Tag: India Montgomery

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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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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 #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 #14

“How long do you intend to stay here?”

Will Montgomery ignored the question as he walked through the high-end jewelry store tucked along a quiet street in the middle of Paris. He looked at few diving watches, waved over a shop assistant, and asked to see three of them. “I’m not sure,” he finally replied. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

Alison Farrell Montgomery turned towards her son with a modicum of concern in her eyes. While she always enjoyed Will’s all too infrequent trips to see her, she was worried about her youngest child. He was a person who love hard, wanted it all on his terms, and never liked confrontation. For Alison, she knew Will would never have an easy life when it came to love because he made loving him very difficult. “Billy,” said Alison, “you can stay with me as long as you’d like.” She walked over to him and placed her hand on his. “I just wish you wouldn’t let India get under your skin.”

Will groaned. “I don’t want to talk about India.”

“Billy…”

“My life was terrific until you let India leave Paris,” seethed Will.

“I didn’t let India leave Paris! She’s an adult. She can do as she pleases,” snapped Alison. “Billy, don’t you think that the reason India left Paris was to get under your skin?”

Will thought about the statement for a while. He’d never considered it, but it was a possibility…and it was something India would do. “You don’t think…”

“When I spoke to Warren a few weeks ago, he mentioned how happy you were with Connor. It’s possible someone from the country club saw you with Connor and came to the same conclusion. If someone tipped off India, that may explain why she left one night without nary a goodbye.”

Will kicked himself for being so stupid…for being so blind! How could he have not seen right through India’s surprise return to town?!? She’s done this on purpose! “I didn’t even think about that!”

“Why would you? You aren’t very perceptive when you’re only thinking about yourself, Billy.”

“Ouch, Mom.”

“It’s true.” Alison told the sales assistant they would take the three watches Will wanted along with a diamond tennis bracelet for herself. “Billy, if you love Connor – and I don’t know why you do – then go home and be with him. All of this drama with India is pointless. She’s always been obsessed with Connor. That will never change. However, if you do love him, then you’ll go home, be with him, and show her that you two are impervious to her machinations.”

“I will,” said Will, triumphantly. “I can’t believe I was too pigheaded to see what was right in front of me. Thank you, Mom.”

Alison smiled, lightly. “Thank me by not letting India push you around. You’re not a child anymore, Billy.

“Barbara, Miss India Montgomery is by the pool and she would like her lunch.” Ada handed Barbara a printed menu which listed the exact lunch order of India Montgomery including the precise number of croutons to be placed in her salad. “Chef is almost done with it. Get everything ready so you can take it to her without delay. You don’t wanna keep that one waiting because she’ll have you fired if you’re fifteen seconds late.”

Barbara nodded in agreement. While she hadn’t spoken to India Montgomery, she still remembered how she observed India eavesdropping outside of Will’s bedroom last week. To say Barbara was intrigued by India would have been a very accurate statement. “Oh, Ada,” Barbara called after her colleague, “which pool is India by?”

“The outdoor pool. Pay attention, Barbara!”

A few minutes later, Barbara was being sent up a service elevator she hadn’t seen before towards the outdoor preparation area near the pool. She quickly ensured everything was up to snuff on the lunch tray as she pushed open the door. The blinding afternoon sun nearly made Barbara cry out in pain. For the last few weeks, she’d been working inside of the main house which rendered her vulnerable to the unrelenting summer sun. Once she regained her composure, Barbara wheeled the cart through the oppressive humidity. She began to sweat profusely through her uniform and, for a few moments, Barbara thought she would drop dead from heat stroke and suffocation.

“Just leave the tray there.” India pointed to a spot to her left without ever lowering her sunglasses or looking up from the magazine cradled between her knees.

“Yes, Miss Montgomery,” said Barbara, quietly.

“You’re the new one.”

Barbara picked up the tray from the cart and placed it on the table to the left of India. “Yes, Miss Montgomery.”

“Your manners are too sparkling,” sniffed India. “They’ve trained you well.”

“Would you like anything else, Miss Montgomery?”

India lifted her head for the briefest of moments before lowering it once more. “If I need anything,” she began, “I certainly won’t ask you.”

Shock and humiliation coursed through Barbara. She felt like the lowest form of being in the known universe.

“You can go now,” India said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Stunned, Barbara forced a smile onto her face as she went back to the outdoor preparation area. She could feel the tears begin to swell in her eyes while she frantically hit the buttons on the elevator. No one had ever spoken to Barbara like that before, not even when she was at her lowest moment in life. That snooty heiress didn’t even talk to her; she barked at her. She treated her worse than a dog…worse than nothing. In the elevator, Barbara held back her tears because she knew every area of the servant’s areas was awash in cameras. The last thing she wanted to do was let any of these people see her cry.

Back in the servant’s area, Barbara returned the cart to its corner and resumed her place on the stool in the chef’s kitchen. Maybe, thought Barbara, this was a bad idea after all. Before she arrived in Kingsport and during the first two weeks, everything seemed possible and full of opportunity. However, very slowly it was dawning on her that the gulf between people like the Montgomerys and everyone else in Kingsport may be too vast to ever cross. Even with all of her planning, Barbara had been dismissed by India Montgomery and made to feel like she was worth less than less. She felt inhuman. Yet, before the tears began to flow, Barbara swallowed her pride. She hadn’t come to Kingsport to make friends or become popular. It was then that she realized that India Montgomery had given her the greatest gift of all: A window into the world she lived in. If Barbara could exist around India without being the victim of her wrath, Barbara realized that she may achieve she goals quicker than anyone could have imagined. As Barbara sat on that stool to await her next assignment, a small smile formed on her lips. If she played her cards right, Barbara could learn everything she needed to know from Miss India Montgomery.

 

In our next installment, India plots her next move…

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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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