The mansion was buzzing with activity. The dining room was all set up. Gustave and his staff were putting final touches on the dishes that were going to be served. The orchestra who was in charge of playing the most beautiful arias and operettas for dancing arrived this morning and were just about to have a final rehearsal.
Grace was walking through the dinning room, checking with servants if everything was in order with the tables. They put the name cards on the table in accordance with the seating arrangement she made, paying full attention to not place quarreling parties next to each other. She was joking with the servants that she thought about doing that in order to make them clear things up, but realized soon enough that not even she was such a pacifist to watch Minister of economy's wife Natasha shooting daggers with her eyes at Minister of education's wife Meryl. The two had a fall out about the choice of napkins Meryl had suggested to Natasha last fall and they were on non-speaking terms ever since.
Simon followed Miss Grace as she made sure that everything is in order with the tables and was right there when she quipped:
"What was it? A napkin design or the way it was placed on the plate?", her eyes turned comically wide "Oh, dear. I hope I meet their approval!"
Servants silently chuckled at Miss Grace's joke and Simon stifled a laugh, trying not to lose it in front of all of his colleagues. He was the most stoic and serious one of the staff members, but even he had to admit that the Governor's fiancée had one hell of a sense of humour.
It was almost time to go and get dressed and ready for the Ball. Grace was at the mansion since the morning as she and Lucas decided that, after they made sure everything was in order, they would get ready in their respective rooms. It was decided after they talked about everything that needed to be done and Lucas suggested that she gets ready here.
"It would be too stressful for you to go back to the orphanage to get ready", said Lucas "Bring your things here in the morning and after we make sure everything is in order, you can get ready here."
Grace thought about it for a moment and then nodded.
"I think you have a point", she said "It would take too much of my time to go back to the orphanage then back at the mansion. And what if some guests show up early? It wouldn't look good for you to welcome them on your own to the Ball that is supposed to celebrate our engagement. I have to be there. I want to be there."
Lucas smiled as he took her in his arms.
"Exactly", he whispered before gently kissing her lips.
So, here she was, in the room next to the main bedroom, getting dressed. She put her hands up to enable the dress to fall down her body in the right way and then slowly fixed it on some parts where it got twisted or stuck. The material was of the finest silk and it hugged her body perfectly. Grace sat down on the bed to put her stockings and shoes on. As she finished, she got up from the bed and went to the mirror.
A smile curled up her lips slowly.
Perfect.
She took special care with her hair and make-up and finally, she was ready to go. Lucas told her that he will wait for her in the hallway so they can go down the grand staircase together, preventing all the possible early comers from seeing them apart.
She took a deep breath in and sprinkled some perfume. Placing a bottle down on the table, she gave herself another look over in the mirror and took another deep breath in before turning around and walking to the doors.
As she opened them and left the room her eyes immediately fell upon her handsome fiancé who was waiting for her. His back were turned to her, but she could tell that he was fiddling with his left cufflink.
She slowly tiptoed to him and stopping behind him, she whispered:
"Need some help?"
Lucas' head shot up and he turned around, a smile on his lips quickly changing into a look of pure adoration and amazement at the sight of Grace looking so breathtakingly beautiful.
She smiled gently, her cheeks flaming up at his gaze.
"So…what do you think?", she asked quietly before she gave herself a small twirl.
Lucas' fingers were still on his left cufflink as he felt the whole world stopping as he turned around and saw her.
"You look beautiful, my angel", he murmured gently "Absolutely breathtaking."
Grace felt her heart skip a beat at his compliment and she smiled before she pried his fingers away and fixed a cufflink with her initials on his left sleeve.
Raising an eyebrow, she playfully bit her lower lip.
"So, the GB cufflink didn't want to stay put?", she asked teasingly.
Lucas' eyes darkened a bit at her gentle teasing and as Grace made sure that the cufflink was in its right place, firm and secure, he slowly stepped in her personal space, his palms going to her waist.
"She will be…in less than a month", he said quietly "In the meantime, I keep her on the left side…close to my heart."
Grace let out a breath, her entire being tingling from the meaning of his words. She smiled, her cheeks blushing nicely and she looked down to his neck and fixed his bowtie.
"There", she whispered as she looked up at him "Handsome as ever."
He smiled at her and in the next moment he leaned down and kissed her. She met him halfway and gently kissed his lips back, murmuring into their kiss:
"Don't ruin my lipgloss."
Lucas smiled in their kiss.
"Too late, my angel", as both of them chuckled, he kissed her even more before pulling away "It's good that it doesn't leave smearing traces."
Grace grinned.
"And that's why I am wearing it", she said softly, sighing as he leaned down and kissed her again. A silent gasp escaped her as she felt his fingertips reaching the slit on the back of her dress and she looked up at him, breathing heavily "Lucas…"
And just as he was about to sneak his fingertips inside her dress, the doorbell broke the silence.
Lucas groaned quietly, leaning his forehead on Grace's, making her giggle.
"Come on, let's go", she whispered as she intertwined her fingers with his before adding flirtatiously "And we can finish this later."
He brought her hand up and kissed her knuckles as they started to walk toward the grand staircase. When they reached it she placed her palm in the crook of his arm.
And as they started to go down the stairs, Grace heard him whisper:
"Oh, I think I will have some sneak peeks before 'later' comes."
Grace shook her head, her lips curling up in a smile.
"That's alright", she replied softly "I am more than ready to make you pay at any moment."
He looked at her, his eyes warm, his smile seductive.
She smiled most innocently before both of them looked up to welcome their first guests.
The first guests were a grumpy Minister of economy and his wife who already scanned everything around in a critical manner.
Grace put on a nicest smile she could muster and welcomed them, thanking them for "gracing them with their presence".
As the annoying couple left to the dining room, Grace's smiling face changed into a facial expression of utter disbelief and she fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"This was another couple we could have done without tonight", she murmured.
Lucas stifled a laugh before he gently caressed her palm that rested in the crook of his arm.
"I agree. George is one of the most tiresome ministers in this Government", he murmured quietly as they looked up at seeing Simon opening the doors once again.
As four couples entered the mansion, Grace whispered:
"Well, I'll make sure to shower dear Natasha with special attention during my dinner", she smiled innocently while Lucas barely managed to hold back his laughter as the guests approached them.
He was talking to the annoying Parliament member John, asking about his children when he heard Grace addressing his equally, if not more, annoying wife Catherine.
"The little ones must be thrilled to have a pet", she smiled sweetly "And how does your new cat adjust in his new home? Are you still having issues with cleaning after him?"
Lucas' felt his breath getting caught in a desperate attempt to hold back his laughter.
She was a gem.
Catherine fanned herself in desperation as she clung to Grace's forearm.
"Oh, my dear, you cannot imagine the horror! I'd like to throw that stinky creepy creature out from my home before you blink!", she huffed and glared at her husband "But, unfortunately, it got John wrapped around its finger."
John's face went crimson red as he tugged at his wife's hand and started to go up the staircase, trying to soothe her nerves.
Lucas lost the battle and a strangled chuckle escaped him as he turned to his amazing fiancée.
"You do realize she will torture him all evening long about that blasted cat now, don't you?", he asked through laughter.
Grace smiled victoriously.
"And that will prevent him from having a go at you about that Bill you are trying to get approved at the Parliament", she glanced up at Lucas, pointedly raising her eyebrows "Which he constantly undermines."
Lucas' heart swelled at her love and care.
"Remind me to never get on the wrong foot with you", he murmured gently.
Grace winked at him.
"You couldn't even if you tried", she said warmly and leaned closer to him to whisper confidentially "You should get better acquainted with the ones who grate on your nerves. Know their plans for free time. You know how they say - 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer'", she took a deep breath in and exhaled in relief "Aaah, even the air feels different without dear Valerie!"
Lucas shook with suppressed laughter as the doors opened once again and two more couples entered the mansion. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat, his eyes twinkling with laughter.
Grace smiled happily at seeing him so relaxed.
Good. This is how it should be.
She smiled sweetly as she greeted their guests, her fingers never leaving the crook of Lucas' arm.
—--
Super Trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I won't feel blue
Like I always do,
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you.
I was sick and tired of everything
When I called you last night from Glasgow
All I do is eat and sleep and sing
Wishing every show was the last show.
So imagine I was glad to hear you're coming
Suddenly I feel all right
And it's gonna be so different
When I'm on the stage tonight.
Tonight the Super Trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Smiling, having fun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Feeling like a number one.
Tonight the Super Trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I won't feel blue
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Like I always do
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you.
Facing twenty thousand of your friends
How can anyone be so lonely
Part of a success that never ends
Still I'm thinking about you only.
There are moments when I think I'm going crazy
But it's gonna be alright
(You'll soon be changing everything)
Everything will be so different
When I'm on the stage tonight.
Tonight the Super Trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Smiling, having fun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Feeling like a number one.
Tonight the Super Trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I won't feel blue
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Like I always do
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you.
So, I'll be there when you arrive
The sight of you will prove to me I'm still alive
And when you take me in your arms and hold me tight
I know it's gonna mean so much tonight.
Tonight the Super Trouper lights are gonna find me
Shining like the sun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Smiling, having fun
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Feeling like a number one.
Tonight the Super Trouper beams are gonna blind me
But I won't feel blue
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
Like I always do
(Sup-p-per Troup-p-per)
'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you.
("Super Trouper" - ABBA)