Tag: Dr. Connor Windsor

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Kingsport #10

“Miss Wilkes, come in. Mrs. Taplin said you wanted to speak with me. I assume you’ve come here to hand in your notice.”

Barbara gave Dane Hurley, the household manager of the Montgomery Estate, a coy smile as she walked into his office. She deftly sat in a low chair across from his desk. “Oh, I haven’t. Actually, I wanted to thank you for taking me on and giving a chance to prove myself. It’s been an absolute joy.”

Dane couldn’t hide his shock. He was aware that Barbara hadn’t complained or asked for anything to make her job easier. However, in his experience, three weeks in was when reality set in amongst the lowest paid staff members which sent them running for freedom. “I’m glad I’m wrong.”

“You took a chance on me. I’ll always be grateful, Dane.” She cleared her throat. “I did want to know… Oh, I don’t know if it’s possible, but I’d like to know if there’s any chance of possibly being put in the running for another position that suits me…if one were to open up. I do love working here…and I think I’d be an asset to the ongoing running of the estate.”

Dane was taken aback. In all of his years at the Montgomery Estate, few people had ever wanted to move up. Most wanted the distinction of working for this illustrious family on their job resume and that was it. “Miss Wilkes, I appreciate your honesty. At the moment, we don’t have the need for anyone in a front facing role.”

Barbara let her head fall with marked disappointment. “Oh. I knew it was a long shot. Thank you for your time.”

As Barbara stood up, Dane replied, “There may be something…”

She turned to him, her big eyes shimmering. “You don’t have to make an exception for me.”

“I’m not,” said Dane, quickly. “Whenever a member of staff goes on vacation, it be a hassle for me if someone can’t cover their shift. The family doesn’t like it when we aren’t fully staffed. It bothers them. If you’re willing to do it, I can make you a temporary fill-in on an as needed basis. Your pay would remain the same, but we always have a few more maids than we need, but if someone needs to work in Miss Montgomery’s office, then you can easily answer the phone and whatnot.”

“Thank you so much for the opportunity! I’d love to help when I’m needed.” Barbara thanked Dane again before she left his office. Her appreciative smile twisted into a satisfied grin as she walked down the brightly lit corridor. However, her joy was short lived when Ada rounded the corner pushing a large drink’s trolley. “Ada!” exclaimed Barbara “Is everything okay?”

Ada wiped the sweat from her forehead. “The family was supposed to have lunch in town. Now they want to have lunch in the Orangery. Gotta get this there and help Chef. Old Taps is in a frenzy. They’ve been looking for you.”

“Oh. I had to speak to Dane.”

“Oh.” Ada’s eyes fell. “It was nice working with you…”

“No!” corrected Barbara. “I’m still employed. I just wanted to run some things past him.”

“Got it. Well, you’d better see Old Taps and make sure you know what’s going on this afternoon. Word is Will is moving into one of the guest cottages. You’ll have to prep it after we set up lunch. Don’t just stand there, Barbara! We got work to do!”

“Will, are you sure?” Connor sat on Will’s bed as he watched his boyfriend stand by the large windows which overlooked the estate’s English garden. “This is your house, too.”

Will inhaled the scents of primrose and hollyhock which wafted into his bedroom from the garden below. He closed his eyes as he imagined himself anywhere else in the world. It’s not that Will couldn’t afford to rent an island in the Caribbean for as long as he liked, but he had the polo club and his relationship with Connor to consider. He just wanted peace. He couldn’t get that at home. “Connor, I can’t live in this house with India lurking around every corner. I always feel like her eyes are on me. It’s creepy.”

Connor surveyed his boyfriend carefully. He hadn’t told him about India’s little stunt last week, but he felt that it was time that Will knew the truth. On the other hand, Connor realized that now wasn’t the right time. He’d save that little nugget for just the right moment. “Your sister is unhinged on her best day, but you’re safe here. Moving into one of the cottages will only make you more of a target. At least if you’re in the main house, you have the staff to keep an eye on you.”

“That doesn’t solve my problem, Connor. My sister shouldn’t even be here. India is inserting herself into my life to undermine me.”

“Will, that’s a bit much.”

Will turned to Connor with fire in his eyes. “It’s true!! I know her better than any of you!” Will walked over to Connor, sat on the bed, and said, “We had this dog when we were little… It was an old English Setter that Warren named Ponderosa. I loved that dog. Anyway, India didn’t like it. She said it smelled bad even though we had a groomer on staff. One day, the dog doubles over in pain. Two days later, it’s dead. India had been prescribed pain killers when she broke her leg the previous summer. No one ever found those pills. We wound up getting a dog she wanted which terrorized all of us. She’s dangerous, Connor.”

Connor saw the fear in Will’s eyes. This was the first time in his relationship with Will that he saw him terrified. “Will, if it’s that bad, tell your father.”

“I’ve tried. My parents play dumb. Our mother knows what India is capable of, but I don’t think she wants to believe it. Dad just ignores her antics.”

“She broke into my house the other day,” said Connor, softly.

Will let out a guttural cry. “You should have called the police!! I told you she’s dangerous!”

“India didn’t do anything,” lied Connor. “Furthermore, I can’t call the police on Charles Montgomery’s daughter. They’d laugh me out of the station.” Connor laid on the bed and took Will in his arms. “I think she’s very unstable… It’s like her obsession with me is starting all over again.”

“That’s why I want to get out of here. I’d feel safer in the cottage.”

“Let’s go to Maine. We can stay at my cottage…”

“You have work. I have things to do… I should call down to the kitchen for our drinks…”

“Don’t deflect. I think you should go see your mother in Paris. I’m sure she’d love to see her favorite child.”

“Warren’s her favorite child,” stressed Will. “Warren’s everybody’s favorite.”

“You’re my favorite goofball.” Connor gave Will a passionate kiss which led to them making love in the glorious light of day.

From deep inside the servant’s stairwell, India listened as her brother and Connor talked about her and made love. India knew all too well that Connor was thinking about her. She knew that he would always think about her. After all they’d been through, she wouldn’t stop until he was back in her bed. If Will wanted to avoid her, she’d make sure he never came back to town. After hearing Warren and Connor climax, India turned around and vanished down another corridor.

Out of the darkness, Barbara carried the tray with the drinks Connor and Will ordered half an hour ago. She couldn’t place why India Montgomery was lurking in the servant’s stairway, but she was intrigued to have stumbled upon such a titillating scene. Whatever was going on with the glamorous India Montgomery, Barbara knew she may have found an answer to her prayers…

In our next installment, Charles gives India a few hard truths…

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Kingsport #8

Montgomery Industries sat in the heart of Kingsport’s business district. The privately held company was based in a low-slung brick building from the 1800s which was filled with the hottest technology and smartest people money could buy. Montgomery Industries was a holding company which owned all of the Montgomery family’s assorted business interests going back generations as well as managing an empire which made them billions of dollars every year on top of the fifty billion dollars they were worth. The company was owned by members of the Montgomery family, but in the 1960s, Charles’ father, Bennett, bought out all of his cousins, gave them shares in a lesser family enterprise, and consolidated ownership of the company to Bennett and his direct heirs. In the wake of Bennett’s death forty years ago, Charles, his sisters Alice and Sandra and their brother, Walton, each inherited 25% of Montgomery Industries. From that moment on, Charles and his siblings were the some of the wealthiest people in the world. Moreover, very few people knew about their offshore interests, private trust funds, and varied economic interests which they had inherited over the years. While the public thought Charles and his siblings were worth $30 billion each, Charles true net worth was closer to $40 billion. Charles didn’t care to correct the record because he had little interest in being truthful to people who were only after his money.

Charles Montgomery, IV sat in his office on the executive floor of Montgomery Industries. He was a man who’d never worked, yet he insisted that other people learn the value of a dollar, and thought his children were gifts from god. While he could be mean, stingy, and entitled, Charles wanted to ensure his children never wanted for anything. He rubbed his eyes as he finished reading a report concerning a chemical company Montgomery Industries had bought from his brother, Walton, ten years ago. When Walton decided he wanted to run for Governor of California, Montgomery Industries bought the company, but Walton’s campaign failed like all of his other ventures. Now, Charles was in charge of cleaning up his brother’s mess. Again.

“Dad, I’m ready when you are.”

Charles looked up to see Warren standing in the doorway dressed to perfection in an Italian suit. He let out a little smile. “I’m not ready for this, Warren. It’s not good is it?”

Warren sat in a chair directly across from his father’s desk. He pulled out the same report concerning The Chemical Alliance Company. “I don’t see how Uncle Walt can talk his way out of this one, Dad. I think…as council for Montgomery Industries…that the company pays a fine, Uncle Walt pays a fine so they won’t throw him in prison, and we move on. Any legal proceedings will damage The Chemical Alliance Company, Montgomery Industries, and our family.”

“Walton is such a moron,” bit Charles. “He’s always been like this. Our father thought Walton was the golden child, but he was just a little shit with too much money and no responsibilities.” Charles grabbed the report and tossed it in his desk. “Have you talked to Walton?”

“No. I’ve reached out to his team. I know Janet Ruiz, one of Uncle Walt’s lawyers. I’m sure she’ll make him see sense. Dad, I know you didn’t want The Chemical Alliance Company or Montgomery Industries to pay the fine because of Uncle Walt’s actions, but it really is the best way forward.”

“Fine. Once the details are in place, I’ll tell Stephanie to wire the funds. It’ll be good to have this over and done with once and for all.”

Warren nodded and started for the door, but something inside him made him stop. “Dad, I’m concerned about India.”

“She’s fine. I think she’s adjusting well.” For all of Charles’ finer qualities, he could be flippant about India’s dark side.

“I think we should keep an eye on her. Billy told me what she accused Connor of doing to her and now that he’s with Connor and she’s back in town…”

Charles shook his head. “It’s none of our business, Warren.”

“Dad, I’m afraid if we pretend like everything’s fine, it’ll create a huge blind spot where India is concerned.”

“Warren, there’s nothing to worry about. India’s fine. Billy and Connor are safe. You’re worrying about nothing, son.”

Connor walked into his bedroom after working a double shift at Presbyterian Medical Center. He’d lost a patient who overdosed on ketamine and another who was shot by his wife. While Connor enjoyed being a doctor, these were the days which made him rethink the trajectory of his life. If he had gone into investment banking at the family firm Windsor & Associates, he would have been able to swan off to London or Hong Kong like his sister, Deanna. Instead, he was stuck in Kingsport trying to save people who, in some circumstances, didn’t want to be saved. Although he wanted to see Will today, Connor was too tired to spend time with the love of his life.

Will. Connor had never before considered a relationship with a man, but that one fateful day two years ago changed everything. He and Will were both at the country club when they realized their tennis partners hadn’t shown up. Instead of playing a match, they had lunch in the clubhouse and there was an instant spark. A few days later, they had dinner. The next weekend, they went to Connor’s cabin in Maine where they spent the whole weekend in bed. It was new territory for Connor, but everything in that moment felt right. Whole. Real.

As Connor stepped out of the shower, he quickly toweled off, silenced his phone, and stepped into his darkened bedroom. He crawled into bed when he felt something under the covers. Knowing it wasn’t Will, Connor flicked on the bedside lamp to find India giving him a menacing glare in the dim bedroom.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

“How the hell did you get into my house?!”

India stood up to reveal her nude, supple body. It shimmered in the dimly lit bedroom. “You used Billy’s birthday for your security code. I guessed you would.” She let her hands find their way to her vagina. Her head fell back in wild bliss as she began to rub herself. “I know how much you like this, Connor.”

“Get out of my house, India!” he screamed.

India slowly walked over to him. She pressed her nude body against his. India could feel his rising erection on her leg. “I thought you liked men now,” she whispered, coolly.

Connor shoved her across the room with such force she grabbed onto the bureau to stop from falling. “I hate you. I’ve always hated you,” seethed the doctor.

“You may hate me, but I know you can’t resist me, Connor. I challenge you. I make life more interesting. Billy can’t do what I’ll do… You can do whatever you want to me…like you did before…”

“I’m not going to tell you this again, India. Get. Out. Of. My. House.” Connor grabbed a robe, tied it around his waist, and turned on all of the lights in his bedroom. “You’ve lost your mind.”

India released a husky chortle. “You and I know the truth. You’ve never been able to keep your hands off of me…whether I wanted you or not.” She bent down, picked up a full-length trench coat, and put it on. “One of these days, you’ll be inside of me. You’ll be in my arms. Billy is a distraction. You may love him, but you’re obsessed with me.”

“You have lost your mind.”

“Men always say that when women hit too close to home.” India slipped into her six thousand dollar heels as she marched towards the door. “I know the truth, Connor. So do you. It’s only a matter of time before everyone finds out…including Billy.” With that, India slipped out of Connor’s house.

His heart raced as it hadn’t in years. While he wasn’t terrified of her, he knew that she was dangerous. He also knew exactly what she was talking about. Connor couldn’t let the truth come out, especially her version of events. In his brightly lit bedroom, the doctor decided that now was the time to begin spinning his version of events because if there was one thing he knew how to do, it was how to make everyone doubt the truth…

In our next installment, Barbara doubles down on her plans for the future…

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Kingsport #6

The news of India Montgomery’s return to Kingsport went off like a bomb from the parlors of the great houses to the coffee shops on Main Street. Everyone knew she was beautiful. Everyone knew she was selfish. Everyone knew she was an enigma. Despite all of the monikers, few people knew India. She’d spent most of her childhood sequestered on the Montgomery Estate until she was enrolled in boarding school. While everyone wanted to know her, those who did were always uneasy, always cautious, and always on guard. However, the one person who saw the good in India Montgomery was her father, Charles. For Charles, his little girl was merely misunderstood by the rest of the world. She was perfect, yet flawed, like a diamond.

As Charles surveyed the dining room in preparation for tonight’s family dinner, India walked into the room, threw her arms around her father’s neck, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You look wonderful, India.”

India ran her hands along her black couture dress. “I feel so old!” laughed India. “It’s been a long few days. I do hope Chef’s food will be up the scratch.”

“Chef has been working very hard, India. It’ll be wonderful.” Charles cleared his throat as he said, “Billy is bringing Connor to dinner.”

India’s eyes narrowed with marked fury. “No…”

“India, they’re dating…”

“I don’t care!” she screamed. “Connor is an awful person who tried to…”

Charles held up a definitive hand. “India, please. No charges were ever filed. No evidence was ever found.”

India turned away from her father, her face placid, but her mind filled with seething rage. “Daddy, it’s not fair. I wish someone would have told Billy not to see that awful man. Connor almost ruined my life.” Tears began to stream down her face. “It’s not fair, Daddy.”

Charles gave his daughter a tight hug. “Billy and Connor love each other. There’s nothing I can do about it, India. I think you and Connor need to avoid each other as much as possible in order to bury the past.”

“I can’t forget what he did to me, Daddy,” muttered India.

“He says he didn’t do it…”

“Men always say that. I wish someone would believe me.”

Charles sighed quietly. No matter how much he loved and adored his daughter, he was all too aware of her tortured past. Every exam was done and investigators were called in to look into India’s claims against Connor, but no proof ever came to light. Charles hated to think that his daughter was lying, but he knew she had form, which was why she left boarding school early… “India, the family will be here soon. Let’s try to get along.”

Warren Montgomery stepped into the foyer of the main house as Jacques, the butler, took his coat along with those of his wife, Jill, and daughters, Hannah and Kate. He took Jill’s hand as the girls ran off to the kitchen for Chef’s famous chocolate chip cookies. “We’re leaving after dessert,” Warren whispered to Jill.

Jill laughed. After ten years of marriage to Warren, she was still amused by how much he seemed to be uneasy around his family. The only person in Warren’s family that Warren liked was Will, but Jill couldn’t stand Will. She hated everything about him. “Warren, try to be nice. India is back in town for the first time in years.”

“Jill, I only came tonight because you insisted. I have a lawsuit to prepare for the end of the week.”

“You always have an excuse,” trilled Jill.

They walked into the dining room to find Will, Charles, and India having a drink by the fireplace. “Starting early?” cracked Warren to Will.

“It’s necessary,” Will whispered to his brother. “You look nice, Jill.”

Jill gave Will a tight smile as she wandered to the other side of the dining room.

“Still not a fan of mine, is she,” asked Will.

Warren groaned. “Just ignore her. She’s harmless.” Warren walked over to India and gave her a light, somewhat cautious hug. “It’s nice to see you, sis.”

India smiled lightly. “You haven’t changed at all, Warren. More gray hair, but I suppose that look is in this season.”

“It’s just age. Nothing more,” replied Warren.

“When are they serving dinner? I’m famished,” Jill asked Charles.

“We’re waiting for one more guest,” Charles told his daughter-in-law.

Jill gave Charles a curious stare. “Alison’s joining us…?”

Charles finished his martini as he waved to a member of staff to bring him another one. “Dr. Connor Windsor.”

Jill scrunched up her nose. She’d known Connor for years and while she found him endlessly attractive, she also found him to be a self-righteous snob. They’d had an affair years ago before she dated Warren, but a part of Jill Stanhope Montgomery longed to feel his skin against hers…his mouth on hers…him entering her over and over again… “I didn’t think anyone in this family was on good terms with Connor…”

“That’s why my ears are burning. I hope you’re not speaking my name in vain,” said Connor as he walked past Jill and Charles.

“I was only telling Charles that I thought you were persona non grata with the family,” stated Jill.

Connor walked over to Will, kissed him, and stared at Jill. “I’m here with the man I love. I hope that’s all right with everyone.”

Jill stared at Connor with mounting disbelief. “You’re not gay!”

“I don’t believe in labels. I love Will.”

“He loved me a whole lot this morning,” joked Will.

“Billy…” Charles droned with a shake of his head.

Warren held up a tumbler of scotch. “I think it’s great that Billy and Connor have found each other. To the happy couple!”

India raised her glass of champagne as fury raged through her. She knew that now was the time to figure out a way to get Connor to herself, no matter what. “I need another drink,” she cried to no one in particular.

Moments later, Barbara appeared with a fresh tray of champagne. She took the empty one as India swiped a new one and glared at Barbara. “Took you long enough,” snapped India.

Barbara slunk into the shadows with the other members of staff as she watched the great Montgomery family sit down at an elegantly laid table for a six-course dinner. She imagined herself in one of those seats… She could see herself eating lobster, drinking champagne, nibbling on caviar… However, all she could think about were her sore feet, swollen ankles, and itchy black uniform she had to wear tonight. Even though she was on the clock, Barbara knew that as long as she could weather the next year or so, she would be just fine.

“Warren, I want to talk to you about Billy and Connor,” said Jill. She climbed into bed and cuddled against Warren’s perfectly defined chest. “I don’t think it’s right.”

“What?” Warren said, half asleep.

“That Billy and Connor are so…open…with their relationship. Connor isn’t gay!”

“He’s gay with Billy,” chuckled Warren.

“I think Connor is doing this for attention.”

“It’s none of our business.”

“I don’t want the girls exposed to Billy and Connor being intimate with each other. They kissed several times tonight!”

Warren sat up with a stern look on his face. “Listen to me, Jill: Billy is my brother. I will not hear you say another word against him. I hope I’ve made myself clear.”

“Warren…”

“I won’t say it again, Jill. Good night.” With that, Warren rolled over and fell fast asleep.

Sleep wouldn’t come for Jill. Her mind raced as the clock rang in a new day. She wanted nothing more than to scream. Every fiber of her being wanted to be with Connor. Even after all of these years, he was the man Jill wanted beside her. If she couldn’t have him again, she had her memories. Jill closed her hands, guided her hand towards her aching vagina, and masturbated to the man she had once loved…Dr. Connor Windsor…the man who was now in love with her brother-in-law… As Jill climaxed, she drifted off to sleep and slept better than she had in years…

In our next installment, Lisa lets a secret slip…

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Kingsport #5

 

Barbara Wilkes pushed open the hidden panel which gave the servants access to the library in the main house of the Montgomery Estate. She knew she shouldn’t have been in there, but after delivering lunch in there the other day, she was in awe of the objects around her. Priceless paintings hung on the wall. Sculptures, pictures, and family mementos filled the space. Barbara felt as if she were in a fine museum, the type which never would have existed in her old world. She stepped into the darkened room, glanced around, and drank in the enormous wealth all around her.

Even though she’d only been in town for a full week, Barbara felt like she’d finally made it. While everyone from her past told her she’d never amount to anything, she would finally prove them wrong. She had made it into the home of one of the wealthiest families in America. It didn’t matter that she worked as their maid, what mattered was that she had access to them. Standing in the vast library which was ten times the size of any library she’d seen before, Barbara closed her eyes and let the smell of money, privilege, and elegance wash over her.

“What on earth are you doing in here?!”

Barbara’s eyes shot open. “I… Uh…”

“Are you crazy?!” Ada grabbed Barbara by the arm, pushed open the panel, and pulled Barbara into the servant’s stairwell. “If one of the family had seen you, you’d be out of here like that!” Ada snapped her fingers with a shake of her head. “You’ll never get another job in Kingsport. Don’t mess it up by going above your station!”

“I… I just wanted to see the library again. I love books…and…when I delivered Will’s lunch the other day, I was mesmerized.” Barbara hung her head with noticeable sorrow and regret. A stray tear fell down her cheeks. “Please don’t tell Dane. I really am very sorry, Ada.”

Ada eyed Barbara with motherly concern. “Next time ask someone or go to the public library. Ain’t no use in getting yourself fired over some books.”

Barbara held her hands up to her eyes in a vain attempt to stop her ice-cold tears. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble, Ada. I’m so, so sorry…”

“I know… I know…” Ada led Barbara down the servant’s staircase and into the staff room. “Don’t even give the people who live here any thought. You’ll probably never meet them…most of the times, you’ll only see them in passing.”

“I understand. You won’t tell on me, will you?”

Ada squeezed Barbara’s hand. “Of course not. Just don’t go poking around where it’s none of your business. It’s frowned upon in this town. They like to keep everything separated. We’re down here and they’re up here. Remember that, Barbara.”

Will Montgomery stood in the middle of the polo field as he surveyed the sight of three new polo ponies. He inspected them closely as his broker intoned about their lineage, statistics, and potential. Will’s mind should have been concerned about the topic at hand, but he was otherwise preoccupied about Connor and his sister, India. He bade the broker goodbye, instructed his business manager to purchase the ponies, and made his way into his office at the King’s Polo Club.

Charles had purchased this club for Will ten years ago as a way to keep Will focused on something other than his army of fly by night boyfriends. Although he loved playing polo, Will had no interest in running the day to day activities of the club. However, as time marched on, he grew to love the business and practical sides of the polo business. He instructed his assistant to have his horse, Sir Galahad, ready for a ride in an hour. As Will turned around to check his e-mail, the door to his office swung open. “Sorry, I don’t have time…”

“You should make time for me, Billy.”

Will froze. His blood ran cold. He felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Will took a deep breath as he looked up to see India glaring at him from the doorway. “India…” he croaked. “I…”

“Give me a hug, Billy.”

Will remained seated in his chair, unable to comply with India’s demand.

“Give me a hug,” she seethed.

“India, I don’t have time to talk to you right now.”

Never one to be blown off, India Montgomery removed her fifteen hundred dollar sunglasses and dropped them into her thirty thousand dollar purse. “Billy, I’ve decided to come back to town for good. It would be wonderful if we could be friends. We’ve never been close…”

“You tried to kill me when I was six. I remember you locked me in the guest house and started a fire.”

“You lived,” sighed India. “Besides, you picked dare.” India loved to taunt him. “You got out unscarred. Mother sends her love from Paris.”

“I’m surprised she let you leave.”

“No one tells me what to do. It was time to leave, Billy. I didn’t want to wind up stuck in Kingsport like you and Warren,” sighed India, curtly. “I do think this will be a wonderful time for the family to reunite. I even think Mother will visit us from Paris in the next month or so.”

Will eyed his sister carefully. While she was a vision in a floral Pucci dress with nude heels and a trim body, he couldn’t shake the feeling that behind her façade was a woman on the verge of losing her mind. No matter what, Will knew that he had to keep his distance from India. “Well, we’ll sort it out as it happens.”

“I want to have a dinner at the house. I’ll have Chef whip up a rustic Tuscan feast! You, me, Daddy, and Warren. I would invite Jill and the girls, but I don’t like Jill. Warren won’t mind…”

“You have to invite Jill and the girls. Dad won’t stand for it otherwise. You know that. India, you’ve only been in town for five minutes and you’re already looking to ice out Jill.”

India narrowed her eyes. “Everyone knows she doesn’t like me.”

Will bit the inside of his cheek. “Jill is a lovely person. You have a problem with her.”

“Oh, so now everything is my fault, Billy?”

“India, I didn’t say that!”

“You implied it! Everyone in this family hates me. Even Mother tried to send me away because I didn’t fit into her perfect Parisian fairytale!”

Will stood up defiantly. “I’m not listening to this anymore.”

“You’ll have to, Billy. I’m staying at the estate in the main house.”

Will felt like a knife had been shoved into his gut. “Stay in the guest house!”

India let out a cool laugh. “If I stayed there, I couldn’t have fun, Billy.”

Will watched as India’s eyes narrowed followed by a dark cloud which engulfed her whole being. “Get out,” croaked Will.

“Billy, I…”

India spun around to see Dr. Connor Windsor standing in the doorway of Will’s office. She watched as his eyes went wide at the mere sight of her. How she hated this man more than life itself. “What are you doing here?!”

“India… I… I didn’t know you were back in town.” Connor felt like he was going to be sick.

India’s eyes darted between Connor and Will. She knew something was up… She knew they were keeping something from her. Somewhere in the depths of her soul, India knew that something was wrong. Something was off. She knew she’d been betrayed.

“Tell her,” said Connor, quietly.

Will took a deep breath, climbed out of his chair, and walked over to Connor. He took his hand in Connor’s and stared at India, his big brown eyes glistening with tears. “Connor and I have been together for two years.”

“Of course, you’d date the man who raped me,” spit India.

“You’re a crazy liar!” shouted Connor.

With that, India pushed her way past Will and Connor and made her way outside. Her heart was racing. Her mind was spinning. She climbed into the idling town car and ordered the driver to take her to the Montgomery Estate.

India couldn’t believe that Will was dating Connor. Connor was hers. Connor belonged to her. After all of the years she’d spent trying to get him to love her, she was so close to getting him. Now this. Now Will was in the way. One way or another, India knew that she would stop at nothing to get Connor for herself. She didn’t care how many lies she had to continue to tell or how many lives she had to ruin in the process, but she was going to get Will out of the picture and have Connor to herself. She’d done it before…and she was ready to do it again.

In our next installment, Jill Montgomery must face the past… 

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Kingsport #3

#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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Kingsport #2

#2

The Montgomery Estate sat on two hundred acres of prime land five miles from the heart of Kingsport. It was a world unto itself. With sixteen bedrooms, twenty bathrooms, two guest houses, a helipad, stables, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a movie theatre, ballroom, trampoline room, and other rooms only known to the inhabitants of the estate, this was an estate unlike any other in Kingsport. For the last two hundred years, the Montgomery Estate had been home to the Montgomery family. Their wealth was first established in England during the thirteenth century when they inherited a successful brewing operation from a distant cousin. Upon their arrival in America just before the Mayflower, the Montgomery family built, grew, invested, and hoarded their wealth as if their collective lives depended on it. Their mercurial approach to life kept them wealth and wealthier still through the present day. According to every publication of note, the wealth of the Montgomery family stands at $50 billion, with their private holding company, Montgomery Industries, Inc. worth $100 billion. However, this did not account for trust funds, offshore investments, private companies, centuries old interests, and six blocks of prime city real estate in Manhattan registered to a company in Luxembourg. Most people did not know how rich the Montgomery family were, but Barbara Wilkes was not most people.

She sat in the Household Manager’s office somewhere on the Montgomery Estate. Barbara didn’t know where she was for sure, but she was finally on the estate and that thrilled her more than anything else.

“This is a very difficult position. Being a maid for the Montgomery family means being six steps ahead of their requests yet never lording it over them.” Dane Hurley, the household manager, furrowed his brow. “The whole family can be difficult. I’ve been here for six years and I’ve seen people who’ve worked for the Queen of England leave here in tears. If you can’t handle being treated with disdain and indifference every day, leave now.”

Barbara stiffened in her chair. “I can handle it,” she said, her voice never wavering.

“Fine, then. We’ll do a trial run of ninety days. I’ll check with the agency to make sure your background and credit checks have cleared before we make it official. If we get the all clear today, you can start tomorrow.”

Barbara bade Dane goodbye as she got back into the car and drove away from the grand estate. She’d worked too hard to lose this opportunity now…

Inside of the Montgomery Estate, William Montgomery sat on the bed in his childhood bedroom with a huge dilemma before him. He’d been racking his mind for days about whether or not he should say the thing he needed to tell Dr. Connor Windsor. Their relationship had, for the last two years, been one filled with mighty lows and terrifying highs. Will loved Connor. Connor loved Will. Will wanted to be happy. Connor wanted Will to be happy. And yet… And yet…there was a problem which they needed to address. Their relationship had been one kept in secret for two years. If Will said the thing he wanted to tell Connor, it would alter every aspect of their relationship. It would be exposed to the daylight which might damage the fine veneer of romance they’d worked so hard to keep away from the prying eyes of others.

A knock at the door startled Will. “It’s open,” he said, breezily.

The heavy oak door was opened by Charles Montgomery, IV, Will’s father. Charles was a tall, imposing patrician man of seventy who ran the family just like he ran Montgomery Industries: He was in charge; everyone else was an afterthought. Charles hovered in the doorway before he said, “We need to talk.”

Will rolled his eyes. Even at thirty-six, his father treated him like a ten-year-old boy who couldn’t be trusted with a pair of scissors. “I have to get to the polo club,” Will said, quickly.

“Billy…” Everyone called Will ‘Billy’ even though they knew he hated it. “There’s something you and I need to discuss. It’s about you…and Connor…”

Will could feel his body tense up. For the last two years, he and Connor had maintained the pretense that they were just friends. It was the worst kept secret in Kingsport and New York City, but it was a lie they had to keep because the truth would have been much more destructive. “Dad, I don’t have time to talk about Connor.”

“Billy, I’m not in the mood to play games with you. Everyone knows that you and Connor are an item. Why you don’t own up to it is beyond me. Furthermore, I’ve received some news which may be of interest to the pair of you.”

Will perked up. His father wasn’t one to gossip which made Will want to hear everything on his father’s mind.

“It’s about your sister.”

Will groaned. “God, what has she done now?! India is always one train wreck away from disaster.”

“She’s your sister.”

“She’s made my life a living hell.”

“She’s coming back to Kingsport.”

Will looked at Charles with marked shock. “Dad… She can’t!”

“This is why you and Connor need to make a decision about your relationship. With India back in town, I fear that she will…it will be hard for her to see you with Connor.”

“She should stay in Paris with Mom,” snapped Will.

Charles sighed heavily. “Your mother can’t deal with her anymore.”

“No one can,” snapped Will. “I don’t see why Connor and I have to do anything more than what suits us just because India is too fragile to order lunch.”

“Your sister has always been a fragile person.” Charles cleared his throat. “If we give her enough time to…understand…that you’re with Connor, it may be easier for this family, Billy.”

Will shook his head. “She’ll never accept it, Dad. She’s obsessed with him! She has been for years!”

“Be that as it may… It may be wise if we told India prior to her arrival in town. If you and Connor show the town that you’re a happy couple, I think India will be less likely to create a stir. Think about it, Billy,” said Charles as he left Will’s bedroom.

Will sat in shock for a moment before he picked up his phone, sent an emergency text, grabbed his car keys, and raced out of the house.

“There’s nothing I can do, Billy. We can’t lock her in an asylum.” Warren Montgomery was forty-five, was six feet seven inches tall, had a rower’s build, piercing blue eyes, and a full head of black and silver hair. He was brilliant, handsome, and direct. “Want another drink?” asked the prominent white shoe lawyer.

Will nodded as he polished off his second gin martini. “I’ll have the driver pick me up.”

Warren shook his head with slight abandon. “Billy, you can’t drink your problems away. I know you love Connor…”

“We’re friends…”

“Tell that lie to someone else,” intoned Warren, harshly. “I think Dad may have a point. Tell India the truth, come out as a couple with Connor, and she’ll be fine.”

“Warren, you don’t know the half of it. The things India has said and done to Connor in the past… It’s sickening… The minute she finds out that he’s with me, she’ll lose what’s left of her mind. God, Warren, I’m terrified to think what she’ll do this time.”

“What did she do last time, Billy?”

Will thought long and hard before he replied, “Something so vicious it almost ruined Connor’s life. She did it because he rejected her.”

“I know India can be vindictive, but…”

Will looked at Warren gravely as he said, “She accused Connor of raping her, Warren.”

 

In our next installment, Connor pleads for help…

 

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