It's the summer and it's unusually hot. So this morning they went for a ride earlier than usual. It has become a habit since their wedding, less than 4 months ago. Several times a week they ride, either in the morning or in the evening. She loves horses and she loves to ride. She had missed it these past years. Tommy has offered her the most beautiful black horse as a wedding present.

They usually stay in their domain. They go to the river, stay there a little while and go back, sometimes racing. She is no match to Tommy riding's skills, but it's a lot of fun.

She didn't spur him to race back home this morning. It was surely one of her last rides as she believes she is pregnant.

They are leaving for London later that morning. She'll go see a doctor to have him confirm her pregnancy.
She could have talked about it to Esme. But they aren't that close, she didn't want to go see her only to ask her about it.
Maybe with the children they'll grow closer, but she doubts they will ever be great friends, if Esme glares are any indication, she isn't really fond of her.

She doesn't feel like she'll get along with Linda, either. She doesn't know her very well yet, but the sanctimonious and bigot attitude of her sister's in law, doesn't really sit well with her. Nevertheless, for the sake of Arthur, she'll try. He seems to adore her, he needs someone to love, he deserves so much to be loved. She has always had a soft spot for Arthur, even when she was manipulating him. He seems to always have reciprocated her feelings.

She isn't as close to Finn as they used to be when she was a barmaid and he used to come to the Garrison a few hours each day. He is not a child anymore and is more closed off. But he has accepted her quite easily in the family. Surely because he worships Tommy, but maybe also because he had kept fond memories of the time they spent together in the Garrison.

She considers Ada her only friend, really. She is happy to get to see her this afternoon.
Their collaboration on the first project of the fondation has been really fruitful.
Polly had also been quite interested in this project, but it was Grace's domain, and Polly has no more say to it than any other member of the Shelby Family.
She and Polly often have similar views on things but express themselves in such opposite manners… They really can't work together on anything.
Anyway, these days Polly is avoiding her at all costs.

…

Leaving her appointment with the doctor she is ecstatic… A baby!
She can't wait to share the news with Tommy, she knows he will be over the moon.

But first, she has a meeting with Ada and the director of their women's shelter.
She has already found a building for the shelter, a former hotel that she bought for a good price. Together with Ada they have started to audition and recruit candidates to take care of the house, the women and the children.
They have hired, a few weeks ago, the woman who will direct the institution. Mrs Evans is a formidable woman and they are very grateful to have found her.

Originally Grace had planned to come alone, as Ada couldn't free herself before the meeting with the constructor. But yesterday, she had informed Grace that she had found a way to take her afternoon off.

When they arrive at the shelter with Ada and Karl, an unknown woman is outside the house to welcome them.
"Hello, I'm Mrs Wright, Mrs Evans asked me to meet you here, she has been delayed but will join us later. I'm her cousin and I'm very interested in the shelter. I used to be a nurse and Mrs Evans thought I could give some advice on the alteration necessary for the building."

Grace has a strange feeling, she isn't convinced by that speech. She talked to Mrs Wright just yesterday and she didn't mention her cousin.
She looks over her shoulder to catch sight of hers and Ada's bodyguards. They are scanning the area at each corner of the building. There is also their chauffeur, she really has no need to be so worried, and so she follows the woman in the building.

"I'm not familiar with the building yet, maybe we could have a tour of the rooms with the drawing, and you could explain what are your ideas?"
Ada is very charming as always and leads the visit.
When they arrive on the second floor Grace checks through a window to see the guard, but can't find him at his post. None of them is visible from either of the windows. Her heart starts to race.
"When did you say Mrs Evans would join us?"
"I'm not quite sure, she said it wouldn't take her too long, but that we should start without her."
"And what is delaying her?"
"She had an emergency at her former place of employment."
"Yes, of course, she told us she was grateful to not start immediately as the Colindale Hospital is short of staff at the moment."
"Yes, she is very dedicated to her work."

Grace is sure her concern is justified now…Mrs Evans had been working at the Foundling Hospital for two years, and was happy to leave it as she didn't agree with their policy toward children. Her cousin should have known that.
She has a gun in her purse, she knows Ada is also armed. But she doubts Mrs Wright had come alone.
She has to act quickly, without putting Ada and Karl in danger.

She asks Mrs Wright to come near the window to give her advice on the evacuation, as soon as they turn their back to Ada and that she is assured she has full view of the door, she points her gun in Mrs Wright's ribs and holds her by her collar.
"Tell me who you are, what you're doing here and how many people are there with you?" she says in the woman's ear, lowering her voice.
"I don't understand, Mrs Shelby, surely you are mistaken"
"Grace, what are you doing?" Ada is bringing Karl closer to her.
"Don't try to be smart with me! I am a former agent of the Crown. Scream, move or resist telling your plan and I won't hesitate to shoot you!"
"I don't know anything, I swear. They've only told me to meet you here and to lead you to the left room on the 4th floor."
"How many are they?"
"They were two men going up the stairs. I think they were two more men waiting outside."

"Ada, search her for guns or knives."
"I don't have any, I swear."
"She doesn't have anything." Ada confirms after her pat-down search.
"We're going to attach her with the cable of the lamp and gag her with my shawl. You stay here with Karl, lock the door and hide behind the wardrobe. I'll call Tommy, they'll come for us."

She removes her shoes and leaves the room making the least noise possible, worrying they would be more men waiting for her on the first floor.
But there are none…
She reaches the small reception where a phone is still connected. She calls Tommy's office, when Lizzy answers she gives her information to reach them and sends the alert.
She hesitates on what she should do next.
She could wait with Ada in hope the Peaky Blinders will be there before the men upstairs decide to come check what is taking them so long. This could put Karl and Ada in danger. She touches her flat belly.

She decides to take them by surprise. She has been trained and they don't expect a woman to act first.
So, she climbs the stairs very quietly, gun in hand. When she reaches the 4th floor, she goes to the right room. There, she hides behind the cupboard. After taking a long breath to calm her nerves, she makes some noise, waiting for one of the men to come check what's happening.
As soon as he enters the room she fires. She aims at the arm holding the gun, then immediately at his center. He loses his gun on the first shot.
His accomplice rushes in the room, she aims again at his arm but this time misses it. He fires and the bullet scratches her shoulder. She hides behind the cupboard, and fires again, her bullet touching him on his flank, he runs to hide behind the second wardrobe.

They hear gunshots outside.
She recognizes Arthur shouting orders and she is relieved. They are barging in the building.
As soon as they hear the men climbing the stairs, the kidnapper runs from his hiding place towards the door.
She shoots him in the back.

Arthur is the first one to enter the room, she is so relieved to see him that she throws herself at him.
He is screaming at her : " I nearly shot you Grace!" then frantic "Are you ok?" They hear Karl cries and Ada voice downstairs.
"Why didn't you wait for us?"
"I didn't know when you were going to arrive. I didn't want them to have the effect of surprise on us."
They hear Tommy's voice shooting to know where Grace is, Arthur screams at him "on the 4th floor."

"Tommy!"
He engulfs her in his arms, "Are you hurt?"
"No. I shot them. I didn't want to shoot. I didn't! But Ada and Karl were here, they were hiding. I don't think I've killed them though."
Arthur points at the one agonizing near the door "this one's still alive, the other is definitely dead".
Tommy leads her to the other room, "Arthur, finish the job."
They hear the gunshot.

"I don't want to kill anymore."
"I know"
"Ada and Karl were there, I feared that they would find them."
"You did well…But no one can know it's you who has killed them. It was Arthur who saved you. We can't take the risk of people being afraid you'll shoot. Nobody knows you were a spy, you must be seen as fragile or you'll be in greater danger. They will be more prepared."
"Yes, you're right."
"Who knows?"
"Arthur and the two men who were with him."
"Good, I'll deal with it. Go join Ada. Not a word, even to her."
He holds her face with his hands and gives her an intense kiss "I love you Grace."
She buries her nose in his neck for a few seconds and kisses him "I love you" she leaves him and goes to find Ada.
She hugs Ada, who is holding a crying Karl in her arms. Her sister-in-law tightens her hold on her.

…

Later as their car is heading back to Arrow House, Grace breaks the silence, "It was Sabini's men?"
"Yes."
She is looking at him, inciting him to elaborate.
"Despite their threats, our responses to their failed attempts to get back in business have been too lenient until now. This time there will be great retaliation"
"Does he still have anything in London?"
"No, but we know where he is"
"Will you kill him?"
"No, he can still have his utility. They weren't there to kill or they would have done so immediately. But there will be consequences."

She can tell Tommy's mind is already in full strategic mode, planning revenge. But she can also feel how shaken he is by what happened, and so is she. They are in a somber mood. She doesn't want her wonderful news to be soiled by those dreadful events, so she'll wait a few days to tell him.
For now, she just wants him to hold her on their drive back home. She settles closer, putting her head on his shoulder. He tightens his embrace, kissing her forehead as she closes her eyes and tries to forget about this day.