Chapter I- Adrien

Guests had started to arrive half an hour ago but Father hadn't ordered him down yet. Adrien appreciated this small relief. He sighed, rubbing his signet ring. He'd wanted to go out tonight, to meet her in the moonlight. Lady Luck was out there somewhere, solving crime in the darkness. He should be out there with her, but instead, his father was throwing a ball.

It was a nice thought but Nathalie didn't really need the added stress (being chaplain for his father was bad enough) and Adrien wasn't going to pick a bride from the young ladies who'd be offered to him over and over again. He wanted her. Ladybug. His partner, his equal. No other woman would do.

Chat Noir, as the ton had taken to calling his alter ego, was her perfect match, so they'd said. Of course, the ton thought they were married. If only they knew that he was a bachelor, the heir to the dukedom. Adrien had kept his identity a secret to protect both his father's and Ladybug's reputations. He didn't give a damn about his own. If it was made public, Adrien thought with disgust, there would be a sudden rise in rumors of Chat Noir's appearances crawling out of bedroom windows.

Truly, what matchmaking mamas did to ensnare and capture a wealthy man for their children was disgusting. Forcing one to wed someone to keep their honor. Ridiculous.

If their daughter appealed to the man enough to have a happy marriage, he shouldn't have to be conned into it in the first place. Fortunately enough for Adrien, his cat-like reflexes and ability to escape danger had kept him from being trapped in this way. He would wait for her. He could, and he would.

Adrien sipped his tea. He could almost imagine her running in the night, her long inky hair blowing lines across her papery skin. She'd laugh at him, toss her hair over her shoulder, and fly across the night. He could smell her. Oranges and fresh bread. Her lips were perfectly plump and soft, and they were meant to be kissed. Worshiped. His lady deserved to be treated like the goddess she was. No other woman he had ever known would risk her reputation and her life for anyone who needed help. His merciful lady. He couldn't settle for less than her. He wouldn't.

A sudden racket came from the door and a black blur flew in circles around his head.

"Adrien, your father's coming up to fetch you! Remember to save me some cheese!"

Plagg zoomed by, his words shooting out as he slipped into Adrien's partially open wardrobe.

Adrien stood, closing his eyes, trying to brace himself for the mass of people that awaited him. Polite, meaningless conversation, endless dancing and the tiresome young virgins who batted their eyelashes in hopes of snaring the dukedom. He looked down at his clothing, making sure he wasn't wearing too much black. He straightened his cravat. There was a knock at the door and he opened it.

Father nodded, approving of the outfit. His own attire seemed rather foppish, with its perfectly coordinated cravat, vest and coat, but, the Duke of Farnsington could do as he pleased.

"Most of the important guests are here, Adrien, so it's past time you made an appearance. Oh, and the Bourgeois chit was asking for you. Quite forward of her, don't you think? Her dowry is so large that her forwardness won't matter so much, eh, son?"

Adrien inwardly groaned. Chloe. Of all the chits who'd rabidly pursued him, she was the absolute worst. If there was anyone who could be as shallow as his lady was kind hearted, it would be that evil, rotten wench.

Father must have noticed his slight grimace.

"Ah, well, I'll find a distraction for her. Just come down soon, alright?"

"Yes, Father."

At least Nino would be down there. He'd make this bearable. He enjoyed the spotlight and being the life of the party, and he knew how to do it well. Nino would save Adrien from as many unfortunate encounters as humanly possible while still being the most despicable rake of the ton. Everyone loved Nino, men, women, girls. He was scandal, passion, and romance while Adrien was boring, quiet, and detachment. The older women had dubbed them The Sun and Moon on account of it.

Adrien glanced back at his darkened window and wished that his Lady had a wonderful night. She deserved it.

He closed the door to his safe haven- that magical place where Chat Noir met a boring young man, and flung himself into the whirling cacophony of the party.