The Duchess and the Dreamer

by Jenny Frame

  This was perfect, Evan thought. The little talk had gone even better than she had hoped for. “You’ve got it.” Then Evan remembered something. “Wait a minute.” Evan rummaged in the car’s glovebox. “There’s one more thing that goes with this car.”

  “What?” Clementine asked.

  “This.” Evan pulled out a very scaled down version of the Mr. Fox toy that she had first brought her. It had an elastic loop coming from the fox’s top hat. “Mr. Fox, the car version.”

  Clementine laughed as Evan fitted the toy onto the car’s mirror.

  “Mr. Fox will bring you good luck.”

  Clementine smiled. “I hope so. I could do with some good luck in my life at last.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next morning Evan walked down to the office with an extra spring in her step, whistling as she went. Yesterday couldn’t have gone better. Clementine’s first day was eventful—she put the architects on notice that they had to do better, came up with new ideas, and took Evan up on her offer of selecting staff.

  As Evan lay in bed last night, she felt excited, confident, that her life was about to change, and she promised herself that she would endeavour to do everything in her power to win the Duchess of Rosebrook’s heart.

  But they still had so much to do, and the more she stayed here in this little idyllic village, the more ideas she got. Again, she could hear her mum’s voice: Calm down, Evan.

  The lights were already on in the office. It was a bit early for Rupert and the admin team. She opened the door and saw Archie nursing a big cup of coffee. “You’re keen. Why so early?”

  “The bloody rush hour. Why did you want an ecological village so far from civilization?”

  “Because it’s perfect. Now, we’re going to need a new desk and computer. Ashling O’Rourke is joining us as Clementine’s new PA.”

  Evan checked herself in the mirror by the door. Today she had chosen a summery light grey suit with a pink silk tie and a pink pocket square, with her customary fox tie and lapel pins.

  “Don’t worry,” Archie said. “You haven’t a hair out of place since you last checked at home.”

  Evan smiled at that jovial dig and walked up to the back of the hall and poured a coffee.

  “So, the duchess needs a PA now too?” Archie questioned.

  “Yes, and don’t give me that look. It wasn’t her idea—it was mine. There’s a lot of work to do with the trust, and I’ve asked her to organize staff for the house. She’s going to need help. Besides, it’s great we’re employing someone from the local community, the first of many, I hope, once we get our new residents flooding in.”

  Archie joined her to refill her coffee. “I still don’t think it was a good idea to hand these people power with a trust. They have no idea of how to make this village more ecological. All they want is their village rebuilt.”

  “We’ll make our case at the trust meetings, and with such a benefit to the world, I’m sure they’ll agree. If we can’t persuade them, then we are not delivering the message properly.” Evan slapped Archie on the back and said, “Come on, be positive.”

  “What about the farmers? When are you going to talk to them about making their farms more eco-friendly? I mean, you own the lease—you could insist.”

  Evan shook her head. “Going forward with the new residents, I can. They are agreeing to join a community that has certain standards and maintains its duty to the earth, to making the world better, but Mr. Mason and the Murdochs need a softly-softly approach. They don’t trust this vegan hippy who’s suddenly turned up and wants to change everything. Let them settle in with me awhile, and then we can gently bring up the subject.”

  Archie nodded. “The pub being open would help. A drink shared together always makes for some social lubrication.”

  “Yes, we just need to find a landlord too.”

  “Oh, your lady friend, the duchess, dropped something off for you, first thing this morning. It’s leaning against your desk.”

  Evan raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  She hurried back to her desk and found a large brown box. “Archie, give me a hand.”

  Evan slit the box open and she and Archie pulled another box out. It had a picture of a trampoline on it, similar to the one Evan had in her London office.

  “A trampoline? She bought me a trampoline?” Evan said with joy in her voice.

  “There’s a note on your desk too.” Archie handed it to her.

  Evan read it out loud. “Evan, a small gift for you to enjoy. Don’t subvert your personality just because you’re here. Be yourself always—and please don’t bounce that bloody ball.”

  Evan’s head was swimming as that proverbial banjo smacked her in the head again. “Wow! What a woman.”

  * * *

  Clementine pulled up outside the O’Rourkes’ cottage. It sat on the edge of the cove, beside the overgrown walkway at the other side of the beach. She turned off the car and gathered up her keys. She still couldn’t believe she was sitting in such a good car. It still made her uneasy to accept something like this, but she’d made herself feel better by dropping off the trampoline for Evan.

  She’d picked it up at a supermarket after visiting her mum last night. It wasn’t much, but what do you get a multimillionaire CEO? But that was the thing—Evan didn’t act like one, or what Clementine imagined a CEO would act like. Evan was overjoyed at eating an ice cream by the sea, bouncing on a trampoline while she worked, playing with her toys, and collecting rare toys. She was different to anyone Clementine had ever met.

  Clementine caught herself letting out a longing sigh. Stop it right now. She let her head fall back against the headrest. “What am I doing?”

  Every passing day she was getting deeper and deeper into Evan Fox’s dreams and bright ideas, but as Kay had said, she should be on the inside. That way she could influence what was being done with her village. She was even staffing Rosebrook House for Evan now. That part secretly excited her—getting her hands, so to speak, on the house—but she had to remember it wasn’t hers and never would be again.

  Clementine got out of the car and opened the squeaky gate to the cottage. It looked run-down, and that was sad because James O’Rourke was a very capable man. He could have a better order, but life hadn’t been kind to him and Ashling, and depression lay heavily over their lives.

  But she knew Ashling was desperate to break out and make a new life, and this could be her opportunity. Clementine thought of the Tucker twins and their new wheels, and now Ashling. Evan was making a difference to their lives. Step by step.

  Clementine knocked at the door. She hoped that James was out early this morning, so that Ash could talk openly. He wasn’t a tyrant and Ash loved him very much, but she just felt obliged to look after him after they were so badly bereaved.

  Ash opened the door and her glum expression turned into a big smile. “Good morning, Your Grace.”

  “Clementine, you know that. Good morning, I wondered if I could have a word?”

  “Of course, come in.” Ash showed her through to the front room.

  Ash didn’t seem to fit the dowdy, old fashioned decor. She was bright and beautiful with her long wavy auburn hair and her pretty yellow sundress. Clementine was more convinced than ever that Ash needed this opportunity. She needed to break out of the grief that surrounded her and live her life.

  “Would you like tea or coffee?” Ash asked.

  “No thanks, Ash. Is your dad in?”

  “No, he’s down at the boathouse. He has a fishing trip booked for this afternoon, so he’s setting up for that. Did you want to talk to him? I could phone him—”

  “It’s you I want to talk to, Ash. Sit down with me.” Clementine patted the couch.

  Ash sat down. “What is it?”

  “You know I’m chairing this new village trust?” Clementine asked.

  “Yes, it’s exciting. I can’t wait to see what happens to the village. Dad is sceptical about it, of course, as he is w
ith any change. I told him, more people will mean better business at the boathouse, but he doesn’t seem to care.” Ash looked down sadly at her clasped hands. “He doesn’t seem to care about much these days.”

  “How are things now?” Clementine looked around the room at the many pictures of Ash’s mother they had up.

  “Um…you know. Since Mum left us, there’s been a big hole in our family. Mum was everything to Dad, and now he thinks the sun will never come out again.”

  The family hadn’t been the same since Carol died. Clementine felt guilty. She should have been paying more attention to Ash, it was her duty as duchess to help her people where she could, but she’d been so preoccupied with her own troubles with her mother that she’d let things slip. But now was her chance to make up for that.

  “But would you like the sun to come out again, Ash?” Clementine asked.

  Ash gulped and flicked a loose auburn lock behind her ear. She nodded. “Yes, I think that’s what Mum would have wanted.”

  Clementine squeezed her hand. “I have an opportunity for you. Both Evan and I would like to offer you a job as my PA.”

  Ash’s eyes went wide. “Me? Really?”

  Clementine smiled. “Of course—you’re local, you know all about what’s needed in the village, you’re bright and clever, plus I need you to help me discourage some of Evan’s wilder flights of fancy. Say you’ll do it?”

  Ash had the biggest smile on her face. “Yes, I’d love to.”

  * * *

  Clementine drove back up to the office. It was funny, every time she drove in through the front gates to Rosebrook, it felt like coming home, and then she remembered she wasn’t, and she felt a stab of pain.

  She parked her car and took the opportunity to plug it in to the charging unit outside the office. It was going to be weird getting used to not going to the petrol station any more.

  Clementine heard the sound of music coming from the office. She walked in to find everyone jumping around, dancing. All except Archie, who was sitting quietly watching them. Evan was bouncing like a jack-in-the-box on her new trampoline.

  “Clem!” Evan shouted. “You’re back. Did she take the job?”

  “What on earth is going on?” Clementine said, walking over to her desk.

  “We’re having a music break.” With one final bounce, Evan jumped to the floor. “I love my new trampoline. Thank you so much, m’lady, Your Grace, your loveliness,” she said, walking over to Clementine’s desk. “Thanks for my trampoline. It means a lot to me.”

  “Hmm. I’m beginning to regret it. Will you turn that music down, please?”

  “Sure.” Evan pressed a button on her watch and the music stopped. She then turned to the admin team and said, “Everyone, back to work. The duchess would like some quiet.”

  “Yes, she’s starting tomorrow.”

  “Yes,” Evan said. “Everything is coming together. The advert for residents has been sent out to the national press, the architects are coming up with ideas, and we’re getting new team members.”

  Clementine put her things on her desk and looked up at Evan’s smiling happy face. She was so sweet, and handsome, looking sexy in her grey suit trousers and waistcoat. She had dispensed with her jacket.

  She wanted to smile at her and so much more, but she couldn’t. It would be too easy to fall under Evan’s charms. She’s too young and silly for you anyway.

  “Can we get back to work please? I thought you had a toy company to run.”

  Evan bowed extravagantly. “Yes, Your Highness, Your Ladyship.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Clementine closed her front door and made her way down to the beach. It was Saturday lunchtime and the village was quiet for once with no building work going on at the weekend.

  It had been a month since she’d started working for Evan, and Rosebrook village was finally starting to wake up. The pub was just about finished, the new shop was being fitted out, and the architects’ plans were approved and building underway.

  Clementine had ruffled a few feathers along the way. Archie thought she was interfering, but Evan backed her to the hilt as she promised. She walked down the steps to the beach and sighed. Evan.

  Rosebrook wasn’t the only one that was being woken up. Evan’s positivity was infectious. She’d never met anyone like her before. No problem was insurmountable, no task too big, and she was always brimming with ideas to find solutions.

  Clementine wasn’t used to people like that. She was brought up with a glass-half-empty kind of attitude. Her father and mother were not the most positive of people. There was always a disaster lurking around every corner, and it usually materialized.

  She stepped onto the sand and walked to her favourite spot to sit. She sat down, closed her eyes, and breathed in the salty air. But even when she closed her eyes, Evan’s smiling face was there, just like those infernal collywobbles she got every day that she saw her.

  Clementine opened her eyes and groaned in exasperation. No one else had so penetrated her consciousness, even people she’d had brief relationships with. Evan was different. She made Clementine smile every day, and she had to admit that the days Evan worked at her London office, Clementine missed her exuberant presence.

  So much had changed since Evan arrived, and the villagers were starting to trust and buy in to Evan’s ideas. She looked up to the other side of the beach and smiled. The old walkway at the other end of the beach had been made safe, and even James O’Rourke was impressed as it gave him and his fishing clients much better access down to his boating shop.

  Clementine’s stomach flipped when she saw a runner on the walkway. There was only one person in the village who ran, Evan Fox. Her instinct was to get up and leave before Evan got there, but her body wasn’t cooperating. She hadn’t seen Evan in two days, and her heart missed her.

  Just like the last time Clementine saw her running on the beach, her body reacted to the fit, athletic figure approaching her. She had always admired sporting women’s bodies. Footballers, runners, triathletes. Evan had the body and the build of a triathlete, and Clementine couldn’t take her eyes off the muscles in Evan’s legs and arms as she pounded along the beach.

  When Evan reached her, she gave her the customary gentlemanly bow that she always did and flopped down on the sand beside her.

  “Your Graceship,” Evan said breathily.

  Clementine was transfixed. Evan lay back on her elbows, eyes closed and breathing hard, her hair wet with sweat. Was this what Evan looked like when she was in the heat of passion?

  Everything in Clementine’s body was telling her to turn over and kiss Evan. Her sex was throbbing and wet at the thought of making Evan feel like that. She quickly turned her gaze back to the water, wishing she could jump in to cool off.

  “Hi, Evan. Your lunchtime run?” Clementine managed to say.

  “My third run of the day.”

  “What? Why?” Clementine asked.

  “My head’s too full and the house is too quiet for me,” Evan replied.

  Clementine felt guilty. In the month since she’d started work, Evan had asked her countless times to have dinner or lunch with her. She knew Evan was lonely up in Rosebrook House. She and Ash had set up interviews next week for domestic staff, so the house was still big and lonely.

  She had made an excuse every time Evan asked because she was scared. She was getting too close and was becoming too comfortable working in and walking in and out of her family home every day.

  When this village was finished, Evan would probably spend only weekends down here, if that, or worse, she would meet someone and Rosebrook would have a new mistress of the house—that thought killed her.

  She decided to ignore what Evan had said about the empty house and address her other concern.

  “What do you mean your head is too full?”

  Evan sat up and squeezed her head with her hands. “Too many thoughts, too many plans. My head works too fast sometimes, and I pile up too many ideas.
My brain goes haywire, and I’ve got all this energy that I don’t know what to do with. It feels like I’ve got ants crawling under my skin.”

  This wasn’t like Evan. It was a side she didn’t show. Evan was positivity itself. “Are you feeling stressed?”

  Evan rubbed her face vigorously and said sharply, “I don’t let stress into my life.” As soon as Evan said that she regretted it. “I’m sorry, Clem. I just find my emotions difficult to control when I feel like this.”

  “This really isn’t like you, Evan. Do you want to talk about it?”

  Evan started to draw patterns in the sand in front of her. She wanted to tell Clementine everything because she felt safe with her, but it wasn’t her way. “I don’t talk about negative emotions.”

  “I see. So you don’t let stress into your life and you don’t talk about negative emotions. It’s no wonder you feel out of control like this.”

  Evan looked up quickly. “How do you know I feel out of control?”

  “Because I’m the queen of negativity—well, maybe the duchess—and I know how it makes one feel, intimately.”

  Evan smiled for the first time today. “You’re the duchess of negativity and I’m the duke of positivity. We’d make a good team.”

  Clementine smiled. “I think we already do. Now, tell me what’s wrong. You’ve done so much to help me, so the least I can do is listen to you, unless you’d rather speak to Archie or—”

  “No, I can’t speak to Archie. I can’t show—” Evan was struggling to explain that she couldn’t show Archie or any of her staff this stressed side of her nature. She was the leader, the CEO, who always had the answers to all their problems.

  She didn’t need to answer any further. Clementine squeezed her hand and said, “It’s okay. I understand. If you can tell me, it’ll go no further, I promise you.”

  Evan had known that the first time she saw Clementine. “I can’t stop thinking about everything we still have to do. We’ve nearly refurbished the pub but have no one to run it. The shop is being fitted out, but again, no staff. Then there’s the beer factory, and the old textile factory. They are meant to be the two main employers in the village. I thought one of my old friends might take on the beer factory, but she’s out of the country at the moment, and I can’t reach her. I have a million ideas for the textile factory, but I can’t settle on the right one. Fox Toys is releasing the sequel to our gaming app, The Woodlanders, next week and—”