by Jenny Frame
She was distracted. Clementine didn’t know how many times she’d been sitting at her desk, and caught herself gazing at Evan, trying to work out why she felt like this.
Evan was so good-looking, dapper, exactly her type, but she was too young in both years and personality, and yet she felt like a giddy teenager in her company.
She tried to throw herself into her work, but building work had slowed down to a trickle since the rain had started the other day and never let up. Everyone in the office was getting a little bit testy. All except Evan, of course, who was always optimistic.
Clementine was lost in her thoughts and gazing towards Evan, when she realized Ash was talking to her.
“What was that, Ash?”
“Do you want to leave this till later?”
“No, no. Sorry, I was distracted. Where were we?”
“Why don’t I make us a cup of coffee? Wake us up a bit?” Ash suggested.
“Sounds good.”
Ash asked if Evan would like a coffee, and then, as she passed Archie’s desk, said, “Would you like coffee, since I am your own personal tea lady, apparently?”
Archie groaned in frustration. “Look, how long are you going to keep this up? It was a mistake, okay? I didn’t think.”
“It was rude.”
Clementine chuckled silently to herself. Ash wasn’t going to let Archie forget her rudeness on Ash’s first day. Their working relationship had been tense since then. Clementine turned her attention back to her computer, and then she heard her phone beep. It was a message from Evan. She looked over and found Evan had her feet up on the desk and was looking at her phone.
I think we should make Ash Archie’s boss. It would make Archie’s head explode!
Clementine looked over to her and smiled.
Then Evan texted again, I caught you looking.
Clementine felt heat flush her cheeks. She quickly texted back, Don’t be absurd.
She tried to get back to her work, but her phone beeped again. You’re thinking about me, aren’t you?
Evan was right. She was all she could think about. She got up and marched over to Evan’s desk.
Clementine whispered, “Stop texting me. I’m trying to plan the trust meeting.”
Evan gave her an incredulous look. “Me? It’s you who are distracting me from vital work, Your Duchess-ship. Every time I lift my head, you’re gazing longingly at me.”
Clementine really felt the heat in her cheeks now. “I am not. Now behave and stop with the silliness and act like the CEO you are.”
When she turned around to go back to her desk, she noticed that everyone in the office had stopped what they were doing and was watching them. She felt like she was at school, passing notes and flirting. It wasn’t like her at all.
She settled in her seat and Ash brought back the coffee. “Thanks, Ash.”
Ash must have noticed where she was looking because she said, “Gorgeous, isn’t she?”
“What?”
“Evan, she’s gorgeous,” Ash said.
Clementine sighed. “Yes, she is, and she doesn’t even know it, which makes her even more fanciable.”
“Unlike Archie,” Ash said. “She thinks very highly of herself.”
Clementine turned to Ash. “You like women, Ash?”
“Yeah, but don’t tell Dad. I haven’t told him yet,” Ash said.
“Of course I won’t. But probably best not to keep him in the dark too long. Secrets have a habit of coming out.”
Ash started tapping her nails nervously on the desk. “He’s had so much to deal with—I just didn’t want to add to his stress or disappointment. I had a girlfriend in the next village, but he never knew.”
“Do you still see each other?”
Ash gave a rueful laugh. “No, she didn’t understand why I stayed at home. She went to university and wanted to live her life, and that was it.”
Clementine squeezed Ash’s hand. “I’m sorry.”
“It was never going to be a great love. I believe I’ll know when that one person comes along. Do you think?”
Clementine looked up at Evan, who was now bouncing on her trampoline. “Yes, I think I would.”
* * *
Evan tried to look busy at her computer. Everyone had gone except Archie and Clementine. Normally she wouldn’t stay this late, but she wanted to talk to Clementine. The tension between them today was palpable, and she couldn’t wait to get her on her own.
Clementine was still working at her computer, busy with her own work. It was wonderful to see how engaged Clementine had become with the Rosebrook project. The change in her since Evan first met her was night and day. She had a purpose now, a purpose that she was born to fulfil.
Archie walked over to her desk. “I’m heading back to London now. Have you spoken to her about the wind turbines yet?”
Evan placed her fingers to her lips. “Shh, not yet, but I’m building up to it.”
Archie shook her head. “You do realize this is your land now, not hers?”
Evan got up and walked Archie to the door. “I want everyone on board, especially Clem. She…this is her home, and I want her to be comfortable with what we do.”
“She hated the solar panels on your house, and then there’s the new cattle feed we want the farmers to use.”
“Just give me some more time, okay?” She patted Archie on the back.
“The equipment starts to arrive next week, so don’t take too long. The rain holding us back is bad enough, without walking on eggshells around Her Ladyship.”
Evan sighed. She had to make Archie understand. “Archie, I’m falling in love with her.”
“Oh, Jesus Christ.” Archie slapped her forehead. “I knew it. Just be careful. This is your dream—don’t compromise for her, okay? She has different priorities.”
Evan leaned against the wall. “There’s one other thing I’d like you to do.”
“To do with this project?” Archie said.
“Yes…in a way. There’s a little village in Scotland called Thistleburn. It has a castle, a village, and some other historical monuments. Do a report for me like you did for Rosebrook. Who owns what, that kind of thing.”
“Of course I will. But please bring up the wind turbines.”
“I will. Pinkie promise,” Evan joked.
Archie shook her head. “You are the biggest kid at Fox Toys.”
“May it always be so.”
When Archie left, Evan turned around and saw Clementine packing up her things. She sidled over to her and said, “So, you all done for the day?”
Clementine winked and said, “Yes, boss.”
“That’s a laugh. I think we both know who’s the boss around here,” Evan said.
Clementine put her hand on her hip. “Are you saying I’m bossy, controlling?”
Evan tapped her chin as if thinking deeply. “Hmm, not in a bad way.”
“Is there a good way?”
“Sure there is. There’s positives to everything.”
Clementine walked around the desk and pulled on Evan’s polka-dot tie. The tension was ramped up by a hundred percent.
“Oh, you like a woman to be in control?”
Evan gulped and her mouth dried up. “More along the lines of I love strong women. I mean, I love and respect all women, but I do like strong-willed women. They help me run my life. There’s my mum, who if given the power could change the world, then there’s Violet my PA in London—”
“Is she twenty-two and more interested in which colour lipstick she wears than your schedule?”
Evan laughed. “Eh, no. She’s sixty-one and more concerned that I get to meetings on time and that I remember to eat. My mum always says that I fly in the clouds, dreaming of new ideas, and she and Violet keep me from flying away. I think I can add you to that list.”
“We’ll see,” Clementine said enigmatically.
Clementine went back around to pick up her bag. It was a lot of fun to flirt with Evan. It was
something she hadn’t done in years. Flirting and relationships took the back seat when her mother got ill, but this was fun, and it was safe because she trusted Evan. She wasn’t deceitful, conceited, or playing any game. She was lovely, sweet, and thoughtful. Oh God, she was falling for her, wasn’t she?
“So? Where do you want dinner, yours or mine?”
Clementine said, “Who decided we were having dinner together? You shouldn’t be making assumptions.”
“Well, stop gazing at me like you want to lick me all over, all day.”
“Excuse me?” Clementine squeaked.
Evan walked up to her slowly and took her hand. “We’ve got this sexual tension going on, and I think we should just cut out the middleman and admit we’re hot for each other.”
She threaded her fingers through Clementine’s, and she, in turn, caressed Evan’s face.
“I have to check on my mother,” Clementine said.
“I’ll drive you or come with you. Just spend time with me. I’ve been thinking about you all day, and you’re only a few feet away.”
Clementine was getting lost in Evan’s eyes and fighting the urge to kiss her. Don’t fight it, her subconscious said to her. Just enjoy the feeling. It’s not as if it’s serious.
Evan made her decision for her and closed in on her lips. The kiss was soft just like the first time Evan kissed her. Clementine’s heart sped up, and her whole body was yearning for more. She deepened the kiss and teased Evan by slipping the tip of her tongue inside her mouth.
Evan moaned and slid her hands down Clementine’s sides, grasping her bottom and pulling their pelvises together. Clementine responded by running her hands through Evan’s hair, grasping the longer locks on top.
Their kiss became more frantic, breathy, and desperate. Clementine had years’ worth of sexual frustration and days of longing since Evan’s first kiss, bursting to come out.
Evan manoeuvred her to the edge of the desk and lifted her up onto it. Clementine immediately opened her legs and pulled Evan close, wrapping her legs around Evan’s calves.
Clementine was so turned on that she wanted to rip Evan’s clothes off. It was so unlike her—she’d never truly let go with any of her few lovers over the years, but just a few kisses with Evan, and she wanted to offer her everything.
She grasped and loosened Evan’s tie, then popped open the top button of her shirt, then slipped her hands inside and around her neck. Evan groaned when Clementine dug her nails into her neck.
Evan ran her hand under Clementine’s skirt and grasped her thigh. Clementine was losing herself. All that mattered was that Evan would touch her. She held on to Evan’s neck with one hand while fumbling and trying to undo Evan’s belt with the other.
She succeeded, and Evan started to push her back onto the desk—then Clementine’s phone started to ring.
Clementine recognized the ringtone straight away. It was the Tucker twins, and it felt like she’d been doused with cold water.
She pushed Evan back. “Stop, stop, I need to answer this.”
“Ignore it,” Evan pleaded.
“I can’t. It’s the Tuckers. I need to make sure they’re okay.”
Evan sighed and stood back. “You’re right.”
Clementine hurried to get the phone out of her bag and answered. “Hello?”
“Clementine, it’s Agatha, Ada’s fallen and I can’t get her up. She’s in pain.”
“Don’t worry—I’ll be right there.” Clementine hung up and grabbed her bag.
“What’s wrong?” Evan asked while tucking her shirt back in.
“Ada’s fallen. I need to get there.”
Clementine was taken aback for a second as she saw all she had done in the heat of passion, as Evan tried to make herself presentable again.
What am I doing?
She felt awkward all of a sudden.
“Give me your keys,” Evan said. “I’ll drive.”
“Okay, I’ll phone Kay on our way. We might need some help.”
Evan fastened her belt but didn’t have time to fix her now messy hair and do up her shirt button as they ran out of the office.
* * *
Evan hated this silence. Since they were interrupted at the office, Clementine had pulled away from her and only said anything when it was to do with Ada.
Kay had met them at the Tuckers’ and gotten Ada off the floor. Ada was in a lot of pain, and her sister Agatha was upset.
The ambulance was going to take too long, so Evan had suggested that she and Clementine drive her to hospital, and Kay would stay with Agatha. Now she and Clementine were in the waiting room with the awkward silence hanging in the air.
Evan got up and walked over to the window. Waiting was not her strong suit, especially as the woman she couldn’t stop thinking about had clammed up. How could they have come to this after nearly ripping each other’s clothes off in the office?
To make matters more gloomy, the rain was battering against the window. Evan just had to fill the silence.
“The rain is terrible.”
“Yes,” Clementine said flatly.
She turned around to sit on the edge of the windowsill. Evan crossed her arms and sighed. “The rain’s been awful this summer. We get a few days where the sun is beating down on us like Spain, then a few days of torrential rain. Another symptom of global warming.”
“Seems like it,” Clementine replied.
Evan was sick of this. She wanted to provoke a response in Clementine one way or another.
“Speaking of global warming, there is something that I haven’t run by the trust yet, something I plan on going ahead with.”
“Oh? What?”
“You know the wind turbine in Rosebrook grounds?”
Clementine rolled her eyes. “How could I forget. It’s a worse eyesore than those solar panels.”
“It harnesses the power of nature and gives us free energy, with no cost to the environment. How could anyone object to that?”
Clementine looked at her silently. “I suppose not.”
Evan clapped her hands together. “Excellent. Well, they’re going to be installed in the village next week, and with the trust’s approval, with each cottage we renovate.”
“No, you’re bloody not.” Clementine’s anger was instantaneous. “You are not going to turn this village into an eyesore. It’s a place of natural beauty.”
“I want to make Rosebrook as self-sufficient as it can be,” Evan said, “an example to the world. We’re on the coast and it would be insane not to use the power on our doorstep.”
Clementine stood up angrily and was just about to give what looked like a furious reply when a nurse opened the waiting room door.
“Ms. Fitzroy? Ms. Tucker is all ready for you. Her ankle’s been put in plaster, and we’d like to see her back here in a week.”
Ever the well-mannered duchess, Clementine instantly calmed down. “Thank you. She’ll be well taken care of.”
* * *
“That’s it, in you come.” Kay held the door open while Evan bumped the wheelchair into the Tuckers’ cottage.
“I’m sorry to have caused so much fuss,” Ada said.
“Don’t be silly, Ada,” Evan said. “We’re just happy you’re all right.”
Agatha was over to her sister as soon as they were in the living room. She hugged her. “I was so worried about you, you old goat.”
Clementine was behind the chair and squeezed Agatha’s hand. “She’s going to be fine. We’ll all make sure of it.”
“We certainly will,” Kay said. “Now, we’re all ready for you. Casper brought our double folding bed over, and we’ve set it up in the dining room. That way you can sleep down here and not have to worry about the stairs.”
“We’re so lucky to have you all,” Ada said.
“Let’s get you into your armchair and get you a cup of tea,” Kay said.
Between them they got Ada into her chair and her plastered leg up onto a footstool.
> “Is there anything else I can do?” Evan said. “Get some shopping? Anything?”
Clementine sighed. “No. Kay and I will be fine from here. You can head off now.”
“No, I’ll wait on you,” Evan said firmly.
Clementine shot her a look. “I don’t need you to wait.”
Evan narrowed her eyes. “Well, I am. I’ll go and put on the kettle.”
When Evan left, Kay nudged her. “What’s that all about?”
“What’s what about?”
“The tension.” Clementine went over to the window to shut the blinds and Kay followed. “Well?”
“She wants to put wind turbines all over Rosebrook. I mean, have you seen those ugly things?” Clementine said.
Kay folded her arms. “That’s not what this is about. Wind turbines don’t make you look like you’re either going to kiss or kill each other.”
Clementine started to tell Kay, when Evan popped her head around the door.
“I can’t find the teabags.”
* * *
Clementine drove Evan up to the door of Rosebrook House in silence, apart from the heavy patter of rain on the window.
“Do you want to come in for a drink?” Evan asked.
“No, I’d like to go home. It’s been a long day.”
Evan sighed. Why was Clementine pulling away from her like this? “I’m going to London tomorrow, not just for the weekend, but the whole week. We’re launching The Woodlanders. I’d like to talk about what happened before I go.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Of course there is. We were trying to rip each other’s clothes off earlier, and now you won’t even talk to me. Why?” Evan asked.
Clementine gripped the steering wheel more tightly. “It was a mistake. Nothing like that can happen between us. I’m not interested in any kind of relationship, especially with someone who has their head in the clouds and my former estate.”
Instead of becoming annoyed, Evan felt a grin creep up on her face, because if she could make Clementine this annoyed or flustered, then she did care about her.
