Chapter : 28
Not a single flaw could be found. Carefully slicked-back hair, a perfectly tailored tailcoat, and an aura of refinement that lingered like perfume—along with polite, cultured speech.
“After that incident, I tried to step out of my father’s shadow. I’ve since started a small publishing house.”
He handed Jacqueline his business card. She accepted it with yet another social smile.
“A publishing house… that’s unexpected.”
“Actually, I had been planning to contact you after hearing that Miss Somerset was staying at Preston Manor. Seeing you here today, it seems we really were destined to meet.”
Jacqueline gave another faint, bitter smile. The thought of Earl Knox’s displeasure at their meeting crossed her mind.
There was no one here naive enough to believe marriage was the result of love. Marriage was a union between families—for greater wealth and power.
And to Earl Knox, Jacqueline was nothing more than a “worthless impoverished young lady.” Her gaze, fixed on Evan, slowly sank.
“Miss Somerset, may I be introduced to the gentleman you are with?”
At that moment, Windsor interjected in a composed tone. Evan turned first. The young man’s bright eyes carried goodwill.
After a brief moment of hesitation—his expression suggesting mild surprise—Jacqueline spoke.
“This is Evan Knox, the eldest son of Earl Brandon Knox. Mr. Knox, this is Lord Preston.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Lord Preston.”
Evan extended his hand. The bright-eyed young man offered a refreshing smile.
He did not doubt the intentions of someone he had just met. He openly expressed goodwill and initiated the handshake first—so naturally it seemed ingrained in him.
“Likewise, Mr. Knox. Thank you for attending the banquet.”
“Not at all. Thank you for inviting me…?”
As Evan was speaking casually, a hint of confusion crossed his eyes. His gaze shifted to their clasped hands.
Hm?
Windsor Preston’s grip was strong—almost as if he were trying to crush his hand.
So he really was a former naval officer. No wonder he’s strong.
Evan chuckled lightly, thinking nothing of it. But Windsor did not release his hand. Evan’s hand began to pale.
…Hm?
Evan’s brows slowly furrowed. His easy smile began to fade.
Jacqueline leaned slightly toward Windsor and covered her mouth with her hand. In a voice so low only he could hear, she whispered:
“You seem to be holding the handshake a bit too long, Lord Preston. That would be considered improper etiquette.”
Windsor’s brows twitched. Then his usual impassive expression returned.
“Then, I hope you enjoy the evening, Mr. Knox.”
Only then did he release Evan’s hand. Evan flexed his tingling fingers and let out a relieved breath.
Quickly returning to his cheerful expression, he said, “Thank you,” before turning back to Jacqueline.
“Ah, by the way, please don’t take Lord Saltrein’s words to heart. That’s just how he is, isn’t it?”
“Thank you for your concern, Mr. Knox. But I’ve already forgotten about him.”
“Haha. That’s a relief. I was worried he might have hurt your feelings. I’m glad to hear that.”
Windsor narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched Evan.
He did not usually judge people by first impressions. The military was a crucible of all kinds of men—some hid malice behind smiles, others loyalty behind bluntness. Judging by appearance alone was foolish.
And yet, Evan Knox irritated him from the very beginning.
Why?
After thinking for a moment, Windsor lifted a brow.
Perhaps it was because the man stood on the exact opposite side of him. A man chosen from birth.
There was not a trace of shadow in Evan. His courteous smile, his readiness to shake hands first—everything about him exuded confidence and refinement.
He must have been surrounded by expectations and love from the moment he was born. As naturally as Jacqueline Somerset herself.
Yes, that must be it. Nothing else.
“Miss Somerset, if you have a moment—”
“I should be going now, Mr. Evan Knox. I still have some matters to attend to.”
Jacqueline cut him off before he could finish. Evan looked slightly disappointed but nodded.
His naturally drooping eyes carried a faint sadness, though he quickly regained his gentle smile.
“I must have taken up your time. I will contact you again when it’s convenient, Miss Somerset.”
Instead of replying, Jacqueline quickly ascended the spiral staircase. Noble ladies who had attended the same school stared at her.
Their gazes seemed to follow her like tangible things. Jacqueline left as if fleeing.
But then—
“Wait, Jackie.”
A familiar voice grabbed her ankle.
She stopped abruptly and slowly turned her head. A woman with deep dimples in her round cheeks stood right behind her.
Her shoulders rose and fell as if she had rushed over in a hurry. Jacqueline widened her eyes.
“Sam?”
“Jackie!”
Samantha threw her arms around her. Jacqueline smiled warmly at her long-lost friend.
“How long has it been?”
“Jackie, when did you come to the capital? My goodness! Preston Manor, of all places!”
Samantha pulled back and gestured animatedly.
She was like a little squirrel—always full of energy, her round cheeks seemingly stuffed with cookies and cakes, her feet always searching for the next dessert.
“And you didn’t even send me a single letter? How could you?”
At her betrayed expression, Jacqueline gave an awkward smile. It wasn’t intentional, but circumstances had simply gotten in the way.
“I’m sorry, Sam.”
Samantha must have sensed the unspoken story and softened immediately. She hugged her again, her round eyes shimmering as if she might cry.
“But I’m just glad you’re healthy. Thank goodness!”
“Yes.”
Jacqueline rested her cheek on Samantha’s shoulder and closed her eyes. A sweet dessert scent lingered—so distinctly her that Jacqueline couldn’t help but smile faintly.
Then Samantha lowered her voice.
“I saw Elizabeth and Victoria earlier too. We should move before they notice yo—”
“Well, well. Look who it is. Isn’t that the impoverished Miss Jacqueline Somerset?”
Samantha, turning slowly, frowned and muttered, “Too late.”
Jacqueline found herself facing people she had no desire to meet in the same place. It was rather inconvenient.
But she did not want to look intimidated. That was her last shred of pride.
Straightening her back and lifting her chin slightly, she spoke with the same proud tone she once used at Bristol Girls’ Boarding School.
“It’s been a while, Elizabeth. Victoria as well.”
“We heard you’ve become a governess for young Benjamin Preston. And it’s true. A governess… so the Somerset family really has fallen, hasn’t it?”
“So you’ll be working for the rest of your life? Doing labor fit for commoners must be hard.”
Elizabeth and Victoria offered their mocking concern. Jacqueline did not even blink.
“Thank you for your concern, Liz—and Victoria.”
“Oh? Did that sound like concern to you?”
Elizabeth laughed behind her fan. Victoria followed with a snicker.
Jacqueline looked at Elizabeth quietly. Their enmity went back so far that one might have to trace it to the day Elizabeth was born.
Elizabeth Greenwood.
Daughter of Walter Greenwood—Jacqueline’s godfather. Their families were close, but Elizabeth had always disliked Jacqueline.
Even before she could speak, Elizabeth would cry whenever Walter spoke to Jacqueline.
As they grew older, she would suddenly appear to interfere whenever Walter spent time with Jacqueline.
“I’m sorry, Jackie. I spoiled Liz too much.”
Walter’s words echoed in her memory. Too spoiled? More like unbearably ill-tempered, Jacqueline had once thought.
And Elizabeth’s competitiveness knew no bounds. When Jacqueline entered Bristol Girls’ Boarding School, Elizabeth—two years younger—insisted on enrolling there as well.
And she made it her mission to pick fights with Jacqueline at every turn. Everyone in the school knew they did not get along.
If she disliked her, she could simply avoid her—but instead she followed her around just to provoke her.
To Jacqueline, it was incomprehensible. But Elizabeth seemed to take pleasure in it, as though tormenting Jacqueline was her life’s joy.
Samantha stepped forward, hands on her hips.
“Could you two stop it already? You’ve graduated ages ago—why are you still acting like children? Isn’t it time you grew up?”
“And you—how long has it been since graduation, yet you’re still playing Jacqueline’s maid?”
“What did you say? Maid?”
Samantha lifted her chin and glared up at Elizabeth, who was taller than her. Elizabeth smirked down at her.
Jacqueline finally stepped between them, smiling at Samantha.
“Let’s leave for today and meet separately later. I have a lot to talk about with you.”
Then she turned to Elizabeth and Victoria.
“Unless you want to ruin Lord Preston’s banquet, I suggest you stop here, Liz. Your fiancé is looking over here, wondering what’s going on.”
“!”
Only then did Elizabeth turn her head in surprise.
Down the stairs, her fiancé was looking up at her—apparently waiting to ask her for a dance.
“Unless you want to tear each other’s hair out in front of your fiancé who’s waiting for a dance, I suggest you step back quietly. I’m always ready to accept your challenge.”
Jacqueline whispered with a gentle smile. She casually flexed her fingers as if she truly might grab Elizabeth’s hair.