Tag: Jill Montgomery

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Kingsport #53

Barbara Wilkes sat in the waiting room of the emergency room when Dr. Brooks came up to her with a woeful look. “Is he all right, doctor?” asked Barbara in a soft, hushed tone. “He seemed fine last night…”

Dr. Brooks glanced at the chart in her hands. “Mr. Wilkes seems to have Landry-Guillain-Barré syndrome. It’s either that or abdominal pain brought on by a hernia.”

“Oh.” Barbara wiped away a few stray tears. “I didn’t know what do when he collapsed.”

“It’s good you brought him in when you did. It could be an intestinal issue as well, but if the stomach cramps continue, bring him back. He should be all right in a couple of days.”

Barbara thanked the doctor for her help as a dark cloud covered her tear streaked face. She had done everything in her power to ensure Kenny would be out of her life forever and now the doctor was sending him home. Maybe she hadn’t used enough pills or used them quickly enough, but in that moment, Barbara knew she would have to alter her plan to rid Kenny from her life. Screwing up all of the false compassion inside of her, Barbara walked through the thin curtain to find Kenny on a gurney.

“Still feel like crap,” groaned Kenny. “Why’re they sendin’ me home?”

“You don’t have insurance and I can’t pay for you to stay here for six weeks.” Barbara drummed her fingers against her purse. “If you went back home, I’m sure someone would…”

“This is my home now,” sneered Kenny. “Can’t believe my gut’s betrayin’ me.”

“You’re not healthy. You spend my money on beer and pork rinds. Enough to make me sick just be watching you.”

Kenny reached out for Barbara’s hand, but she ignored him. “I’m sick. I need ya, girlie.”

Barbara took a sharp breath. “I have to pay the bill. You’re lucky I make decent money.” With that, Barbara spun around and left Kenny on the gurney. As she quickly walked into the restroom, Barbara knew she had to rid herself of his man once and for all. If the pills didn’t work, what would? As she racked her brains for an answer, she had a brilliant thought: If everyone thinks he’s incompetent or crazy, then she could assume total control of his life…and get rid of Kenny Wilkes once and for all…

“We should drop by the estate to check on Billy before I leave for Los Angeles.” Warren Montgomery finished his second martini of the night as he relaxed into his favorite leather chair.

Jill Stanhope Montgomery bit her lip with quiet resignation. “I don’t see why we should check on Billy. He’s fine.”

“He’s been humiliated,” corrected Warren. “I could kill Connor.”

“Warren, I know Connor is supposed to be your best friend, but…”

“But what, Jill? After Connor’s little stunt, he’s no friend of mine.”

Jill could feel her blood begin to boil at the mention of Connor’s name. She had been a fool to have sex with him days before his wedding to Will, but it wasn’t her fault because she needed to have a real man inside of her. To Jill’s surprise, the guilt she should have felt had yet to surface. “I don’t think it’s worth throwing away your friendship with Connor because of what happened to Will.”

Warren shook his head with grave resignation. “I wouldn’t expect to you have any compassion for my brother, Jill. I know you hate him because he’s gay.”

“That’s not true,” Jill protested hollowly. “It’s just…”

Warren raised a defiant hand. “Don’t even brother.” He rose from his chair, closed the large French doors, and said, “No one deserves that kind of public humiliation.”

Jill let out a frustrated sigh. “Have you talked to your parents?”

“I talked to my dad. He said that Billy is still locked away in his bedroom suite, but he’s eating and will leave the estate to ride Sir Galahad, but that’s it. Billy won’t speak to anyone right now.”

“Then us going over there won’t do any good. Warren, if you want to see Will, then go without me. Me being there will only make matters worse.”

“I suppose you’re right,” reasoned Warren. “Anyway, it’s late. I should get to bed. Good night, Jill.”

Jill watched her husband walk upstairs before she let out a sigh of relief. She hadn’t been subjected to Will and Connor’s wedding, her daughters hadn’t been in their wedding party, she’d been able to sleep with Connor, and he’d left town. Everything was working out in Jill’s world. A small smile crossed her lips as Jill realized she could get away with anything… Little did she know, but her world was close to imploding in a way she never could have dreamed…

 

In our next installment, Dylan sounds the alarm…

 

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Kingsport #50

“All of Kingsport, Manhattan, London, Paris, and Hong Kong are a twitter with the news of today’s wedding of Montgomery scion, William Harrison Montgomery to Dr. Connor Lorenzo Windsor, both of Kingsport, Connecticut. The wedding ceremony will take place at a private chapel on the Montgomery Estate for close family and invited guests before the reception which is rumored to be hosted in the grand ballroom on the estate for three hundred and fifty people,” explained the Kingsport Press in breathless detail. “William Montgomery, the youngest child of Charles Montgomery, IV and Alison Farrell Montgomery, is the owner of the Kingsport Polo Club as well as the captain for the King’s Polo team. Dr. Connor Windsor, the eldest child of Alistair and Raquel Windsor, is a surgeon at Fairfield County Hospital…”

Jill Stanhope Montgomery tossed the newspaper aside as she took a deep, cleansing breath. Although she tried to block out the events of the other from her mind, she couldn’t stop thinking about her moment of passion with Connor. Her body ached for him. He still knew everything that made her quiver, cry, moan, and melt. Warren hadn’t had sex with her in three months. To have a man inside of her…on top of her…and ravaging her made Jill want nothing more than to run off with the man who was due to marry her brother-in-law at eleven o’clock this morning.

“Are you ready?” Warren Montgomery walked into his wife’s dressing room as he fastened his nineteenth century cuff links.

“DeShawn will be here to do my hair in a few minutes. We won’t be late.”

Warren eyed Jill carefully. “We can’t be late for my brother’s wedding,” stressed Warren. “I’m his best man.”

Jill fastened an emerald and sapphire bracelet around her wrist. “We’ll be early,” smiled Jill, lightly.

“We should’ve stayed at the estate last night,” muttered Warren. “With all of the out of town guests coming in today, there may be traffic.”

“We’ll be fine,” sighed Jill. “Warren, I want to apologize.”

“For what?”

“Everything. I know I haven’t been myself recently and I am sorry. I should have put my personal beliefs and feelings aside when it came to Will’s wedding.”

Touched by his wife’s sudden about face, Warren kissed her forehead. “That means a lot. Thank you, Jill.”

Just then, the doorbell rang as Jill’s phone bleated to life. “That’s DeShawn. Showtime,” tittered Jill.

            “I don’t think we should be talking right now,” Nicholas said into his cell phone as he waited to climb into an idling black town car. “What we did the other night…”
“We didn’t do anything wrong. It was just a kiss,” whispered Will.

“You’re getting married today. I knew it was a bad idea letting myself get sucked into your orbit again,” snapped Nicholas.

“Please don’t be mad at me, Nicholas. I… I was in a weak state and I should’ve known better,” stammered Will. “I just… Help me make sense of what to do, Nicholas.”

“I can’t, Monty. You’re on your own.”

“Nicholas…”

“Monty, I can’t be your talk-to. If you want to marry Connor, marry him. If you don’t, call it off. Either way, the decision is yours. I can’t… No, I won’t be your consolation prize or back-up plan. Whatever you do next, you have to do it on your own.”

The chapel on the Montgomery Estate was last used on the occasion of Warren’s wedding to Jill. Outside of that, the chapel sat dormant except of weekly cleanings and the off times when the Montgomery family would use it to repent for sins of the past, present, and future. Sheila Davenport, Dylan Davenport, Lisa Davenport Collins, Jackson Collins, Oliver Collins, Elijah Davenport, Faren Davenport, and Nicholas Davenport made

their way into the chapel past the assembled press dressed in their finest wedding couture. Eli led Faren towards the holding area where she joined her cousins, Hannah and Kate Montgomery, the other flower girls in the wedding party.

“How tastefully done,” Sheila said to Dylan, who walked by her side.

“I suppose,” muttered Dylan. “I’m surprised Charles allowed the press to attend.”

Sheila pursed her lips. “Raquel Windsor begged for press coverage. People like Raquel think the Montgomerys are a royal family.”

“Aren’t they?” mused Dylan.

“Royalty doesn’t have this much money,” tutted Sheila.

“I didn’t think you’d come to your ex-boyfriend’s wedding,” Lisa whispered to Nicholas as they made their way to their pew.

Nicholas lowered his eyes before saying, “If I didn’t come, people would talk. I’m happy for them.”

Lisa gave Nicholas a curious stare. “All right. If that’s the story you want to tell…”

“Drop it,” Nicholas ordered his sister. “Let’s enjoy the wedding.”

In a small sun drenched waiting room, Will waited calmly as Warren finished tying his bow tie. “Is everyone here?” worried Will.

“Yes,” said Warren, calmly. “Uncle Walton and his brood just showed up.”

“How do you know for sure?”

“Jill texted me. Everything is going to be fine, Billy.”

Will forced a smile onto his face. Despite everything that had happened, he could feel the clouds lift. He was getting married today to the man he loved! Will couldn’t think of anything more wonderful. A second later, the clock stuck eleven. Without a word, Will drew a deep breath before leaving the room and walking towards the altar.

It had been agreed that Will would begin the processional with Alison and Charles followed by Connor and his parents. After what seemed like years of stress and worry, Will cast a confidant eye over the his wedding guests. They were dressed in their finest morning clothes just for the occasion. Even his sister, India, and his sister-in-law, Jill, looked good. Will smiled confidently at Nicholas Davenport because he knew his future was with Connor. As Will took his place at the altar with Warren by his side, they faced up the aisle to await Connor’s entrance. The music swelled and…

Nothing.

Silence.

Three seconds (which felt like six years) ticked by.

More silence.

Someone coughed.

Silence.

People looked at each other with mounting concern coupled with polite society smiles.

More people coughed.

Will turned to Warren with pensive dread in his eyes.

Alison grabbed Charles’ hand with a heavy squeeze. Their eyes locked ever so briefly before they both cast them to the stone floor.

Suddenly, the door to the chapel opened.

Everyone turned around with eager anticipation.

Alistair Windsor stepped into the chapel with a worn look on his face. “We… He’s gone. We don’t know where he is. Will…I’m so sorry.”

Will let out a scream so deafening, it sounded primal. His blood ran cold before he collapsed into Warren’s arms in front of the entire congregation. A second later, everything went black.

 

In our next installment, questions abound in Kingsport…

 

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Kingsport #49

“Lisa, I have to talk to you!” Jill Stanhope Montgomery grabbed her best friend by the hand as they marched across the overly manicured lawns of the Kingsport Country Club towards a secluded gazebo. “Oh, Lisa, I’ve done…the worst thing possible.”

Lisa Davenport Collins straightened the cuff on her end of summer pant suit while balancing a glass of wine in the other hand. She always loved the annual Labor Day at the Kingsport Country Club because it signaled the end of summer and the winding down of the year at hand. “Jill, what on earth…?”

“I… I went to see Connor the other day…”

Lisa heaved a heavy sigh. “Jill! You have to stay away from him. Connor is bad news.”

“I couldn’t help myself. I went to his house to ask him to cancel his wedding to Will.”

“I can’t believe you thought that was a good idea. If Warren finds out…”

“He won’t!”

“He’s good friends with Connor! What’s to stop Connor from telling Warren what you did? Jill, with all of the problems you’ve told me about your marriage, it’s really insipid of you to try to interfere with your brother-in-law’s marriage.”

Jill took a deep breath as she added, “It’s…”

Lisa raised a deft hand. “Stop. Jill, I don’t care what happened with Connor because you shouldn’t’ve gone to see him. We’ve been friends since college, but when it comes to Connor, you lose all sense of yourself. That man has brought nothing but misery to your door.”

“Lisa…”

“No. Forget whatever happened with Connor. Forget that you tried to ruin Will’s wedding day. Focus on Warren, Hannah, and Kate. Everything else doesn’t matter… Not in the least…”

“Billy, Connor. I have a little surprise for you.” Alison Farrell Montgomery waved her son and future son-in-law to her table at the Kingsport Country Club. While she loathed dining in public, Alison always liked the club’s annual Labor Day extravaganza. No expense was spared, which made the ridiculously high price of annual admission somewhat justifiable. “I’ve found the perfect house as my wedding present to you.”

Connor turned his gaze to Will, who did everything in his power to hide behind his aviator sunglasses. “Alison, that’s sweet…”

“It’s the old Havermeyer Estate,” interjected Alison with great excitement. “It turns out Bitsy and Joanie have finally decided to unload it after letting it sit empty for almost a quarter of a century!”

“Alison, that’s…” Connor cleared his throat before saying, “Will and I would like to graciously decline your gift.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Alison glared at Connor before turning to Will. “Billy, what’s this all about?”

“We think,” began Connor.

“I was speaking to my son,” snapped Alison, briskly. “William Harrison Montgomery, what is the meaning of all of this?”

Will shifted uneasily in his deck shoes as he said, “Connor…we…think we’re going to live at Connor’s house.”

“It’s far too small,” exclaimed Alison. “It’s practically a guest house on his parents’ estate! No gardens, a shared pool…there isn’t even a chef’s kitchen!”

“I’ve lived there for years and it’s served me just fine,” sniffed Connor.

Alison narrowed her eyes as she surveyed the smug doctor. “I’m sure it has, Connor. However, you’re marrying my son. He’s been raised in a very specific way that he’s grown accustomed to despite what he may tell you when you’re having sex.”

“Mom!”

“Billy, please. The Havermeyer Estate is the right home for you and Connor. If you want to live at Connor’s while the house is being renovated, then that should be fine. Have your honeymoon period. I’ll pay for all of the renovations and upgrades, so the matter is settled. I won’t hear another word about it!”

“This isn’t your decision to make,” Connor said through clenched teeth. “You don’t even live in America. Don’t you have a broom or something to whisk you back to Paris.”

Without a word, Alison stood up, gave Connor a contemptuous scowl, and disappeared into the country club.

“She’s a bit much today,” sniffed Connor.

“Don’t you ever speak to my mother like that ever again.”

“Will, I…”

Without a word, Will pushed past Connor and into the throng of revelers. He didn’t know what to do or where to go when he looked up to see Nicholas Davenport eating a hamburger at a table with their old friends, Eileen Owens, Journey Adams-Woole, and Ryan Mansky. A surge of nostalgia washed over Will as he surveyed the happy scene. He and Nicholas had been happy together. They were the same people from the same world who both sneered at microwave meals and loved Russian caviar on Ritz crackers. In that moment, Will wondered what his life would have been like had he and Nicholas worked through their issues as young men in their twenties rather than breaking up in search of something better. Will thought Connor was his something better, but they kept fighting. He and Connor were very different people who couldn’t agree on where to live, let alone on how to approach the differences between them. With Nicholas, Will knew they would have moved into the Havermeyer Estate without a question. Alison and Sheila would’ve paid for it and put it in trust for them without a second thought. No guilt. No arguments…just a thank you. In that moment, Will made himself stop thinking such ludicrous thoughts because he and Nicholas were no more…and he was going to marry Dr. Connor Windsor the day after tomorrow.

“Don’t just stand there! Come and join us,” Nicholas shouted to Will. When Will remained frozen in the grass, Nicholas put down his burger to check on his old friend and ex-boyfriend. “Are you all right, Monty?”

“I… I don’t know, Nicholas.”

Before Will could say another word, Nicholas led him into the country club where they found the Red Parlor to be empty. Nicholas sat Will in a chair as he closed the door and surveyed him. “Talk.”

“I… Nicholas, I don’t think I can go through with this wedding.”

“Monty, you… You told me you love Connor.”

“I do! It’s… God, Nicholas, it’s everything else. The way he talked to my mother… Whatever his past is with India… Nicholas, I…I can’t do it. I…just can’t.”

“Then call it off. Get out of town.”

Will looked up at Nicholas and gazed into his soft brown eyes. “I’m being stupid. Everything will be fine once we’re married. I’m just…in my feels… That’s all.”

Nicholas sat next to Will with grave concern. “Monty, don’t deflect because you’re trying to make everyone else happy.”

“I don’t…”

“You do. You do it all the time. Whether it’s your father, your brother, your mother, and now, Connor, you’re always trying to make someone else happy. If marrying Connor won’t make you happy, then don’t do it! For God’s sake, Monty, put your happiness first for once.”

And in that moment, Will put his happiness first as his lips met Nicholas’ and the first kiss they shared in over fifteen years seemed to last an eternity…

 

In our next installment, it’s Will and Connor’s wedding day…

 

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Kingsport #48

“Jill… What a pleasant surprise.”

Jill Stanhope Montgomery pushed her way into Dr. Connor Windsor’s house with her black alligator purse clutched tight to her body. “You can’t marry Will.”

“Why? You’re jealous, aren’t you, Jill?”

“Me?!? I have Warren. I’m not jealous of Will!”

Connor sidled up to her, his eyes colored with raw passion. “Don’t lie, Jill.” He ran his hand across her soft arms. “You’ve always had a thing for me. I gave you a few wild nights of passion before you met Warren and…well, it looks like you haven’t been able to forget them.”

Jill held her breath until she almost passed out. She turned to Connor just enough that he couldn’t read the torn expression on her face. “I love Warren.”

“And yet… You deny nothing, yet admit everything.”

“Connor, if you marry Billy… I’ll tell him about our past.”

“Okay. Do it.”

“What???” stammered Jill.

“Tell Will. I don’t care. He loves me. He’ll forgive me for something I did…multiple times…before I started seeing him.” Connor deftly rubbed Jill’s inner right thigh as she tried to suppress a moan of utter delight. “You’ll never say anything… You don’t want the Montgomerys to know about our…little past…”

“They would if they knew what you were really like,” shot back Jill.

Connor let out a humored grunt. “Oh, yeah? What am I really like, Jill? Go on. Tell me.”

“You use people. You used me for sex and then tossed me aside.”

“Wow. Okay. So, that’s what it’s like when someone re-writes history. The minute Warren Montgomery showed the slightest interest in you, you dropped me, Jill. You wanted to lock down the local billionaire’s son and you did it! You’re nothing but a common gold digger with some pedigree behind her name.”

“You’re doing the same thing with Will!”

Connor nearly slammed his hand into the wall as he screamed, “Don’t you ever say that again!”

“It’s true, Connor! We both know it! You couldn’t get India, so you went after her brother! We both know you’re not even gay!”

“I’m warning you, Jill…!”

“Warn me all you want, Connor, but I have nothing left to lose. My husband can’t stand me. His family merely tolerates me. And you… You can’t stand that I can see right through you. You pretend to be upright, moral, and loveable, but you’re just as deplorable as the rest of us!”

Connor raised his hand to strike Jill when something inside of him forced him to step back. “Get out of my house,” he roared.

“Not until you call of this wedding.”

“Get out of my house, Jill!!!”

“No!” She grabbed Connor by the shoulder and turned him towards her. Jill looked into his wild eyes when something came over her. In that moment, their lips met, her hands found his penis, and his hands removed her panties. Before they knew it, they were having raw, passionate, unbridled sex in the foyer of Connor’s house. Because, they both knew, it was exactly what they needed, wanted, and desired.

“Thank you for not throwing me a bachelor party, Warren.” Will polished off his steak as he and his brother clinked their wine glasses together in the dining room of the Kingsport Country Club. “Dinner was nice.”

“It’s nice to spend some time with you, Billy. I know I haven’t been very present…”

“I don’t mind…”

“I know, but you’re my baby brother and you’re getting married. I’m sorry if I’ve been a bad brother.”

“You haven’t,” insisted Will. “I’m kind of glad the family office and the wedding planners handled everything. It’s been nice to sit back…for the most part.”

“Then you’re happy?”

Will chewed on this for a moment before saying, “Yes. I am. For the first time in a long time, I am happy. I was having doubts, but Nicholas…”

“Wait,” interjected Warren. “Back up. Nicholas Davenport?”

Will nodded innocently. “I ran into him a few days ago. He’s thinking about moving back to town.”

Warren listened dutifully. He knew all too well how much Will and Nicholas meant to each other when they first started dating the summer they graduated from high school. They were lovestruck, moonstruck, and thunderstruck in such a way that everyone assumed they would marry after college and unite the Montgomery and Davenport families. However, fate intervened and their happily ever after ended due to events Warren still didn’t know were true. “Billy, do you think it’s such a good idea to talk about Connor to Nicholas? You two have a lot of history.”

Will shifted in his seat uncomfortable. He knew his brother was looking out for him, but sometimes his concern bordered on oppressive. “Warren, I’m not nineteen anymore. Nicholas and I, well, we haven’t stayed in touch. There’s no animus between us. I mean, he’s invited to my wedding for crying out loud. Nicholas is happy for me.”

“As long as you two are strictly friends…”

“Yes. Warren, I’m getting married in a few days! I never thought this day would come! After all of the men over so many years, I’m marring the man I love without nary a worry in the world. I must be the luckiest man in the world, Warren. Seriously. Come September 8th, my life will be perfect with my husband by my side…and no one will be able to stop us. No one, Warren.”

 

In our next installment, it’s Labor Day at the country club…

 

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Kingsport #44

“Nicholas?”

Nicholas Davenport turned around to see Will Montgomery standing behind him at Tiffany & Jo, Kingsport’s favorite coffee shop for those who could afford to sit in a café all day, every day and order ten nine-dollar cappuccinos. “Hey, stranger,” smiled Nicholas as he gave Will a tight hug. It had been years since they’d seen each other, despite the fact that they shared a niece in Faren. “Your big day is coming up, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” said Will in a low, voice. “Happiest day of my life.”

Nicholas gave Will a curious look because Will’s tone as one he knew all too well. “I have a few minutes…if you want to talk.”

“No. Nicholas, I can’t…” Will jammed his hands into his bespoke jeans. “You’re my ex-boyfriend…”

Nicholas gave Will a playful punch on his arm. “That’s why you can talk to me. I know your bullshit better than most people.”

Will placed their order with a passing waiter as they sequestered themselves into the back booth of Tiffany & Jo. “I guess you haven’t heard.”

“Heard what? I got back to town this morning. I’m staying with Dylan.”

“Are you moving back to Kingsport?”

Nicholas shrugged. “I’m not sure. We’ll see. Anyway, what should I have heard about, Will?”

“India leaked a story to the Kingsport Press about the issues and fights Connor and I have been having about the wedding. It was an absolute mess. My parents are livid, Connor is furious, and the whole thing is just one big minefield.” Will clamed up as the waiter dropped off their oat milk cappuccinos and two croissants with extra butter on the side. “Everything was going fine until India came back from Paris and now my life feels like it’s going to implode if I go through with my wedding to Connor.”

“You love Connor, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then why are you letting India goad you, Will? She’s always been this way. No matter what you have, she wants it. I don’t think doubting your love for Connor is the wisest thing to do.”

“But he’s changed so much, Nicholas. With India back in town, Connor has been morose, sullen, quick to temper, and just…prickly… I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”

“Well, India has done her best to ruin his life, too. Maybe you two should close ranks where India is concerned and forget she exists.”

Will mulled over Nicholas’ words for a long while. He knew his ex-boyfriend had a point. Will also knew that Nicholas only wanted what was best for him without the veil of a hidden agenda lurking in the shadows. “You don’t have to be so nice to me,” teased Will.

“You’re not that bad, Monty.” Nicholas gave Will a wink as he said the nickname he’d bestowed on Will so many years ago. “Look, for what it’s worth, I want you to be happy. From what I’ve heard about you and Connor, you guys are pretty solid. Letting India ruin your happily ever after won’t solve anything. We both know if it’s not Connor, it’ll be someone else who’s the object of India’s obsession. You can’t let her win, Will.”

“I’m not,” protested Will.

“You are,” insisted Nicholas. “If you call off your wedding to Connor, India has won. I promise you that, Monty.”

“Then what should I do?”

“I can’t tell you that,” said Nicholas, carefully. While he loved Will for more years than he could count, he knew better than to give too much of himself to this man. “I think you know what to do.”

Will nodded in agreement. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, his ex-boyfriend, the first man he’d ever loved, was now the only person who made him face the reality of the situation. Despite what India said or did, Will loved Connor and he was determined to make him his husband, no matter what.

“Jill, we need to talk.”

Jill Stanhope Montgomery rolled her eyes as she smoothed the invisible wrinkles from her sun dress in the expansive master suite in the mansion she shared with Warren and their daughters. “I’m meeting Lisa for a late breakfast at the country club. We can talk later.”

“No, we’re going to talk now,” Warren said in a firm, unyielding voice.

Jill turned to her husband with a curious look in her eye. “Don’t take that tone with me, Warren. I don’t work for you.”

“I spoke with India the other day. She told me something very intriguing.”

“God. I don’t know why you bother listening to her. We all know what she’s like.”

“You see, that’s the curious thing. I know exactly what she’s like, Jill. I also know when she’s lying to me.” Warren walked behind his wife and placed his strong hands on her trembling waist. “I know you told India about Billy and Connor’s fight,” Warren whispered into her ear.

Jill did everything in her power to stop from screaming out of sheer astonishment. “That’s a lie,” stammered Jill. “I never…”

“You were at the estate that day. My mother confirmed you were there. I also know that you were in the vicinity of the English garden where my mother and Sheila were having a private conversation.” Warren’s eyes flashed with heated fury. “I want the truth out of you, Jill, and I want it now.”

Jill turned to her husband with fear in her heart. She couldn’t believe that Warren would trust anything India told him, but she had to correct this situation before she lost everything she’d worked so hard to keep. “It…India threatened me. I…only told her about the fight because she was going on and on about the wedding,” lied Jill. “I thought she might want to know that Will and Connor weren’t very in love that day.”

“Do you understand what you’ve done?!? Billy and India have always had a horrible relationship. She’s been after Connor for years and she’s the one who leaked the story to the press because of you! My family has been humiliated! Billy’s been in bits! People are gossiping about my family like we’re some common reality TV trash!”

“Warren, I didn’t know…”

“You knew exactly what you were doing, Jill! Do not insult my intelligence by stating otherwise. You know how unstable India can be and yet you weaponized her mental health because you disapprove of Billy’s marriage to Connor!”

“That’s not true,” cried Jill. “Warren, please! You have to believe me!” She fell into his arms with heavy sobs before he pushed her away from him. “You disgust me. What you’ve done… It’s vile, Jill. I can’t stand to look at you right now,” spat Warren.

“What are you going to do?” asked Jill in a small, pensive voice.

Warren glared at her with vicious contempt. “You don’t deserve my mercy, but you will do two things in return for me not telling my family that you told India about Billy’s private life.”

Jill looked up at Warren, her red eyes on display. “What?”

“You will attend Billy and Connor’s wedding. Hannah and Kate will be flower girls in the wedding, too. End of. We will not have this conversation again.” Warren grabbed his car keys from the dressing table before turning to his wife, who sat motionless on their handcrafted bed. “Oh, and Jill, if you keep playing games with my family, you will lose. I will see to it.”

Jill waited for the sound of her husband’s car to disappear before she rose from the bed, dried her eyes, and began to reapply her make-up. Yes, she knew exactly what she had done when she gossiped to India. And, for a brief while, her plan had worked. However, one thing Jill knew for sure was that anything could happen between now and that infernal wedding. In that moment, Jill resolved to do whatever she could to ensure Will’s wedding never happened…even if her history with Connor proved to be the final salvo in this deadly game.

 

In our next installment, Ada confronts Barbara as Alison prepares for the future…

 

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Posted on

Kingsport #36

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

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

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

“I haven’t!”

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

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

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

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

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

“How did you stop him?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I can’t say!”

“Tell me, Jill!!!”

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

 

In our next installment, Kenny demands more of Barbara…

 

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