Luckily she genuinely and truly loved people and speaking with them. Getting to know others, making jokes, and generally being charming were not skills Jacqueline lacked. She only wished she had them as more genuine aspects rather than parts of herself used to advance herself in society, but, well, it’s eat or be eaten by the ton and she refused to be part of the later.

Maria, this friend of Jacqueline’s, blushed at seeing a young man on the terrace. Having some sympathy, Jacqueline said, “Introduce me to the other man then take a moment to go see him while I chat with the other gentleman.”

Not that it was a chore. He was handsome, with a nice physique and dark hair that she liked. But he wasn’t Will and who could ever compare? But she beamed when the two of them were introduced. 

“Earl Harcourt, this is the Honorable Miss Jacqueline Mallory. Jacqueline, this is Earl Richard Harcourt.”

Oh. Oh no. Will had warned her of this man. He may have also implied if she developed even the most cursory acquaintanceship with him he might not speak with her again. 

She pasted on her smile but she knew it was cracking at the edges. And shit, just as Jacqueline had promised, her friend quietly excused herself to go speak to the man she was clearly besotted with for a few moments and Jacqueline wouldn't ruin that for her. 

She’s been wandering listlessly, sniffling as she tries to avoid contact with anyone and everyone. This place is massive, and she doesn’t quite comprehend all of the things she’s seeing. But what she does understand are that these floating pink petals are quite lovely. They’re one of the prettiest things she’s ever seen, so she follows them into a park--yet another thing that’s totally foreign to her.

"Oh, a Servant! How wonderful. You wouldn’t mind showing Big Brother Merlin around, would you?”