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EMILY BADER as QUEEN JANE GREY — 1.05 "I Feel Free"

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"You sound like my brother, perhaps it's the duty of the eldest brother to keep their distance until there is no other option." Priscilla was both being facetious and being honest, not wanting to talk about her brother in a negative light but there was no denying that he had gotten away with avoiding society for much longer than she had been able to. "I hope you don't mind my saying but if I were one of her suitors, I would be afraid knowing that." And she meant it as a compliment because she meant to also be diligent when it came to her younger siblings' suitors. No one would end up with any of them if they had some nefarious intent...something Priscilla was intimately aware of and could see a mile away.

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"not really. my fault - i should have been present especially when it falls onto myself this year." his father wouldn't be able to , he had to pick up so many duties recently that he felt like his head was spinning just like the couples on the dance floor. "i dare say that i will be most -- diligent for those calling on my sister." they should be afraid. but he should have been more worried about calling on one of the eligible ladies of the ton himself. his father drove that into his mind non stop with the upcoming season. his first debut. and he had to make sure it was his last... according to his father.

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Priscilla followed his line of sight until the young lord came into view, and there was no other apt way to describe him, and the accuracy of the prediction hit her, and it was near impossible not to laugh softly, a hand coming up to cover her mouth as she recovered. "You cannot be certain that is how it will end. The young Miss Mayfair might just be endeared to Felix just for that reason." Priscilla never would be but there were people out there who were drawn to mediocrity and soft men. "I haven't quite decided yet. Find me at the next ball and I'll have my choice. It does sound like you might already have a choice, other than the young Felix and Mayfair, of course." The words were a light tease as it was clear he thought very little of that pairing.

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"felix is that overly eager young lord hovering around the mayfairs. i hear he has been hoping to see the youngest mayfair - hoping to court her. let us see if he fumbles it. he's awkward - newly of age for the season. i give it -- ten minutes before she wanders away." he smirked , keeping a dark gaze on him before looking at her. "do you have any predictions of any newly weds this season ?"

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"Swallowed fire? How positively outlandish." Priscilla commented, hearing the familiar voice and giving Edmund a small curtsey as she focused her attention onto him instead of the dancefloor. "Did they really?" She'd never been one to revel in the danger of fire, although others might assume she did often, considering her tendency to ignite so easily, so it intrigued her to think that someone was out there purposefully putting themselves into the flames...or rather, the flames into them. "Perhaps she's conscientious of how flammable the ladies are this evening with their dresses and finery. We wouldn't want the night to end in tragedy." Broken hearts, maybe, but not burns by any means.

open starter » the queen's diamond ball

" these sorts of parties are always missing something... i cannot say what that something is but i just know it should have been taken into consideration during planning. " his index finger tapped the foot of his glass: it was an absent-minded movement of boredom. " a few months ago i attended a party with people who swallowed fire. have you ever seen someone do that ? it was rather marvellous. the sort of grand spectacle you'd expect her majesty to show us. " but the sea of white and silver gowns meant that nothing unbecoming or distasteful could be shown during the evening. this was an evening for the pretty little fragile birds to get a taste of the real world. a fire show, no matter how exciting, might have been too much — or just too distracting !

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"A token of inspiration?" Cilla repeated with a scoff, trying not to break out into actual laughter at the very idea of it. Decorum and Daniela simply did not mesh in her mind... or in reality. Even though Daniela seemed to laugh at the idea of marriage, sometimes Priscilla wondered how much of that was an act but there was hardly anything she could do about it. They were in completely different stations, miles apart when it came to marriage and rank, so if Daniela ever did want to marry, it was not as though she could be of any assistance. One, because she didn't care too, and two, because there was no one she knew low enough in society to make a match. At least, none that she'd admit to knowing. "I've heard there may be some merits to spinsterhood. You'll have to tell me if they're true seeing as I won't be finding out about them myself." There was a time when Priscilla had debated the path of not getting married but when her mother had died, everything changed. She needed to set an example for her siblings which meant a good match, one that was advantageous and not frivolous. "Have you seen anything interesting this evening? Anything more exciting than the Diamond announcement that has alluded us so far?"

she couldn't help it, grinning at the flesh stretched over boney fingers as she folded them into the fabric of her apron, biting the inside of her cheek to withhold the brash laughter that wished to come in response to her friend's words. " priscella , " daniela hissed through her teeth, though her grin remained ever present, resisting the urge to swing her un-ornamented wrist towards the lady's bodice and strike her playfully in the ribs. " i am the picture of grace, lady cavendish . . . you should know that the ton actually uses me as a token of inspiration for their darling daughters so they may impress the queen with their decorum. "

the maid then lifted a hand to her mouth to catch her heightened amusement as it spilt from smile-stretched lips following priscella's words, turning her face away from the woman as she breathed her laughter into her palm. " me ?? marriage ?? " daniela just about wheezed in reply, fighting for breath. yet, her heart quivered — thinking about the language of love and the ways in which a stranger's for another spoke to her. maybe in another life she were fit for marriage but, as it were now, she opted to accept her un-wedded feet and let the dream of being courted live within her fantasies instead. " no, no — i much prefer the life spinsterhood would provide me. the queen's linens are enough to keep up with, let alone adding a husband's to it."

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"Certainly not." But the Queen had seemingly limitless funds to spend on balls such as these and for the inaugural ball of the season, no expense could be spared. Priscilla wasn't entirely worried about the naming of the diamond, the longer it took, the more Lady Whistledown would have to work with. Why hadn't she chosen one? Had she lost her touch or were the ladies of the season simply that boring and not worth noting? Not that she wanted something like that to be printed especially with her sister among the debutants, but it would make for an interesting read and when she reported back to her employer, she would be sure to mention the wait. "I take it, you never had to experience being present for the calling hour or the promenades, then? You do get used to it."

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"her majesty certainly spared no expense on this ball." he observed , glancing at the expensive trinkets perfectly placed about the ballroom. "as we all expected I'm sure. but for her not to name a diamond yet... it's beyond me..." asif shook his head slightly as he watched about the room - watching the fluttering of feet about the dance floor , the eager expressions of prospect in the younger ones of the ton. He wondered if he would have ever been one if not for the long term arrangement he was previously in. Now he was just tired. "any of us would be so lucky to have our sibling named... rishima would be the most striking and glowing diamond." he smiled slightly , looking off into the distant at her. "but to examine each and every caller... would be exhausting..."

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"Wouldn't dream of it." Priscilla nodded, repeating his words and wondering just how they were supposed to act together these days. Perhaps if they'd seen each other sooner after the decision to know longer pursue each other, things would have been figured out before the season started but alas. There was nothing to do about it now. She sighed softly at the honorific, trying not to make a face of distaste but failing slightly. And as she opened her mouth to protest the use of such a formal title, she remembered where they were and what was expected, closing it without a word but thinking of some way to change the subject smoothly. "Of course, I can only hope that you are able to find a match for yourself as I have for myself. Each young lady of the season has a lot to offer, and I do not only say that for the bias of my sister."

               Eyebrows quickly raised against his features. ❝To ask a betrothed lady for a dance? Alas, I would never dream of such a transgression.❞ It was difficult. Once you feel comfortable with someone, to fall back into the reclusive shell. Especially when there was not much for a reason. They simply — changed their minds. There was no dramatic duel between suitors or sizzling gossip for Whistledown. Nothing to make the change, that felt so drastic, easier. ❝I appreciate your blessings, Lady Cavendish.❞

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"You say that ss though I wasn't already a master of it." Priscilla countered...even though they both knew that Vera had a point. Small talk had always bored her unless the topic was about other people and the way they'd made a mockery of themselves in one way or another. Vera had been one of the few people in the Ton that Priscilla had been more of herself with, who had gone along with revelry and dallying in a way young ladies were never supposed to. "I see Noemie has joined society; I wonder if she's ready for what the season will hold." The two of them were well-versed in what was expected and, while her role had changed since accepting her proposal, Priscilla knew that some of the debutants would have a harder time rising to the occasion. "I apologize I've been scarce the past few months; I've been a bit preoccupied."

Every year felt largely the same—the same faces among the ton, the same predictable encounters at every ball. Yet, the feelings stirred by seeing Priscilla hit differently each time. Priscilla was betrothed now, or so she’d heard. Once, they might have been close enough to share such news personally, to cherish and celebrate each other as friends. But that time had long passed.

"Yes, yes, quite handsome indeed," Vera replied, indifference ringing clear in her voice. If she believed Priscilla had any interest in a genuine conversation, she might have confided how she truly only had eyes for Noemie, and how deeply she worried for her, soft white underbelly now at the mercy of the wolves. But she suspected that anything genuine was the last thing Priscilla wanted, especially if it came from from her. "It seems you've come to master the art of small talk, Priscilla. Truly remarkable."

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"If I didn't know any better, Mister Davenport, I would think you're trying to ask me to dance yourself which we both know, considering my status, would be highly inappropriate." Priscilla knew that whatever the two of them had last year was far past over, but it was intriguing that he felt comfortable enough to voice such an opinion about her betrothed and, seemingly, her coming marriage. "It is my marriage, yes, and I am happy with it. I do hope that you find a suitable partner yourself this season, as there are plenty of viable options for you."

               ❝Diversity is indeed a delight, one that lends intrigue and variety to the bonds of matrimony. Yet, you find great pleasure in whirling amidst the ballroom. It strikes me as rather a pity that he would not partake in such joyous revelry with you.❞ Maybe it was laced with far too much honesty, but he had gotten so used to being able to speak to the other without the worry of covering his words. ❝It is, after all, your marriage.❞

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Priscilla bristled slightly at the comment, but she couldn't deny the truth behind it. Her betrothed was certainly a dancer, they'd take turns around the floor before, but the fact that she could hardly stand being near him without wanting to get into some kind of argument often led them to being separated at events such as these. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean. Dancing is simply not something he enjoys as much as I do. But it's good for a husband and wife to have different interests, is it not?"

               It amazed Ellis the way time could change things. How you could go from one feeling like someone had the potential to be your entire world to talking like strangers. Months, but it felt like it happened overnight. ❝Not as much dancing? Your betrothed is not compelling you onto the dance floor? Sounds like he may be lacking. Maybe he is a terrible dancer.❞ Broad shoulders lifted in the slightest of shrugs towards his own words of the man. Somehow, in some way, the jab felt necessary. As though it were meant to be a requirement coming from a prior suitor.

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It felt strange regressing back to the proper titles when they spoke to each other and Priscilla had a feeling he'd felt it too. She would miss the days of calling each other by their names but the time had passed and that was fine. It wasn't meant to be. The sarcasm on his words wasn't missed and she couldn't help the smile that rose to her lips, a real one this time and not the smile that society expected on the lips of young ladies on the edge of marriage. "How could it be anything less than perfection when thrown by the Queen herself? ...Although, there is a lot more standing than I remembered, perhaps because I was dancing so much last year."

               ❝Indeed, her Majesty possesses the all-knowing word.❞ The gentleman himself was not as skilled to hold back every ounce of his sarcasm, unable to help the way it managed to coat his tongue. It was the sight of the other as she curtseyed that had pulled the male into reality. Priscilla Cavendish — someone who meant something else months ago, but now nothing was the same. It left feet stepping back a single step to provide added distance for the other. ❝Lady Cavendish,❞ he returned formal words with a slight bow to his head. ❝How do you find the inaugural ball of the season? Is it all that you longed for?❞

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"Focus, Harriet. Do not apologize to me, get out there and make sure you aren't stuck to the wall the whole night. Wallflowers are not sought after." Everyone knew that. And while Priscilla might not have understood her sister's desperation for a love match, she knew that she had to find someone and that wouldn't happen if she was hiding away. The question caught her a tad off guard, but she recovered quickly. "It's simply a different kind of excitement now, my excitement is in finding you a match instead of finding one myself."

❝ I'm sorry, ❞ Harriet murmured, her eyes dropping briefly — she knew that her sister was being honest, that she would tell her if he looked silly. She seemed more adamant about her finding a husband than Harriet was herself, after all. It wasn't the marriage he wanted, it was simply someone to hold and kiss, someone to want her, to need her. ❝ Do you miss it? ❞ She found herself asking without thinking it over, her gaze lifting to meet Priscila's again. ❝ The excitement? ❞

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"No one saw." Priscilla whispered; voice low as she moved closer to the young lady who seemed out of sorts. She was hiding it well, but she knew Noemie, she knew that there was a lot going on under that perfectly coifed hair. Her proximity to Vera had given her quite the insight into the younger Talbot so it came as no surprise to find Noemie off to the side, letting the music get the better of her but, then again, some people enjoyed that. It showed passion, it showed joy...it also showed slight impropriety. Ladies were not to get lost into their whims or temptation and that included music. "Are you enjoying the ball, Miss Talbot?"

Open starter! -- The Queen's Diamond Ball | Noemie Talbot

Out of all the festivities, Noemie was looking forward to dancing the most. Seeing all the other Lords and Ladies take to the floor and twirl about in their oh-so-lovely dresses and practiced dance steps made this young lady's heart warm. So much so she was swaying to the music as she watched with joy. She couldn't believe she was finally here amongst society.

She fiddled with her dance card with such excitement and wonder and she watched the floor, she almost forgot that there were others off the floor probably watching her, in turn, being silly. Once the thought came to her head, so ceased her movements though not with embarrassment but simply due to the song ending. She gave a small clap as she peered around the room, wondering who's go next.

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Priscilla had an extraordinary ability to read the room, if only to take extensive notes and report back to her employer, and she had a feeling that if she spoke of the debutantes with this particular one, there was a chance she would carry on the conversation as though they weren't including her in Priscilla's very apt description of them. It would appear she was correct in that estimation. Smile grew into something slightly above a smirk as she glanced over at her. "Most. Are you not including yourself in that description, Miss Liew? I do not see why not, unless of course you believe Her Majesty was not as pleased with you?" Priscilla would have no idea why, of course, but it was never easy to guess who the Queen would deem the worthiest when all the options were such high caliber. But she did note the name Theodosia Grantley, someone to move out of the way for her sister's sake.

Audrey heaved out a sigh of relief as she finally escaped the clutches of her mother, aunt and the bevy of lords that they forcibly subjected the poor, socially awkward girl to talk to or dance with. Half of those conversations had been a disaster no thanks to Audrey's inability to be witty and perceptive and whilst the other half had been successfully decent, she had either failed to impress them with her clumsy dancing or she just wasn't attracted to them a few of them compromised of terribly old and deeply misogynistic men. She had begged her mother for a reprieve and was thankfully granted one or maybe it could be said that her vexed mother needed a reprieve from her seemingly inadequate youngest daughter.

The introvert had been happily sipping her lemonade in quiet but blissful solitude when a voice had piped out by her side. Audrey took a moment to pause and swivel her head around to make sure she was the one being spoken to before answering. "Ohh--yes..Most of them are quite exquisite indeed," she agreed, making sure to indicate that it was 'most', for Audrey did not count herself as a beautiful flower. She wondered if the other knew who she was and that she was a debutante this season as well. "I had heard that the queen was quite pleased with most of them. Especially by Lady Theodosia Grantley. She looked and carried herself like an angel," noted Audrey, a wistful sigh escaping her in the end.

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Priscilla knew that he was flattering her but she hardly minded. More people should flatter her constantly, but flattery was wanting these days as she was relegated to the side of her soon-to-be husband...wherever he was right now. "Julian, you jest! Perhaps they do not surpass me completely, but there are a few that are close, you must see that." The fact that he was still on the hunt himself didn't entirely surprise Priscilla - it seemed to be a common factor among the men of the Ton. There was hardly any rush to wed while the ladies were pushed towards it until they were making their vows. "You know there is no other than my sister, Harriet has my approval and there are hardly any others that have caught my attention."

if julian's mother had her way then one of the debutants on display in their finest gowns would be his future wife. he had trouble comprehending that fact so he chose to ignore it. he instead focused on the festivities. he turned his attention to sipping gin and conversing about everything except marriage prospects. however, julian was willing to discuss the debutants when priscilla enquired about his opinion of them. he assumed priscilla's thoughts would be illuminating. "very much so. though I doubt any of the debutants can hold a candle to your beauty and wit, dear cilla. is there a debutant you've spoken to who seems particularly enchanting? your approval would be high praise."

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"How else will the Ton know who is worthy, if Her Majesty does not approve of them first?" It was worded well enough, but Priscilla had to stop herself from letting sarcasm coat her tongue. No one in this pool of lords and ladies could seemingly make a decision for themselves without the Queen doing it for them and Priscilla had learned how to take advantage of that fact and happily reported such thoughts back to Lady Whistledown. Turning slightly, she gave Ellis a demure look, curtseying softly in his direction. "Mister Davenport, I hope you have been doing well since I last saw you. It feels almost like a lifetime ago." In reality, it had only been a few months but the last time they'd been together...well, things had been different.

               Colors scanned the ballroom to take in the sights. A new season and yet, the vision was always the same. Ladies curtseyed and waved their fans across their chests, some even went as far as to faint onto the floor for the attention of the suitor they had their eyes on. A new season, but always the same sights. The words from the other had the male releasing a breath of a chuckle. ❝It all comes across as exceedingly coarse. The spectacle of presenting all the ladies before the Queen as if in some grand showing. I fear I shall never grow accustomed to it.❞

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"Are you sure?" Priscilla gave her a look, eyebrow lifted. They both knew between the two of them, there was hardly anything happening at this ball that they didn't know about, and Daniela could say she had no business surveying anyone but that did not mean it wasn't happening...nor that she wasn't getting close to a few in particular. "You know, I almost didn't notice you clomping your way across the floor, you must be taking lessons in grace from someone." There was plenty behind the words, but Priscilla didn't take it further, not now, it would have been inappropriate, and she was nothing if not the picture of appropriate. "Only two? Time certainly does fly, perhaps not as quickly as I thought." It was easy to pull her leg, to say things on the tip of her tongue knowing that Daniela wouldn't say a word about it, if anything, she'd serve it back. "Marriage is hardly something you are seeking, no? Spinsterhood doesn't appear to scare you like the others."

priscella was one member of the ton that daniela tolerated. tolerated is perhaps giving the other a lack of credit, because even though she wouldn't voice it — daniela liked her. weaving her way between voluminous dresses, fluttering fans, and linked arms ; the maid made her way towards the other with the grace of a barn animal. she twirled through the crowd, nearly twisting her ankle as she just about tripped over herself, biting the inside of her cheek to remain smiling as she caught the eyes of party goers and bowed her head apologetically to each one of them.

catching her breath as she slipped beside priscella, daniela wiped her clammy palms down the front of her apron, clearing her throat and lifting her chin to survey the crowd in which the woman referenced. she then scoffed, shaking her head, turning her eyes back down towards the backs of her hands which now proved themselves to be the most interesting things in the room. " please, priscella. must you ask me such base questions ?? i have no business surveying the debutants," the nickname for the bachelors and bachelorettes spoken in a manner that was nothing short of mockery. " — anyways, as i am but two years away from being what you lot call a spinster. "