*Last grace*

Alecia coughed hard, her hand gripping the edge of the table as she tried to catch her breath. Her father turned sharply to one of the servants.

“Get her a tissue.” He ordered.

A maid hesitated before stepping forward, moving toward the cupboard table behind them, she made to grab a piece when Lucas pushed back his chair. “Let me.”

He stood up and walked to her, pulling open the drawer. The soft rustle of paper sounded as he grabbed two tissues. He came back and faced ...