Seriously, what's a maid supposed to do? In these times, it's not like she can just say no.
...Actually, she probably can, considering how sweet he is on her. Better yet, continue to treat him like a child and explain why this isn't proper.
And so the duchess exists, stage left. I'm not so much sad for her as I am for what could have been. I could easily see this woman having a bigger role as Alejandro's surviving parent at this point. She clearly feels something with him, and forgiveness or not, that would be an interesting character arc.