AN: I don't own the characters I didn't make up.

Summary: Lit; AU; Set in the late 1800's, early 1900's. Rory is a girl from a wealthy family, but her father (Christopher) is trying to marry her into a family of even greater wealth. This lucky man is Jess. Lorelai is still the colorful character we know and love, but Jess is a gentleman, with a slight bad-boy twist.

She absently played with her bracelet. It would have cost a fortune to most people, but to her family, the cost was nothing much.

She sat at a luncheon table, periodically sipping her honey-lemon tea.

Her father noticed the glazed-over look in her eyes and sent her mother, Lorelai, a warning glance. Lorelai took the hint and leaned slightly closer to her daughter.

"Rory"

Rory suddenly looked up and at her mother.

"Yes?"

"Look, I know that this may not be the most enjoyable experience in the world," she paused. "But pay attention, your future is dependant on this day."

Ah yes, today was the day that she was going to meet a Mr. Jess Mariano, her future fiancée and eventually husband. How wonderful it felt to be looked at an object for auction, where the richest man wins.

She was only controlling herself from getting up from the table and leaving because of her father. For the wrath if Christopher Hayden was one to be greatly feared.

After a few long minutes, two men and one woman approached their table.

The older gentleman and the lady were around her parents age, maybe a little older.

The young man, boy really, was her age, she was sure of it.

He had short brown hair, and deep, charming brown eyes.

The older man, the boy's father perhaps, extended his hand to Christopher. The pair exchanged generic pleasantries and the man turned to Lorelai.

The woman promptly greeted Christopher and Lorelai after (what Rory presumed was) her husband.

Rory looked at the boy.

He was…cute.

She liked cute.

Was she to be married to this new, cute boy?

The young man took her gloved hand in his and chastely kissed it.

"I am Jess Mariano. I presume you are the Rory Hayden I've heard so much about."

AN: This is chapter 1. I hope you enjoyed it.