Isaac closed the door behind them, leaned against his desk, and crossed his arms, watching and waiting.

"Married, Poppy?" Eli asked as he turned to face her.

"Ummm, yes..." She looked at Isaac for help, and surprisingly, he was willing.

"Poppy and I met when she moved here about four months ago. When we met, it was..." He looked at Poppy almost lovingly, and Poppy felt her heart turn over. If only it were real! "We'll let's just say that there were a few sparks, but as we got to know each other-"

"We fell in love." Poppy finished, unsure of what he was about to say but worried it would be the wrong thing. Somehow, she knew it would not be a fake admission of love. It was easy for her to say because the feelings were real, but it wouldn't be for him.

"I am mesmerized by her ability to light up a room and make absolutely everyone fall in love with her." Isaac smiled; the first honest-to-goodness smile she had seen light his face. It transformed him, and she was caught in its spell, staring hard at his lips as they curved up. He had been talking about her when he smiled. Perhaps not all hope was lost.

They had one of their moments, locked in each other's gaze until Eli cleared his throat.

"I take it since Sunny and I didn't know about your marriage that no one else in the family does?" He raised an eyebrow in question.

"No, there are some issues with the children, and I didn't want the Stevens Circus in town, so we opted for a quiet wedding. I hope to tell them soon. I know everyone is still very worried about Mave."  It was a weak excuse but a valid one.

"Issues?" Eli asked with a frown, looking at Isaac for an explanation.

"The Glenns have been making noises about suing for custody of the children," Isaac explained, short and to the point.

Sunny and Eli exchanged a look, and Sunny nodded.

"We hadn't planned on staying the night, but now I think we should. Can you put us up in this shack?" Eli asked, looking at the ornate study with its custom cabinets and large fireplace. "I must admit that this place is much grander than I had imagined from your mother's stories."

Isaac looked at Poppy, confused by the odd statement, but only he said, "I think we can manage."

Poppy cringed inwardly, knowing there would be questions about it later.

Eli eyed them both. "For the record, I think there is more going on here than you are saying, but as long as you're both happy, then we're happy. You young lady," he turned to look at Poppy, "need to tell your family."

Poppy opened her mouth to beg him not to tell them, to let her do it, but he held up his hand.

"I'm not going to do it. Your father would take his displeasure out on me, so I'll let you and your mother weather that one."

"Now, show us our room." Eli stood and placed his arm around Poppy's shoulders, pulling her close. 

*******

About an hour later, when everyone was settled again, Poppy went to her studio and started on a sketch of Slinger. She was worried, and drawing would help focus her mind. She knew that Eli and Sunny wouldn't say anything to her parents. Eli was on a European tour for the next two months, so he and Sunny would be off the radar for the family.

What she was most worried about was the fact that they were staying the night. It had been easy to fool the Glenns because they didn't know either her or Isaac that well, but her aunt and uncle knew her very well, and they would see any hole that appeared in their story or actions immediately.

It only took about half an hour before Isaac joined her, sitting in one of the armchairs and silently looking at the window.

Another worry she had, besides his questions about Eli's earlier statement, was Isaac's reaction to having another famous name in the family.

"How exactly is Elias Emory your uncle?" he finally asked, turning to look at her.

"Did that not show up on your deep dive into my family?" She couldn't help her defensive tone, and she saw him frown when he heard it.

She sat her pencil down with a sigh and turned to stare at him. "He and Sunny are my sister and me godparents. Eli is my father's best friend and part of the family. All of the kids in my generation refer to them as aunt and uncle."

"Are there any other famous people I should know about?" he drawled.

Poppy shrugged, thinking of her Aunt Lily Mercer and Finn Baxter, both famous actors. "Probably, but does it matter?"

"Of course, it matters, and for many different reasons, one of which is I should know about my wife's family connections!"

Poppy was growing even more defensive at his impatient tone. "I told you I have an army, and I wasn't joking. I have plenty of famous people in my family, but I don't think of them as famous, only as family, and I hope that in the end, that's how you all will see them too."

They had been over it all before, and she felt that, for some reason, it was starting to turn into a sore point for him.

"What else are you keeping from me?"

Poppy knew she should tell him about her family's connection to the castle. This would be the ideal time, but he was already put out with her, and she didn't want to anger him anymore, not with Eli and Sunny visiting. If they were angry with each other, it might be noticed.

"Nothing I'm willing to discuss now," she admitted.

"But there is something?" he asked with an edge. "And I'm guessing it has to do with your Uncle Eli's statement about your mother's description of the castle."

Poppy remained silent, and he stood and stomped toward her. "Tell me now!"

"No," she shook her head. He grabbed her arms in frustration and pulled her up from her sitting stool.

"The problem I have with you, Poppy Harrison, is that I cannot begin to guess what it might be that you aren't telling me. It's just one surprise after another with you, isn't it?" His gaze dropped to her lips. "Is it bad?"

She felt a thrill go through her at his use of his name with hers. "No, but it requires trust, and I don't think you trust me enough yet." Poppy looked up at him with pleading eyes.

He shook his head. "I trust you, Poppy! I trusted you enough to bring you into this family, to help me raise Mary and Peter, and to help me fight the Glenns."

Poppy couldn't tell him she wanted him to trust her enough to love her.

"Please, tell me," he asked gently, and that was all it took for Poppy to come clean. She could withstand his anger forever because it made her want to fight, but she couldn't withstand his gentle pleading.

"My great-grandfather was Jasper Fulton," she admitted, watching his eyes scan her face as he searched his memory bank. "He was the last Baron of Rippon. He was the one who sold your uncle the castle." Poppy swallowed. "The reason I came to Rippon was to see the castle and try to learn about my mother's, who is the current Baroness Rippon in her own right, history.

"Why did you think that would upset me?" he asked with a shake of his head.

"Because I thought you would think I was only after you for the castle." She bit her lip, waiting for him to consider her statement. His gaze fell to her lips once again.

"No, I don't think that." His voice was gruff. "We have a lot to learn about each other, don't we?"

"We do." Poppy nodded, desperately wanting him to kiss her.

His hand came up, and he swept some loose hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear.

"Sorry, are we interrupting?" Sunny asked with a smile, and Peter led her into the studio by the hand.

"No, not at all," Isaac said, looking at Poppy for a moment longer before breaking away.

Mary was bringing up the rear, and as they entered, Sunny took in the massive space, immediately moving toward some of her work that was on display.

"These are new," she said. "You need to return to the island and draw us a few more sketches. I would love one of the old church," Sunny softly said. Sunny never asked for anything, so Poppy was determined to make it happen.

"I would love to!" she exclaimed. "Maybe next summer, I can bring everyone for a visit."

Poppy looked at Isaac, and he nodded. "If we're still able to."

Sunny looked between them with a questioning glance, then down at the children. "Have you talked to Bryce? I'm sure he could help?"

"Not yet. I have to tell my parents about us." Poppy looked at Isaac. "Plus, I don't know that Isaac needs another lawyer."

"Bryce isn't just any lawyer, you know that, and with Wyatt on his side, they can solve almost anything, and wouldn't you rather keep it in the family?" Sunny looked up from the drawing she had been studying.

"He is the best," Poppy agreed. "And if we need him, we will certainly ask for help."

Sunny nodded as she looked down at Peter. "What's next on the tour?"

Sunny and Eli had never had children. Poppy was never sure why and had never dared to ask. But she couldn't help but think Sunny would have been an awesome mother as she watched Peter lead her away.

Isaac gave her a searching look, which could have meant anything, before he also left.

Well, that was one major hurdle out of the way, and it went better than she had expected it to.