Grace was sitting in her room, applying final touches of makeup on her face as Lillian worked on her hair.

Today she was hosting dinner for politicians' wives. And Lillian admired her sister for being so calm and collected about it. Grace grew emotionally ever since she was with Lucas. She was a stronger person, not easily brought down like before. She wasn't tortured about her painful past as she was before.

And Lillian knew that Lucas played a significant role in Grace's heart healing from all the pains and sorrows she faced throughout her life. His love empowered her, lifted her up from the ashes like a Phoenix. Her insecurities didn't have such a strong hold on her like before.

And Lillian was grateful to Lucas for that more than words could ever express.

Lillian was more than ready to react during the dinner if some "old crow", as Grace called them, said something she shouldn't, but it really seemed that her sister had everything under control.

Lillian put the last pin in Grace's hair and smiled.

"There. You are ready to go", she put her palms on Grace's shoulders and sisters' eyes met in the mirror "You look beautiful, Gracie."

Grace put her palms on Lillian's fingers and smiled back.

"Thank you for everything", she said quietly and added, her trademark smile back on her lips "And you look stunning! I love that forest green colour on you!"

Lillian chuckled as she fixed her fiery hair.

"Thanks, Gracie", as her sister got up, Lillian took her hand and quipped "Come on. Let's face the dragons!"

Grace giggled and huddled closer to Lillian and they rushed out from the room, never stopping giggling.

—--

A knock on the doors was heard and Simon walked in his calm, stoic way to open it.

Only to smile softly as he saw who was at the doors.

"Good morning, Miss Grace", he greeted her.

Grace smiled warmly at the faithful butler.

"Good morning, Simon. How are you doing?", she stepped inside, taking off her gloves.

Simon's lip-closed smile grew just a bit more as he nodded slightly, his hands on his back.

"I am good, Miss Grace. Thank you. How are you?", he asked.

Grace grimaced a bit, letting out a small huff.

"Honestly?", she inched her head a bit closer to Simon and murmured conspiratolly, barely opening her mouth "I just hope that Mrs. Mayor won't throw a fit over the Ball. And if she does, well…", she shrugged innocently and smiled as she added "I guess I will have to sweet talk her with asking some advice about knitting."

It was at that moment that Lucas showed up on his way from the long corridor that led to his office and caught a rare sight and sound of his usually serious butler barely holding his laughter back.

His lips curled up in a smile and he placed a cup and a saucer down at the small table as he walked toward two of them.

"Oh, she will jump at the chance to be resourceful in any way!", quipped Lucas, causing Grace to laugh a bit and Simon pressing his lips tightly together as he put Miss Grace's coat on a peg and cleared his throat before he looked up at Lucas.

"Where would you like to have your tea, Governor?", he asked.

Lucas gave him a small smile of understanding and replied:

"In the library. Thank you, Simon", he watched as his faithful butler nodded slightly and rushed away with an unusual spring in his steps.

Grace watched him leave, her smile widening.

"Does he EVER laugh?", she quipped.

Lucas chuckled as he gave Simon's retreating form one last look.

"Well, if anybody manages to pull that sound out of him, it will be you", his own smile lazily spreaded as he turned to his beautiful fiancée, slowly wrapping her in his arms and gently kissed her rosy lips before murmuring quietly "Good morning, angel."

Grace melted in his embrace and smiled against his lips.

"Good morning, Governor", she whispered flirtatiously.

His fingers roamed slowly across her back as he kissed her again, softly and gently, like she was the most delicate flower in his hands. She let out a small sigh at his gentleness and slowly moved her fingers from the hard planes of his chest to his neck, joined her fingers behind it, melting away completely as she felt his warm tongue gently and agonizingly slowly caressing her mouth. She let out another sigh and pressed into him, wishing that this kiss could last forever.

He softly nibbled on her lower lip before soothing the affected area with a gentle flick of his tongue, making her whimper quietly and shudder deliciously against him. In the next moment, his tongue was back in her mouth as he tried to drink her sweetness in, keeping the kiss gentle and sensual all the time.

She gasped quietly, causing their lips to unlatch from each other and she breathed him in, her fingers toying gently with a dark, thick hair on the back of his neck. Her breathing was deep and disordered and as he leaned his forehead against hers forehead, she whispered:

"Can I make a reservation for kisses like this every morning?"

He smiled warmly, his heart swelling at hearing how affected she was by his gentle loving touches and kisses.

"You can have anything you want", he murmured quietly.

She looked up from his lips to his dark eyes that watched her with so much love that it turned her blood into a hot lava.

"I already have it", she whispered as her right palm sneaked into his glorious hair. At his curious look she hovered her lips above his and whispered into them "I have you, my Lucas. That's all I want."

His eyes turned almost black, a tiny sparkle igniting deeply in those dark orbs as they never let go of her hazel ones. Her words made his heart skip several beats and he cupped her cheek, his other hand pressing into her lower back, pulling her even closer to him and their lips met in yet another gentle, long, sensual kiss.

As they slowly pulled away, Lucas looked at her eyes and Grace saw concern for her there.

"Are you ready for this?", he asked quietly, his forehead creasing slightly.

Grace's heart warmed at his care and she reached his forehead with her fingers, gently trying to chase away the small lines of worry, before stepping on her tiptoes and kissing those small lines, causing Lucas to smile gently, his beautiful dimples slowly showing up at her gentleness.

"You shouldn't worry that much. It may turn your hair gray and create lines on your face before you are supposed to have them", she quipped and both of them laughed at her silliness. Smiling her trademark, warm smile, Grace gently brushed her fingers through Lucas' hair above his forehead and watched as his eyelids fluttered close, a quiet sigh escaping his mouth at feeling her loving caress. She softly kissed his lips and whispered into their kiss "But, I will not allow for that to happen", pulling back slightly she fixed the lapels of his suit jacket and his tie before looking up at him with a confident smile "Don't worry. I will be just fine", she smiled mischievously as she thought of her plan "You may even thank me for it."

With those words, she took his hand and slowly pulled him to start walking up the grand staircase.

Lucas' lips curled up in a smile, his gaze curious.

"What is going on in that beautiful head of yours?", he murmured gently.

But Grace only smirked as she glanced at him.

"Patience, Governor. Patience", she said teasingly.

—--

Grace smiled softly as she took a porcelain teapot and poured tea in a cup. Handing it over to Minister of culture's wife Sonya, she looked at her and coughed slightly before looking up at haughty Catherine Jefferson. She was stirring a small spoon in her teacup for about 57th time and Grace swallowed her laughter as she noticed Lillian fighting the urge to roll her eyes full force.

"So, Miss Bennet", Catherine's voice was heard and Grace raised her eyebrows ever so slightly, smiling politely "What do you think about what Mrs. Valerie said?"

Grace smiled softly at the Mayor's wife who was sitting next to Catherine, still barely talking, offended because the Governor's Ball was held when she wasn't in town.

Grace blinked quickly three times and sweetly replied:

"Oh, I tend to agree with dear Mrs. Valerie. Her judgment and opinion are very valuable on the important matters such as this one", placing her saucer and teacup back on the table she caught a sight of the Mayor's wife's eyes widening in surprise. Swallowing her laughter, Grace carried on "The matter of hygiene in schools is crucial. We don't want our children to come home carrying various diseases! Especially if they are from families that don't have funds or they live only with their Mothers."

Valerie nodded, rushing to offer her two cents in and Grace took a sip of her tea, hiding her smile behind a teacup.

"My dear, I couldn't agree more! Children should be disciplined in schools to make sure they remain tidy and clean!"commented Valerie "There is no excuse for coming in old clothes at school, or Heaven forbid, bare feet!"

Grace's smile disappeared.

"But, what if they can't afford to buy new clothes and shoes? Shouldn't there be a way to help them?", asked Grace.

Catherine shook her head.

"Miss Bennet, you are way too soft. Why wouldn't their parents be able to afford basic things for their offspring?", she asked coldly and bit on a cookie.

Storm pooled in Grace's eyes and she fought hard not to snap at a disgusting woman.

Breathe, Grace. Breathe.

She took a deep breath in and unfolded her napkin. Placing it on her lap, Grace replied gently, but her voice was determined:

"Well, there could be many reasons. Perhaps they have only a Mother to take care of them. And she just cannot afford it."

Sonya creased her eyebrows as she looked at Grace.

"You mean, women who escaped from abusive husbands?", she asked.

But, before Grace could even open her mouth to reply, a huff was heard from across from her.

Minister of economy's wife Natasha shook her head as she let out another huff and spoke:

"It doesn't bode well for the country if the money goes for the women who don't respect their husbands and want to live on the Government's cost by making up stories about being abused by their beloved, faithful husbands!"

Grace felt sick.

Now I know how Lucas feels in the Parliament.

She gripped the edges of a napkin in order not to throw something at the despicable woman sitting across from her. Swallowing twice, she smiled sadly and whispered:

"And what about soldiers' widows? The War has ended, yes, but many good men will never return to their families. Should we leave their wives and children to fend alone for themselves? How does that bode well for the country those men laid their lives down for?", she asked, her voice soft, yet steely and determined.

Deadly silence fell over the room. Lillian looked at her sister in admiration. She could tell that the wheels started to turn in the heads of all women in the room.

Minister of social care's wife Diane looked impressed at the young woman who will become Governor's wife in two weeks. Her husband Paul told her about the bill Lucas was trying to push through in the Parliament and she was appalled that Catherine's husband John was against it.

How can anyone be against something that would help single Mothers and their children?!

Natasha fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Well, that's a whole other matter…", but before she could finish, Diane addressed her:

"I do believe that single Mothers have it hard, whatever the reason is that they are without husbands. But, let me assure you, Natasha, the women who escaped abusive husbands are no fraudsters. Their bruises don't lie."

Catherine nodded slightly.

"You may have a point, Diane. But what could be done for them and their children?", she asked.

Diane offered her a small, sad smile.

"Well, for starters, we can give children free meals in school. And offer better jobs for their Mothers", she suggested.

Valerie creased her eyebrows as she looked at Grace.

"Isn't that what the Governor is trying to push through the Parliament?", she asked.

Grace's eyes softened.

"Yes, it is. Among other things. His bill also suggests to have a help in house on the Government's cost so the Mothers can work while somebody looks after their children", she explained.

Sonya took another cookie.

"I think that's a good idea. It's a pity that the Governor still isn't able to push the bill through in the Parliament", she said before taking a bite of a cookie and smiled at Grace "My dear, these are delicious! I'd love to have a recipe."

Grace smiled back.

"I'll make sure to give it to you before you go", she said as she shared a conspiratolly look with Sonya.

Catherine creased her eyebrows.

"Wait…why didn't that bill go through in the Parliament?", she asked.

Diane shook her head.

"You really don't know?", at Catherine's blank look Diane replied in a matter-of-fact tone of voice "Because your husband is against it."

Catherine's eyes went wide open in surprise, her mouth slightly gaping.

"He's what?!", she asked incredulously.

Grace's good heart went out to Catherine as she realized that her husband kept her in the dark.

"I am so sorry, Mrs. Jefferson", Grace said gently.

Catherine's facial expression turned furious.

"Oh, you are not the one who has to apologize, my dear Miss Bennett!", she said through gritted teeth "I can assure you that I will have a word with John! You can tell the Governor that the bill will be accepted!", she snapped and huffed in anger as she jumped up from the chair "Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Bennet. I am looking forward to getting to know you better. Now, if you excuse me, I have to go home and speak with that man!", as she stormed through the room, Valerie hot on her heels, Catherine growled "And get rid of that horrendous cat!"

—--

Grace closed the doors of the mansion and let out a breath of relief as she turned around and looked at Lillian with a victorious smile on her face.

Lillian pressed her lips tightly together and slightly bowed to her sister.

"Well, Miss Bennet, I think you made it", she said and in the next moment both sisters giggled "And Lucas has no clue about it?"

Grace put her hands behind her back and shook her head.

"Nope", she grinned "I hope that he'll get the call from the Parliament in the upcoming days."

Lillian's smile grew.

"Wow, he will be so surprised!", she said and took her coat off the peg.

Grace smiled happily.

"I hope so", she shook her head, her smile faltering "He's been struggling with it for months! I really hope that this will help. It would help so many families."

Lillian smiled as she went toward Grace and kissed her on the cheek.

"You two are force to be reckon with", she said warmly "I'll see you back at home."

Grace nodded with a smile.

"See you, Lillian", she said and as she closed the doors of the mansion Grace turned on her heels and let out a small giggle before rushing to find Gustave to make sure he left some dinner for Lucas once he gets back from his meetings.