Tag: Will Montgomery

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Kingsport #17

Lisa Davenport Collins thumbed through the worn auction catalog as a little yawn made its way across her lips. Today had been a very trying day. One client insisted his Rembrandt was authentic (it wasn’t), while another insisted her collection of dog paintings could fetch top dollar in an upcoming evening sale (they wouldn’t). Although Lisa didn’t need to work, she loved the feeling of having something to do unlike everyone else she knew who pretended to work once they earned enough money to ensure they could stay in cashmere and diamonds for the rest of their lives. Lisa tucked the catalog into the desk of her home office when her son, Oliver, bounded down the hall followed by her brother, Dylan.

“Uncle Dylan is here to see you,” announced Oliver.

“Thanks, little man.” Dylan handed his nephew a crisp ten-dollar bill.

“Awesome!” Oliver squealed as he ran down the corridor.

Lisa saved the document she was working on as she said, “Mom is furious with you.”

Dylan let out an irritated sigh. “I’m aware of that, Lisa. I thought you wanted me to come by to talk about something important.”

“You know how much she relies on you, Dylan.” Lisa removed the silver tennis watch from her left wrist. “Instead of being understanding…sometimes you can be a little harsh. Now, I know Mom probably worked your last nerve, but she didn’t mean any harm.”

“Lisa, you sound like she coached you into saying that.”

“Hardly. I’m not a fool where Mom is concerned, but I do think you could stand to be more understanding and less…volcanic.” Lisa moved closer to her brother, who sat on the love seat in her home office. “We’re one of the few wealthy, old black families in America. Most of our wealth is tied up in Davenport Technology. If Meredith does do something to harm the company, there goes our whole way of life. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I don’t want to see that happen to us, Dylan.”

Dylan thought about his sister’s words for a moment. While she rarely interfered when it came to the family company, he knew all too well that her concern was well placed, unlike Sheila’s. “Lisa, there’s nothing I can do about Meredith. None of us are on the Board of Directors. We’re just owners. Unless we vote in unison, then there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“I don’t see why we can’t vote in unison, Dylan. You always have Eli’s proxy…”

“I did.” Dylan shrugged. “I told Mom that I’m not going to be her go-between when it comes to Eli anymore.”

“Dylan,” Lisa said with unbridled shock. “Why would you do something like that?!?”

“Because I’m literally not my brother’s keeper!”

“This is different. We all know… Mom and Eli are best kept apart.”

“Lisa, my mind is made up. I’ve already told Mom. If she wants to call a family meeting to agree on how to vote our shares, then she’s going to have to speak to Eli and get him to fly in from San Francisco. Or, you can get Eli’s proxy from him.”

Lisa shuddered at the thought. While she was on good terms with Eli (for the most part), she didn’t feel like it was her responsibility to be put in the middle of his epic battle of contrition with Sheila. “I’d rather not,” whispered Lisa. “Sometimes I wish that whatever happened with Dad hadn’t happened and we could…” Her voice trailed off. “I don’t know…”

“There’s no use in wondering, Lisa. It’s all in the past. It’s up to Mom to let things go, which she’s incapable of doing. I’ve told her many times that I’m not going back to Davenport. I’ve told her I will not vote Eli’s shares by proxy. She doesn’t want to listen. She wants to get mad and let you do her bidding. I’m sick of it, Lisa. I really am.”

 

 

“Barbara, come with me.” Mrs. Taplin summoned Barbara with her long, bony finger. “We need you to welcome a guest to the estate. Louise is at lunch. Normally, we’d never have a maid do it, but we cannot simply have a guest show themselves around the estate. The guest will be in the Sun Room.”

“I’ll do my best,” said Barbara, quietly. “I only want to do a good job.”

“That’s all anyone wants you to do,” snapped Mrs. Taplin. “There’s no need to work so hard.” Mrs. Taplin showed Barbara into the main servant’s corridor. She handed her a sheet of paper. “Read this. Everything on here tells you how to greet a visitor, how to show them to a room, and how to wait on them until a member of the family comes to greet them. The butler will show in the guest in a little less than an hour. I suggest you absorb everything on that page!”

Barbara found a chair in the hall as she read through the withering manifesto. “You are to say hello to the guest without giving your name when they enter the room. Simply ask if they would like a refreshment, alcohol, tea, or coffee. Take the order. Do not write it down. You must rely on your memory. Relay the order to the kitchen. You will then retreat to the staff area until called upon again,” Barbara read quietly. While she loved being on the Montgomery Estate, she was quickly growing tired of being rendered invisible all of the time.

“I just saw Old Taps marching around like she wanted to kick a puppy. You okay?” asked Ada.

Barbara stood up as she checked her watch. “Yes, I’m fine, Ada. If you’ll excuse me, I have to welcome a guest to the Sun Room.”

“The Sun Room! Look at you movin’ on up!” laughed Ada.

Yes, I am moving on up, Barbara thought, ruefully. There was no way in the world Barbara would allow herself to become trapped in the hell that was being a maid on the Montgomery Estate. She was moving up…and she wouldn’t let anyone stop her.

 

 

“Good afternoon, Dr. Windsor.”

Connor tapped away on his phone without looking at the lowly maid standing in the corner. “Hi,” he grumbled.

“Would you like a refreshment? Coffee, tea…”

“No,” snapped Connor. “Just have someone bring me an iced tea.” With a wave of his hand, he went back to his phone.

Barbara stood there for a moment. Whether she was stunned or insulted, she didn’t know. What she did know was that she had a job to do. She’d come this far…she’d made it upstairs…and she would do whatever it took to stay upstairs in these plush, sun dappled rooms. Without a word, Barbara turned, walked to a door in the corridor, and returned to the servant’s area.

“Will,” said Connor as Will walked into the Sun Room. “Thanks for calling me.”

Will walked towards Connor, stared into his gunmetal blue eyes, and kissed him. He kissed him as if his life depended on it. Here, in this moment, Will felt safer and more complete than he had in his entire life. “I’m sorry,” sighed Will. “I reacted impetuously.”

“Hey,” whispered Connor. “It’s okay. Let’s leave it in the past.”

“I do love you, Connor.”

“I love you, too, Will.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t visit you in Maine…”

“It’s all right. We’re here now.” Connor took Will in his arms. He smothered his boyfriend’s neck in raw, passionate kisses. “I had a lot of time to think.”

“About what?”

“Us.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Without a word, Connor dropped to one knee and pulled a small ring box from his blazer pocket. “William Harrison Montgomery, will you marry me?”

 

In our next installment, India’s world is rocked…

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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 #15

India Montgomery closed her eyes to consider the next move in her plan to get Connor to herself. Yes, he had rejected her outright the other week, but he had become aroused at the sight of her naked body. For India, that meant more than any string of meaningless words Connor could hurl at her. She knew that he loved her. After everything they’d been through over the last few years, India knew in her heart that Connor’s love for her was real. He may have protested and even claimed to be in love with Will to avoid his true feelings, but, luckily for him, India knew his true feelings. She and Connor had a connection that no one in this world, not even Will, could destroy. As India opened her eyes in the confines of her bedroom at the Montgomery Estate, she checked the time. According to her source at the hospital, Connor would be leaving in twenty minutes. India climbed off her bed, checked herself in the mirror, and headed off to complete her mission for the day.

Lisa Davenport Collins and Jill Stanhope Montgomery clinked their wine glasses together in the dining room of the Kingsport Arms Hotel. While a lot of women from their set chose to have breakfast and dinner at the Kingsport Country Club, it was considered terribly modern to be seen lunching at the Arms in full view of the world. Women from their set often wore new ensembles from Paris, New York, and Tokyo for lunch while being gawked at by those who swore that one day would be in their set. Everyone knew that would never happen, but it was the dream which kept towns like Kingsport running at full speed.

“I can’t keep up anymore,” sniffed Jill. “Billy runs around like the world owes him something. He acts like a child, Lisa. Warren always gets involved and then I have to hear about it.” Jill sipped her ice-cold glass of white wine. “To be honest, I don’t know why Charles and the rest of the family indulge him. Now that he’s with Connor, it’s all anyone can talk about.”

Lisa looked at her friend with a combination of concern and pity. She knew that Jill always felt ill at ease with the Montgomery family. No one in polite society talked about it, but while Jill had the pedigree of being a Stanhope, her family money had long dried up. They relied on the generosity of a third cousin in Colorado to provide them with the essentials to simply exist in a town like Kingsport. Everyone always said that Jill’s marriage to Warren was the smartest thing she had ever done. Lisa agreed. “Jill, I don’t see why everyone is up in arms about Will and Connor. It’s none of our business.”

“It’s family business, that’s why it matters,” insisted Jill. “You should have seen how self-satisfied Connor was at the family dinner the other week. He was holding onto Will like he’d claimed a great prize. It was sickening.”

Lisa eyed Jill carefully. “Be careful, Jill. Someone who doesn’t know you may think you’re a tad homophobic.”

Before Jill could respond, she and Lisa saw the same sight: Charles Montgomery, IV coming out of the private dining room with a pretty young woman of no one more twenty-five on his arm. The woman looked pleased with herself; Charles looked satisfied. Before Jill could command her mouth to speak, Charles and the young woman left in a hurry.

“Well,” Lisa said, quietly. “I thought Charles was more discrete than that.”

Jill took a long sip of wine. She loathed the fact that Charles could be so brazen in his little affair. “Lisa, if you wouldn’t mind…” Her voice trailed off.

“I won’t say a word.” Lisa meant it. She had little time for her own family, let alone the high drama of the Montgomery clan. “I’ve never been a great fan of Charles, but I’ve always liked Alison. She’s a wonderful woman.”

Jill chortled. “She’s not as wonderful as you think,” replied Jill. “Heaven forbid she doesn’t think you’re good enough for her family.”

“Who are we talking about, Jill?”

Jill cast her eyes down to her salad. She was well aware that Alison didn’t want her to marry Warren, but Jill had prevailed against the odds. “Alison and I have had our differences. It’s in the past, Lisa. Tell me all about life at the auction house.”

Lisa sighed. “Oh, it’s wonderful. It’s great to have something to do other than volunteer at Oliver’s school and plan Jackson’s business dinners. I love having a career which is rewarding, fun, and intellectually stimulating. I really am very lucky, Jill.”

In that moment, Jill couldn’t help but feel envious of her friend. There were times when her life was so empty she wanted to cry. Jill had accepted her life as it was, but she wanted more than anything to have a life – a marriage – of meaning, not quiet desperation.

Dr. Connor Windsor turned off the alarm to his house with deft precision. He carefully walked through each room to ensure he was alone. The last thing Connor wanted was a repeat of the day India had broken into his home and accosted him in the nude. He wasn’t in the mood for her games, nor was he in the mood to deal with anyone else. Connor had the next three days off which he intended to spend at his cabin in Maine. With Will missing in action, Connor decided that the best thing for him to do was to get out of town, get away from India, and relax. Just as Connor walked into his bedroom, a knock at the door sent shivers down his spine.

Connor carefully walked towards the front door, pulled it open, and was shocked to see Will standing in front of him. He pulled Will into his arms and gave him a deeply passionate kiss. “Don’t you ever do that to me again, you bastard,” Connor mumbled into Will’s ear.

Will hugged Connor tight. “I’m sorry. My mother made me see sense. She may not be very maternal, but she is great at being forthright. I missed you, Connor.”

Connor pulled Will into the house as he closed the door behind him. “I’ve missed you so much Will. You should’ve told me you were coming back to town.”

“I didn’t want India to know. Had I used one of the family planes, someone would have told her. I flew first class for the first time ever. I won’t be doing that again,” laughed Will. He turned his head and saw a large weekend bag sitting in the foyer. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Maine,” said Connor. “I have three days off. I wanted to clear my head.”

“Because of me,” asked Will.

“A little,” teased Connor. “Come with me.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Will exclaimed, “Yes, I’ll go!”

A moment later, the sound of shattering glass ricocheted through the air.

Connor ran into the sitting room with Will behind him. There on of the floor, was a large brick which sat in the middle of piles of shattered glass. From their vantage point, they could both see an envelope wrapped around the brick. Connor eased towards it, picked up the brick, and brought it to Will. He removed the rubber band, opened the envelope, and let out a cry of agony. There, staring back at him, were photos of Connor and India having sex from years and years ago. Will spied the photographs which made him want to vomit.

“Will, I can explain!” cried Connor.

“No… You…you told me that it was all in her head!”

“It is!”

“You had sex with my sister!”

“It’s not what it looks like, Will!”

“You told me time after time that it was all in her head. That she was crazy! But… You had sex with her!”

Connor dropped the brick on the carpeted floor. He seized Will by the shoulders. “Will, listen to me. Those pictures are old. Yes, India and I had sex a few times, but it was years and years ago. That’s all! Everything else she’s said is a lie!”

Will glared at Connor with heartbreak in his eyes. “If you lied about sleeping with her, I can’t believe anything you’ve said, Connor.” Will wrenched himself from Connor’s grasp. “Have a nice time in Maine,” he said, coldly.

Connor chased Will to the front door and cut him off before he could leave. “Will, please. Let me explain.”

Will pushed his way past Connor. “No, Connor. No. You’re a liar. — I don’t think I can ever trust you again.”

From the cover of hedges, India watched as Will stormed out of Connor’s house and sped away. She couldn’t have planned it any better if she tried. And she didn’t try. That’s what made this moment so much sweeter.

 

In our next installment, Warren gets tough with Will…

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Kingsport #14

“How long do you intend to stay here?”

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

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

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

“Billy…”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Ouch, Mom.”

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

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

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

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

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

“The outdoor pool. Pay attention, Barbara!”

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

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

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

“You’re the new one.”

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

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

“Would you like anything else, Miss Montgomery?”

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

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

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

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

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

 

In our next installment, India plots her next move…

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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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Kingsport #10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Oh. I had to speak to Dane.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Will, that’s a bit much.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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