I don't own Being Human. Hope you like it


Chapter one

"It was the 2nd of July 1815 when I first met her. I had been invited to a party, at Keddleston Hall in Derbyshire, celebrating the English victory at the Battle of Waterloo and the return of those who had gone off to fight."


He pulled his horse up from a steady canter as he approached the small bridge. The lights were shining in all the windows of the grand house and the place was buzzing with life. Grand carriages were manoeuvring outside the entrance, dropping off their important passengers. As he sat there just looking, another carriage trotted past. The footman nearest him nodded his head as they passed and Hal nodded back. He moved his horse back onto the driveway and followed the coach through the last of the grounds up to the entrance of Keddleston Hall. As he dismounted he handed his reigns to the nearest servant.

"Make sure she gets some water and food, and that she's ready for me when I want to leave."

"Yes sir" the servant bowed and took the horse off to the stables.

As Hal walked up the staircase to the entrance he heard the sound of music and laughter already coming from within. Someone took his coat and hat from him as he entered the house. The beautiful white of the entrance room dazzled Hal for a moment. The columns surrounding the room had been decorated with flowers. The Union Flag was hanging from something in the ceiling and the room is packed with people. Young girls huddled together in groups waiting for a possible husband to ask them to dance. Husbands entertained their wives by talking to people they don't really like. Single gentlemen navigated their way through the crowd looking for the smoking room, for really it was too early for dancing.

Hal spotted a familiar face move through the nearest door and he followed.

"William. Having fun?" Hal grabbed the shoulder of the fellow vampire.

"Yes M'Lord thank you. Have you just arrived? Let me get you a drink" the young vampire rushed off, eager to get away from Hal and continue enjoying his evening. Hal chuckled to himself remembering when he used to be young and scared of everyone. His recent achievement of Old One status had had a bigger effect on how other vampires treated him than he thought it would. Everyone was scared of him now, even people he had thought of as friends. But that was for the best, if they feared him then they respected him. William returned with a glass of punch and almost ran away the second the glass was in Hal's hand.

He just stood there observing the guests having fun. Hal was really waiting for some older vampires to arrive so he could have a civilised conversation, but until then he was enjoying people watching. But then they jumped on him.

From nowhere the four women were suddenly standing around Hal blocking any form of escape. They were all talking at once at him.

"You must be the new Lord."

"Just moved into one of the town houses"

"But you're staying with a good friend of my husbands while you are in the country"

"Yes I" Hal could barely get a word out. They answered all their questions themselves.

"Have you danced yet My Lord?"

"Oh yes! We must find you a good dance partner"

"My daughter is a wonderful dancer"

"Mine is also excellent, the best in the area I would say"

As they began arguing about whose daughter was the better dancer Hal didn't know how he would get away. Two of the women were still talking to him but he was just searching for an escape route. Then a shout went out across the crowd.

"Look! Over there by the door."

The room as one turned towards the door and the four women, for a moment, forgot all about Hal. As he went to move a hand came out and pulled him towards the floor. Before he hit the ground he was pulled to his right and out from within the circle of the annoying women. By this time people had realised there was nothing happening by the door and were returning to their conversations. As the women began turning round Hal was pulled behind a decorated drinks table, which had a handy table cloth that fell to the floor hiding Hal from the annoying women.

Hal smiled as he heard the disgruntled cries of the four women as they realised Hal was longer standing where they left him.

"You looked like you needed saving." the hand that had pulled him through the crowd, behind the table, belonged to a young girl who was trying to stifle giggles. Her smile was infectious and Hal couldn't help the boyish grin that spread across his face.

"I did, thank you."

"If you're new in town and not married those four will have lined you up a wife by the second dance. I thought it was my duty to help you as I know what they're like."

"They were saying something about me dancing with their daughters." For some reason Hal still couldn't stop smiling.

"I think it would be best if you say you can't dance because of some sort of injury. Otherwise you won't be able to stop dancing all night." She popped her head up above the table to see if the women had moved away yet.

"I would wait for a few minuets if I were you. Give them some time to move on to the next eligible gentleman and then you should be able to rejoin the party."

As she sat back down Hal got a proper look at her face. She was pretty but not quite beautiful. Long light brown hair fell down her back in loose curls. Her eyes were a deep shade of green that shone when they caught the light. A few girly freckles dotted her cheeks. But it was her smile that caught your attention. It was such an innocent and joyful smile. Hal found himself wanting to keep that smile on her face, it seemed to light him up somehow. As long as she was smiling he didn't seem to be able to stop either.

As she went to stand up Hal realised their hands were still joined and it didn't feel wrong. He squeezed her hand worried that she was about to leave. She squeezed his hand back and turned to look at him.

"Where are you going?" he asked before he could stop himself.

"I don't really know but I can't stay behind this table with you all night."

"If I have to hide I could go outside for a while, it's a lovely night."

"You could yes" she was grinning again.

"Well would you like to join me?" Hal didn't know why he was asking but he didn't seem to be able to stop his mouth.

"What an unaccompanied young girl out on a moonlight walk with an unmarried man that she has only just met?" She thought about it for a few heart beats then looked straight into Hal's eyes.

"Yes I think I will. I don't really like following rules anyway." She held on tighter to Hal's hand and pulled him up, through the crowd and out of a side door.


To be continued...