Chapter One
Noah Puckerman was bored, it wasn't a strange thing for him to be bored unfortunately, but right now it was worse, he had been to put it lightly a rather promiscuous young man growing up and while enjoying his promiscuity he also never accepted responsibilities for his actions, not that he ever got a girl pregnant but still the string of broken hearts littered behind him caused their own problems. Another unfortunate occurrence was that fathers and brothers did not particularly appreciate his callous behaviour towards their women folk, be they unwed girls or married ladies and as such he was bored because with the girls not only warned but ordered to stay away from him he had no one to play with.
Cutting a swath through the society party in his dashing dark grey suit, going against custom as it didn't have tails he headed for the nearest drink try and pulled off his gloves quickly to pick up a glass of scotch. Turning with his back to the fire to listen to the gossip around him, already frustrated at his required presence at this collection of simpering girls, most of whom he had already made 'friends' with as it were, and dull men who simply wanted to talk business. It wasn't that he didn't like money, he did, and luckily for him he had enough for several life times, he just didn't feel the need to constantly talk about his many business holdings, the banks and the import/export businesses of the economy.
As he continued to watch the room his eyes stopped in shock at the new girl who was standing next to an older man, she was gorgeous, her white dress was tight and rather than a hoop underneath the skirt, something he couldn't abide, it fell straight to the floor. The white was off cream and had a gold panel in the centre of the bodice with delicate brown flowers stitched into it, while the sleeves hung down her arms, the bodice itself clung to her, showing over not only her small breasts but her flat stomach and curved waist. Her hair, something he never really concentrated on was gathered up on top of her head, artful and delicate curls falling from the mess as they slipped from the silver headband which matched the necklace around her neck, which rested against the collarbones he was already fantasising running his lips along.
"Your Grace may I introduce you to two new arrivals of our evening?" Asked Miss Quinn with a gleaming smile, her arm sliding through His Grace Duke Noah Puckerman of Rutland without permission he glanced down at it with an arch of his eyebrow and nodded sharply. Knowing the one place he would never go was with the daughter of Baron Fabray, not only was she engaged to be married to another Baron, one he actually had respect for, but with his most recent lecture from his darling mother ringing in his ears he had to look for wife material now and the only heir to the highest peerage in Britain could not marry the daughter of a Baron, well that and she was a shrew most of the time.
Only agreeing because he wanted to meet the girl who had managed to stun even him he let himself be led across to the room, where other people were flocking to meet the new arrivals, skilfully insinuating herself in front of everyone Quinn pulled Noah, or Puck as close friends knew him, forward.
"Your Lordship Hiram Berry Marques of Anglesey may I introduce you to His Grace Noah Puckerman Duke of Rutland" she said sweetly, scowling as Puck moved so her arm dropped like a stone to her side.
"An honour your lordship" Puck bowed a little, Hiram bowed in return with a smile as Puck turned to the petite brunette and picked up her hand to press a kiss to it gently "and this is...?" he asked as she blushed a little.
"My daughter your Grace" Hiram said with a proud smile at the brunette, sliding an arm around her and hugging her a little "Rachel"
"A pleasure Lady Rachel" Puck said with a small smirk pressing another kiss to the back of Rachel's hand.
"The pleasure is all mine Your Grace" Rachel said in low melodic voice, which only her and her father knew it was nothing like her.
"Perhaps Your Grace you would be so kind as to look after my daughter while I talk business with Lord Schuester?" Hiram asked with a slight roll to his eyes the Puck sympathized with.
"It would be my honour" Puck said offering his arm to Rachel, who smiled and nodded slipping her hand into the crook of his elbow and letting him lead her away.
"Thank you Your Grace" Rachel said as he plucked a glass of wine from a try for her and pressed it into her free hand, his other hand over hers in his elbow not wanting to let her go.
"Of course Lady Rachel" Puck smiled at her "I'm sure you would much rather spend time with the ladies but I must keep my promise to you father"
"No I would prefer this then a group of gossiping girls" Rachel admitted bitterly, blushing as soon as she realised she had admitted that out loud "I...I...I apologise, I didn't mean to say that aloud"
"You spoke your mind" Puck smiled moving to stand in front of her and holding her hand to his lips again "not only is that an admirable quality but you also spoke what I have thought for years" pressing a kiss to her hand again.
"Really?" Rachel asked with a knowing arch to her eyebrow "from what I have heard you have not always thought that Your Grace" she curtsied to him and swept away quickly, leaving a watching wake in her path and a stunned Duke.
Puck watched her walk away both with respect and regret, that she was walking away was regretful itself as she was completely different to the girls with their huge skirts and demure clothing, but respect for her challenge of him. No one had done that before, not even his mother questioned his actions and for this stranger to do so made him want to talk to her more than he had before.
Rachel and her father left a little later, heading to their new house in London while the party gossiped about the new member of London society.
"I heard he has been in Europe for the last few years, after his wife died he took his daughter left his estate in the hands of a trusted family friend and left the country, that was almost fifteen years ago now"
"But the daughter shouldn't she be betrothed by now?" One of the wives asked bitchily, not liking the most eligible bachelors mooning over this new girl who had just appeared when she had three daughters to marry off.
"I heard she actually gets a choice in who she marries" Lord Rutherford smiled "and as the apple of her father's life he would do anything for her. And apparently she has opinions"
"Opinions?" Puck asked trying to hide the earnest in his voice.
"Opinions as to the type of man she will marry"