Summary: The year is 1813, and Rory is to be promised to the son of her family's respectable friends, the Huntzbergers. But, unlike many other girls, she dreams of falling in love. Will the presense of the rude, indifferent Mr Mariano allow her to do so? Inspired by Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice.

Chapter 1

Rory Gilmore was never one for functions, preferring to read quietly against the balcony railings outside of her room; a place where she could escape into her books and seldom be disturbed. However, tonight, like many other nights in the Gilmore household, she was expected to attend a function her mother and father, Richard and Emily Gilmore, would be holding. If not to make it worse, Rory was tonight to be promised to the Huntzberger's only son. Her mother had been set upon engaging the two since they were only but children, and of course Logan Huntzberger was the son of a respectable family and a very close friend of her parents, making it a rather wonderful arrangement according to Emily.

Rory smoothed her fingers over her crystal blue, silk dress, giving herself one final glance in the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her with stunning blue eyes; a carbon copy of her dress, as she pushed away a stray hair behind her ear. Adding the final touch, she clipped a delicate diamond necklace around her neck, before turning to the door. She stared at it for a moment, hoping that somehow, just somehow, she wouldn't have to pass through it to a life of expectations and arrangements. That maybe, just maybe, she would get a chance to fall in love like the characters in her books. Maybe, she sighed, but positively unlikely.

"Rory!" her mother's voice called from downstairs, "Oh, Rory, come quickly! The Huntzbergers have arrived!"

Letting out one final sigh, Rory made her way downstairs; her expected future waiting with nothing but grief and lost hope.

"Ah, Miss Gilmore," Lady Huntzberger praised, "I hope you are well?"

"Um, yes, very well." she lied, as Logan's sister took her hands in a caring gesture.

She gave a polite smile towards Mitchum Huntzberger, before turning towards Logan. She had to admit that his handsome looks surprised her somewhat, not having seen him since they were young. Yet, there was something missing; something she couldn't quite put her finger on. Before she could address him, however, another young man stepped from behind the Huntzbergers.

"May I introduce my nephew," Mitchum explained, "Mr Jess Mariano, and hope he won't intrude on you too much, for he will be with us for the duration of our stay."

"Oh, it's no problem at all," Emily beamed, "Welcome, Jess, welcome!"

Jess simply nodded and forced a smile, before glancing indifferently around the room. If Emily was as shocked by his rudeness as Rory, than she was well mannered enough not to show it, instead gesturing her hands towards the living room, where the other guests were currently conversing.

"Please, come, come!"

Emily took Lady Hunztberger and her daughter by the arms, as Mitchum joined Richard in his talk of business and politics by the fireplace.

"Oh, I must show you our new family portrait. Why, it's simply divine!" Her mother's voice trailed off, as she disappeared amongst the crowd.

Rory was left staring at the floor, feeling eyes upon her. Looking up, she noticed that not only was Mr Huntzberger staring at her, but also Mr Mariano. His dark hair fell scruffily around his intense dark eyes. His look of trapture seemed to mirror her own, and for a moment, she forgot about his former rudeness, and felt sorry for him. Sorry that he, like her, seemed to be doing something he was forced to. Logan cleared his throat, forcing Rory to break eye contact, blushing slightly.

"Ace," Rory smiled at his childhood nickname of her, "You look more beautiful than ever. Would you care to dance?"

Jess snorted, and Rory looked upon him with sudden loathing again.

"Of course." she answered dryly, not taking her eyes off of Jess.

He held out his hand, and she took it, glancing back at Jess as he smirked at her, making his way to Richards study in the hope of escaping the crowd. Rory sighed to herself, 'Well, at least he was quite capable of making himself at home, regardless of his rudeness towards others'.

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Jess was slumped lazily back in the chair, absorbed in a book he had found on one of the shelves; his jacket lay forgotten on the edge of the chair beside him. He was attired in simply a white, long sleeved shirt, rolled up to his elbows, and light brown suspenders that were dangling loosely around his slacks. He had lost track of how long he had been in there, so absorbed in the book that he barely noticed when the door clicked open. Peering up, he saw Rory close the door softly behind her.

"Miss Gilmore." He acknowledged, returning his attention back to his book. His manors seemed to be nonexistent, she thought, staring at him for a moment. Neither did he stand, not greet me in the proper, gentlemanlike way. Yet, for some reason she could not explain, she did not leave like a proper lady would when faced by his rudeness, but found herself sitting in the chair beside him.

"So, you're not one for parties then?"

"Nope." He said, turning the page nonchalantly.

"Oh."

Picking up on her disappointment, he added, "Not really my kind of thing."

"Oh. Me either."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Huh," he said, closing his book and bringing his gaze skeptically back to her, "seems to me your future husband would disagree."

"What?" Rory replied with shock. But he simply opened his book and began reading again. Rory's eyes narrowed towards him.

"I didn't enjoy the dancing." Rory stated matter-of-factly, and when he remained silent, her tone became more defensive, "I didn't!"

Jess closed his book again, "Let me guess. You hate the fact that your parents are arranging your marriage, yet, when the guy is rich you don't really seem to mind."

Rory was on her feet now, breathing hard, "How dare you! You foul, loathsome-"

Jess raised an eyebrow and smirked at her, as if daring her to continue.

"How dare you! This is my party, and you will not stay in here all night. I order you to leave this room at once!"

Jess stared at her for a moment, and then got to his feet, his body inches from hers.

"As you wish." he smirked, brushing past her to grab his jacket. As he opened the door he turned to her, bowing his head in mock politeness, "Good day, Miss Gilmore."

The door clicked behind him. Insufferable, she thought, absolutely insufferable. After letting out a grunt of frustration, she too made her way back out to the party.

She walked quickly through the living room, hoping to make an unnoticed escape to her bedroom.

"Ace!" a voice called from behind her. Her eyes fluttered shut, before she turned towards him with a forced smile.

"I was hoping I would get another chance to dance with the most charming lady in the room?"

"Oh, uh," she began, Jess' words still echoing in her mind, "I'm not really feeling well. Please excuse me."

She turned towards the stairs and quickly made her way to her bedroom, not noticing Jess' eyes upon her from across the room.

Rory leaned her head back against her bedroom door as she slowly slumped to the floor, a single tear slipping down her cheek. All her life she had dreamed of falling in love. All her life she had been surrounded by wonderful books with fairytale endings, now only to find, that she would be robbed of hers.

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AN: Well, there's the first chapter. Please review and tell me what you think. Do you like it, do you hate it? Any suggestions or constructive critism? Just press the pretty little button:)