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Arthur waited outside Eliza's chambers whilst Vinnie came to help prepare her for breakfast, the bedchamber door left slightly ajar as though he wished to remain close enough to hear should Eliza call for him, yet far enough away to preserve her privacy.

The unfamiliar morning routine felt strangely natural.

Vinnie laid out her gown with hands that lacked their usual confidence, brushing and folding the fabric more than was necessary before helping Eliza into it. Usually the maid chattered endlessly as she worked, commenting upon the weather, the flowers in the garden, or the latest gossip from the staff.

This morning she hardly spoke at all.

When Eliza caught her reflection in the dressing table mirror, she saw Vinnie's eyes glistening, her expression weighed down by a guilt that did not belong to her.

"Vinnie..." The young maid paused immediately.

"Look at me."

Reluctantly, Vinnie lifted her head.

"It is not your fault."

The words were spoken quietly, yet with a firmness that surprised even Eliza herself.

"What happened to me yesterday is the responsibility of one man alone." She held Vinnie's gaze, unwilling to let her look away. "Do you understand me?"

Vinnie's eyes immediately filled with fresh tears.

"If I had stayed..." she whispered brokenly. "If I had joined you in the drawing room instead of leaving you to dance in quiet, he never would have managed to get near you."

She swallowed hard.

"When I came to bid you a goodnight and saw you against that wall..." Her voice caught painfully. "I was so frightened that I forgot every propriety lesson bestowed on me. I do not even recall knocking before entering His Grace's study."

A tear escaped despite her efforts.

"I should never have left your side. I can stay with you each night for a sleepover if you need it, Eliza. If His Grace seeks to fire me, at least I will know you were safe and I did all I could. Though, I don’t think I will be as pleasant bed company as His Grace."

"Stop that," Eliza said. The words carried just enough authority to make Vinnie blink in surprise. For perhaps the first time since becoming Duchess, Eliza sounded every inch the mistress of Winworth.

"I mean it." She reached out, taking one of Vinnie's hands gently between both of her own and pulling her into a small hug.

"What happened yesterday was nobody's fault but Mr Eapley's."

She gave the maid's hand a reassuring squeeze as she pulled back from their embrace.

Vinnie lowered her eyes once more.

"I am strong," Eliza continued softly. "And I am surrounded by people who care for me more than I ever thought possible."

A faint smile appeared.

"The only thing that concerns me now..."

Her hand instinctively rose to her bare collarbone.

"...is finding my locket. It was a gift from my mother."

Vinnie nodded solemnly.

"We shall find it, Your Grace."

A short while later she made her way downstairs.