That seemed like her chance to escape. "I understand, ser. I'll be on me w-,"

Alas, they were disrupted by a half-dressed gentleman. Anne joined the butler in rising, but averted her eyes. This was embarrassing. Of course it was the gentleman who had walked in like that, but Anne still felt it was somehow her fault that she had seen him like that.

When he said she was too young, she again, more eagerly still, wanted to use that as an opportunity to flee, but the butler and gentleman started talking and Anne didn't want to be rude by interrupting them. And so she stood there, hands clasped in front of her legs, and looking down, even though the part of the gentleman that was now visible was dressed.