Some sane part of her mind cautioned combining sleeping draughts with the amount of veritserum still wreaking havoc on her body. That was the same part of her that thought this whole venture foolish. She never much listened to that voice. It was giving up, she recognized, admitting that she failed, that he thwarted her again. It stung, but it was nothing next to the misery already deep in her heart.

She nodded, there was no next pass in this fight. She had lost, she always lost when it came to him. She tightened her grip on his arm, couldn't release him yet. Not until, "Please, please forgive me. I've tried. I've tried so hard."

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MJ made this miracle!

There was nothing to forgive. He didn't bother to say it. He held her until the sobbing subsided again, then gently guided her up to her bedroom — prepared for her, as she had asked. He fetched the sleeping draught for her. He helped her undress, not sensually but in the same way a servant would have since she was still under the influence of the truth potion and he wouldn't trust even his servants not to accidentally pry something out of her. He sat at the foot of her bed until she fell asleep, then waited to ensure she wouldn't stir again. He took the key to her door and locked it after he left, then slid the key under the door so that she wouldn't be disturbed until she woke and opened it. He went to find one of the few servants still present and told them succinctly that Mrs. Selwyn could do as she pleased when she woke, and to treat her with all care and respect due to the madam of house. Then he went to his study, wrote her a sealed letter to be delivered with her breakfast, and left the house.

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Lou made this! <3