. He couldn’t prove his mother right. He just couldn’t…

In our next installment, the Montgomery family celebrates Alison’s birthday…

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Kingsport #42

“Charles, we need to discuss how much money we’re settling on Billy upon his marriage to Connor.” Alison Farrell Montgomery peered over the rim of her glasses as Barbara Wilkes walked into the Morning Room with her mail. “Thank you,” Alison replied, crisply.

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Montgomery,” smiled Barbara. While she loved being upstairs, Barbara still hadn’t been able to crack the mystery of Alison Farrell Montgomery. She was a woman Barbara wanted to be, yet she had no idea how to formulate her life into one like Alison’s.

“Have the kitchen send up the coffee I prefer,” Charles said to Barbara.

Barbara waited for Charles to give her a smile or a wink, but his face was blank. Without a word, Barbara quickly exited the room.

“What do you think about that one?” asked Charles.

“Hmm? Which one?”

Charles cleared his throat. “Never mind.”

Alison took a long sip of tea before saying, “How much money are we settling on Billy upon his marriage to Connor? We put $20 million in trust for Warren, plus $5 million each for any children he had with Jill. I suppose we don’t need to worry about children where Billy and Connor are concerned.”

“They could surprise us,” noted Charles, quietly.

Alison raised a curious eyebrow. “Since when have you become the flag bearer for the gay rights?”

“He’s my son, Alison. I love him. What he does and who he does it with is none of my concern.” Charles wiped his mouth with a linen napkin. “Let’s settle the same amount onto Billy. If they have children, we’ll figure it out then.”

“Fine. Have the family office draw up the trust and I’ll have my bankers wire over my half of the money.” Alison checked her phone before adding, “I do hope Billy and Connor go through with this wedding. It would be a shame if we had to call it off.”

“It’ll happen. Connor Windsor knows he can’t do any better than Billy. Everyone else is terribly common.”

“From what Billy told Warren, their fights are only becoming more intense.”

“That’s marriage,” reasoned Charles, lightly. “Actually, Alison, I wanted to discuss something with you. How would you feel about us getting divorced?”

Alison looked at Charles carefully before she realized he had uttered the one word she thought he’d never say in her presence. “I think it’s ludicrous.”

“We hardly spend any time together…”

“By design. By choice. I don’t rely on you for money; nor do you me. Most marriages are based on a certain imbalance centered around money and that doesn’t concern us. We’re free to have our separate lives without the common ugliness of a divorce to mar our obituaries.”

Charles pondered this sentiment for a while. One of the best things about being married to Alison was that she had a fortune of her own which never made her rely on his. They were the same people from the same world with the same values. While it helped in the early years of their marriage, Charles was beginning to want something more…something fresh…something youthful… “I didn’t think you cared what society said about you.”

“I am society,” Alison corrected her husband. “Whose families are as old and as rich as the Farrells and the Montgomerys? Not many.” She took a small bite of gravlax before saying, “Charles, I am a bit…miffed…that you would mention divorce to me. May I ask what brought you to this point?”

“We have separate lives. You date other men in Paris; I sleep with women when it suits me. Other than tax purposes, there’s no reason for us to stay married. Our children are almost all middle aged, so staying together for India, Warren, and Billy isn’t a viable excuse anymore.”

“Then why change things now?”

“Why not?”

“There will be a divorce. The details of our private lives…the details we’ve both worked to keep quiet…may fall into the public sphere. I’m sorry, but I don’t want Raquel Windsor to know our household budget. Moreover,” added Alison, “someone may be able to unearth your actual net worth, not the number Forbes has gotten wrong for forty years.”

“Isn’t our freedom worth more than money?”

“I’d argue it’s the money that affords us freedom. We don’t have to worry about much of anything as long as it’s out of the public eye.” Alison rose, walked over to Charles, and kissed his cheek. “Even though we have separate lives, I’ll always love you, Charles. Do you remember the first time we met?”

“Of course. It was at the country club.”

“No, we met as children in Palm Beach.”

“Such a ghastly place.”

“Oh, I remember,” laughed Alison. “My governess and nanny brought we down there when I was nine. We played tag in the public park before trying to liberate the monkeys at the zoo. In that moment…before I knew what love was, I knew I loved you… The boy with the golden hair was how I remembered you.”

Charles pulled Alison close to him. He smelled her bespoke perfume as he caressed her soft, supple skin. “I remember the first time we had sex… The night I proposed to you…”

“I wanted to make a mockery of being forced to wear white,” whispered Alison. “That was the best night of my life.” She let her hand graze his growing erection. “Why don’t we go to my suite and…reconnect…my boy with the golden hair…”

Before he knew it, Charles grabbed Alison by the hand and whisked her away.

From the shadows of the servant’s door, Barbara Wilkes watched in envy as the man she’d come to Kingsport to seduce went upstairs to have sex with his wife. In that moment, Barbara resolved that she would be able to seduce Charles one day…but today, she had to live a life she hated in the hopes she would get the life she knew she deserved.

 

In our next installment, Warren confronts India…

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Kingsport #36

“Ali, you didn’t!!!” exclaimed Sheila Davenport.

Alison Farrell Montgomery sipped a chilled glass of wine in the comfort of her award-winning English garden. “Billy needed to hear the truth, Sheila,” reasoned Alison. “Connor is all wrong for him.”

Sheila cleared her throat. “Ali, you told me weeks ago that you wouldn’t insert yourself into the middle of Will’s relationship with Connor.”

“I haven’t!”

“You have!” Sheila refilled her wine glass. “If you keep this up, Will is going to end up alone and he’ll blame you for ruining his chance for happiness with Connor.”

“Sheila, what am I supposed to do? Connor is so weak-willed that he can’t handle the fact that I want to buy my son a house as a wedding present! It’s not my fault Alistair Windsor squanders whatever income and assets he has on cheap booze and even cheaper teenage girls!” Alison fingered the white tablecloth. “I can think of fifty well-bred men in Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and Africa who would be perfect for Billy…but he wants Connor.”

“Yes, he does. Besides, Will won’t make a bad decision. He’s not like Nicholas.”

Alison nodded in agreement. “Is Nicholas still trying to find himself?”

“Worse than that,” sighed Sheila. “He wanted to sell his shares in Davenport Technology to Elijah…for all people…”

“How did you stop him?”

“I’m the trustee on Nicholas’ trust fund. He can’t do a thing with those shares without my consent.”

Alison pondered Sheila’s words carefully before saying, “I wonder why we have such a hard time letting our youngest children live their lives without our interference?”

“I wish I knew,” reflected Sheila, honestly. “I don’t want someone to take advantage of Nicholas…in much the same way I’m sure you don’t want Connor to take advantage of Will.”

“Exactly! This is why we’re best friends,” smiled Alison.

“I do hope Will and Connor get married. I’m having the most delightful dress made in London,” cooed Sheila.

Alison smiled, lightly. “I’d be surprised if Billy went through with the wedding, but, I suppose, anything is possible.”

“Oh. Hello, Mama. Mrs. Davenport,” said Jill Stanhope Montgomery as she walked through the English garden. “It’s a lovely day.”

Alison forced a tight smile on her face. “Jill. What brings you to the estate?”

Jill stood her ground because she knew her mother-in-law would love nothing more than to see her falter. “Hannah and Kate wanted to see the new puppies. Warren called ahead. I merely wanted to enjoy a cool drink inside…if that’s all right with you, Mama.”

“As you were,” Alison stated with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Jill smiled pertly, walked into the main house, and took a deep breath. She knew that neither Sheila nor Alison realized that she’d overheard most of their private conversation. Jill couldn’t stop from giggling at the thought that Will might call off his wedding to Connor. It would cause a scandal among their set, but it meant Jill could avoid that wedding. Jill couldn’t believe her luck. As Jill walked into the Morning Room, she ordered a drink from the kitchen, sank into a chair, and felt like everything was going right for the first time in a long time.

“You’re here a lot.” India Montgomery eyed her sister-in-law with great contempt as she picked up a long-forgotten book on a side table.

“It’s nice to see you, too, India,” said Jill, lightly. “How are you?”

“Fine,” snapped India. “I hope you’re not staying long.”

“I’m Warren’s wife. I have every right to be on the family estate,” huffed Jill.

India eyed Jill carefully. Even though Jill was married to Warren, India felt nothing towards her. To India, Jill was just a woman with too many high ideas and little substance. “Tell your husband to come see me. It’s been years.”

“Then come by for dinner tonight. I’m sure Hannah and Kate would love to see their Auntie Indi.”

“Some other time,” India replied, stiffly. “If you’ll excuse me…”

Just then, a brilliant thought flooded Jill’s mind. She knew she had to act fast, so she said, “I suppose you haven’t heard the news.”

“The lives of the masses do not interest me,” sniffed India.

Jill felt like a cat toying with its prey. “Oh. I thought you’d like to know about Connor and… Oh, never mind.”

“Connor?” The name fell from India’s lips with such passion she felt like she’d erupt. “What about Connor?”

Jill sighed, lightly. “Oh, it’s probably nothing. Anyway, the masses don’t interest you, so…”

“Tell me, Jill.” India’s eyes darkened with hot anger. “If you don’t…”

Jill could feel the hairs rising on her arms. She knew India was unpredictable, but she had never seen it for herself. She’d never seen India go from pleasant to terrifying in the span of a few seconds. In all truth, Jill was frightened. “I heard…that Will…is considering calling off his wedding to Connor.”

“Who told you that?!?” India demanded to know.

“I can’t say!”

“Tell me, Jill!!!”

“I heard your mother tell Sheila,” Jill said, quickly. “Apparently, Will and Connor had a fight the other day and…” Before Jill could finish her thought, India was gone. Jill tried to catch her breath just as one of the servants brought her a perfectly chilled glass of iced tea. However, Jill couldn’t think about anything in the moment except for the fact that she’d given India a loaded gun. Everyone knew how India felt about Will and Connor. It was only a matter of time before India did something to ensure Will called off the wedding. However, no one could blame this on Jill. Alison and Sheila didn’t know she’d overheard them. No one would ever believe India. And, in that moment, Jill realized she’d played this just right. Her hands were clean. Whatever happened next wouldn’t be her fault because Will was already having doubts, Connor was fiery, and India was unstable. No, Jill told herself, whatever happens next won’t be my fault…It’ll be God’s will. And, with that realization, Jill Stanhope Montgomery absolved herself of everything that would transpire from this split decision…

 

In our next installment, Kenny demands more of Barbara…

 

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Kingsport #35

Will Montgomery and Dr. Connor Windsor’s wedding plans had taken on a life of their own. Chefs were flown in from around the world to prepare lavish tasting menus; every floral arrangement known to man had been created; every society matron had offered her humble opinion; and musicians from around the world played tunes ranging from the inane to the caustic. Will wanted his wedding day to be perfect; Connor wanted it to be memorable. However, their parents wanted this most exclusive wedding day to befit their established images in Kingsport.

Raquel Windsor squinted her eyes at the floral centerpiece arrangements which lined the greenhouse on the Montgomery Estate. “I simply don’t know…everything is so beautiful!”

Alison Farrell Montgomery rolled her eyes. She’d known Raquel for over thirty years due to Raquel’s marriage to her childhood friend, Alistair Windsor. To Alison, Raquel was the worst kind of interloper because she forgot where she came from while pretending she’d been to the manor born like Alistair, Alison, and Charles. While Raquel may have softened her roughest edges, Alison always liked to remind her that she’d never be one of them. “I think it’s the right amount if we want to err on the side of understatement,” snapped Alison.

“Oh, yes, I didn’t see it that way,” chimed in Raquel. “Connor,” she purred to her son, “I think Alison and Will are correct.”

Connor smiled tightly. The last thing he wanted was look at floral centerpieces with his mother and Alison, but he loved Will so he said, “Will and I will be too busy enjoying the wedding to even think about centerpieces.”

“These things do matter,” added Will, “but Connor has a point.”

Raquel nodded in agreement. “Oh, I couldn’t agree more, Will!”

Alison exhaled loudly. “Look at the time. I’m sure Chef is having lunch up to the library as we speak. We mustn’t be late.” Alison floated out of the greenhouse with Raquel tripping over herself to keep up.

“I don’t know why your mother is so short with my mom,” sniffed Connor.

Will forced a tight smile on his face. “I don’t know why my mom does half the things she does, Connor.”

“She’s a snob.”

“Ouch. Be nice.”

Connor placed his arm around Will’s tight waist. “I’m sorry.” He kissed Will’s scented neck. “Let’s skip lunch. I’ve had enough of our mothers for one day.”

“We have to go. It’s lunch, not the gallows,” laughed Will as they stepped into the hot August sun. “Besides, our mothers will have to learn how to get along,” sighed Will.

“Then you need to talk to your mother,” snapped Connor. “Everyone knows my mother is desperate for Alison’s approval.”

Will exhaled sharply. “I’ll have a word with her. Connor,” began Will, softly, “my mother wants to buy us a house as her wedding present to us.”

Connor turned to Will with marked bewilderment. “Why? You can live in my house.”

“Well, she thinks it’ll be good for us to establish a home off of your family’s estate.”

“Will, you need to tell your mother to mind her business!”

“Connor!”

“I’m serious! There’s nothing wrong with my house. You never cared that it’s at the back of my family’s land. Only your mother would care about something so…trivial!”

“Okay, calm down,” snapped Will. “It’s just a house. Anyway, you always said your sister wanted your house, so why not give it to her?”

“Will, stop letting your parents control you.”

“My parents do not control me,” scoffed Will, hotly.

Connor shook his head as they approached the main house. “If you believe that…”

“They don’t!” insisted Will.

“Wake up, Will. You have more money than God, but your mother wants to buy our marital home. Oh, and let’s not forget that your dad bought the polo club for you. No wonder you have no qualms spending a million dollars of your money on our wedding because you never pay for anything! For crying out loud, you still live at home!”

Will froze in steely silence as he averted Connor’s gaze. In that moment, it felt like the world had lots its color, sounds ceased to exist, and joy had yet to be known. “You should go,” said Will, crisply.

“I can’t have an opinion?!?!”

“Go, Connor. I won’t ask you again,” replied Will, icily.

“Fine,” snapped Connor.

Will watched as Connor disappeared into the house as he wondered what he’d done to deserve such treatment from the man he loved. Just as the tears were about to flow, Alison walked out of the house towards her son. “Connor had to leave,” Will told his mother.

Alison shook her head in disbelief. “I heard you two from the hall. Oh, Billy…”

“Mom, please. Don’t. Pity is the last thing I need from you.”

“I’m not giving you my pity, Billy.” Alison seized her son by his hands, turned his face towards hers, and said, “You need to think long and hard about Connor. This is the moment every couple faces during the run-up to their wedding… It dictates whether or not they will commit themselves to each other…forever. If Connor is intimidated by your money…your family, then he is not the right man for you.”

“How can you say that to me?!”

“Billy,” Alison continued, firmly, “you need to hear this. Yes, Connor’s family has some money, but not they’re not like us. If Connor can’t handle it, then call off the wedding, Billy. I mean it.”

 

In our next installment, Jill lets a secret slip…

 

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Kingsport #30

Alison Farrell Montgomery laid by the outdoor pool at the Montgomery Estate as the humidity clung to every inch of her toned body. She pulled her sunglasses tight against her face as a shadow cast over her. “Move.”

“You do know how to speak,” snapped India. She folded her arms while her mother sighed and rolled over to her side. “Mother, I’m speaking to you!”

“I’m trying to have a few moments of peace and quiet before I meet my friends for dinner.”

“You’ll look like an old weather-beaten suitcase,” clucked India, ruefully. “You haven’t spoken two words to me since you arrived from Paris.”

Alison sat up, removed her sunglasses, and gave India a terse stare. “India, I don’t want to talk to you. In fact, I think it would be better if you stayed out of my way.” With that, Alison grabbed her robe, sunhat, and started for the main house.

“Why?” called India as she ran towards Alison. “Mother, please! You can’t ignore me! I’m your daughter!”

“India, will you please leave me alone?!? My god! I can’t have a moments peace without you demanding every spare second of my time!”

“But you always have time for Billy! It makes me sick!”

“I have time for Billy,” began Alison, “because he didn’t have an affair with my boyfriend and then accuse him of trying to force himself on her!”

India stood in absolute silence, like the world had stopped without any intention of every resuming its usual hum of the last four billion years. “That’s not true,” insisted India. “I never even looked at Count Andre du Renault!”

“You used to be a much better liar,” spat Alison. “I know all about it. Andre told me what you did to him!”

“What I did to him?!? Mother, I didn’t do anything to Andre. He’s lying! He always tried to come on to me, but I stopped him. He would tell me how he wanted someone more nubile…more experienced… Mother, you have to believe me that I never tried to have sex with him!” exclaimed India.

Alison grabbed India by the arm. “Keep your voice down. You sound like a common guttersnipe.” She dragged India into the pool house and slammed the door. “Now you listen to me, India, I am not your father. I see you exactly for who you are. I have since you were a child. I’ve seen the essence of who you really are and always have been. You’re a mean, spiteful, vindictive woman with no regard for anyone around you. It’s anathema to who you really are.”

India’s eyes narrowed in horrified anger. “You have no proof…”

“Very few people know of the lengths you went to in order to get Connor for yourself. The lies you told… The people you hurt…” Alison folded her arms with fury in her eyes. “India, what Count Andre told me you did to him tracks entirely with what you did to Connor. It was like listening to an old record.” She looked India once over. “You disgust me.”

India stood in absolute silence before saying, “You’re just jealous. He wanted me, Mother. That’s not my fault.”

“You accused him of drugging you and trying to sleep with you, India! Have you any idea how damaging that could be to his life if it ever got out?!?”

“I don’t see how that’s my problem,” simpered India. “He never told me to stop.”

Alison let out an exasperated cry. “You’ll never learn, will you, India?”

“I didn’t do anything wrong!”

“You have to stop this! What you did to Connor and Andre…”

“They both wanted me!! It’s not my fault that Connor was desperate to have me, just like Andre. Men find me sexual. They want to be with me, Mother! Connor doesn’t love Billy and Andre certainly didn’t love you!”

Alison’s hand stung from the slap she’d laid across India’s face. “You have no concept of the meaning of love!”

India rubbed her throbbing cheek. It had been years since anyone had hit her, but she wasn’t going to cry or give her mother the satisfaction of seeing her in pain. “If I don’t have a concept of love, it’s because you ignored me during my childhood while you were off being a slut in Europe. You made me this way, Mother. I’m not to blame for my behavior; you are.”

Lisa Davenport Collins sat in the examination room when Dr. Shearer entered the room followed by her husband, Jackson Collins. For Lisa, the last few days had been a special kind of hell. After four miscarriages in the last eight years, Lisa had given up all hope of every having another child and, now that she’d made peace with her present, the future was turning out to be an unkind little stranger. Jackson took his wife’s hand as Lisa said, “What is the result, Dr. Shearer?”

“Mrs. Collins, you are pregnant…”

“Wow,” muttered Jackson. “It happened, Lisa.”

Lisa watched Dr. Shearer’s face. It was a stony mask which told Lisa all she needed to know. “It’s not good is it,” she asked the doctor.

“Lisa, you’re pregnant! This is a wonderful thing,” interjected Jackson.

“Dr. Shearer,” began Lisa, “please tell me what’s wrong.”

Dr. Olivia Shearer quietly said, “Our transvaginal ultrasound has detected that you are having an ectopic pregnancy. That means…”

“I know what it means,” Lisa said, ruefully.

“Due to your age…” began Dr. Shearer, “there are…”

“I don’t want it.” Lisa felt like the world was beginning to lose its color. She felt numb. She felt cold. She felt dead. “Do whatever you have to do to get rid of it.”

Jackson turned to his wife with grief written all over his face. “We need to discuss this, Lisa. Dr. Shearer, it’s possible this could be a viable pregnancy, isn’t it?”

“Due to Mrs. Collins age and other factors, it may not be as viable as we would hope it to be. I’ll give you two time to talk this through…”

“I don’t need time,” said Lisa, gravely. “Tell me when I can come back for the surgery. I will find time in my schedule.”

Jackson waited for Dr. Shearer to go before saying, “Lisa, you can’t just end your pregnancy! We should be able to talk this through.”

Lisa turned her face away from Jackson. She knew he was hurting because she was hurting on a level she never knew existed. The mere fact that she had become pregnant was a miracle, but God was playing a horrific joke on her. She and the doctor knew her odds of carrying this pregnancy to term were unlikely. The thought of growing attached to…and loving…a baby which may not survive crushed every bit of Lisa’s soul. “I’ve made up my mind, Jackson. I can’t go through with it. I won’t…”

In our next installment, Lisa rejects Sheila’s help…

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Kingsport #26

India Montgomery stepped into the Morning Room to find Dr. Connor Windsor with his arm draped around her brother, Will, without a care in the world. The sight of them together made her sick. Ever since their mother, Alison, had returned from Paris for Will and Connor’s engagement, she hadn’t been able to try and win back Connor. Alison hadn’t said anything to her, but she knew all too well not to upset Will in front of Alison because their mother would always side with Will. India had hated Will since the day he was born and that showed no signs of abating now. The only thing India wanted was for Will to get out of the way because he was the only one stopping her path to happiness.

“Good morning,” chirped India as she made her presence known.

Without turning his head, Will blithely replied, “Can’t you eat in another room?”

“You expect me to eat breakfast outside of the Morning Room? I’m not middle class, Billy,” spat India. She sat across from Connor and her brother and rang a small silver bell. “I considered taking breakfast in the rose garden, but it is far too humid for my tastes.” India focused on Connor, who was doing everything in his power to avoid her gaze. “I only like getting hot and sticky…sometimes…” India said, her eyes never leaving Connor.

A moment later, Ada Burke appeared with India’s breakfast under a silver dome. In a flash, Ada vanished into the servant’s quarters.

“Connor, let’s go out for dinner tonight.”

“I can’t,” sighed Connor. “I have to consult for a surgery next week.”

Will kissed Connor’s cheek. “It’s all right. I’ll find something to do.”

“I’m sure you will,” snapped India. “I think you should go play with your horses or whatever it is you do, Billy.”

Connor glared at India with marked contempt. “If you’re only going to stir up trouble, you can have the Morning Room to yourself, India. Come on, Billy.”

Before India could respond, Connor took Will by the hand and left India alone in the Morning Room. She wanted to scream. She wanted to kick something or someone. India’s blood simmered because she knew Connor loved her, not Will. She knew Connor was using Will to get to her. India knew she had to get Connor alone in order for them to reconnect. It was only a matter of time before Will and Connor got married which meant if she didn’t act quickly, her life with Connor would be ruined as it had been before. India wouldn’t let that happen again…she couldn’t…

Sheila Davenport and Alison Farrell Montgomery clinked their champagne flutes over breakfast at the Kingsport Arms Hotel. While it wasn’t normal for either of these two society women to be seen dining in public in such a flagrant fashion, Alison had suggested the idea to her best friend. And, as it turned out, they were having a marvelous time.

“I only wish I knew what to do about India,” Alison said through the din of the restaurant. “Her obsession with Connor is unhealthy.”

“I know you and Charles are worried about her, Ali, but India is a grown woman. She has to make a life for herself without interfering with Billy and Connor.”

“That’s easier said than done,” sighed Alison. “India’s always had an attachment problem. It’s just a shame she hasn’t put all of this energy into her relationship with Faren.”

Sheila took a long sip from her champagne flute. “I hate to say it, Ali, but I feel that Faren is better off with Elijah than with India.”

“No argument there,” added Alison. “It’s a shame really. India will never know the joys of being a mother because of her obsession with Connor.”

“Do you think the two are linked?”

“Yes,” insisted Alison. “Anyway, I didn’t come here to talk about my daughter. Are you still seeing Robert Fairman?”

Sheila made a face of distaste. “Absolutely not! That man turned out to be nothing but a chancer! Trash. I couldn’t get him out of my life fast enough. Are you still dating Count Andre du Renault?”

Alison could feel her face flush. How she wanted to tell Sheila everything that had happened with the count which had been the catalyst for her sudden return to Kingsport. “I… He and I have decided that it’s no longer wise to see each other,” Alison stated diplomatically. “We’re very different people…and I have a husband…”

“You and Charles haven’t had a real marriage in years,” tutted Sheila. “You two deserve to be happy.”

“Sheila, I don’t want to talk about Charles.”

“You two are on the same estate. You’re bound to see each other.”

Alison cast her eyes down to her smoked salmon. “Outside of seeing him once with Billy, we’ve kept out of each other’s way. Sheila, we shared a few lovely years, raised our children, and decided it was best if we went our separate ways. It works for us.”

“I understand, Ali. It’s just…”

“What?” inquired Sheila.

“If you love him, tell the old coot.”

Alison burst into peals of laughter. “Sheila!” cried Alison as she attempted to stifle her laugh. “What a thing to say!”

Before Alison could say anything else, she and Sheila both saw the same sight: Charles Montgomery, IV emerging from the private dining room with a young little thing hanging from his arm. A wave of fury and embarrassment rushed through Alison. Before she knew it, Alison was marching to confront her husband.

“Alison,” stammered Charles. “I…”

“I’m Alison Montgomery. His wife,” Alison said in a low, cautious voice to the young woman.

The young woman turned six shades of red as Alison gave her an icy stare. “I…”

“Please. I have no use for your pitiful explanations. Just go.” Alison watched the young woman scurry away faster than the wind could carry her. “We said we’d be discrete,” Alison said to Charles, quietly.

“I was being discrete.” He cleared his throat as he took Alison by the hand and stepped into the shadows. “You had no right to make a scene.”

“I’m your wife! This is my reputation, too!”

“You’ve lived in Paris for the better part of two decades, Alison! You’re the one who wanted nothing to do with me. We’re estranged.”

“We may be estranged,” bit Alison, “but I am still Mrs. Charles Montgomery, IV. That will never change.”

“My, my, my,” taunted Charles, “I think you’re jealous.”

“I am not jealous!” huffed Alison. “If you’re going to have affairs with cheap young women, do it in New York City, not in Kingsport.”

Charles gazed at his wife with loving contempt. “You want me. You hate me. You loathe me. You can’t stand being around me. Which is it, Alison?” He waited for a response which never came because Alison stalked off towards the restroom leaving Charles and Sheila completely bewildered over what had just happened. However, Charles knew one thing was for sure: Now was the time to ask his wife for the one thing he wanted, yet was afraid to broach. Charles Montgomery, IV wanted a divorce.

In our next installment, Warren and Jill have a heated argument…

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