Tag: Lisa Davenport Collins

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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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Kingsport #9

Barbara Wilkes pushed a laundry basket through the bowels of the Montgomery Estate as she followed the housekeeper, Mrs. Taplin, into the vast folding room. Although she was glad to have found work on the Montgomery Estate, Barbara hadn’t counted on feeling tired, achy, and old so fast. The one thing she couldn’t do was age fifteen years in six months because she was doing work for people that they could very well do these tasks for themselves. At least for this afternoon, she was being sent to the folding room to press, scent, and fold bed linen. It was a thankless job which is why she kept reminding herself that her plan superseded all else.

“Don’t be too long with folding everything,” snapped Mrs. Taplin. She was a stern birdlike woman who smiled with glee whenever a task seemed just miserable enough. “The family likes to have new sheets on their beds every night!”

“I’ll be as fast as I can.” Barbara watched as Mrs. Taplin marched off to leave Barbara to her task.

“Need some help?” asked Ada from the doorway. “Mark told me that Old Taps sent you in here and told me to help you out.”

“Old Taps?” laughed Barbara.

“Yeah. She’s like a drill sergeant or something. Thinks she’s big stuff because she once worked for the Viscount of Hornbly.” Ada helped Barbara dump the laundry bag onto a giant table. She quickly explained to Barbara how to get the linen just so before saying, “I saw you in town on Monday. Called out to you, but I don’t think you heard me. You were going into the Kingsport Arms.”

Barbara immediately smiled because she didn’t want to admit that she had heard Ada, but she couldn’t risk her ruining her plan. “Oh, Ada, I’m so sorry I didn’t hear you,” lied Barbara.

“Can’t believe you could afford to stay at the Arms. It’s so expensive.”

“I just went for breakfast,” said Barbara, kindly.

“I went for a Mother’s Day breakfast years ago. My kids saved all year to treat me. Those snobbish waiters were above themselves, but my Tony told one of them that his ma worked for the Montgomery family! Well, service got a whole lot better after that, let me tell you.” Ada swiftly handed a pillow case for Barbara to scent and fold.

“They were very nice to me,” lied Barbara. “The food was wonderful. I enjoyed it.”

Ada chuckled. “Don’t let the family find out that you’re dining where they eat. They don’t like it.”

“It’s a free town. I can eat where I please. Anyway, I haven’t even met the family. Well, the daughter, India, snapped at me when we were waiting on their dinner party. I doubt she remembered my face.”

“Still. Don’t be getting high above your station, Barbara…”

“I’m not!”

“Look, I know you’re a nice girl,” sighed Ada, “but there are a lot of nice girls who like to pretend they’re something more than what they are in this town and it blows up in their faces. Going to the Arms once is fun. Going all the time is dangerous. Just go to Zelda’s or the Rusty Nickle. Good honest places. Meet a nice boy who works at the docks or in an office. You’ll be much happier that way, Barbara.”

Barbara listened and nodded with a compliant smile. However, deep inside her soul, she wanted to scream. Ada sounded like every fish wife she’d known until the day she arrived in Kingsport. If she wanted to eat breakfast at the Arms, she would! If she wanted to better herself and not get locked down with some loser on an hourly wage, she would! The last thing Barbara wanted for herself was to work for the Montgomery family for twenty years, never meet them, and go to the Arms once after saving for a year like Ada and her little brats. No, thought Barbara, she would have to begin to quietly distance herself from everyone in order to ensure she could rise in the world. She knew it would take a little bit of time, but little did Barbara know, her luck would change in a way she couldn’t predict.

Dylan Davenport finished his beer while he contemplated how he would spend the rest of the day. Since he stepped down last year from the role of CEO at Davenport Technology, the publicly listed company still controlled by his family, his days were spent in idle contemplation instead of hurrying to get to the next challenge. As the oldest Davenport child, Dylan was told from birth that he had to be someone special…someone superior. Now, at forty-five, he had become special, but he didn’t think anyone noticed. His mother and siblings never thanked him once for keeping the stock price of the company stable which ensured quarterly dividends flowed into their trust funds. While he didn’t seek the approval of his family, he would have appreciated it. Dylan glanced at his watch when he saw his sister, Lisa, walking over to him. “I thought you were in New York.” Dylan stood up to greet his sister. “This is a nice surprise.”

Lisa took in the sight of the Kingsport Country Club’s grille restaurant with a slight smile. “I came back last Sunday for the Memorial Day party at the country club and Oliver started school on Tuesday. Jackson is still in New York on business.”

“Huh. I’m surprised you trust Jackson alone in New York City with his roving eye.”

Lisa took a deep sip of her brother’s beer. Everyone knew that her husband was a serial cheater, but it didn’t bother her. That was his issue. Their finances were separated which meant that none of his angry lovers could ever come after her money. “I’ve accepted Jackson for exactly who he is, Dylan. He’s a great father and a great provider for Oliver, so I have no complaints. He keeps his affairs a secret. I have someone I call upon when I need him and the world is a happier place.”

“You do you, Lisa.”

“Actually, I’m glad I ran into you. I went over to Mom’s house on Monday before I went to the country club and she was in a mood about Eli.”

“What’s he done now?”

“Mom is concerned because India is back in town. She thinks Eli will leave San Francisco and move back to Kingsport so India can spend time with Faren.”

Dylan shook his head. He knew all too well how much their mother loved to control every situation which came her way. It was part of the reason why Dylan had resigned as CEO of Davenport Technology. Sheila’s constant meddling was her biggest character flaw. “Eli will do whatever suits him. We know that. I don’t know why Mom gets herself into a bother over him.”

“She blames him for Daddy’s disappearance.”

Dylan took a long sip of his beer. “Still?”

“Yes. She hasn’t mentioned it in years, but she did the other day. Dylan, you remember more about that time than I do… Mom isn’t right, is she?”

The last thing Dylan wanted to think about were the events which transpired thirty years ago. Their father, Larry, vanished one day and no one had heard from him since. There were rumored sightings in Monaco and Manila, but nothing concrete. As far as Dylan was concerned, they were better off without Larry. “No, I don’t think Mom is right. Just because Eli was the last person seen with Dad doesn’t mean he was the last person with him.”

Lisa considered her brother’s statement. “I suppose… It’s always struck me as odd that Mom is so insistent that Eli stay away. She barely sees Faren because of this grudge. Oh, and she nearly jumped down my throat when I mentioned that I’d spent time with Eli in Switzerland.”

“Mom has her reasons, Lisa. It’s not for me to say. I will say that a lot did happen back then, but I think it’s best if we just let it go. Eli will stay in San Francisco. I doubt he wants Faren around India on a consistent basis. To be honest, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.” Even as Dylan said the words, he didn’t believe them. He knew all too well some of the things that had happened thirty years ago between the family and Larry. Dylan also knew that Eli was being blamed for something that anyone could have done because there was a darker reason why Eli stayed away. There always had been. Dylan thought he knew way… He thought he knew Sheila knew way, too. However, Dylan knew that the only person who could shine some light on the ugliest part of the Davenport family’s history was Eli. And Eli had kept his mouth shut since that fateful night thirty years ago. Dylan knew Eli held the answers they were seeking. But, Dylan also knew that keeping a secret buried is the only way to move on…

In our next installment, Barbara takes a risk…

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Kingsport #7

It should have been a morning filled with joy, laughter, and anticipation, but for Sheila Davenport, she couldn’t muster a smile, let alone the modicum of joy on this particularly gray May day. She sipped a cup of coffee, lost in her thoughts when the sounds of childish laughter filled the air of her normally sedate mansion. A moment later, Sheila’s grandson, Oliver Collins, rushed into the Breakfast Room and threw his arms around her neck. “Oliver!” exclaimed Sheila. “This is a pleasant surprise!”

“I know! Mommy always says that I’m her little surprise.” The nine-year-old plucked a grape from the sideboard. “We’re on our way to the country club for a Memorial Day party!”

“Oh, really?” smiled Sheila.

“Oliver, don’t touch communal food with your hands,” sighed Lisa Davenport Collins as she walked into the Breakfast Room. Lisa was forty, self-assured, and beautiful without the aid of plastic surgeons. She gave her mother a light kiss on the cheek as she surveyed the maudlin surroundings. “Honestly, Mom, open the drapes. It’s so dreary in here.” Lisa pulled back the drapes to let in the few rays of morning sun.

Sheila finished her cup of coffee with a sigh. “Lisa, is there a reason you’re here?”

Lisa sat across from her mother. “Oliver, why don’t you go into the Media Room for a moment? I need to talk to Grandma.” Lisa waited until Oliver was out of earshot and said, “What’s wrong?”

“I spoke to Elijah last week,” Sheila revealed coolly.

“Oh.” Lisa took a deep breath. “Why?”

“It wasn’t my intention, but Dr. Connor Windsor asked me to talk to Elijah about India. I knew I had to do it only because other than Alison, he’s the one person in this world who she will listen to.” Sheila rose from the table, walked over to the large French doors, and stared at her immaculate estate. “Speaking to him felt like…I was speaking to a stranger. He said he had spoken to India, but he wouldn’t go any further than that.” Sheila turned to her daughter with worry in her eyes. “I’m terrified I’ve opened Pandora’s Box. The last thing I want is Elijah back in our lives.”

Lisa took in this news as the wheels spun in her head. “Mom…suppose he’s changed. We’ve all changed… At the very least, you should consider easing up on Eli. Think about how this bad blood will affect Faren. I don’t think it’s right for our family to ice out Eli. The Montgomerys have done the same thing to India and, well, we all know how well adjusted she is,” sniffed Lisa.

“Lisa,” began Sheila, “India is back in Kingsport.”

“She is?!!?”

“Connor told me she was coming back to town. I heard from Raquel Windsor that India is indeed staying at the Montgomery Estate.”

Lisa finally understood why her mother was so worried. “You’re…scared that with India back in town, Eli will decide it’s time to leave San Francisco in order for Faren to be closer to her mother.”

“That’s it. Lisa, I don’t want him to return to town. It would ruin everything.”

Lisa stood up, pondered her mother’s concern, and said, “We can’t stop him. Granted, Eli has been known to play dirty because he can, but we have to think about Faren. She barely knows India. And, maybe, the last few years in Paris have been good for her.”

“Now you’re a fan of Elijah and India?” huffed Sheila.

“No. India is a nutcase. I think Eli has mellowed out a lot. When I saw him in Gstaad in January…”

“You’re speaking to him?!?!” Sheila exclaimed with fury rising from her soul. “Lisa!”

Lisa folded her arms defensively. “Jackson had to attend a digital technology symposium in Switzerland. We ran into Eli. We spent some time together. My husband and Eli are in the same industry. It’s happened before, Mom,” snapped Lisa.

“I don’t care. After everything Elijah has done to this family, if I ever see him again, it’ll be too soon! I know he’s the reason your father went missing.”

“That’s speculation!”

“You don’t know what I know, Lisa. Elijah is dangerous. Now that India is in Kingsport, I just know he’ll move here, too. I can’t let that happen, Lisa. I just can’t…”

Barbara Wilkes stepped into the foyer of the Kingsport Arms Hotel and clutched her purse tight against her body. Today was Memorial Day and it was the first time in years she had a real day off. After working for the Montgomery family for the last two weeks, she was exhausted. Muscles she’d never realized existed hurt. Her brain was fried from the smell of cleaning chemicals, French food, and scented candles. Since this was her first proper day off, Barbara decided that breakfast at Kingsport’s most exclusive hotel would ease her mind and spirit.

“Good morning,” she said to the hostess. “I’d like a table for one.”

The hostess, a weathered woman of more than sixty but less than one hundred, eyed her carefully over the rim of her bifocal glasses. “No,” was her reply.

Taken aback, Barbara cleared her throat. “I’d like…”

The woman held up a dismissive hand. “I said no.” The woman looked down at the vast reservation book. “You may go now.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” said Barbara defiantly. “I’d like a table for one.”

“Let me be clear,” began to hostess, “the Kingsport Arms is a premiere destination for the finest guests and families in the area. It’s not a place for the likes of a woman who thinks a fast fashion dress will ever compare to the lovely creations worn by the women of Kingsport society.”

Barbara could feel her hands begin to clench in the fists of rage. In her old world, she would have clocked this insipid woman right on the spot. However, this was a new world. This was Kingsport. Kingsport… Barbara already knew that such things didn’t fly in this world. If she wanted to stay in her new life, she’d have to think fast. “I’m afraid there’s a misunderstanding. I made a reservation a few days ago. Please check under ‘Barbara Wilson’.” She produced a business card with the alias on it. “I’m a junior food critic from World of Dining. I’d be more than happy to leave and let the whole world know…”

“Oh, Ms. Wilson! Yes. I do see you here on our list. Usually the manager will tell us when a critic comes in. I do apologize for the error. Right this way.”

Barbara followed the weathered hostess to a sweet table near the large picture windows which overlooked Main Street. After the hostess left and promised to comp her meal, Barbara smiled lightly. That old lie worked every time. No one every checked to make sure she was employed by World of Dining because once she threatened to leave and write a negative review, everyone bowed to her will. She relaxed into her chair, sipped a fresh cup of coffee, and took in her surroundings. While she hadn’t been entirely honest, Barbara knew that honesty was overrated. To get what she wanted, she would have to lie, cheat, and use her innate ability to deceive people to her advantage. In a town like Kingsport, perception was more important than reality. Barbara was the master at that game. She’d played it well so far, but she needed a day off from the rigors of her new life to ensure she could continue to execute her plan tomorrow. So far, she’d entered the Montgomery household and, sooner or later, she would begin to meet the family. She had a plan. She had a goal. By the time she was finished, she’d have it all…

In our next installment, India ups the stakes…

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