Tag: Sheila Davenport

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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 #24

Barbara Wilkes approached the door to Alison Farrell Montgomery’s bedroom suite with great trepidation. She had been warned by Mrs. Taplin to knock twice, count to five, enter the suite, turn right, walk to the last door at the end of the hall, knock twice, count to five, and enter the sitting room where she would find Mrs. Montgomery. After that, Barbara would be at the whim of the lady of the house before going down into the staff room where the staff answered calls, collected mail, and handled the day-to-day scheduling for members of the family. Barbara was assigned to Mrs. Montgomery for the duration of her trip to Kingsport. Every bone in Barbara’s body told her that she had to excel with Mrs. Montgomery while ensuring she never put a foot wrong. This was her moment.

When Barbara stepped into the bedroom suite, her mouth fell open. She stood into a corridor which seemed to go on forever with doors leading to one room or another. Had she not been told exactly what to do by Mrs. Taplin, Barbara would have been terrified about what to do next. She took a deep breath, screwed up all of the courage inside of her, and approached the door to the sitting room.

Barbara knocked twice on the door and waited for what seemed like hours. Finally, a firm voice said, “Come.” With that, Barbara deftly opened the door to the sitting room to find Alison Farrell Montgomery sitting on a love seat with a spread of newspapers in front of her. “Good morning, Mrs. Montgomery,” Barbara said, softly.

Alison extended a finger towards a table which had already been set for breakfast. Fresh flowers, silver salt and pepper shakers, and sterling silver cutlery sat on a linen tablecloth she had no doubt pressed weeks ago. “There will do,” said Alison, evenly.

Barbara took a quiet breath as she placed the tray on the perfectly laid table. “Enjoy your breakfast,” Barbara said, quietly.

“What is your name?” Alison snapped as she watched this unknown maid walk across the room like someone who’d just shoplifted.

“Oh, I’m Barbara.”

Alison eyed this young woman carefully. What she saw didn’t frighten her or intrigue her. Alison found her to be a perfectly unassuming woman who seemed to try too hard to be just right. “Barbara.” Alison let the name linger in the cherry blossom scented air. “I suppose Mr. Hurley has informed you that you’ll be assisting me as needed while I’m in town for my son’s wedding. Please call Mrs. Davenport’s office to arrange a cocktail hour with her at the estate or her mansion at six o’clock this evening. The location isn’t important to me. Also, call my house in Paris and tell Marianne to arrange with my dressmaker to be flown out by next week for the initial designs for my outfits for my son’s wedding. Tell Mr. Hurley to inform the family office that flights and accommodation will need to be made for this trip. I’d like my car brought around by ten o’clock; I will not need a driver. Lastly, I’ll need a copy of my schedule and my husband’s schedule emailed and printed out for me every morning. Oh, and Barbara, do bring a pen and notepad as I do not repeat myself.” Alison rose from the loveseat, a vision in an expertly tailored dress, and sat at the breakfast table. “You may go.”

Barbara nodded, walked quickly towards the door, and stepped into the corridor as she tried to fight back tears. While Alison hadn’t been horrible to her, she wasn’t prepared for the onslaught of demands from this intimidating woman. Barbara tried to recall everything Alison had told her. She had to remember it all because if she didn’t, she’d be back in the bowels of the mansion folding linen with Ada. The more Barbara thought about it, the more she swore something like that would never happen to her again. She made it upstairs. She wasn’t going anywhere.

“What is the point of this meeting?” asked Dylan Davenport to no one in particular. He crossed his legs while removing his sunglasses. Dylan had plans to leave for Greece this morning, but due to Eli calling an emergency meeting with the family, he was now seated in the conference room of the Davenport’s family office in Kingsport. “Eli, I do not appreciate being summoned.”

“Neither do I,” sniffed Lisa. “Mom, do you know anything about this?”

Sheila Davenport sat at the far end of the table, her gaze averted from Eli’s. “No,” she said, quietly.

Eli Davenport glanced at his family with mounting irritation. For all of their education, money, status, and power, they weren’t the brightest people. “I called this meeting because of Nick.”

Nicholas felt his stomach do a triple flip. “I didn’t ask for a family meeting,” he huffed. “I’m supposed to be in the Hamptons right now, Eli.”

“I’m aware everyone has plans, but this is important,” began Eli. He stood before his family, shoved his hands into his pockets, and stared at them. “Nick came to see me in San Francisco on Wednesday. He wanted me to buy his stock in Davenport Technology in order to free himself from the family.”

“How could you?!?” shrieked Sheila. She turned to her youngest child with fury in her eyes. “This is why you aren’t in control of your trust fund!” hissed Sheila.

“I’m not having this fight with you again, Mom!” Nicholas said, hotly. “It’s my stock!”

“I didn’t want that to start a fight,” said Eli, calmly. “Mom, you’re upset with Meredith about the way she’s running the company. I don’t blame you. Luckily for us, she didn’t go ahead with the stock buyback, but she still has the board’s approval to do so which gives her an immense amount of leverage. Ever since Dylan quit as the CEO of Davenport, we’ve all been a little anxious about the future of the company.”

Dylan shot Eli a terse look. “Thanks, bro.”

“He has a point,” added Lisa. “None of us have been overly thrilled with Meredith’s vision for the company. She seems to have big ideas without the team to execute them.”

Eli nodded in agreement. “Exactly. The dividend is what keeps us from making a ruckus, but I think it is time to make a lot of noise. Davenport Technology is our legacy. Jeremiah Davenport founded the company one hundred years ago with a hope and a dream. I think it’s time for the company to return to its roots.”

Sheila looked at Eli with a mixture of anger and intrigue. While she and her son had a rocky history, she didn’t trust him; however, she respected the fact that he was a brilliant businessman. “What are you suggesting, Elijah?”

“I think the first thing we need to do is nominate Nicholas to the Davenport Technology’s Board of Directors. Patrick Petersen is stepping down at the end of August. The search to replace him has yielded subpar results. Nick is a Davenport, he has some media cache, and it’ll get us press. ‘Davenport Scion Sits on the Board’! It’ll boost the stock price,” Eli said without missing a beat.

Nicholas shifted uncomfortably as all eyes turned to him. “I don’t want to sit on the board,” he whined, listlessly.

“You do need something to do,” reasoned Dylan. “It’s not like you have a real job or anything.”

“I think it’s a very good idea,” Sheila added. “Nicholas, it will be good for you. It will be good for the family.”

“I’ll mentor you as best as I can.” Eli took another deep breath. “Actually, having Nicholas on the board will give us an ‘in’ we haven’t had since Dylan quit the company.” Eli took in a sharp breath as he eyed his family carefully. In a low voice, Eli added, “I want to take the company private again. We can assume control, ditch our shareholders, and make Davenport a company of the future. We can invest in the future while doing what we do best. No more stock buybacks. We won’t have to fight with a CEO we hate. The Davenports will be in control of their company and future once again. Who’s with me?”

The Davenports looked at each other with masked faces. Each of them knew that Eli’s proposal was a risk, yet the reward it entailed could transform their lives. On the other hand, if Eli’s proposal failed, it could destroy the Davenport fortune along with the legacy of a great American family. No one knew what to say, yet everyone knew whatever was said next would change their lives forever.

 

In our next installment, Dylan remembers the past…

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Kingsport #19

At thirty-five, Nicholas Davenport was the baby of his family as well as its black sheep. While Dylan had run the family company, Lisa had the auction house, and Eli had his own investment firm, Nicholas lived a slightly rudderless existence in Manhattan…or wherever the moment took him. He had had some success as a playwright, followed by two years writing for a procedural cop show, but he had yet to find his bliss. He drifted from relationship to relationship, party to party, dream to dream in such a way that his mother, Sheila, took umbrage with the way he lived his life. If it weren’t for the fact that his mother was still a trustee on his trust fund, Nicholas would have politely declined her request to meet in Kingsport today. As he sat in the Breakfast Room of the Kingsport Country Club, Nicholas felt instantly at home in a world he had cut himself off from years ago. It’s not that he didn’t take pride in his family, he did. The thing that always bothered him was the way they lived with such ostentatious disregard for those less fortunate.

“Nicky?” Lisa walked over to her baby brother and gave him a big hug. “I didn’t know Mom summoned you here as well!”

“Yeah, she’s full of surprises. How’ve you been?”

Lisa sat at the perfectly laid table with a muted sigh. “I’ve been fine. Mom and Dylan have been going at it over the company. To be honest, it’s starting to get on my nerves.”

“This is why I live in Manhattan,” laughed Nicholas.

“It would be nice if you moved back to Kingsport. Living in New York is fine in your twenties, but you should have a nice house, not that loft you call home.” Lisa let out a slight yelp. “Oh, no! I sound like Mom!”

“Just a little bit,” nodded Nicholas. “I’m happy in New York, Lisa. Trust me. I’d rather be there than under a microscope here.”

Lisa knew her brother was right. Although she loved Kingsport as well as the trappings that came from her social position, Lisa knew that Kingsport could be stifling, no matter how much money you had in your trust fund. “Mom wanted us here by ten. It’s not like her to be late.”

Nicholas looked up just as his oldest brother, Dylan Davenport, joined them at the table. “Hey, Dyl.”

“Nicholas! This is a surprise,” said Dylan, coolly. “I thought Mom was still voting your shares in Davenport.”

“Not as of last year. I’m finally free. She’s still the trustee on my trust, though. It’s so unfair,” sighed Nicholas.

“Wait,” said Lisa, suddenly. “This table is set for six people.”

“Sorry, I’m late.” Sheila Davenport approached the table with a heavy sigh. “My driver is out sick, so I had to have someone call the company to send another one. It’s as if people merely exist to inconvenience me.”

Nicholas shook his head with a sigh. “I doubt it.”

“Nicholas, you should have worn a tie,” tutted Sheila. “You look like you work in Idaho or something.”

“I look just fine,” he replied through gritted teeth.

“If you say so.” Sheila sat at the head of the table. “I’ve asked you all here because I’m worried about Davenport Technology. It’s our legacy. I fear that Meredith is trying to run it into the ground. You know I am against stock buybacks and she’s received board approval to do it. I want to stop her. If we…”

“You started without me. My plane was delayed. Fog and all.”

Sheila felt the color drain from her face. She slowly turned to see her son, Elijah Davenport, standing behind her dressed in a form fitting black suit with a perfectly matched tie. “How did you…”

“I called him,” Dylan chimed in. “I told you before, I’m not voting Eli’s proxy anymore. He has a right to be here.”

Eli smiled smugly as he sat at the end of the table next to Nicholas. “Mom, I wish you would have told me about this sooner, but Dylan filled me in.”

“I’m sure he did. Elijah, it would be…easier…if you simply gave Lisa or Nicholas the proxy to vote your shares. It’s not as if you’re even…interested in the company,” surmised Sheila.

Eli cleared his throat. “Please don’t speak for me. Actually, I agree with you, Mother. From what Dylan has told me, Meredith seems to be angling the company for a possible sale to bigger corporation. I still own stock in the company… Despite our feelings, I’d prefer if Davenport remained an independent company.” Eli looked at Sheila with a curious gaze. “I’d rather play nice. I want the company to succeed. However, if you’re intent on shutting me out, I’ll work around you. It’s up to you, Mommy.”

 

 

 

Barbara Wilkes re-read the Kingsport Post edition which revealed Will Montgomery’s engagement to Dr. Connor Windsor with unbridled glee. She felt as if she were a part of the story because she had served Connor an iced tea on the afternoon he proposed and she did work at the Montgomery Estate. As she soaked up the remaining details in the newspaper, Barbara wondered if she would be allowed to work the wedding and reception. Or, at the very least, maybe the staff would be invited as guests as they were in England. Barbara smiled broadly at the thought of being among the invited guests at a Montgomery wedding. She’d have to buy a new dress from the finest store in Kingsport called Abington’s or take the train to Manhattan in order to purchase a dress from a Madison Avenue department store. The thought filled her with so much joy she felt like she was doing to burst. For the first time in weeks, she felt alive again. If Dane or Mrs. Taplin put her upstairs again, she knew she could stay there. So far, that hadn’t happened. As Ada’s words rang through her head, Barbara decided to ignore them. What did Ada know? She was a servant who was content being a servant. Barbara wouldn’t be content until she reached her ultimate goal. She was close… She was so close… But little did she know that her past was catching up with her and it wouldn’t be long until her carefully constructed lie unraveled for all the world to see…

 

In our next installment, India asks Eli for a life changing favor…

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Kingsport #16

“You need to talk to him.” Warren kicked off his riding boots across Will’s office. “You’ve been miserable all weekend, Billy. The way you sulked through mine and Dad’s Father’s Day dinner was embarrassing.”

Will glared at Warren over his computer monitor. “Warren, I’m busy,” snapped Will. “I don’t have time to talk about Connor.”

Warren suppressed an exasperated eyeroll. He loved his baby brother, but he knew Will could hide behind the pretense of being hurt and shocked to avoid dealing with issues which bothered him. “Billy, stop it. You love Warren. I haven’t seen you this happy in years.”

“I’m not happy with him now.”

“So?”

“He slept with India!”

“Years ago! Everyone has a past. If you expect him to be pure without a hint of a past, you’re delusional.” Warren plopped down on the sofa near the windows in Will’s office. “When you lived in New York and Amsterdam, I know you weren’t celibate. I doubt Connor holds it against you.”

“That’s different,” insisted Will.

“How?!”

“I didn’t sleep with Connor’s sister!”

“Billy, grow up. You can’t allow India to rule your life. We all know she’s obsessed with Connor. That’s old news. If they had an affair or whatever years ago, it’s none of your business.”

Will bit his bottom lip. “It is my business…”

“Billy. Come on.” Warren shook his head with annoyed love. “Let it go. Don’t throw away your relationship with Connor because of India. She’s not going anywhere. If you two can’t ignore her, then you don’t deserve each other.”

“When I was in Paris, Mother seemed to believe that the only reason India came back to Kingsport was to cause trouble with me and Connor.” Will eyed Warren carefully. “Do you think she’s right?”

Warren nodded in agreement. “It’s classic India.”

“Our parents should have had her committed when they had the chance,” Will muttered under his breath. “She’s always looking for ways to ruin my life.”

“Then stop letting her ruin your life, Billy. Right now, you’re choosing to be India’s victim. Grow a pair and fight her head on. Or, better yet, ignore her. The less power you give her, the more she’ll fade away,” reasoned Warren. “When is Connor getting back from Maine?”

“Today,” sighed Will. “But I don’t know, Warren…”

“You need to see him. Forgive him. Move on. Why don’t you make dinner for him and apologize?”

“I haven’t done anything wrong!” exclaimed Will.

“Billy, I love you, but you’re acting like Dad right now. It’s time you admitted that you overreacted and move on. Be happy with Connor. Forget about India. If you can’t do that, then you don’t deserve to be happy.”

 

 

“Why has the board approved a stock buyback?” Sheila Davenport handed her son, Dylan, a copy of an internal email that she had procured through an ally at Davenport Technology.

Dylan put on his reading glasses as he skimmed the email. “Mom, this is a matter for the board of Davenport. It has nothing to do with me.”

Sheila let out an exasperated sigh. Without Dylan in control of Davenport Technology, she felt shutout from the real decision-making process of the company. While Sheila enjoyed the dividends that came from Davenport Technology’s position as a publicly traded company, she did not enjoy having little to no say like she did when it was controlled by Larry. “Dylan,” began Sheila, “the stock price is too high. Meredith should have received board approval when the stock was trading around thirty dollars a share.” She pulled up the stock symbol of Davenport Technology’s current price. “See,” she thrust the phone into Dylan’s face. “The stock is at eighty-two dollars a share right now. This is madness!”

“Mom,” said Dylan, softly, “this isn’t my problem anymore.”

“This is about protecting the family’s legacy…”

Dylan let out a long, irritated sigh. His plan for today was to go to the gym, have lunch with Lisa’s husband, Jackson, and make dinner for a woman he’d been seeing for the last month. However, his mother’s unexpected visit to his six-bedroom, eight-bathroom, ten-room mansion in one of the few gated communities in Kingsport, had waylaid his plans. “I don’t want to hear about the family legacy,” snapped Dylan. “You only talk to me when you want to complain about how Meredith McCarthy is ruining the company, or when the stock price isn’t where you want it, or how if they didn’t ask your opinion about what type of paper on which to print the annual report! I can’t remember the last time you asked me about my personal life. Quite frankly, I’m sick of it.”

Sheila sat in her son’s Drawing Room with marked silence. She knew her eldest child could be volatile, but he’d never deigned to be so abrupt with her. “Had you not quit as the CEO of Davenport, none of this would be an issue. You abandoned the company.”

“I’ve given most of my life to the company. I’m forty-nine years old. I want more from life. I want to enjoy myself. Travel. Have a second act.”

Sheila shook her head. “Go and find yourself. Travel the world. Have your second act, Dylan. But when you’re doing all of those wonderful things, remember that it’s the company stock sitting in your trust fund which allows you to live a carefree, self-indulgent life. You were supposed to live up to your father’s legacy, not runaway because the job was too hard. I’ve never been more ashamed of you than the day you announced your resignation. Just pitiful.” Sheila stood up, collected her alligator purse, and glared at Dylan with marked contempt. “I’m calling a family meeting to discuss the company. We may not own the company outright anymore, but through our trusts, we do control thirty percent of the company. What we say goes. I want Davenport Technology to last another hundred years. You may have abandoned the company, but I most certainly have not.”

Despite his mother’s harsh words, Dylan refused to waver. “You are entitled to your opinion. Just one thing: If you do call this family meeting, you’ll have to invite Eli.”

Sheila turned to Dylan with fire in his eyes. “He normally gives you his proxy.”

“I did that to keep the peace. Eli understood. I’m not doing it anymore, Mom. If you want to wage this war with Meredith and the board, then Eli will have to be a part of that conversation.”

“I can’t believe you’d do that to me,” hissed Sheila. “I do not want to see Elijah!”

“Tough. I’ve made up my mind. I’m done being your whipping boy…your unpaid therapist. Call a meeting. Invite Eli back into our lives. Or let Meredith run the company. The choice is yours. Either way, I will not do your bidding anymore.” Dylan walked to the door of the Drawing Room and opened it without looking at Sheila. “Have a nice day, Mother.”

In our next installment, Dylan confides in Lisa…

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Kingsport #13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Mom, don’t even…”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yeah. Billy’s missable.”

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

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

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

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

“What?”

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

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

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

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

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

In our next installment, Barbara meets India…

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Posted on

Kingsport #11

“Billy, I really wish you would reconsider moving into the cottage,” Charles told his son.

Will moved a poached egg around his plate with sheer indifference. He didn’t want to have breakfast with his dad, but Charles had heard the rumor from the staff, so he wanted to ensure it wasn’t true. For Will, living under the same roof with India was unbearable. Will sighed as he took in the sight of the glorious Morning Room. “Dad, it’ll be for the best. I’m a little too old to live with my dad.”

“You are looking a bit rough around the neck, Billy.” India strode into the Morning Room, poured a cup of coffee, and bit into a croissant. “But that’s my opinion…”

“India, now is not the time,” insisted Charles.

“I haven’t said anything that isn’t true. Billy spends too much time in the sun on those horses. It’s bound to age anyone,” explained India, breathlessly.

Will rolled his eyes. “I’ve lost my appetite.”

“Oh, calm down, Billy,” laughed India. “I like having fun with you.” India sat at the table, unfurled a monogrammed linen napkin, and buttered her croissant. “Actually, I heard quite the noise coming from your room the other day. I was on my way to the library when I heard the worst grunting and groaning. I thought you were in trouble, but then I realized that Connor was here, so I knew you were in big, strong safe hands. Tell me, Billy, does he still have that small mole on his inner right thigh?”

Will slammed his napkin down on the table and stormed out of the Morning Room.

“Someone’s touchy this morning,” trilled India.

“India, darling,” began Charles, “I don’t think it’s necessary to goad Billy.”

“Daddy, he’s always been sensitive. Always. We can’t have any fun for fear for upsetting Billy. The last time I checked, this wasn’t the William Montgomery Sad Sack Hour.” India gently sipped her coffee. “He’ll get over it. I’m sure Connor will find a way to calm him down.”

Charles shook his head. He couldn’t imagine why his children were interested in the same man. It belied his entire belief system. “India, I think you may be better served if you re-route your energy elsewhere.”

“Daddy, that’s not very nice,” pouted India.

“I have to meet with Sheila later today. We have a meeting at the bank concerning Faren’s trust.”

India cast her eyes down towards her plate. How she missed her daughter… How she wished she could be the mother Faren deserved… In spite of that, India wasn’t ready to be that mother… “Oh.”

“That’s all you can muster regarding your daughter?”

“I spoke with Eli over the weekend. He said she’s fine!”

“You didn’t speak to her? India…”

“She had a ballet lesson! Eli is her father. She’s in safe hands.”

“India, maybe it’s time that you and Eli came to…an arrangement concerning Faren’s care…”

“Eli lives in San Francisco. He’s not going to uproot Faren for me.”

“Have you asked him?”

“Daddy, please mind your business!” snapped India. “Oh, Daddy…” sighed India. “I love Faren so much. I miss her, but Eli is the better parent. Everyone knows it.”

“She’s your daughter. Whatever you and Eli think, she needs you, India. Stop goading Billy and thinking about Connor. It’s time you put your daughter first before it’s too late.”

Sheila Davenport and Charles Montgomery, IV walked into the dining room of the Kingsport Country Club after their meeting at West Haven Valley Private Bank and Trust, the premiere bank to the best families in Kingsport. You had to have a minimum of five million dollars cash to open an account to ensure you were worthy of this esteemed private bank. Sheila and Charles settled into the star table which shielded them from public view yet gave them a prime view of the entire dining room. “I think that was productive,” said Sheila, crisply.

“Sheila, I know you don’t like Mavis Andre, but she did have a point,” replied Charles as he motioned for the waiter.

“I did not appreciate her tone. She acts as if this is her money. Some people,” sniffed Sheila.

“Mr. Montgomery. Mrs. Davenport. Would you like to place an order?” asked one of the musty waxwork waiters.

“I’d like an extra dry gin martini with two olives,” said Sheila.

“I’ll have the same.” Charles waited until the waiter had walked off before he said, “I had a rather interesting conversation with India this morning.”

Sheila pursed her lips. “Charles, I don’t think we should discuss her.”

“She’s Faren’s mother. We have to discuss her. I’m sure you and Alison talk about India all the time.”

“Alison is my dearest friend. I’d never break her confidence, nor she mine. When it comes to India, I don’t know what to do, Charles. She’s shown no interest in Faren for years and it’s beginning to take a toll on her.”

“I’m aware of it. It’s time for her to become a mother whether she likes it or not. I thought sending her to Paris to be with Alison would have helped, but India’s the same person.”

“That’s not a good thing.” Sheila stopped talking as the waxwork waiter delivered their martinis and left without a word. “Charles, we should probably defer to Elijah where Faren and Alison are concerned. Apparently, he and India are in regular contact.”

Charles gave Sheila a curious look. “Then I take it you’ve been in touch with Eli?”

“It’s not like it sounds. I heard that India was in town and I called Eli to see if he knew why.”

“You could’ve called me…or Alison…”

Sheila took a long sip of her cold, perfectly shaken martini. “It’s not my place, but I will say this: Alison has done a lot for India. I think it’s time she had a break.”

Charles knew what Sheila meant. Even though he and his estranged wife spoke infrequently, he was well aware that India’s time in Paris had been trying for Alison. “What are we going do when it comes to Faren and India?”

“We’re going to do the hardest thing of all.”

“Which is?”

“Nothing. This is up to Elijah and India to straighten out. Maybe it’s best if Faren is three thousand miles away from her mother right now. Let’s see how India fares in the next few months. Once we see that, we can make alternate plans…”

The sound of Charles ringing cell phone interrupted Sheila’s train of thought. Normally, Charles wouldn’t answer his phone, but something told him to answer the call from his office. He picked up the call and listened intensely to his Chief of Staff, Xander Holm. “I see… Please keep me updated, Xander.” With that, Charles ended the call, a look of concern painted across his face.

“Charles… Is everything all right?”

“That was my office… It’s Billy.”

“Is Billy all right?” asked Sheila, carefully.

“He’s leaving.”

Sheila gave Charles a curious look. “Where is he going?”

“He… Billy called the family office to book the private pane from Kingsport to Paris leaving first thing.”

“Charles, I’m sure it’s nothing. He probably wants to spend some time with Alison…”

“It’s not that, Sheila. There’s no return flight. Billy is leaving town for good and… God, I should’ve seen this before…”

“Seen what?”

“He’s leaving town for good to get away from India. I can’t let this happen, Sheila. I can’t lose my son.”

In our next installment, India prods Jill for information…

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