Balls and other social events were not something Jack attended with any regularity, not since the death of his wife and child. However, the lone widower had decided that it would probably do his mind some good to at least attempt a civil, if not cordial, night away from his hunt.
With that in mind, he entered The Royal Oak. Jack had barely put much thought into his costume. Instead, he wore his best evening suit with a wine-coloured silk brocade waistcoat, white shirt, and a black silk cravat. A simple black mask completed his attire.
He arrived to find the evening's festivities had already begun. More than a few people were in attendance, though their masks obscured their identities. Jack managed to snatch a cup of punch from a footman's try, but didn't drink. His role was to mingle and hopefully catch snatches of gossip about strange attacks, not get blind drunk...