"Glare at me all you want, but it isn’t going to change the fact that you now owe me money. Since Mr Presley would be in far more danger with the duke, you should turn to him for help," Faye suggested.

"See, I wasn’t going to be so bold as to speak of this with you if you weren’t so rude to us. All because you want to run away from your evil act, you’ve been rude to the maids. I am tired of it," Faye said, tired of being mistreated.

"You weren’t doing your job well enough for me," said Victoria.

"No, we were trying to do our work perfectly, but you were rushing us along because you wanted to get away from your secrets. You think too highly of yourself. You don’t get to order us around with the same authority as Mrs Presley," Faye said.

Victoria made way for Faye to leave. "Get out!" She pointed at the door.

"See, that is what you should have told her husband when he came to you. You wouldn’t be in this position now," Faye said, followed by a snicker. "Don’t think you can hit me again," she said before Victoria acted upon it.

"Out!" Victoria raised her voice.

"You are being a little too loud. What will you do if you get the attention of Mrs Presley? Will you tell her how scandalous you are? Will you tell her that you have had her husband?" Faye asked, enjoying how Victoria turned pale. "For hours?"

"I will give you some time to think, and if Mr Presley isn’t lingering around your bedchamber, I will come back to hear how much you intend to pay me. Excuse me, Miss Victoria," Faye said, offering Victoria a dramatic curtsy.

Victoria’s hand trembled as she restrained herself from striking Faye across her face.

Faye walked to the door wearing a triumphant smile. She had been worried about bringing up the affair for nothing.

Faye opened the door and exited the bedchamber, leaving Victoria to decide on the amount of money.

Victoria rushed to the door and closed it. She beat the palm of her right hand against the door, letting out her frustration.

She was close to burying the one secret she was ashamed of.

A mistake which blossomed out of concern for Rosalie’s well-being.

Victoria stopped hitting the door with her hand after it started to ache. Harming herself wasn’t going to do any good.

’Where am I going to get money?’ Victoria wondered. She didn’t have any to spare, and if she asked her father, he would pry.

"Money for dresses," Victoria whispered.

Victoria turned around, looking at the very dress Rosalie had made for her. It could fetch a good price in the market.

"No," Victoria said, shaking her hand. "Rosalie would want to see it in winter."

Victoria didn’t have any other choice but to involve Cole since he was the one who started this mess. He was the one who crossed the line first.

"I need to get out of here," Victoria muttered, desperate to get back to the comfort of her home. "But that witch isn’t going to let me leave without paying her. I need Cole."

"Victoria!" Rosalie’s voice was heard on the other side of the door.

Before Victoria could react and move out of the way, the door opened and collided with her face.

Rosalie gasped, horrified by the sight of Victoria covering her nose with her hand. "I didn’t know you were behind the door. I should have knocked first."

Victoria tilted her head back and gently touched her nose.

"I’m sorry. I’m so sorry," Rosalie said, her voice laced with panic.

Rosalie set the wine bottle and two glasses down on the floor, then turned to Victoria to help her. "Let me see. Your nose isn’t bleeding, and there doesn’t seem to be a scar right now. Thank goodness," she sighed in relief.

Rosalie hadn’t spoiled Victoria’s face right when she was getting ready to attend balls.

"You should sit down," Rosalie said, guiding Victoria to the bed. "It is all my fault. I should have knocked."

"You don’t need to apologise anymore. If you don’t mind, I would like to be alone for a moment," Victoria requested. "Just for a little before we start to drink."

"Of course. Whatever you wish," Rosalie said, stepping away from Victoria. "I feel so awful. I didn’t mean to hurt you."

"I know you didn’t," Victoria replied. "I would never think you tried to harm me."

"Thank you. I am going to step away to let you have your time alone. Do send for me when you are done. I want to see that I haven’t injured your nose. What has happened to me?" Rosalie wondered, feeling unlike herself.

"Rosalie," Victoria sighed.

"Oh!" Rosalie exclaimed, realising her mistake. "I didn’t mean to make it all about me. Truly."

Victoria lowered her hand from her face, bearing the pain. "I know, Rosalie. You wear your heart on your sleeve. It was a simple mistake that anyone could have made. Seeing you like this, I think I shall write to my father about staying the night. I will leave in the morning."

"You will?" Rosalie asked, thrilled to have Victoria near. "This is good news. I didn’t want to say it, but it shows that your belongings won’t be packed by this evening. Why rush when you can take your time?"

"I’m going to use this chance to prepare an even better dinner to send you off with. It’ll make up for me hitting your nose with the door. I’ll find a better wine for us to enjoy," Rosalie said, picking up the bottle of wine.

"Rosalie, we don’t need wine to have a good time. I would rather we sit around and talk like we used to. I could help you plan for when you invite Lady Hawthorne to your home again," Victoria offered.

"We don’t have to rush preparing for Eloise to come here. We should focus on our friendship, and on our last day you will be here. I don’t want to miss a single moment with you, so hurry up and be well," Rosalie urged Victoria.

"I change my mind," Victoria said, fearing Rosalie would be left alone with Faye. "Let us start now. I have some good gossip I want to share with you."

"Oh! How delightful," Rosalie clapped her hands. "See, this is where Cole lacks," she said, going to close the door. "He’s just not as fun as you are. I should get rid of him and just live with you," she joked.

Victoria forced a chuckle. "He’s not going to let that happen."