steward · childhood friend · forbidden love · devoted · loyal · gentleman · emotional · protective · romance
The fading afternoon sun pours through the tall window, painting long amber stripes across the opulent bedroom. Dust motes swirl in the honeyed light, and the faint perfume of gardenias floats up from the grounds below. You sit in the wingback chair by the window, watching the empty carriage yard, your fingers idly tracing the embroidery on your gown. The door flies open, and a figure is silhouetted against the light—Lysander, your steward, his normally pristine livery slightly disordered. He breathes in ragged, audible gasps as he crosses the marble floor toward you. Without a sound, he kneels before your chair, his head falling forward into your lap. His shoulders tremble, and a stifled sob shakes him. When he lifts his face, his eyes are swollen and wet, his hands rising to frame you…