Tag: Dr. Connor Windsor

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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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Kingsport #18

The news of William Harrison Montgomery’s engagement to Dr. Connor Daniel Windsor was front page news in the Kingsport Press. A piece of public relations which only could have been crafted from the minds hired by the Montgomery family to put the best spin on their sorted private lives made people from around town send their best wishes. Women cursed the fact that two eligible bachelors were off the market while some men cursed the fact that they hadn’t been smart enough to snag Will. Everyone agreed that their union would be one of the most important since Charles Montgomery married Alison Farrell almost fifty years ago. While some things do change, the fact that society marriages are business transactions trussed up in tulle and taffeta was only known to a few. For everyone else, the gaiety and pomp during the run-up to the wedding day was the result of glitter being thrown into the eyes of those who weren’t privy to the truth.

For India Montgomery, the news of her brother’s engagement to Connor sent her into a tailspin. She wanted nothing more than to get Will out of the way, but she was warned by her father that her antics wouldn’t be appreciated or taken kindly this time around. While she had no intention of complying with Charles’ wishes, she knew better than to make an obvious disruption during Will and Connor’s engagement.

Engagement.

The word coursed through her mind with pure venom. For most of her life, she’d done whatever she could to get rid of Will. Now he was assuming her life by way of marrying Connor. It wasn’t fair. She loved Connor. She had done everything in her power to get him to love her. She had stalked him, obsessed about him, and lied about him in order for him to notice her. Now he was marring Will.

Will.

She hated him from the minute of his birth. One of her earliest memories was trying to smother him with a pillow, but one of the maids stopped her when she came in to change the bedding. A few years later, she pushed him down the stairs of the main house. At least he broke his arm that time. When Will was in college, she paid someone to hack into his computer and leak his nude photos. That was a great scandal which was never traced back to her. However, this was different. Will had gone after the man she loved. Connor was always meant to be hers and hers alone.

As India sat in the quiet of her bedroom in the main house of the Montgomery Estate, a wicked thought took root in her brain. She decided that the best thing she could do right now was to do nothing. Instead of causing a scene, she would do nothing but smile, smile, and smile again. She would tell everyone, “Yes, I am happy for my brother and Connor. The whole family is thrilled for them.” She would tell as many lies as she could to get herself through this horrific moment. And then…when everyone least expected it, she would launch an assault with such venom that no one could stop her. By the time she was done, Will would be out of the picture and Connor would be hers. It didn’t matter how far she had to go. It didn’t matter who got hurt in the end. Connor belonged to her. And, before anyone else knew it, she would become Connor’s wife.

 

 

“I really am happy for you,” Warren told Will and Connor over breakfast at his house. “It’s nice to celebrate good news for once.”

Jill Stanhope Montgomery chewed on a bagel with a false smile plastered on her face. “This really is great to hear,” said Jill, coolly.

“Has India given you any grief?” asked Warren.

Will shook his head. “It’s the oddest thing. She seems fine with it.”

“India’s finally got the hint that I don’t want anything to do with her,” said Connor, firmly. “I’m with the man I love.”

Warren smiled broadly. “That’s what I like to hear. I hate to break-up this little gathering, but I have to get to the office.”

“Could you drop me off at the polo club? I have some work to do before we see Connor’s parents tonight,” said Will.

Jill watched as Will and Warren left the house, bonded in their mutual brotherly love. She turned to Connor with disdain in her eyes. For years she had avoided this man. Now she was engaged to her brother-in-law and she’d never be free of craving him with every inch of her being. “You can leave now,” she said, hotly.

“Jill,” cooed Connor. “Even after two children, you look as fit as I remember.” He gave her a dashing smile. “We had fun, didn’t we?”

A nervous sensation coursed through Jill’s body. The sound of his voice – the sound which haunted her dreams – made her wet with desire. “That was a long time ago. I’m happy with Warren.”

“Warren’s a great guy…”

“And one of your friends…”

“But he’s not me. Remember that time you squirted clear across the room at the Kingsport Arms?” Connor moved closer to Jill, his hot breath tickling the hairs on her neck. “I remember how you would masturbated in front of me before going on your first date with Warren.” He leaned into her, his lips just millimeters from her ear. “I can still smell you all over me.”

Jill sat frozen in her suppressed lust for Connor. “I’m happy with Warren.”

“That’s the thing about happy people… They don’t convince everyone that they’re happy.” He let his hand graze her bare knees. “We did have fun, Jill… So much dirty fun,” he whispered. “Well,” he said, his voice returning to normal, “thank you for breakfast. Whoever would have thought that we’d end up married to the Montgomery brothers. We must be lucky.” Connor stood up and began walking to the entryway of the dining room.

“Do you love Will?”

Connor turned to Jill with a bemused smirk. “Yes, I love him.”

“Does he know about us?”

Connor’s gunmetal blue eyes shimmered with menace. “He never will. It was years ago.”

“I could tell him.”

“You won’t.”

“I should.”

“You won’t.” Connor sauntered over to Jill, placed his hand between her legs, and rubbed the sensitive spot on her thigh that always made her quiver. “Don’t ever threaten me again.” His voice dropped as he whispered, “If you don’t want to wind up like India, keep your mouth shut.”

“Connor,” Jill said, her voice quaking with fear and lust.

“Go masturbate, Jill. Oh, and thanks for breakfast.”

Jill sat in her seat for what seemed like hours. No matter how much she hated Connor, she wanted him. Even though she wanted to expose him to the world, she knew he could ruin her life. She felt trapped. She hated this man, but craved him all the same. In that moment, Jill Stanhope Montgomery cried for the first time in years. The tears weren’t because she was afraid, but because she was willing to throw everything away for one more night with Connor. She knew he could be dangerous, but his touch alone made Jill lose her mind. There, in the perfect dining room in her perfect house, Jill Stanhope Montgomery let the tears fall as she rued the day she’d ever met Dr. Connor Windsor.

 

In our next installment, Nicholas arrives in Kingsport…

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Kingsport #17

Lisa Davenport Collins thumbed through the worn auction catalog as a little yawn made its way across her lips. Today had been a very trying day. One client insisted his Rembrandt was authentic (it wasn’t), while another insisted her collection of dog paintings could fetch top dollar in an upcoming evening sale (they wouldn’t). Although Lisa didn’t need to work, she loved the feeling of having something to do unlike everyone else she knew who pretended to work once they earned enough money to ensure they could stay in cashmere and diamonds for the rest of their lives. Lisa tucked the catalog into the desk of her home office when her son, Oliver, bounded down the hall followed by her brother, Dylan.

“Uncle Dylan is here to see you,” announced Oliver.

“Thanks, little man.” Dylan handed his nephew a crisp ten-dollar bill.

“Awesome!” Oliver squealed as he ran down the corridor.

Lisa saved the document she was working on as she said, “Mom is furious with you.”

Dylan let out an irritated sigh. “I’m aware of that, Lisa. I thought you wanted me to come by to talk about something important.”

“You know how much she relies on you, Dylan.” Lisa removed the silver tennis watch from her left wrist. “Instead of being understanding…sometimes you can be a little harsh. Now, I know Mom probably worked your last nerve, but she didn’t mean any harm.”

“Lisa, you sound like she coached you into saying that.”

“Hardly. I’m not a fool where Mom is concerned, but I do think you could stand to be more understanding and less…volcanic.” Lisa moved closer to her brother, who sat on the love seat in her home office. “We’re one of the few wealthy, old black families in America. Most of our wealth is tied up in Davenport Technology. If Meredith does do something to harm the company, there goes our whole way of life. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I don’t want to see that happen to us, Dylan.”

Dylan thought about his sister’s words for a moment. While she rarely interfered when it came to the family company, he knew all too well that her concern was well placed, unlike Sheila’s. “Lisa, there’s nothing I can do about Meredith. None of us are on the Board of Directors. We’re just owners. Unless we vote in unison, then there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“I don’t see why we can’t vote in unison, Dylan. You always have Eli’s proxy…”

“I did.” Dylan shrugged. “I told Mom that I’m not going to be her go-between when it comes to Eli anymore.”

“Dylan,” Lisa said with unbridled shock. “Why would you do something like that?!?”

“Because I’m literally not my brother’s keeper!”

“This is different. We all know… Mom and Eli are best kept apart.”

“Lisa, my mind is made up. I’ve already told Mom. If she wants to call a family meeting to agree on how to vote our shares, then she’s going to have to speak to Eli and get him to fly in from San Francisco. Or, you can get Eli’s proxy from him.”

Lisa shuddered at the thought. While she was on good terms with Eli (for the most part), she didn’t feel like it was her responsibility to be put in the middle of his epic battle of contrition with Sheila. “I’d rather not,” whispered Lisa. “Sometimes I wish that whatever happened with Dad hadn’t happened and we could…” Her voice trailed off. “I don’t know…”

“There’s no use in wondering, Lisa. It’s all in the past. It’s up to Mom to let things go, which she’s incapable of doing. I’ve told her many times that I’m not going back to Davenport. I’ve told her I will not vote Eli’s shares by proxy. She doesn’t want to listen. She wants to get mad and let you do her bidding. I’m sick of it, Lisa. I really am.”

 

 

“Barbara, come with me.” Mrs. Taplin summoned Barbara with her long, bony finger. “We need you to welcome a guest to the estate. Louise is at lunch. Normally, we’d never have a maid do it, but we cannot simply have a guest show themselves around the estate. The guest will be in the Sun Room.”

“I’ll do my best,” said Barbara, quietly. “I only want to do a good job.”

“That’s all anyone wants you to do,” snapped Mrs. Taplin. “There’s no need to work so hard.” Mrs. Taplin showed Barbara into the main servant’s corridor. She handed her a sheet of paper. “Read this. Everything on here tells you how to greet a visitor, how to show them to a room, and how to wait on them until a member of the family comes to greet them. The butler will show in the guest in a little less than an hour. I suggest you absorb everything on that page!”

Barbara found a chair in the hall as she read through the withering manifesto. “You are to say hello to the guest without giving your name when they enter the room. Simply ask if they would like a refreshment, alcohol, tea, or coffee. Take the order. Do not write it down. You must rely on your memory. Relay the order to the kitchen. You will then retreat to the staff area until called upon again,” Barbara read quietly. While she loved being on the Montgomery Estate, she was quickly growing tired of being rendered invisible all of the time.

“I just saw Old Taps marching around like she wanted to kick a puppy. You okay?” asked Ada.

Barbara stood up as she checked her watch. “Yes, I’m fine, Ada. If you’ll excuse me, I have to welcome a guest to the Sun Room.”

“The Sun Room! Look at you movin’ on up!” laughed Ada.

Yes, I am moving on up, Barbara thought, ruefully. There was no way in the world Barbara would allow herself to become trapped in the hell that was being a maid on the Montgomery Estate. She was moving up…and she wouldn’t let anyone stop her.

 

 

“Good afternoon, Dr. Windsor.”

Connor tapped away on his phone without looking at the lowly maid standing in the corner. “Hi,” he grumbled.

“Would you like a refreshment? Coffee, tea…”

“No,” snapped Connor. “Just have someone bring me an iced tea.” With a wave of his hand, he went back to his phone.

Barbara stood there for a moment. Whether she was stunned or insulted, she didn’t know. What she did know was that she had a job to do. She’d come this far…she’d made it upstairs…and she would do whatever it took to stay upstairs in these plush, sun dappled rooms. Without a word, Barbara turned, walked to a door in the corridor, and returned to the servant’s area.

“Will,” said Connor as Will walked into the Sun Room. “Thanks for calling me.”

Will walked towards Connor, stared into his gunmetal blue eyes, and kissed him. He kissed him as if his life depended on it. Here, in this moment, Will felt safer and more complete than he had in his entire life. “I’m sorry,” sighed Will. “I reacted impetuously.”

“Hey,” whispered Connor. “It’s okay. Let’s leave it in the past.”

“I do love you, Connor.”

“I love you, too, Will.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t visit you in Maine…”

“It’s all right. We’re here now.” Connor took Will in his arms. He smothered his boyfriend’s neck in raw, passionate kisses. “I had a lot of time to think.”

“About what?”

“Us.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Without a word, Connor dropped to one knee and pulled a small ring box from his blazer pocket. “William Harrison Montgomery, will you marry me?”

 

In our next installment, India’s world is rocked…

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Kingsport #15

India Montgomery closed her eyes to consider the next move in her plan to get Connor to herself. Yes, he had rejected her outright the other week, but he had become aroused at the sight of her naked body. For India, that meant more than any string of meaningless words Connor could hurl at her. She knew that he loved her. After everything they’d been through over the last few years, India knew in her heart that Connor’s love for her was real. He may have protested and even claimed to be in love with Will to avoid his true feelings, but, luckily for him, India knew his true feelings. She and Connor had a connection that no one in this world, not even Will, could destroy. As India opened her eyes in the confines of her bedroom at the Montgomery Estate, she checked the time. According to her source at the hospital, Connor would be leaving in twenty minutes. India climbed off her bed, checked herself in the mirror, and headed off to complete her mission for the day.

Lisa Davenport Collins and Jill Stanhope Montgomery clinked their wine glasses together in the dining room of the Kingsport Arms Hotel. While a lot of women from their set chose to have breakfast and dinner at the Kingsport Country Club, it was considered terribly modern to be seen lunching at the Arms in full view of the world. Women from their set often wore new ensembles from Paris, New York, and Tokyo for lunch while being gawked at by those who swore that one day would be in their set. Everyone knew that would never happen, but it was the dream which kept towns like Kingsport running at full speed.

“I can’t keep up anymore,” sniffed Jill. “Billy runs around like the world owes him something. He acts like a child, Lisa. Warren always gets involved and then I have to hear about it.” Jill sipped her ice-cold glass of white wine. “To be honest, I don’t know why Charles and the rest of the family indulge him. Now that he’s with Connor, it’s all anyone can talk about.”

Lisa looked at her friend with a combination of concern and pity. She knew that Jill always felt ill at ease with the Montgomery family. No one in polite society talked about it, but while Jill had the pedigree of being a Stanhope, her family money had long dried up. They relied on the generosity of a third cousin in Colorado to provide them with the essentials to simply exist in a town like Kingsport. Everyone always said that Jill’s marriage to Warren was the smartest thing she had ever done. Lisa agreed. “Jill, I don’t see why everyone is up in arms about Will and Connor. It’s none of our business.”

“It’s family business, that’s why it matters,” insisted Jill. “You should have seen how self-satisfied Connor was at the family dinner the other week. He was holding onto Will like he’d claimed a great prize. It was sickening.”

Lisa eyed Jill carefully. “Be careful, Jill. Someone who doesn’t know you may think you’re a tad homophobic.”

Before Jill could respond, she and Lisa saw the same sight: Charles Montgomery, IV coming out of the private dining room with a pretty young woman of no one more twenty-five on his arm. The woman looked pleased with herself; Charles looked satisfied. Before Jill could command her mouth to speak, Charles and the young woman left in a hurry.

“Well,” Lisa said, quietly. “I thought Charles was more discrete than that.”

Jill took a long sip of wine. She loathed the fact that Charles could be so brazen in his little affair. “Lisa, if you wouldn’t mind…” Her voice trailed off.

“I won’t say a word.” Lisa meant it. She had little time for her own family, let alone the high drama of the Montgomery clan. “I’ve never been a great fan of Charles, but I’ve always liked Alison. She’s a wonderful woman.”

Jill chortled. “She’s not as wonderful as you think,” replied Jill. “Heaven forbid she doesn’t think you’re good enough for her family.”

“Who are we talking about, Jill?”

Jill cast her eyes down to her salad. She was well aware that Alison didn’t want her to marry Warren, but Jill had prevailed against the odds. “Alison and I have had our differences. It’s in the past, Lisa. Tell me all about life at the auction house.”

Lisa sighed. “Oh, it’s wonderful. It’s great to have something to do other than volunteer at Oliver’s school and plan Jackson’s business dinners. I love having a career which is rewarding, fun, and intellectually stimulating. I really am very lucky, Jill.”

In that moment, Jill couldn’t help but feel envious of her friend. There were times when her life was so empty she wanted to cry. Jill had accepted her life as it was, but she wanted more than anything to have a life – a marriage – of meaning, not quiet desperation.

Dr. Connor Windsor turned off the alarm to his house with deft precision. He carefully walked through each room to ensure he was alone. The last thing Connor wanted was a repeat of the day India had broken into his home and accosted him in the nude. He wasn’t in the mood for her games, nor was he in the mood to deal with anyone else. Connor had the next three days off which he intended to spend at his cabin in Maine. With Will missing in action, Connor decided that the best thing for him to do was to get out of town, get away from India, and relax. Just as Connor walked into his bedroom, a knock at the door sent shivers down his spine.

Connor carefully walked towards the front door, pulled it open, and was shocked to see Will standing in front of him. He pulled Will into his arms and gave him a deeply passionate kiss. “Don’t you ever do that to me again, you bastard,” Connor mumbled into Will’s ear.

Will hugged Connor tight. “I’m sorry. My mother made me see sense. She may not be very maternal, but she is great at being forthright. I missed you, Connor.”

Connor pulled Will into the house as he closed the door behind him. “I’ve missed you so much Will. You should’ve told me you were coming back to town.”

“I didn’t want India to know. Had I used one of the family planes, someone would have told her. I flew first class for the first time ever. I won’t be doing that again,” laughed Will. He turned his head and saw a large weekend bag sitting in the foyer. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Maine,” said Connor. “I have three days off. I wanted to clear my head.”

“Because of me,” asked Will.

“A little,” teased Connor. “Come with me.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Will exclaimed, “Yes, I’ll go!”

A moment later, the sound of shattering glass ricocheted through the air.

Connor ran into the sitting room with Will behind him. There on of the floor, was a large brick which sat in the middle of piles of shattered glass. From their vantage point, they could both see an envelope wrapped around the brick. Connor eased towards it, picked up the brick, and brought it to Will. He removed the rubber band, opened the envelope, and let out a cry of agony. There, staring back at him, were photos of Connor and India having sex from years and years ago. Will spied the photographs which made him want to vomit.

“Will, I can explain!” cried Connor.

“No… You…you told me that it was all in her head!”

“It is!”

“You had sex with my sister!”

“It’s not what it looks like, Will!”

“You told me time after time that it was all in her head. That she was crazy! But… You had sex with her!”

Connor dropped the brick on the carpeted floor. He seized Will by the shoulders. “Will, listen to me. Those pictures are old. Yes, India and I had sex a few times, but it was years and years ago. That’s all! Everything else she’s said is a lie!”

Will glared at Connor with heartbreak in his eyes. “If you lied about sleeping with her, I can’t believe anything you’ve said, Connor.” Will wrenched himself from Connor’s grasp. “Have a nice time in Maine,” he said, coldly.

Connor chased Will to the front door and cut him off before he could leave. “Will, please. Let me explain.”

Will pushed his way past Connor. “No, Connor. No. You’re a liar. — I don’t think I can ever trust you again.”

From the cover of hedges, India watched as Will stormed out of Connor’s house and sped away. She couldn’t have planned it any better if she tried. And she didn’t try. That’s what made this moment so much sweeter.

 

In our next installment, Warren gets tough with Will…

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Kingsport #13

Dylan Davenport paced throughout the library of the Davenport Mansion while he sipped a glass of iced tea. He hadn’t intended on visiting his mother today, but now that he was no longer the Chief Executive Officer of Davenport Technology, he had all the time in the world. As Dylan surveyed the first editions of tomes by Morrison, Fitzgerald, and Walker carefully displayed on perfectly decorated bookshelves, he lost himself in the moment.

“I am sorry I’m late,” Sheila stated as she walked into the library. She placed her alligator handbag on an ottoman as she gave Dylan a hug. “You look good, Dylan. I’m glad to see you’ve lost those pesky fifteen pounds. An athletic form suits you.”

Dylan smiled through his mother’s backhanded compliment. She provided these toxic bon mots so regularly he rarely noticed them anymore. “It’s nice to see you, too, Mom.” He cleared his throat. “You said you wanted to talk about something important…”

Sheila pursed her lips. “I’m not happy with the way Meredith is running Davenport Technology.”

“The Board of Directors selected her as the new CEO of Davenport. She’s just started her three-year contract. Give her time.”

“In theory that sounds lovely, but I’m concerned, Dylan. The stock price rose from thirty-eight dollars a share to one hundred and fifty dollars a share thanks to the pandemic, but now it’s languishing around eighty-four dollars a share.”

Dylan eyed his mother carefully. While Sheila claimed to be the steward of Davenport Technology, she was more concerned about a steady stock price and quarterly dividends more than anything else. “Mom, the company is in fine shape. It’s better than when I left it.”

“You provided the groundwork for Meredith. I fear that once she’s done coasting on your strategy, she’ll be adrift and take the company down with her.” Sheila wrung her hands together as she often did when she was forming a plan. “Dylan, I think you should come back to Davenport as the Chairman of the Board.”

Dylan shot his mother an incredulous stare. “No!” he exclaimed. “My days at Davenport are well and truly behind me!”

“Dylan, be serious. This is your legacy! It’s Faren and Oliver’s legacy, too!”

“Mom, don’t talk to me about legacies. My marriage fell apart because I spent four years trying to save the company from hostile takeovers, bad business deals, and rapacious investors. I’m not willing to give up my life for Davenport. Not this time.”

Sheila narrowed her eyes on Dylan. She knew he was right, but for Sheila, the good of the company always outweighed the family’s personal lives. “I think your father would want you to be the guiding force at the company…”

“Mom, don’t even…”

“Larry always wanted you to be the steward of Davenport Technology. We knew it may not be easy once we took the company public, but you exceled in the role. I think it may be time for you to, well, reclaim your birthright.”

“No, Mom. I’m out. Lisa, Nicholas, or Eli can assume the position!”

“Lisa is busy at the auction house. Nicholas has a life – if you can call it that – of his own in Manhattan. As for Elijah, I’d rather sell the company before he had any role in it.”

Dylan shook his head with great disappointment. “Eli is smarter than all of us put together. He’s proven himself as a Silicon Valley investor. He’s been on the covers of Forbes and Fortune on his merit and acumen alone. If you want one of us to become the Chairman of the Board, then call Eli.”

“That’s out of the question,” snapped Sheila, hotly.

“But it’s perfectly fine to call him when you want someone to persuade India Montgomery to stay out of town.”

Sheila’s eyes went wide. “Did he tell you that?!?”

“No, Lisa told me.” Dylan placed the crystal glass on a coaster. “Mom, you can’t use Eli for your personal use on one hand and shun him with the other. It’s cruel.”

“I don’t want to talk about Elijah, Dylan.” Sheila turned her back to Dylan as her eyes searched the grounds of her ten-acre estate.

“Fine. I need to get going anyway… I have a conference call in an hour.” Dylan reached for his keys and started for the doorway of the library when he stopped dead in his tracks. He turned to his mother and said, “You and I both know that whatever happened when Dad disappeared may never be solved. Whether or not Eli had anything to do with it is beside the point. It’s been thirty years. He’s your son. He’s my brother. You can keep shutting him out, but one day, you may need him and he won’t be there.” Dylan took a deep breath as Sheila kept her back to him. “Have a nice day, Mom,” he said with a sigh.

When Sheila heard the door to the library close, she wiped a stray tear from her cheek. She wasn’t sure if the tear was for her, Larry, or Eli, but for some reason on that oddly lonely Monday afternoon, Sheila Davenport allowed herself to feel emotions she had suppressed for a very, very long time.

Dr. Connor Windsor climbed down from Will’s horse, Sir Galahad, with a heavy sigh. The blinding afternoon sunlight combined with the heavy humidity made Connor more irritable than he’d been in days. He removed his riding helmet, handed it to the groom, and made his way across the fields of the King’s Polo Club. When Will was in town, they often rode together providing Connor had time in his schedule. Now that Will was in Paris for an undetermined amount of time, Connor agreed to ride Sir Galahad as often as he could. However, being at the club and away from Will made Connor’s heart heavy with sorrow. While Connor hadn’t truly loved anyone before, he had loved Will from the moment of their first kiss. It was something Connor couldn’t describe, but he was truly, madly, deeply in love with William Montgomery.

Connor made his way into the locker room when he spotted Warren Montgomery putting on his riding boots. “Warren,” called Connor. “This is a nice surprise.”

Warren stood up, gave Connor a hug, and replied, “The big case I was working on settled out of court, so I decided to come for a ride before going home.” Warren surveyed Connor carefully. In all of their years of friendship, he’d never seen Connor so glum. “Are you doing all right?”

“I guess. Considering.” Connor removed his sweat soaked polo shirt, tossed it into the hamper, and wiped down his hairy chest with a towel. “I miss him.”

“Yeah. Billy’s missable.”

“I spoke to him on Saturday. He seems happy…like he’s calmed down a bit.”

Warren nodded politely. “If we give Billy space, he’ll come around. He’s just…in his feelings…or whatever they say now.”

Connor poured a glass of cucumber water. “I hope so. It’s such a mess. I didn’t want it to be this way.”

Warren gave Connor a curious stare. “Didn’t you?”

“What?”

“You had whatever relationship you had with India and then you date Billy. Going between a brother and a sister, Connor? That’s a little macabre, no matter the spin you put on it.”

Connor could feel the heat rising in his soul. “I didn’t have a relationship with India!”

“You have a history with her,” stressed Warren. “Everyone knows India’s fragile… But dating Billy? I know you two are serious, but you wouldn’t have kept it a secret for so long if you weren’t embarrassed by the whole thing, Connor.”

“Warren, I love Billy. Everything that happened in the past with India was a big mistake.”

“I guess.” Warren grabbed a towel as he started for the door of the locker room. “India and Billy have always had a fraught relationship. Always. You should’ve known that, Connor. If anyone is responsible for Billy going to Paris, it’s you.” With that, Warren strode out of the locker room leaving Connor to ponder his scathing words.

In our next installment, Barbara meets India…

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Posted on

Kingsport #12

News of Will Montgomery’s escape from Kingsport first rippled through the Montgomery Estate followed by whispers at the country club and exaggerated rumors among the masses. He had left town with one suitcase and not a word of goodbye to anyone. Many found this odd; others found it exciting. Warren Montgomery wasn’t amused by his brother’s decision to abscond without a goodbye and he told him so that morning on the phone.

“Is Billy all right?” asked Jill with faux concern.

Warren placed the phone on the receiver with a weary sigh. “He’ll be all right. Mother is in Lisbon right now, so he’s staying at The Ritz until she gets back on Thursday.” Warren returned to the table, poured another glass of water, and let out an exasperated sigh.

“I think this is a lot of sound and fury for a lot of nothing,” intoned Jill. “Billy could have simply sorted out whatever needing sorting without causing all of this drama.”

“You don’t know the whole story. He had his reasons, Jill.”

“Warren, everyone coddles Billy like he’s made of glass. He loves the attention. No one but an attention whore would leave town like that without saying goodbye,” sniffed Jill.

Before Warren could respond, there was a knock at the door. He stood up to answer it, but one of his maids got there first and showed in his uninvited guest.

“I haven’t slept in days,” Connor told Warren, wearily. “I’m furious with him.”

Jill scrunched up her nose at the sight of an unshaven Connor. While she found his look quite rough, the more she looked at him, the more she wanted to make love to him on the dining room table as Warren watched them. “Coming to someone’s home uninvited is the height of incivility, Connor!”

Connor glared at her. “He won’t tell me where he is, Warren. We talked last night, but he…”

“He’s in Paris. I just got off the phone with him. He’ll be just fine. Billy needs a few days to calm down,” explained Warren. “Jill, would you mind giving us a moment?”

Jill let out a livid huff as she stormed out of the dining room and into the garden.

“Connor, I didn’t want you to say this in front of Jill, but Billy told me he may very well stay in Paris…indefinitely.”

Connor’s eyes went wide. His head fell into his hands as he suppressed a scream. “This is all because of India! She’s trying to ruin my life…again!”

“Connor…”

“Warren, I love your brother. Billy is the best thing to ever happen to me. I want him here with me, not off in Paris.”

“It’s out of our hands. Dad flew over there the minute he heard Billy was leaving for Paris, but it wasn’t any use. Billy said he was staying there indefinitely. He’s made up his mind, Connor.”

“No. This is because of India. Billy and I were happy and content before she showed up in town with her lies. Your sister broke into my house last week. She’s up to her old tricks again, Warren. It’s no wonder Billy left town without a word.”

Warren stared at his friend with mounting worry. “Maybe dating my brother after your past with our sister wasn’t your best idea, Connor.”

“I didn’t plan it. I never thought I’d see India again. I never wanted to see her again, Warren. Can you go to Paris and make Billy see sense? Let him know that I love him and I will protect him.”

“I have a full caseload. The trouble with Uncle Walt isn’t over yet and then I have to handle a case of corporate malfeasance. I can’t drop everything to chase after Billy. If you love him so much, you need to go to Paris.”

Connor shook his head. “I can’t. I’m swamped at the hospital for the next six weeks.” Connor felt like he was going to be sick. “I’ll keep trying to convince him that he belongs in Kingsport with me. I can’t lose him, Warren. I just can’t…”

Jill Stanhope Montgomery sat at her usual table at the Kingsport Arms Hotel without a worry in the world. While she detested the way in which Connor interrupted her quiet breakfast with Warren, she was secretly glad to have been able to see him…smell him in such a raw state. Jill tried to push the thought out of her mind, but it was useless. For all of her breeding and education, she couldn’t help but want Connor in her bed and inside of her. Warren gave Jill everything she needed; Connor had given her what she wanted. That meant sex. Lots of it. Multiple times a day. Life as a bored, wealthy housewife wasn’t in Jill’s original life plan, but she was content in her sexless marriage to Warren. Yes, he was attractive, wealthy to the point of excessive, and a wonderful father, but they hadn’t had sex in three years and she minded more than her husband. Jill had her share of affairs and anonymous sex throughout the years, but no one did to her what Connor had done to her all those years ago. Her whole body ached for him. God, she wanted that man…

“Jill?”

Jill snapped out of her reverie to find Lisa Davenport Collins standing before her. “Lisa,” she said, lightly. “Join me.”

“I can’t. I have to get to the auction house. My work is never done.”

“You don’t need to work…”

“I like working. It gives me something to do…and I enjoy being one of the few people who uses their Master’s in Art History. We should have a drink or dinner one of these nights.”

Jill smiled. “I’d like that.”

“Great. I’ll text you.” With that, Lisa walked out of the hotel.

Jill watched her friend go. She always admired Lisa Davenport Collins. She was the kind of woman who was born into generations of money, had a wonderful family, worked, and traveled the world. On some level, Jill was jealous of her friend, but in the best way possible. A moment later, Jill groaned internally as she saw India Montgomery walking towards her.

“Jill,” hissed India. “Dining alone. How appropriate.”

“It’s nice to see you, too, India. I should be going…”

“Stay. Have a drink with me. I saw you were chatting with Lisa Davenport. She has a lot of big ideas about herself.”

“Lisa is one of the nicest people I know. I don’t understand why you have to be frosty towards her. She’s your daughter’s aunt!”

India sat at the table, plopped the napkin on her lap, and ordered a glass of white wine from a passing waiter. “She’s of no bearing in my life.”

“India, I should get going…”

“Connor and Warren are friends, yes?”

Jill felt her throat tighten. “You know they’re friends…”

“It seems odd to me that no one knows where Billy has disappeared to. I think it says a lot about how he feels about Connor if he’s willing to vanish without telling anyone where he went… Don’t you agree, Jill?”

Jill couldn’t stop feeling as if she was caught in the black widow’s web. “I think… Billy likes attention.”

“He does. The little queen,” laughed India. She narrowed her eyes on Jill with such intensity she knew she was making Jill squirm in her chair. “I’ve always thought of us as friends, Jill. I do hope you aren’t lying to me about where Billy is right now.”

“I haven’t the slightest clue.”

“And Warren…”

“Ask your brother. I’m sorry, India, but I do have to go.”

India sipped the white wine as she watched Jill scurry out of the dining room. A curled smile formed on India’s lips. She couldn’t have planned this any better herself. Will had removed himself from Connor’s life and no one knew where he was hiding. India knew Connor would be grief stricken. Connor needed someone in his life. Connor couldn’t exist without someone to worship him. In that moment, India knew now was the right time to do whatever was necessary to make Connor hers. She didn’t care if Billy lived or died as long as he stayed away from Connor. India raised her glass and toasted her brother for making her next move entirely too easy…

In our next installment, Dylan takes a stand with Sheila…

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