Poppy and Isaac had been married for a few weeks and not much had changed. Their ceremony had been a quiet one with Boyd and Sally as witnesses and Peter and Mary as Best Man and Maid of Honor. After the civil ceremony they had dropped Mary and Peter off at their friends' house and gone to a party held in their honor at the pub. It had been a lovely day, but it would have been nice to have her family there, and she had felt especially their absence as she had said the words I do.

Later that day, Poppy was given a large room in the castle with a massive bed, a window seat with thick velvet curtains to keep out the cold, a worn hardwood floor that had seen generations of feet polish it to a golden brown, a large fireplace, and plush armchairs. It was a room for a princess, and she had spent her wedding night with a cup of tea sitting in the window seat, looking out at the dark forest below, wishing that Isaac was with her and that they had a real marriage.

Isaac had also given her a large room off the kitchen that once belonged to the staff to use as a dining hall. He thought it would be a good place for her studio because it had plenty of natural light and stone floors.

She had taken a week to decorate it with everything she wanted, creating a nice little nest with armchairs, rugs, and scattered lamps. Everyone had quickly learned that if she wasn't in her room, she was in her studio. The only thing she lacked was easy access to an outdoor space. As it stood now, she had to carry her supplies through the kitchen and into the garden if she wanted to work outside.

That morning at breakfast, Boyd had reminded her that Siobhan would be visiting because there was another house tour. Poppy had expressed interest in learning the history and helping with the tour, but Isaac and Boyd thought it was a bad idea.

Poppy understood their objection that Siobhan might see it as a hostile takeover and cause trouble for everyone. So, Poppy had gone to her studio early and planned to spend the day there. The kitchen was off-limits because the caterers were cooking for the tour lunch.

Despite the precaution of staying out of the way, Siobhan found her anyway.

"So, this is your little studio?" Siobhan asked cattily as she entered the room without knocking. She was still acting as if she owned the place and that it would be hers one day. Who knew? Maybe it would.

Her use of the word little amused Poppy because the space was huge.

"This was filled with junk until recently," Siobhan said as she moved around the room, looking at the few pieces of artwork Poppy had scattered about and the supplies she used to paint. She touched everything as if she were marking her territory.

"It's perfect, isn't it?" Poppy looked around proudly, not letting Siobhan get under her skin with her snide comment to try and convince Poppy that the studio was an afterthought and a rushed job.

"Hmmm," was Siobhan's only comeback.

"Did you need something?" Poppy asked after a few moments of silence.

"I only wanted to make sure that you have everything you need," Siobhan said as she turned toward Poppy with a charming smile.

Poppy understood that she was trying to make her feel like a guest.

"I do, but thank you for worrying about me." Poppy smiled back.

"I see you've put your personal touch on the place." Siobhan sat in one of the armchairs.

"Yes, it only needed a few things," Poppy informed her as she proudly looked around at the space.

"I'm surprised you're not already leading a tour?" Siobahn crossed her legs and smoothed her perfectly smooth skirt.

"No, I offered, but Isaac said that was a job for Boyd and the staff, not his wife," Poppy fibbed. "He doesn't want me to wear myself out by the end of the day giving tours." Poppy blushed a little and ducked her head as she peeked at Siobhan from lowered lashes to see if she had gotten the innuendo, and by the thinning of her lips and her suddenly shaking foot, she had.

Poppy must have gotten some of her father's acting skills.

"You won't last. He'll tire of you, you know that, right? You don't understand his way of life, and Mary and Peter will never accept you." Her voice was harsh.

"Maybe, maybe not," Poppy said vaguely.

"You have nothing in common with him either."

Poppy could feel Siobhan's eyes drilling into her profile.

"We have enough in common," Poppy said with a secret smile, and Siobahn's face turned red in anger at yet another innuendo.

"You're just after his money!"

"Are you just throwing things out to see what sticks?" Poppy asked, setting down her pencil and turning to face her. "I know you wanted Isaac for yourself. I know your parents wanted him for you, but he chose me. He married me. Let it go."

Siobhan's face turned an even deeper shade of red at Poppy's directness.

It was true that Isaac had chosen Poppy, but not for love, as she was leading Siobhan to believe, which broke Poppy's heart a little.

Siobhan stood up quickly, wanting to end the conversation, but Poppy did not doubt that she was about to do a hit-and-run so that she could have the last word.

"He'll be mine. I promise you that." This time, she gave the secret smile. "We have a history, and you can't compete with that." This time, she was putting down the innuendo. "You're right. I do want him, and my parents want him for me too. The only difference is that we have more power than you do."

Siobhan walked toward her and towered over her as she made her next statement, using verbal and physical power to cow her. "We'll take the children. Tell me, will he choose you over the children?" Her smile was anything but charming now. "Be sure to enjoy your limited time with him, but don't get used to him or this castle because they'll both be mine one day."

Poppy felt her anger rise and took a step toward Siobahn, who surprisingly backed up a step. "You may have your parents, but I have an army built with the best lawyers, businessmen, and strategists who will ensure you never get Mary and Peter whether I'm in Isaac's life or not! How dare you, how dare you come in here, into Isaac's house, and threaten those children's happiness. You should want what's best for them, not what's best for you. You should want what they want, not what you want. That's the difference between you and Isaac. If he thought that Mary and Peter would be better off with you and your parents, that's where they would be!" Poppy took another step toward her. "So come on, come at me and see what you get!" Poppy was on her tiptoes and as much in Siobhan's face as she could be with her short stature.

They stood staring at each other, both unwilling to back down, when they heard movement at the door.

"Is everything all right here?' Isaac asked with narrowed eyes as he looked between the two of them.

"Yes, I was just welcoming your bride," Siobhan's voice dripped with sweetness as she turned to face Isaac.

He looked at Poppy but knew better than to ask her if everything was all right as her flashing eyes shot daggers at Siobhan's back.

"Siobhan, the caterers have a concern. Would you mind?" Isaac asked, his eyes moving away from Poppy and focusing on Siobhan.

"Of course, Isaac," Siobhan said as she passed him, rubbing her hand along his arm. Then she turned and smirked at Poppy. "Oh, and Poppy, I am sincere when I tell you to let me know if you need anything."

"I'm sure you are," Poppy said. Turning her back to them, she picked up her pencil, noting the way her hand shook with anger.

After a moment, she jumped when she felt hands fall on her small shoulders and start a gentle massage. "An army?" Isaac asked with an amused voice.

Poppy felt her nerves turn from anger to sudden need at his gentle touch. It was the first time he had willingly touched her.

"It's not funny. She means it. Marrying me may have done more harm than good." She closed her eyes, gave in to the gentle massage, and felt her anger ebb away.

"I know she means it, and you have an army, so I would say my marrying you was a very good choice." He dropped a kiss on top of her head, then gave her shoulders one last squeeze before he left her alone in her lovely new studio, which was now just a little bit tarnished by Siobhan's visit.

But Poppy had meant every word she had said. She liked most people and had never really hated anyone, but she hated Siobhan and would move heaven and earth to ensure she never won Isaac or the children.