Free Ruin Me Please by Nichole Matthews Page A

and Poppy were a lot alike , a t least in spi r it it seemed .  That was where the resemblance ended.  Where Poppy was light to darkness, breathtakingly lovely, Chloe was sin to redemption.  A mass of f laming red hair crowned her head , average height but with a figure to die for and a natural sensuality that flowed from her every pore.   T h e Botticelli came to mind.   He knew her father to hold a distant Scottish title, so that is probably where it came from.  She was definitely not your typical milk and w a ter miss.
    Freya on the other hand seemed a little more reserved , but she was equally as s tunning.  Tall and willowy , she stood far above Poppy.
    “I have so much to tell you. ” Poppy’s eyes were alight with anticipation .  “H urry we can go to my sitting room.”  Poppy grabbed Chloe and Freya’s hands and they raced up the stairs .
    Stopping halfway, Poppy called down to Dobbins, “Will you please have tea sent up?   We will be completely dry once we are done catching up . ”
    “Of course , my l ady . ” Dobbins inclined his head.
    Declan stepped from the shadows, a smile flickering across his lips .   He was a bandit stealing glimpses of her throughout the house.  Like a madman .  In wardly shaking his head, i n nocence was not normally his forte.  A woman like Poppy Peregrine had no place in his life.  He d idn’t have time for innocence.  Or did he?
    The sound of footsteps echoing in the hall made him realizing he ju st st ood out in the open gaping at an empty staircase.  He ran his hand roughly through his black mane .  H e was lo s ing his mind .   Tightening one of his hands into a fist, Declan quickly checked his features and went t o wards the billiard room in search of Ash, Perry and a good strong drink. God help him, he was in de s perate need of a drink .   He had plenty of time for a drink.
    Piper slowly closed the door to the library and leaned back against its wooden su r facee.  She smiled at the scene she had just witnessed.  Hawksley had every appearance of a man smi t ten.
     
     
    ***
     
    Poppy flopped down on her bed, gesturing dramatically as she searched for words. 
    “Whatever is the matter with you P oppy?”  Freya asked concern evident in her voice .
    Poppy continued to stare up at the ceiling, and said in a disgusted tone, “ Je ne sais quoi ?”
    “Oh , my goodness !  H ow very de trop .   Quit trying to practice your French on us .    I have never known you to be speechless before so don’t start now . ” Chloe rolled her eyes.
    “ I’ve found him , ” Poppy said rather matter-of-factly .
    “ Found whom ?”  Chloe asked.  “ I wasn’t aware that anyone was lost.”
    Lunging from the bed, Poppy said hopelessly, “You bot h will think I have gone stark , ra v ing mad , but I have found the man that I a m going to marry. ”
    “ Oh, that one , ” Chloe responded with a clearer understanding . “When did this happy occurrence take place ?”
    “ W e only met this morning.   It is utterly ridiculous , I know.”  Poppy sighed . “I am being completely ridiculous right? ”  Looking from Chloe to Freya, then she glared.  “Well don’t just sit there like bumps on a log .   As my two dearest friends, you are obligated to help me. ”  She gave each of her friends a pleading look.
    Eyes wide, Chloe and Freya stared at each other.  Chloe stood first and hugged Poppy.  “I am at a loss , darling.  I have no idea what to say.”   Chloe said with genuine perplexity before looking to Freya for help.  “We’ve all kind of eschewed marriage the last few years.”
    Freya shrugged , regarding her with a very penetrating gaze .
    “Are you going to tell us who it is , love , or must we begin guessing?”  With a puc kered brow, Chloe began tossing out random names .  “ Mr. Woods ?  Lord Martindale?”
    Freya chimed in brightly , “I know, Lord Sheridan.”
    Chloe clapped.  “He is extremely attractive.”
    “I