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"I only wished to say that the whole of Winworth has been buzzing since word spread of your arrival. I do not believe the servants have ever been so excited."

"Really?" Eliza asked.

"Oh yes. His Grace employed over two dozen members of staff for your arrival." She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "I have heard many of the senior servants say this is the most activity Winworth has seen in nearly two decades."

"And now we are hosting two events in a single day!" Vinnie exclaimed.

Eliza could not help smiling to herself at Vinnie’s enthusiasm. She had a feeling she would be relying rather heavily upon her over the coming weeks.

"Well," Eliza said. "I am very pleased to be here."

She glanced around the magnificent bedchamber before looking back at her new confidant.

"Now tell me, Vinnie, what do you know about this ball tonight?" she asked, deciding not to hide her embarrassment. "...because I confess I haven't the faintest idea of what I'm doing."

Both young women laughed together, the sound filling the chamber before bouncing softly from wall to wall. It carried farther than Eliza intended, beyond the adjoining door. Only a few feet away, in his own chambers, unbeknownst to her, was Arthur.

Vinnie had just finished tightening the teal corset over Eliza's wedding dress. Eliza had not known there was to be a ball that evening and, as such, had brought no evening gown. Indeed, she did not own one. Had she known the full extent of the wedding festivities, she would have at least attempted to prepare.

Vinnie had offered to unpack the contents of her trunk into the wardrobe, but Eliza had told her not to bother. It contained two day dresses that she wore on rotation and a single nightdress.

That was when her lady's maid had the brightest idea. She retrieved a beautiful teal corset from one of the Dowager Duchess's old trunks and carefully fastened it over Eliza's simple wedding gown, adjusting it to fit Eliza's frame perfectly.

Vinnie had offered to find her jewellery too, but Eliza declined, her fingers instinctively brushing the worn silver locket resting against her throat.

The borrowed corset accentuated her hips and created the impression of a waist she had not known she possessed. Most noticeably, it lifted her bosom, which now filled the square neckline of her gown far more elegantly than before.

Perhaps Arthur would prefer this version of her dress, she thought.

"Voilà!" Vinnie exclaimed, having finished with the ribbons on her corset.

"I think you look absolutely exquisite, Eliza! And just in time too."

She glanced towards the long cased clock as it struck ten.

For the past two hours they had heard the distant hum of conversation, laughter and music drifting through the corridors from the ballroom in the East Wing.

"Thank you, Vinnie," Eliza said, gently squeezing her hand as she admired herself in the mirror.

A confident knock sounded at the door. Before either of them could answer, Arthur entered.

He dipped his head to dismiss Vinnie without a word, who immediately curtsied before quietly taking her leave. She had not known it possible for someone to command so much without uttering a single word.

"Duchess," was all he said.

He had exchanged his military coat for a perfectly tailored navy evening coat. His white breeches fitted neatly over his powerful legs before disappearing into polished dark brown boots.

He looked magnificent, and she searched his face for the smallest sign of approval. Only the fire crackling softly in the grate answered her.

The silence was broken by Arthur, who was still standing before her.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

Eliza certainly did not feel ready. If she were being entirely honest, she felt woefully underprepared, but she was determined.

She answered Arthur with a nod and slipped her hand through his arm, allowing him to lead the way.

The silence between them was broken only by the echo of his boots and her heels against the marble floors.