Violet. Those words came from the sister who had barely said anything above a whisper in Poppy’s vicinity since she’d been back.
“Yes,” Grammie said. “Good girl, that’s exactly the right attitude. We don’t need blood like that in this family.”
“We might if you’re going to kick us out onto the street.”
“Oh, Sil,” Marigold reacted to the jibe. “There is more to life than money.”
“You’ve enjoyed your life of luxury,” Silvia said. “If it was good enough for you, why isn’t it good enough for us?”
“Silvia,” Clark said, taking his wife’s hand. “Why do you react? You only encourage her.”
Grammie leaned over her food to address her daughter-in-law. “It wouldn’t be such a bad thing for your girls to live in the real world. For all of you to live out there, it gives you a greater appreciation for what you take for granted.”
Poppy didn’t even realize she was going to laugh until the sound came out. It was just a short spurt, but enough to draw the diners scrutiny. “I’m sorry,” she said to each of her sisters and parents, but settled on her grandmother beyond Turner. “It doesn’t matter what any of us appreciate, Grammie, it doesn’t mean we can have it. You appreciated Grandpa and he’s gone. Val appreciated her husband. Mom appreciates her manicures… it doesn’t matter. Life doesn’t work that way.”
“Whatever path you choose, Tater-Tot, the happiness you had was real, even if it was brief. Your understanding of the world is better. Of course, you know me, I won’t judge you no matter what you decide. If you want to marry this man or Holden or any other, if you want to go it alone and never marry, I don’t mind. Heck, you have the looks and the charm to build your very own harem of hotties. I’ll sign this place over to you. If you want to turn it into your own private den of iniquity, that’s just fine by me.”
“Not by me,” Turner said.
Though there wasn’t an ounce of humor in his voice, the statement amused her. That was the last thing Poppy would want and definitely wasn’t why she was holding back from him.
“So if we go and live away from the estate for three months, then you’ll promise not to sell our home out from under us?” Primrose asked.
Before Grammie had a chance to answer, her father’s head rose. “Tiller, what is it?”
The chief valet was just inside the doors. “Miss Poppy, your guest has arrived.”
Gasping in excitement, she shot to her feet almost forgetting her manners for a moment. “Dad, can I be excused just for… ten minutes…” Cringing, she pushed her luck. “Maybe we could set another place at the table?”
Her father considered her for a moment before relenting his smile. “The kitchen already have orders. Just keep your meeting brief.”
“Thank you,” Poppy said, dashing away from the table to join Tiller who walked her out of the dining room. “Where is he?”
“Library.”
SIX
Creeping into the library, Poppy scanned the space. She found Preston at the window, his back to the room, looking out toward the sea.
For some reason, seeing him brought her relief. “Preston?”
He spun around and smiled when he registered her identity. “Private jets and country manors. Weren’t you hiding your light under a bushel?” With arms wide, he came over and they embraced. “Where’s the knucklehead?”
“Oh,” she said, just realizing how she’d abandoned him. “I left him at dinner with my family.” Maybe not the best idea, but she shrugged it off. “Four women and just one other guy. He’ll figure it out.”
Grammie already loved him anyway. Her sisters wouldn’t pose a challenge, he knew how to handle sisters. Her parents would be the biggest obstacle. Still, Poppy had complete faith.
“So,” he said as she guided him to the couch that faced the fireplace. “What am I doing here?”
“Holden Abernathy is why you’re here,” she said as they sat down next to each other. “But now that I’m thinking about it, you can help me with Turner too.”
“What’s going on? Val said you guys are on the rocks already. He just got here yesterday, didn’t he? No one even knew you two were… whatever you are.”
“We’re not on the rocks, we didn’t… We’re not together, we can’t be together. I’m having some trouble making him see that.”
Preston’s head bobbed in understanding. “Okay,” he said. “It’s sort of odd that you’d fly one of his best friends out to dump him for you.