"My lady, you did not inform us of your coming," Rowan said taking Anna's gloves from her.
Anna looked at her butler with a warm smile, her gaze softening as she took in his familiar face. He had been with her family since before she was born. To Anna, he was more than just a servant—he was a father figure in the moments when her own father had been absent, consumed by matters of the court or the weight of duty.
"You're always here when I need you," she said softly, her voice tinged with gratitude. "More than I could ever ask for him."
Rowan inclined his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It has always been my honor, lady Anna. Your happiness has been my greatest duty."
The sincerity in his voice stirred something deep within Anna. For all the chaos surrounding her life, his steadfast loyalty was one of the few things she could count on.
