by Leslie North
Clem nodded and Edward placed a hand over hers. His fingertips were warm and solid. She felt the strong desire to place them to her lips.
Even though this man was such the opposite of her, she could not help but want him.
In a bold move, she moved into him and placed her lips on his. He responded to her kiss and pulled her onto his lap. As she straddled him, and her clothes fell away, she allowed herself to be carried to ecstasy in his arms. He knew just where to touch her to light her up, exactly how to kiss her to make her want him more and more.
The man may have crap taste in art.
But he knew how to make Clem feel like a masterpiece.
She fell asleep tangled in silver silk sheets, amidst stark white walls, wrapped in the warmth of his arms and fully content.
11
A few days later, Edward was stuck in his office, pacing and angry with both James and Luther, his trusted aides.
“So, things have been going missing for weeks, and you’re just now making me aware of this?” Edward’s voice boomed.
“We thought there had to be a reasonable explanation for the missing items,” James said. “Everything was moving around all the time to accommodate the restorations. We thought we’d find them somewhere—that they’d been misplaced, not taken.”
“It’s easy for things to get lost during renovation, Prince Ashton,” Luther said calmly. “But the missing china was a red flag. Someone has sticky fingers.”
James and Luther eyed each other as if they shared a secret.
“Any ideas who might be responsible?” Edward asked.
Neither spoke for a moment. The air in Edward’s office hung heavy with tension.
“Speak freely,” he said and noticed James nodding to Luther.
“Well,” Luther began, “with all due respect, things started disappearing right around the time you hired Miss Wicke.”
“And,” James added, “her family does own a salvage business, right? Don’t they deal with reselling valuable old things?”
Edward’s first instinct was to defend Clem, but he knew that his aides were justified in their suspicions. Clem was the only one around here that he knew to be interested in heirlooms like the ones that were missing. Add to that the fact that he knew her to be in the habit of “rescuing” items that weren’t being sufficiently appreciated. That was, after all, exactly what she’d been doing when he’d first met her.
“Leave this to me,” he told James and Luther, effectively dismissing them. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Yes, sir,” James said and began walking backward towards the office door.
“Thank you, sir,” echoed Luther, as the two left the room.
Acid pooled in Edward’s stomach as he walked firmly toward the library where he knew Clem would be. How dare she steal from him? After everything they’d accomplished together and the moments they’d shared, he at least expected her honesty. He stood inside the doorway for a moment to watch her.
Her hair was pulled back in her signature messy braid, tendrils floating carelessly around her perfect face. Overalls hung loosely on her slim body, but Edward knew what loveliness hid beneath those baggy clothes. He’d run his hands along her skin, his mouth over her secret places. No man could easily forget that body. But Clem was so much more than physical perfection.
The way she drove herself full throttle toward her passions was inspiring. Even now, her focus was fully fixed on a staining project for the mantle. She seemed aware of nothing but the wood beneath her fingers. It seemed as if her entire soul wrapped itself around whatever she was working on at any given time. It stopped Edward’s breath.
It also made him crazy.
To Clem, everything else fell away when it came to the things she loved. Even lawfulness and common sense. She actually believed that it was okay to pilfer things from demolition sites, even though it was illegal and incredibly unsafe. This tunnel vision was what got her into trouble. Maybe she believed she was due some kind of extra bounty for the work she’d put into the castle. Maybe that was how she justified stealing his family heirlooms.
Edward entered the room, and at the sound of his footsteps, Clem looked up. When she smiled, sunshine poured over him. His pulse raced.
“Hey,” she said. “This is coming along really nicely.” She looked at the mantle, pride shining in her eyes. This was her pet project, one he’d insisted would take too much of her time. She’d fought for it though, and he had to admit, it looked amazing.
“I have to ask you something, Clem.” Better to get right to it.
“What’s up?” Clem looked up at him, perplexed.
“Some family heirlooms have gone missing from the castle,” he said.
Clem’s face went blank.
“Some pieces of my aunt’s china and other things.”
Still nothing.
“Do you know anything about this?”
Clem’s eyebrows furrowed. A redness appeared on her neck and crawled slowly to her cheeks.
“Are you asking me if I know who might have taken these things?” she asked, her voice high-pitched but controlled. “Or are you asking me if I took them?”
“Well—”
“So you think I’m a thief now?”
Edward snorted. “Clem, you do make a habit of visiting historical sites and stealing relics, correct? I mean, isn’t that how we met?”
Clem approached Edward. The anger on her face made him instantly regret his words. “I only take things that are about to be destroyed,” she argued. “It’s not stealing; it’s rescuing.”
Placing her hands on her hips, like she was ready for battle, Clem narrowed her eyes until they were slits. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m working to restore this castle, not tear it down. Why would I steal family heirlooms?”
Edward narrowed his eyes. “I’ve literally caught you in the act of stealing before,” he said. “It’s not that big a stretch.”
“I don’t have time for this,” she said and turned her attention back to the mantle. “I have a lot of work to do here.”
“I deserve honesty, Clementine.” He was not about to let this go.
She looked up at him, her blue eyes steelier than he’d ever seen them.
“Here’s your honesty,” she said. “I didn’t steal anything from this castle.”
Edward took a deep breath. They were at an impasse.
“Okay, then. If you say you didn’t take the pieces, I’ll take your word.” Something felt off, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
Her stare softened, and she looked away.
“I don’t want there to be tension between us, Clem.” He closed in on her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I value you, not only as a crucial partner in this project, but as a person.” Edward cleared his throat. “You’re special to me, Clem, and I’m sorry I hurt you.”
She gazed up at him sadly. “It’s okay,” she said finally. “I mean, before you knew me as me, you knew me as a thief in the night.”
Edward gave a quiet laugh, feeling relieved at her words.
Clem stood to face him and shrugged. “I guess I can’t blame you for thinking of me when things go missing.”
“Forgiven, then?” His eyes pleaded with her.
“Yes.” She hugged him briefly, and he took a moment to breathe in the patchouli-chocolate scent that was signature Clem.
“Seriously, though, I have to get busy here,” she said.
“Got it.” He left her to her work, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was awry between them. The niggling uncertainty stayed with him for the rest of the day, no matter how hard he tried to shake it.
He was missing something, and it wasn’t china.
Later that afternoon, Clem finally finished the mantle. The gleaming mahogany looked nothing less than spectacular. A gush of pride ran through her as she inspected the artistry of the piece, followed by a twinge of loss. It wouldn’t be long now before she’d be saying goodbye to thi
s lovely room and the castle itself. She couldn’t deny she would be leaving a portion of her heart in this place.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she grabbed it to find a notification from Starr Realty. When she slid the app open, the information in front of her eyes set her heart into a hopeful race.
1625 Stapleton Lane: Glen County
Charming eighteenth-century farmhouse boasting four bedrooms and two full baths. Spacious open kitchen featuring copper sink and fixtures, wooden countertops and sizeable butcher block island. Original clapboard siding and wraparound porch perfect for stargazing on cool nights. This lovely historical property has been painstakingly preserved and was made for someone who enjoys timeless beauty.
Clem could hardly believe it. The Glen County farmhouse was finally for sale. She’d been eyeing up the place since she was a child. She’d always imagined herself raising a family and growing old on the rolling property that backed up to a wooded stream. Her daydreams had included kneeling in the rich soil, planting flowers and herbs in her own little garden, sitting on the porch swing, idling hours away in such a serene place.
Not only was the property finally available, but Clementine was now in a position to afford the home of her dreams. With all the work she’d done on the castle, she’d made a nice chunk of change for herself. A substantial chunk of it would go into Wicke Salvage, of course—but her father and uncle had insisted that she keep the bulk of it for herself, to chase her own dreams. That farmhouse had been the center of those dreams for years and now, at the perfect moment, she was more than able to afford it. Clearly this was meant to be.
The stars were aligned.
Clem wasted no time punching the realtor’s number into her phone. A few minutes later, her heart sank.
“Yes, Miss Wicke, the property became available just yesterday, but I’m already in talks with a potential buyer.”
“I see,” Clem replied. A sick feeling twisted in her gut. “May I ask who else is interested in the farmhouse?”
“It’s the royal family, actually.” The realtor’s voice turned Clem’s skin to ice. She couldn’t believe it. “They’re interested in clearing away the structure and developing the land, I believe. It’s quite a shame, being that the house itself is such a treasure.”
Clem thought she might be sick. Not only did Edward and his family want to steal her dream from her, but they literally wanted to crush it. She had to stop them.
“Thanks for the information, ma’am,” she said and hung up. Without pause, her feet carried her to Edward’s office where she found him at his desk, buried in paperwork.
“So, it’s done,” she told him, trying her best to feign cheerfulness. “I finished the mantle.”
He looked up at her, and she noticed the black circles that rimmed his eyes. “That’s great news,” he said, sounding distracted.
“Isn’t it?” She waited a beat before diving into her next thought. “So there’s a farmhouse on Stapleton Lane,” she said. “Word is it’s next on your list for acquisition.”
Edward stared at Clem, looking perplexed for a moment. Finally, comprehension fell over his face. “Oh, the one that’s on five acres out in Glen County. Yeah, yeah.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking more tired than she’d ever seen him. “My father is pretty set on that property. Says it’s crucial for our vision for the future.” He used air quotes indicating to Clem that this project was just another one that his father was pushing him into. Maybe she could convince him not to destroy it.
Clem raised her eyebrows, her pulse racing. She reminded herself to breathe. “Have you seen the place? It’s a real gem, as is.”
Edward sighed and threw his head back in what looked to Clem like annoyance. “Don’t start on this one, Clem.” His shoulders drooped as he pleaded with her. “My father is already riding me about sorting out my priorities. After my decision about the mill, I owe him. I have to accomplish this.”
“Because he expects you to? What happened to being your own man? Pursuing your own dreams?”
Edward shrank back, looking stung, and she regretted her words.
“Listen,” Clem said. She sidled up to his desk and sat on it so that she was close to him. Placing a hand on his hand, she waited until he met her gaze. “There’s another place I know of. The property is really similar to the land at the farmhouse—just as accessible to the highways, just as close to commercial centers. The cabin there is in such disrepair; it’s about to collapse. Why don’t you check it out?” Her eyes dug into his. “Maybe it will be an even better fit for your father’s vision.”
“Why is this farmhouse so important to you?” he asked, and Clem bristled. She wasn’t sure she was ready to tell him, but she didn’t see a way around sharing this with him.
“Since I was a young girl, I’ve had my eye on the place.” She stared off to the side and took a step into her childhood imaginings. “All of those special things I’ve saved in my little storage locker? I know exactly where I’d put each one of them in that house.”
When she looked back at Edward, he looked stressed.
“For as long as I can remember, it’s been my dream to buy that farmhouse and live there,” she admitted, hoping he’d squeeze her hand and tell her it was all going to be okay. That they’d find a way to make this work.
Instead, he shook his head and looked away from her. “I’ll look into it, Clem, but I can’t promise anything. Business is business, and this deal is pretty much done.” When he finally faced her again, his expression was closed off. “I’m sorry, Clem. I have to do what I think is best for the kingdom,” he said evenly. “Not everything is up for negotiation.”
Clem shot darts at him from her eyes. “But my dreams are up for negotiation, right? They’re a bargaining chip you’re not afraid to use in your quest for daddy’s approval.”
She watched him wince but no longer cared that she was being hurtful. He wasn’t the man she’d taken him for. He didn’t care about her dreams. How could he? He just didn’t see the world through the same lens she did. As she’d told herself from the start, they were too different.
And now he was ripping the land of her dreams from under her feet.
“I’m begging you, Edward,” she said. “Don’t tear down my future.”
With that, she turned and walked from his office, not wanting him to see the tears welling up in her eyes.
12
Clem worked from room to room in the west wing of the castle, checking to make sure everything was up to par, putting finishing touches on paint jobs and stain work, her own specialty. She examined the flooring installation in the guest bath and found a hairline crack in the tile she’d chosen. She made a mental note to call the installer and get him back out here by tomorrow at the latest.
The grand gala to show off the restoration of Kawell Castle was tonight. In a few hours, guests would begin to arrive, eager to inspect the castle and all of her work. She was less than excited and in no mood to celebrate.
The job was nearly done, and although Clem was proud of her work here, her interaction with Edward a few days before had put a major damper on her mood. She’d been avoiding him at all costs, not wanting to talk to him about the farm and be forced to hear the news she was dreading. If she could just finish the job and move on with her life, away from Edward and all she’d done here, she’d survive.
Her phone whistled, and she glanced at the screen. It was a text from her realtor.
We lost the property. You were outbid by a substantial amount.
Clem sighed and shoved her phone back into her pocket. When she’d bid on the farmhouse, she’d done it on a wing and a prayer. Even with the money from this project, she knew she couldn’t spend nearly as much as the royal family. Her only hope had been that Edward would see reason and choose to protect her heart instead of his own standing with his father.
Clearly, he hadn’t chosen her.
She pulled her phone back out and sent a reply to her realtor.
> Thanks for your help.
Seconds later a response appeared.
The Ashtons bought the property.
She couldn’t even text back. What could she say to that? Her childhood hopes were about to be demolished. Her dream home was the future property of a condo development.
“Fuck.” She kicked the baseboard in the bathroom, leaving a black smudge on the wood.
Not only had she lost her most precious aspiration, but she’d lost the man she’d thought she was falling for. For a while there, Clem really believed they could end up together, despite their differences. Now she knew that she’d been completely off base.
Without a thought for the marred baseboard, she left the guest bathroom. She moved through the castle, numb, heading toward her quarters. In her closet hung the lavish gown Edward had purchased for her to wear to the gala. It was a startling emerald-green silk, hand-beaded at the bust line and at the empire waist. He’d told her he’d chosen it to contrast her golden hair and show off the glint in her eyes. When she’d tried it on for him, he’d sat back and marveled at her. Then he’d peeled the dress off and ravished her right there in the walk-in closet.
The memory of his kisses stung.
He’d told her the dress was made for her, that she looked stunning in it and he couldn’t wait to see the faces of her admirers at the gala, that she was more spectacular than any castle they’d come to see.
Now she would never wear that dress.
Clem reached into the back of the closet for her suitcase. As tears leaked from her eyes and slid down her cheeks, she packed up her things.
Dressed in the baggy jeans and sweater she’d arrived in, her hair hanging in a braid down her back, she stepped quietly down the corridor of her quarters. She tiptoed down the grand staircase, trying not to take note of the restored materials she’d chosen for each step, the gleaming white swirled with black that was perfect for the foyer. With a furtive glance, she scanned the area for Edward. He was the last person she wanted to run into.