Carrington Mansion

An Englishman's property inheritance in Midwest America leads to romance between a womanizing son of a recently deceased Duke and a beautiful but feisty attorney. Both harbor an unfulfilled desire to find a mate who exceeded their expectations. In this final chapter Kitty delivers everything to Hayden and he performs as the stallion she desires after she agrees to his proposal.

Chapter 5

Returning from Chicago next day, Kitty waited outside the airport and watched the 1976 ex-Army Land Rover still painted in its original NATO green and with the spare tire across the hood, approach. She appeared surprised when identifying the driver.

"Hello and welcome back from England," Kitty called brightly and received a grunt in response.

As Hayden stepped from the vehicle Kitty kissed him lightly on the cheek and spun out of his closing embrace. She climbed into the front passenger seat, leaving Hayden to load her two carry bags and long clothing bag and to return the trolley.

A little unsure of himself and a little tongue-tied, Hayden climbed in to the vehicle and asked, "A rewarding conference?"

"Yes, an interesting conference thank you. I was surprised to see you drive up. Mrs Wilson said she would collect me."

"Ah, you're disappointed?"

He was ignored.

"You're ignoring me," he accused.

"We have spoken four times in a month Hayden. What else did you expect? I felt very ignored, especially since I made three of those calls."

"Um sorry. I was busy."

"Aren't we all?"

Hayden turned sullen. "My brothers, sister and I were up to our necks meeting with advisers. The Government seeks almost sixty million pounds from the estate and main beneficiaries."

Instead of sympathy he received a shock. "That's the trouble being connected to real wealth isn't it?"

The cold bitch, he thought, just as Kitty really put in the knife.

"You still had time to get between a pair of different thighs every night I suppose?"

"Not every night," he muttered, scandalized, and just managed avoiding running into the back of a vehicle stopping for a red light.

"Should I drive?"

Hayden erupted. "Christ, what the fuck's wrong with you?"

Kitty stared ahead and spoke calmly. "For starters I expected Mrs Wilson to pick me up, not you. For a month you have ignored me. I half expected a call almost every night because I knew helping to wind up an estate was not the best job in the world and I wanted to talk to you, to encourage you to keep calm and to then go off to appease one of your harlots although perhaps they were only friends."

He went to defend himself but she was already tightening the noose.

"I arranged with my bank to act as guarantor in case you arrived back with the promise of enough money to at least put a deposit on the ranch next to mine if you wished to proceed with that venture. At the same time I arranged to mortgage myself to the hilt to provide you with cheap loan money should you require it. I have been advised the price negotiating range for that ranch probably falls between the $2.7-$3.2 million range. I have also done some work on a possible development of your estate here. So really, there's nothing wrong with me beyond feeling I have done quite a lot on your behalf, as a friend, but am rather pissed that I have been neglected."

"Sorry, I'm very sorry?" Hayden began. They were almost at Kitty's apartment.

"Look, I've seen the presentation."

"Good for you."

Astonished, Hayden asked, "Don't you want to hear my reaction?"

"Now's not a good time Hayden. Just drop me off here and..."

"No, I'm delivering you to the door. I'll come up and make coffee."

Kitty said coldly that was not a good idea. She wanted to shower and be at her office by 1:45 for an important client.

Hayden raced to the back of the vehicle and had the two bags out and the dress carrybag back to Kitty who now appeared a little less aggressive.

He asked politely, "May I see you tonight?"

"Well, I have to eat somewhere. You may join me if you wish. I'll attempt to call you at 7:00 from the office."

"No, I'll be at the office at 7:00."

"Very well, but don't feel you have to put yourself out."

"Kitty!"

"Goodbye Hayden. Thank you for the ride."

* * *

In the shower Kitty smiled. She'd really given it to the vagina-focused jerk who thought little about anyone else. She'd read about English twits raised by nannies in novels but until now had only half-believed it. That guy needed a couple of dabs on his ass with a steel toe-capped boot to make him sit up and say in awe, "Hello world, hello Kitty. God you're gorgeous" and, making no mention of her kitty, would then lick her toes in adoration. Or something like that.

Some nine hours later Mr Toad was almost ramming Kitty through her headboard and she was screaming into a huge ejaculation, one of her best ever. She'd forgiven him, of course, when he arrived at her office with a dozen red roses and later showing her an engagement ring over dinner. She thanked him warmly but told him to take the ring back to the jewelry to be put in storage for a month to give them both time to talk about their future, to determine that they did have a future together.

"I'll buy a bigger and more expensive one."

"No, I want that one, your first choice. Or did you have it on hand, rejected from some other woman?"

"Kitty, for fuck sake. I purchased it on approval this afternoon, having no idea of ring size or taste."

"Okay, I believe you. Ask them to put it on ice and if an engagement is on we'll go in for a fitting one month from today."

Attempting to hide some of his massive disappointment, Hayden said, "Don't you like me enough to marry me?"

"I probably do but we need to talk. During the past month you've treated me like an asshole. Proposing to me this evening doesn't fix that."

Hayden said he accepted her terms and that they ought to do more things together.

"Like what?"

"Well for starters, more socializing such as spending more time in bed together more often."

"Oh yes."

Hayden's brow furrowed and he managed, "Kayaking, swimming, tennis, going out with other people..."

"Going out with other people really interests me."

Hayden picked up the pace and added going to the movies, going away for weekends, riding at the ranch, discussing what he should do with his inheritance that included almost $590,000 in cash as well as the debt-free mansion property and..."

"Okay Hayden. All that sounds convincing that you intend to devote some time to our relationship. Are you coming?"

"Where?" Hayden asked, looking at their half-eaten meals.

"Hayden," Kitty said patiently. "I have no wish to over-encourage you but I am very much aware that it's been a full month since I've had sex."

"Right, I'm coming," Hayden then growled tigerishly, scraping his chair back. Kitty and Hayden chose to ignore the supressed laughter of people around them who'd overheard Kitty's declaration and his rather keen response.

Aware that Kitty's eruption was only just subsidizing, Hayden asked, "Ready to continue?"

"A little respite would be welcomed," Kitty panted. "Tell me and this is an open question and not directly related to me for obvious reasons. When you do marry where would you prefer the wedding to take place -- back in Hampshire?"

"When you accept my proposal I'd like to marry here. I think my life in England is behind me now."

"Hayden, please..."

"It's going to happen Kitty so get used to it."

"I'm still not sure about you Hayden."

"You will be well inside a month, mark my words."

"Apart from sex and quality dining we don't seem to have much in common."

"What about art?"

Kitty frowned. "What about it?"

"I'm interested in bringing you on, just as I have to work on my own development."

"But you haven't seen any of my work?"

Hayden propped his chin with his bent arm and played with Kitty's nearest nipple with his free hand. "What about a section of our rose garden that you gave Mrs Wilson the other day, the two scenes on your ranch hanging in your office and the white swans on Meyer Park on the other side of the city hanging in the foyer of this building?"

"Well, how was I to know..."

"And the cemetery scene of the graves of two of your grandparents, your parents and your brother hanging in your dressing room?"

"You have prowled around in my dressing room?"

"I recall the only way to this bathroom is through your dressing room."

"Oh yeah."

Hayden said there was something else Kitty needed to get her head around. "I've inherited my courtesy title from my father through to my death when it dies with me. When we go to England, perhaps on our honeymoon, people will use your title. You'll be loosely known within close circles as Kitty or Lady Kitty and formerly you will be addressed as Lady Hayden Carrington."

"Yes I know. It would be final victory for the Carringtons over the Carlisle-Bowdens."

"You know? How could you possible know that?"

Kitty's eyes narrowed. "In your absence and with you ignoring me I spend some time with Mrs Wilson. We twice went riding at the ranch. She told me many things, including your two half-brothers as young children spent months with their ears taped to their heads to train their ear lobes to stay closer to their skulls but you being your sweet mother's only offspring had such gorgeous ears and we agreed you still do."

Hayden's face darkened. "And I suppose she told you about me being potty trained?"

"Yes, actually Mrs Wilson did. She said you were much faster in the transition out of diapers, er nappies she called them, than your half-brothers and even your half-sister whom everyone thought was so clever."

"God, you women are unbelievable."

"Oh, Mrs Wilson was so informative. She told me how she inveigled her niece to teach you about sex and said given time she probably could recite the names of every girlfriend you've ever had until she was send out here by the Duke -- almost 200 of them she said."

"Mrs Bloody Wilson," Hayden growled.

"Hayden, please. She's your nanny."

* * * Two weeks later Mrs Peggy Blewitt, manager of the city art gallery, proposed project architect Randy Kincaid and the current property owner Mr Hayden Carrington appeared before a combined meeting of the council's finance, works and recreation/arts committees. They presented for the committee's consideration a proposal that the council purchase the front half of the Carrington Mansion as well as title on the land it was situated for $4 million. The proposal required the council to provide a further $2 million spread over two financial years to convert the structure and to add an ancillary storage structure alongside incorporating workrooms.

Chairman of the special committee Mayor Kennedy said everyone had received copies of the plans and a detailed summary of the proposal four days before the meeting He called for questions and there were several, answered by the mayor and, at his invitation, by the architect. The mayor thanked councilors for their questions and then said, "Mr Carrington, the city is only interested in purchasing the complete site and for that we offer $3 million."

Hayden replied that offer was 'offensively inadequate' and the mayor asked the city administrator to comment.

Kale Frohwein said, "Mr Mayor, I can advise the offer of $3 million pushes the council to the limit of available funds. We would have to borrow heavily to finance the conversion of the mansion into the gallery and to develop the parkland that comes with the deal. It is long-established policy of council not to borrow for acquisition and development of parkland and cultural amenities."

The mayor asked for further questions or comments. Councilor Kitty Carlisle asked what had changed in the four months since the mayor and city administrator and their wives had gone to England with council authority to spend up to $6.5 million to purchase the property.

"Oh, a great many things have occurred affecting council finances since that time Miss Carlisle that would be out of order to raise at this particular meeting. Mr Carrington, our offer is $3 million -- accept now or indicate how long you wish to have to contemplate it."

Hayden remained seated, leaned back with his hands behind his head, yawned and said, "Mr Mayor. You and your administrative underlying have just been engaged in an unbelievable farce that's detrimental to the good people of this city. The offer falls outside of the proposal put to the council at this meeting and is therefore contemptuously rejected. I ask that the newspaper reporter present quotes me correctly on what I have just said."

Mayor Kennedy angrily banged his gavel and said, "That concludes this meeting." He and the city administrator left quickly by the side door as the reporter from the

Mornington News

made a beeline for Hayden, talking into her cell phone.

Kitty intercepted the reporter. "Celia, come across the road to the café as soon as your photographer arrives and interview us over there in neutral territory."

The reporter smiled at Kitty and thanked her for being so cooperative.

* * *

Next morning most of the front page and all of page 2 of the newspaper was devoted to the new art gallery proposal under the banner heading, 'Mayor Slated for 'Back Door' Tactics to Stymie New Art Gallery Proposal'.

Kitty as chairman of the council's recreation and arts committee was photographed waving a fist in the air and looking very wild-eyed. She was quoted in the sidebar story as saying, 'Bumbling Mayor Kennedy has to go'." The lead story quoted the proceedings of the brief council meeting fully, including the 'laid back' response by the property owner. That was in contrast to Kitty who ripped into the mayor for his 'weaseling and insulting counter offer to a commercially generous offer by the last Carrington directly linked to the founder of this city some 175 years ago'.

To cut the mayor off at the pass in his inevitable personal counter-attack, Kitty got in first. She explained she'd become aware of the existence of Hayden Carrington well after her original proposal to the council to attempt to purchase the entire property from the estate of the late Duke of Beaulieu. That initial proposal was acted upon. 'The mayor of city administrator went at huge expense to England with their wives to attempt to negotiate the purchase, without success'.

'Hayden Carrington, who inherited the property came here to view it and consider what to do with it. Hayden and I have subsequently become romantically involved but there is no financial or business relationship between us. The manager of our currently totally inadequate art gallery Mrs Peggy Blewitt and I devised a scheme for the part-purchase of the property after I'd learned that Mr Carrington wished to retain some of the property. Her brother-in-law, architect Randy Kincaid, produced the drawings that appear in this edition of the

Mornington News

and have produced what I view as a most acceptable compromise between the city's need for a new art gallery and the desire of the landowner to remain in residence on the land. Mr Carrington, of course, will need to use some of the proceeds to rebuild his home by extending it forward'.

'The mayor and city manager have combined to stupidly engineer an ill-conceived impasse over this potentially tremendous acquisition for Mornington and district to acquire an upgraded art gallery appropriate for the cultural facilities of this city. That would be delivered under this plan for approximately the same cost of the city's year-old aquatic center and a mere one-tenth of the council's investment in our Regional Events & Exhibitions Complex'.

'I appeal to all citizens interested in supporting even-handed development of amenities in this city to protest at this blatant anti-progressive act of rejection by the mayor and city administrator in alleging the council was unable to finance the proposal presented'.

Within hours of that attack on the mayor being published, Kitty spent two hours on talkback radio advancing the cause and attempting to kneecap anti-culture bigots out to have their day on the airwaves.

Mornington's largest TV station attempted to set up a debate between the mayor and Kitty that evening but the mayor refused, saying no way would he appear on the same show as Miss Carlisle.

The TV station used its top presenter to run a face-to-face interview with just Kitty and invited viewers to phone in questions. The studio extended the program by thirty minutes when calls began flooding in, with most callers opposing the spending by the council of between $5 and $7 million on an art gallery. Kitty remain calm but was in devastating form and she swung some of the opposition around when she pointed out the replacement main library cost $5.3 million when built and restocked six years ago and the council's annual spending on parks and reserves maintenance was just over $3 million and the last acquisition, Slater Lake Park, had cost the council $4.3 million to purchase.

The lead story in next morning's newspaper was the mayor attacking Kitty. 'She's an ignoramus loud-mouth who fails to understand the intricacies in council project funding',Mayor Kennedy accused. He claimed the council had made a fair offer for the property but it had been 'contemptuously turned down.

Reporter Celia West wrote in a sideline story: "I approached the property owner Mr Hayden Carrington who showed me documents in which two independent assessors valued the five acres with two-thirds under current 'open space' zoning at $6.78 million and $6.87 million respectively. But if the whole property were rezoned as class-A commercial, as was the land on its boundaries and opposite were zoned, making it available for retail, office and hotel development, one assessor estimated the value at $25 million and the other at in excess of $20 million.

That evening on TV news Kitty rebutted the mayor's fantasy attack on her that she'd failed to understand the intricacies of council funding. She said she'd have a better grasp of council finances than did the mayor and perhaps only marginally less than the city administrator Mr Frohwein. 'Yet those two have teamed up in an attempted rort against a well-meaning and civic-minded property owner and attempted to pull the wool over the eyes of councilors and citizens. The mayor must go. Before Mr Kennedy rants and says he will sue me for defamation I suggest he reads my accusations backed by evidence in tomorrow morning's newspaper'.

The TV interviewer failed to draw Kitty into commenting further.

A council employee in treasury had secretly handed Kitty documents that the council's Emily Bishop Memorial Trust fund was actually a bequest from the late Emily Bishop totaling $4 million and legally tagged that the money be used totally and solely towards the provision of a new city art gallery. The informant also provided a complete paper trail linking a joint publicly undisclosed decision by the mayor, city administrator and current chairman on the finance committee instructing the financial controller to divert all interest earned by the Emily Bishop Memorial Trust fund to the mayor's civic entertainment fund.

Besides publishing that story along with Kitty's claims of 'corruption within the council' the newspaper published a 'tear sheet' of a small article dated March 13, 1978 announcing that well-known patron of the arts the late Mrs Emily Bishop had bequeathed a large grant in trust to the council to be used for undisclosed purposes.

The mayor burst into print next morning announcing Councilor Carlisle had been removed as chairman of the recreation and arts committee and from serving on other committees.

'She will be removed as a councilor when the extent of public backlash against her is revealed at next year's elections',the mayor said.