Time 10

"How about riding after lunch?" Puck said pulling out Rachel's chair for her as they all sat down at the lunch table later that same day, unable to tear his eyes away from Rachel's as he talked, stunned that even the most simplest task of lifting her fork to her mouth managed to look sexy on her.

"That sounds perfect for the two of you" Eva said brightly from the head of the table "Rachel you are more than welcome to borrow any of the horses whenever you want, Noah has told me that you love riding"

"That would be my fault" Hiram laughed "she either spent her time out riding in Wales when she should have been learning, or I was working and she was sneaking out to ride in whatever country we were in"

"Rachel sneaking out?" Santana said with mock shock which everyone laughed at the idea of straight laced Rachel sneaking out

"I'm not making it up!" Hiram protested "I would come back to the house and find a horse gone and my daughter missing"

Rachel blushed again and toyed with the food on her plate as everyone laughed at her, looking up she saw the mischievous glint in Puck's eyes at his amusement, he couldn't believe that his fiercely proper girl was a little rebel growing up.

He had been growing up as well constantly running away to escape the trappings of the society he had been thrown into, as he got older his actions were probably manifestations of this hatred of the same thing Rachel hated. Smiling at Rachel he took a large sip of his drink and changed the conversation to business which Hiram, Jesse and Finn picked up quickly Rachel looking at him gratefully before they both finished their lunch and headed for the stables.

"Did you catch my mother's comments at lunch?" Puck asked as they both saddled their horses expertly

"You mean those pointed remarks about how we are such a good looking couple?" Rachel said with a laugh swinging herself up onto her horse as Puck mimicked her actions and they both rode out of the stables together.

"I don't think she could have been more obvious" Puck laughed pulling his horse in close to Rachel to reach over and take one of her hands off the reins to tangle their fingers together and keep her close as they rode side by side. "Not that I don't agree with her of course, we are one fine looking couple"

Rachel laughed and nodded before he lifted their joined hands to his mouth and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand and letting it go so they could both kick their horses to a gallop and race down the lovers lane that winded through Belvoir Woods both of them oblivious to the gathering clouds above.

Laughing as her horse splashed through a stream Rachel looked back at Puck who was following her closely his own eyes lit up with happiness and laughter as they raced for no other point than the fun of it. Feeling the wind blow past them, skimming over Puck's mostly shaved head while tossing out Rachel's hair in a brunette wave they raced towards nothing in particular only stopping when Rachel finally pulled her horse to a slow stop in a clearing far on the other side of the woods looking down into the valley below.

"That was so much fun" Rachel gasped swinging herself off and into Puck's arms as he hurried to catch her as she dismounted before grabbing the leading ropes and tying the two horses up to a tree to let them both walk freely.

"The sun has gone in" he said sadly as he climbed over a fallen log and waited to see if she was ok before taking her hand again "I knew our summer couldn't last long"

Rachel laughed before screeching in surprise as the heavens opened and suddenly it poured with rain, screeching but laughing the two of them were soaked quickly as they ran for the cover of the trees as fast as they could.

Reaching the relative safety of the trees Rachel giggled as she scraped her now sodden hair from her face and tied it back quickly with a piece of ribbon before turning to Puck who gulped at her now almost see through white dress. Her thick cotton dress was clinging to her body in such a way that nothing was left to the imagination for the man already finding it difficult not to succumb to his urges when it came to this girl. Licking her own lips at Puck's chest on display in his now transparent shirt Rachel blushed and looked away as she moved further back under the tree to protect herself from the still falling rain.

"Well that was sudden" Puck finally choked out following her under the tree and trying to keep his eyes on her face instead of the luscious body below and failing miserably.

"Yes it was" Rachel shivered rubbing at her arms before Puck took her gently into his own, hoping that it would stop the temptation of looking down if he held her close and wanting to warm her up "t...t...thank you"

"More than welcome" Puck said closing his eyes at the feel of Rachel pressed up against him like he had been dreaming of since he had seen her, more so since he was courting her, leaning down he pressed a kiss to her head and rubbed her arms to warm her up.

Wrapping her arms around his waist Rachel lent into his side as she looked up at both him and the falling rain "warmer now" she said her arms tightening around him so he knew that her comment didn't mean she wanted him to move away.

"Doing my job then" Puck said looking down at her with a smile and watching her lips as they moved into a smile up at him, the over whelming urge returned once again and unable to repress it again he finally lent down and closed the small distance between the two of them to press his lips against her own. Squeaking in surprise but not wanting him to move away Rachel moved in front of him and went up on toes to press against him more insistently not knowing exactly what she was doing but enjoying it.

"Finally" Puck murmured leaning his forehead against hers "been wanting to do that a while"

"Was it ok?" Rachel asked meekly "I've never...I mean..."

"It was perfect" Puck assured her leaning down and kissing her again, smiling as she responded quicker this time "it couldn't not be"

Rachel smiled up at him again and let him sweep her up into his arms to carry her back to her horse, they were the epitome of the hero and the damsel in distress and for once Rachel didn't mind.

Gleeeeeeeeeee

"Ah Lady Rachel" Finn said brightly "I feel like I have barely seen you today"

"Lord Finn, yes I suppose I have been quite busy spending time with his Grace"

"Ahh yes I was wondering if we could have a word about his Grace with you my Lady" Finn said ushering her into a seat next to the fire place as the bad weather continued outside "I have come to understand that the two of you, or rather he is courting you"

"Exactly what is this to do with you my Lord?"

"I wanted to warn you" Finn said sincerely "the Duke has a history that I worry will hurt you; he has been with a number of women and not just in the courting sense but in the biblical. His exploits are legendary and mostly infamous for who he has used and thrown away. He could never be satisfied by one woman and would more than likely cheat on you, just like so many other men like him would. I wouldn't Lady Rachel; I would always be faithful to you"

Rachel sat back slightly stunned and ignored the rest of his babbling before he got to his feet and walked away, he was right about one thing men like Puck had been, was? Did usually keep a mistress after marriage, and Puck's reputation certainly preceded him in a way that sometimes worried her, though she tried to let rumours not get to her, but it wasn't something she could just ignore.

Biting her lip she looked up as Puck appeared in front of her with a glint in his eyes motioning for her to meet him outside, which she did quickly, gasping as his hands grabbed her waist and tugged her into shadow so he could press his lips against hers.

"Noah" Rachel said seriously pulling away a little "I need to ask a question and I need you to answer me honestly"

"Of course" Puck said in surprise pulling back and standing clear of her but still close.

"Are you going to have a mistress when we get married?"