Previously on "To Have And To Hold":

Grace took another inhale of the sweet roses' scent and whispered:

"I should get going."

Please, don't go.

His breath got hitched in his throat, his lungs constricting in pain at the mere thought of her leaving. So when she started to move, Lucas gently took her forearm and stopped her.

"Grace…Please stay", as she looked at him with eyes wide open, he swallowed hard to try to calm his emotions down, but to no avail. His heart was too affected by the sight of her this evening, acting as his future wife and mistress of the Governor's mansion. He wasn't ready to let that go "I can't imagine this house without you now."

Grace's eyes softened and she slowly took roses in one hand while she took Lucas' palm with her other hand.

"Alright", she whispered "Alright, I'll stay."

—--

As those words left her lips Lucas wrapped his arms warmly around her waist, pulled her close to him and hid his face in her soft, brunette hair. Closing his eyes, he exhaled a shaky breath, emotions getting the better of him.

Grace wrapped her arms around his neck, tightening her hold on him as she felt him let out that breath, feeling how he seeked her warmth by how he held her against him. She knew what this was all about. She knew that he was never given affection and love so openly like she gave him. She knew that he was a lonely child, that his heart was broken in the past and it all made her even more determined to never shy away from showing him how much she loved him. He gave so much to everybody and it appalled Grace how some people could be so cold toward him. For her, Lucas was epitome of love and gentleness and she was beyond happy to be the woman he loves and wants to spend his life with.

She also knew that, no matter how hard it was to resist the temptation, he would never do something that would ruin her reputation and honour. She lost count of how many times he managed to stop when things got quite heated between them and she got lost.

And this night won't be different, she was sure of it.

.

He just needed her here, by his side. And she could understand that because she felt the same. After this evening when they hosted the first event as a couple who will be married in less than a month, she couldn't imagine leaving his side. She couldn't imagine going back to the orphanage and sleeping peacefully.

No way.

Not without him.

Not tonight.

She felt him pulling away slowly and she gave him a shaky smile, her eyes sparkling with love for this wonderful, amazing man.

Lucas leaned his forehead against hers and whispered:

"Please, don't be afraid. I would never do anything that you don't want me to. I… I just need to hold you in my arms tonight, my beloved Grace."

Grace slightly nodded and cupped his cheek.

"I know", she whispered "I feel the same. I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight without having you near."

A breath of relief left Lucas' lungs and he leaned down and kissed her longly, lovingly, moving his lips slowly against hers. Grace smiled softly into their kiss and she caressed his cheek as she kissed him back, her heart singing out to him.

As they pulled apart, he took her hand and took her up the grand staircase and to the library. She followed him without a word, her heart thumping fast at the mere thought of spending the night with him…

And in 29 days she will never have to leave again.

As the doors closed behind them they reached for each other at the same time. Their lips melted into each other with so much love that Grace felt like she left her body and was floating above the Earth. Lucas' fingers sneaked into the slit on the back of her dress and she whimpered in pleasure at the feeling of his touch. Her shivering fingers reached his vest and quickly unbuttoned it. She pushed it away, along with his suit jacket and both garments fell on the floor, completely forgotten.

A desperate need for air made them break the kiss and Lucas couldn't help but smile gently at seeing the little frown between Grace's eyebrows as she struggled to take off his bowtie. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on the determined little frown, making her smile.

"I'm clumsy. I can't seem to untie this damn thing", she grumbled softly.

He chuckled quietly before gently prying her fingers away and he took off his bowtie in one movement and tossed it on the floor.

"There", he said quietly "Better?"

Grace smiled softly before she brought her fingers back to his dress shirt. Looking up at his dark eyes that watched her with so much love and warmth, she slowly started to unbutton the tiny buttons on his dress shirt, robbing him completely out of breath.

She stopped at the fourth button, breathing heavily and she leaned in, touching his exposed skin with her lips, causing him to nearly fall apart in her arms.

"Now it is", she mumbled quietly against his skin before she teased him ever so gently "You can't be the only one who gets to touch the skin. This is only fair."

Lucas couldn't help but chuckle at her words, but any reply he wanted to give her was stopped by a silent, strangled moan he let out as he felt her lips gently kissing his collarbone, her fingers resting on the hard planes of his chest. He gasped for breath at the feeling of her tongue on his skin before her lips kissed it again.

She was driving him MAD.

Grace took her time, kissing her way up to his neck and, finally, his lips where he waited for her with the most sensual, passionate kiss he ever gave her. She felt boneless, going limp in his warm embrace and she sneaked her hands up his neck and into his glorious hair. His fingers reached her skin once again and as he caressed her spine, she let out a soft moan, enabling him to deepen their kiss, making her see the stars.

Her lips unlatched from his, both of them breathing heavily. Lucas leaned his forehead on Grace's, lines showing up between his eyebrows as he struggled not to lose control.

"We should stop", he whispered as he slowly pulled his body away from hers. She nodded slightly against his forehead, eyes half closed, her breathing heavy.

She smiled as she looked up at him.

"I love you", she whispered, moved beyond words with his love for her "Thank you for loving me that much."

Lucas smiled gently, his eyes shining with warm glint.

"I will always love you. And I will always look after you, Grace", he whispered as he gently kissed her forehead, making her close her eyes and let out a sigh "Now… would you like something more comfortable to wear since you are staying the night?"

Grace grinned.

"Can I have your dress shirt?", she teased him.

Lucas groaned and chuckled.

"What, and to drive me completely insane wearing just that?!", he shook his head "Even I don't have such self-control."

Grace pouted.

"You are no fun. At all", she mumbled.

Lucas quickly closed the distance between them and gave her a long, passionate, loving kiss, making her head spin.

And as quickly as he moved to kiss her, he quickly moved away, causing her to sway slightly on her feet.

His index finger and thumb held her chin and he murmured quietly:

"You were saying, Miss Bennet?"

Grace let out a laugh of disbelief and she shook her head.

"I take that back", she giggled, causing Lucas to smile and peck her lips.

"I will be right back. You make yourself comfortable", and in a blink of an eye, he was gone.

Grace took a breath in, her smile widening. She looked around and saw his suit jacket and vest laying discarded on the floor, along with that annoying bowtie.

She quickly picked them up and went over to the sofa. She sat down and neatly folded his clothes, a feeling of home and belonging washing over her. Placing his clothes beside her she glanced around and, unable to sit still from all the bubbling energy inside her, Grace stood up and walked across the library.

Her fingertips gently brushed over the things as she passed them by; book shelves, chairs, his writing desk. Stopping, she looked down at his desk and gently caressed his documents, ledgers and fountain pen.

Her eyes fell on the books on his desk and she couldn't stop the loving smile that curled up her lips.

First editions of Dangerous Liaisons and Robin Hood…the books she gave him. She bit her lower lip as she remembered that night and how he kissed her…she couldn't even dream that he would propose to her the very next day.

And what a proposal it was.

Her heart swelled with love as she remembered that amazing day. How he led her through all the places that were vital in their relationship and finally bringing her here.

Home.

She remembered the desperation she felt as she looked all over the place for him…and then seeing him standing right in their little rose garden room with a single rose and a smile. She remembered how she ran into his arms and how he held her close to him…And the moment he went down on one knee in front of her and asked her to be his wife.

Grace smiled as she felt tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks at the most precious memories ever.

"I'm back. I hope these will fit you…", Lucas entered the library and stopped dead in his tracks for a moment before rushing over to her "Grace, what's the matter?"

Grace looked up at him with a tearful smile.

"I just remembered your proposal. The way you did it…", she let out a sound between sob and gasp "I never felt so loved in my entire life, Lucas. Never."

He placed the neatly folded clothes on his desk and went toward Grace. As he reached her Lucas hugged her and pulled her close to him, her face hidden in his chest as she hugged him back.

"You deserved it to be special because you are so special to me. You are the most important person in my life, Grace. When you are here, by my side, I feel that I can conquer the world. I feel like anything is possible", he gently kissed her soft, brunette hair "And I love you. So much."

She snuggled into his chest, letting out a breath, trying to stop crying.

After a few moments, she felt Lucas pulling away slightly and gently wiping her tears on one cheek while he kissed away the ones on the other cheek, making her smile.

Grace slightly sniffed and looked up at him, giving him a watery smile. He gently kissed her forehead and put a stray curl behind her ear. She noticed the clothes on the desk and smiled.

"Your pajamas?", she asked quietly. Lucas smiled softly and nodded. Grace slowly reached out and took the garments from the table, her heart skipping a few beats as she realized…in 29 days she will share everything with him. That thought brought a happy smile on her lips and she looked up at him "I'll be back soon", and with those words, she rushed away from the library.

Lucas watched her leave with a soft smile on his face. As she went away, he went over toward the fireplace and put a few logs in it. Fire crackled happily and Lucas got up. He quickly left the library and crossed the hallway toward the dining room to make a plate of Grace's favourite cookies. He grabbed the bottle of wine and two glasses and quickly went back to the library.

He placed the plate, glasses and bottle on the small table in front of the sofa. As he took the bottle and started to open it, he heard her silent footspes.

And as he turned around, Lucas felt love so strong overwhelming him as he saw her wearing his pajamas. It was bit too big for her, but he saw that she tied it tightly on the waist and rolled up her sleeves. Her small feet were bare. But, it was her smile that warmed his heart the most.

She was adorable.

Grace closed the doors and quickly tiptoed toward the sofa, plopping down with a soft giggle.

"I feel so relaxed", she said as she pulled the blanket and wrapped it around her feet.

Lucas smiled warmly as he poured some red wine in two glasses and he walked toward her. He gave her one glass while he sat down.

"Thank you", she said as she took a small sip.

Lucas smiled gently at her.

"Are your feet cold?", he asked. She gave him a small nod, causing Lucas to put his wine glass down and lean on the sofa, his hands going under the blanket "Do you mind?", as she smiled and shook her head, Lucas gently took her feet and placing them on his lap, he slowly started to rub them between his palms to warm them up.