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CHAPTER THREE

‘THATER’ POPPY hastily revised the word she had been about to employ for ano food in the house We didn’t know you were co to the hall,’ she reminded him

Gaetano watched a waiter pull out a chair for Poppy before taking his own seat Sunshine was cascading through the s, transforht hair into a fiery halo She clutched her menu and ordered chocolate cereal and a hot-chocolate drink He was astonished that the vast number of menu options had not tempted her into a more adventurous order

‘The hall is supposed to be kept fully stocked at all ti ordered

Poppy shifted in her seat ‘But this way is much more cost-effective, Gaetano When I took over fro out loads of fresh food every week and it hurtin this world Until yesterday, so, so I cancelled the food deliveries Oh, yes, and the flowers as well I’ I’ve saved you so much money,’ she told him with pride

‘I don’t need to save money I expect the house to always be ready for use,’ Gaetano countered drily

Poppy gave him a pained look ‘But it’s so wasteful’

Gaetano shrugged He had never thought about that aspect and did not see why he should consider it when he gave millions to charitable causes every year Convenience and the ability to do as he liked, when he liked, and at short notice, were very important to hiht with cash,’ he said wryly ‘If the house isn’t prepared for immediate use, I can’t visit whenever I take the notion’

Poppy ripped open her snoring the ers the way she always ate it For a split second, Gaetano stared but said nothing For that saive her a slap across the knuckles for what he deerin, determined not to alter her behaviour to ko to his different expectations The rich were definitely different, she conceded ruefully

‘I will eat chocolate any way I can get it,’ she confided nonetheless in partial apology ‘I don’t like y Now this proposition you mentioned’

‘My grandfather wants et married before I can becoet ement would keep him happy in the short terht direction and assuage his fear that I’ down’

‘So, why are you telling me this?’ Poppy asked him blankly

‘I want you to partner ed lithely back in his seat to study her reaction

‘You and hter erupted froaze ‘You’ve got to be kidding No one, but no one, would credit you and me as a couple!’

‘Funny, you didn’t see it as being that aer,’ Gaetano derided softly

‘You are such a bastard!’ Poppy sprang out of her chair, all pretence of cool abandoned as she stalked away from the table She had never quite contrived to lose that tender, stinging sense of rejection and hu ridiculous After all, she had been far too young and naïve for hihter of an employee, and for him to respond in any way, even had he wanted to, would have been inappropriate But while her brain assured her of those facts, her visceral reaction was at another level

A feeeks after his rebuff, the annual hall summer picnic had been held and Gaetano had put in his appearance with a girlfriend Poppy had felt sick when she’d seen that shiny, beautifully dressed and classy girl whoadvertisement She had seen how pathetic it had been to harbour even the s Gaetano’s interest and as a result of that distress, that horrid feeling of unworthiness and ed herself into a very unwise situation

‘Poppy’ Gaetanohe had left that reminder of the past decently buried

Poppy spun back to hioodness’ sake, and you were the only fanciable guy in ot a crush on you It was hornise that you were totally the wrong kind of guy for me—’