Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or anything that relates to Star Wars.

Parings: Rey and Kylo Ren/Ben Solo [Reylo] [ReyBen]

Continuity: British Regency AU

A/N: Pride and Prejudice is my jam, so I've been wanting to set a story in the Regency period for a long time. This is also a Christmas fic, so happy belated holidays, everyone! Enjoy!

Special Thanks: TheLoneRebels 2.0 / ToughSpirit (x2!) / Talizinha / Anoha / vampirebooklover09 / Shadow and Moonlight / Jiniyara

The Politics of Dancing
Part I
By: sushigirlali

London, December 1818

Lounging indolently on his mother's favorite crimson chaise, Ben Solo pretended to listen to the incessant prattle of the desperate debutant sitting across from him. Miss what's-her-name was more demanding than most, but unfortunately for her, he was too busy searching for his uncle's distractingly beautiful ward to care.

Where is she? Ben frowned, smoky eyes darting toward the grand staircase for the fourth time in as many minutes. It's been nearly three hours.

Impatiently tapping his fingertips against the soft velvet of the couch, Ben wondered whether he should go check on her. Purely out of concern for her wellbeing, of course. She must be tried after last night, he smirked.

Recalling the sated look on Rey Niima's flushed face as he brought her to orgasm after shattering orgasm the night before, Ben shifted restlessly in his seat. It would be unseemly to make a spectacle of himself in his parents' drawing room, but the memory of his lover's tantalizing response was proving difficult to suppress.

Turning in the direction of the immaculately decorated evergreen tree in the corner, Ben attempted to focus on something less sexually charged when a sudden sense of déjà vu struck him. The room had been similarly decorated the first day he'd met Rey, more than fifteen years ago.

Fifteen years, Ben marveled. It seems like a lifetime ago now…

Orphaned at the age of five when her parents died in a freak factory fire while touring their holdings in the industrial district, Rey's future had been precarious in the days leading up to Christmas. The Niima's were of the nouveau riche variety, and consequently, they owed money to numerous lenders, up to and including the Bank of England itself. But with no other family or capital to help settle her parent's ill-kempt accounts, Luke and Leia had felt it was their duty as longtime friends of Lord and Lady Niima to take care of Rey in their stead.

As a spoiled teenager, he'd been resentful of the attention she'd garnered from his family, feeling left out while his mother fussed over Rey like the daughter she'd always wanted. But despite his attitude in those early years, Rey had blossomed under the Skywalker's care.

Since money was no issue for one of the wealthiest families in the country, Rey was afforded everything a young lady needed to thrive in society, including a world class education in music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages. In addition, Luke fully supported her dream of studying mathematics and engineering, something no other lady of his acquaintance could boast.

But then, we're an unconventional family, Ben allowed.

Although Skywalker Manor was entailed to Luke as his father's heir, his uncle had opted to raise Rey in his small but comfortable country estate instead, leaving the mansion in London to his beloved sister and best friend. The move had raised quite a few manicured eyebrows, but Luke had never been one to follow tradition.

I'm still curious about what his motives could have been. Beyond the Skywalker party line, that is.

Whenever the subject was broached, his mother simply stated that her brother had volunteered to mentor Rey out of loneliness, but Ben wasn't so sure; the old hermit seemed pretty self-sufficient to him. Still, it was impossible to deny the effect that Rey's bright personality had had on his uncle's taciturn disposition.

Or mine, for that matter, he thought wryly, acknowledging how thoroughly the young ingénue had wormed her way into his heart.

The initial antagonism he'd felt toward Rey had ended the year before he'd gone away for University, when old man Snoke had slashed him across the face for stealing apples from his prized orchard. Although he'd been guilty of the crime, the brass seven-year-old had covered for him with his parents, making up a story about how he'd cut his cheek on a tree branch while out riding instead.

He'd felt guilty for deceiving his parents, but when Snoke suddenly succumbed to syphilis a few weeks later, Ben didn't see the point in correcting the lie; it was best to let the past die with his attacker as far as he was concerned.

Tracing the faint mark still maring his right cheek, Ben contemplated the old injury. It had piqued his vanity at first, but the slight imperfection hadn't stopped him from attracting friends—or women—while attending Oxford. In fact, most people seemed to be interested in the faded scar while far less were off-put by it.

I'm sure my family's money had something to do with it as well, he mused, not blind to the fact that his status had paved the way through a great many obstacles.

After school, Ben had worked for his father for a number of years, traveling around the world and securing their interests against outside threats. By twenty-six, he'd earned a reputation for being a ruthless negotiator and was able to stave off French control of his family's assets leading up to Napoléon's defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

He was proud of all he'd accomplished while abroad, but once the war was over, Ben was shocked to discover how much Rey had grown up in his absence. Coming home on her eighteenth birthday, he'd been instantly captivated by her delicate beauty and unbridled intelligence. Ignoring his growing attraction to the lively orphan had become more difficult with every subsequent family gathering, but the ten-year age gap between them had given him pause.

Up until last night, that is.

Now twenty-one, Rey was fully in control of her own sexuality; she knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to ask for it. He supposed he should've resisted her advances when she slipped into his room after the rest of the house had gone to bed the previous evening, but after flirting with her all throughout dinner, not to mention the several glasses of wine he'd imbibed, Ben hadn't been able to keep his hands off his adopted cousin.

Thank the maker that we're not actually related.

Succumbing to her charms had been a long time coming and he was frankly impressed with himself for holding out for so—

"Don't you think, Lord Ren?"

"Huh?" Ben stared blankly at the source of the interruption.

"I was remarking on unpatriotic Lady Lintra's gown is!" she tittered. "It's just so French!"

Lady who?

"Lord Ren?" she said when he didn't react, resting a hand on his muscular thigh. "Are you listening to—"

Staring past the airhead still jabbering away at him, Ben's jaw dropped as Rey appeared at the top of the stairs in a striking ivory gown. She wore no jewelry or makeup, but the healthy glow in her cheeks made her look radiant. Her hair, swept up into an intricate coiffure and studded with little white flowers, completed the look to perfection.

"If you'll excuse me," he said absently, ignoring his suitor's feeble protests as he brushed her off.

Moving to intercept Rey, Ben's jovial mood quickly soured as she brushed past him without a word, crossing the room to seek the company of Finn Johnson instead.

What the hell?!

Ben had only known the Earl for a short time, but judging by the warm reception on her lovely face, Rey and Finn were old chums. Up until tonight, he'd liked the younger man, but now he wasn't so sure…

Rolling her eyes at the frivolous bows and bonnets vying for Lord Ren's attention, Rey covertly tracked his movements through the crowd. He was all politeness and grace when it was time to turn on the charm, but if the ladies of the ton knew how hot-blooded he really was, they'd be shocked senseless.

Glaring at the dark-haired woman who'd been fondling Ben's thigh when she walked in, Rey wondered whether Ben had slept with her as well. Had this painted tart been as agreeable as she'd been the night before? The thought didn't sit well with her, but having fallen for the conceited wretch herself, she really couldn't blame the young coquette if she had.

Don't be a hypocrite, Rey, you would've done anything to have him just last night; and you did. Shivering as she recalled the pleasure of being in Ben Solo's arms at long last, Rey diverted her attention back to her lifelong friend. It was much easier to endure her inexplicable jealousy with Finn around.

"So, how is Rose? Have you proposed yet?" Rey inquired mischievously.

"Shh!" Finn whispered, looking around to make sure no one had overheard. "I'm still working out the finer points, so I'll thank you to hold your tongue until the moment is right."

"It's been three years, Finn, how much longer are you going to make the girl wait?" she teased.

"Until such a time as I can convince my family that I'm not throwing my life away by marrying a, and I quote, 'uncultured commoner who's only after my fortune.' "

"Oh, Finn…" Rey said sympathetically.

"Why do you think my mother has been pushing for us to make a match? She's in love with all that nice Skywalker money," he said in disgust.

"It's not like she would see any money out of the arrangement. Uncle Luke has been like a father to me, sure, but I'm not a Skywalker. I'm not blood," she said without heat.

"But you're his heir," Finn stated glibly, "so that doesn't really matter now, does it?"

"I'm his—what?" Rey exclaimed, looking around to make sure no one was listening. "Wherever did you hear such an outrageous lie?" she hissed.

"What?" Finn gaped at her. "Wait a minute! Wait just a damn minute! You don't know? He didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" she said uncertainly.

"Luke submitted a last will and testament to his lawyer right after your twenty-first birthday, naming you heir to the Skywalker fortune," he informed her.

"But…what about Ben?" Rey made the mistake of glancing at him across the room, drawing Ben's attention away from his latest admirer. "Oh, no, he's—"

"Leia's son, not Luke's," Finn reminded her.

"No! He's walking toward us," Rey interrupted. "Quick! Dance with me! I need a moment to think."

Finn immediately complied, taking her hand and leading her into a simple country dance. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spring this on you. I assumed you knew."

Rey shook her head. "Luke never said a word."

"I know he's not the most talkative chap, but he should've discussed this with you before acting," Finn said thoughtfully, tracing his foot along the floor.

"Tell me about it," she said, matching his steps with practiced ease.

"Why do you think he kept it to himself?"

"Probably to keep me from running off before Christmas," she sighed. "I never would have come to London if I'd known that Luke was going to strip Ben of his inheritance."

"Do you think Ren knows?"

"I'm not sure," Rey said hesitantly. "Why?"

Finn eyed the other man over her shoulder. "He's been watching you since you descended the staircase. He looks…well, angry isn't the right word. Jealous, maybe?"

"Jealous? I'm sure you're mistaken," she laughed, trying to play down Ben's interest. Now wasn't the time to admit that she was a fallen woman and Ben was likely feeling territorial. There were more pressing matters at hand. "He's probably just bored and looking for someone to talk to. We are family, after all."

Finn seemed to accept her explanation, but he kept looking from her to Ben and back again as if trying to work something out.

"But back to you!" Rey attempted to divert him. "Tell me more about Rose. I hear she's quite the tinkerer…"

Rey half-listened as Finn began talking animatedly about the woman he hoped to marry, thinking back to the morning of her and Luke's arrival several days ago. Ben hadn't been hostile when he'd greeted them at the estate's grand entrance gate and helped them unload the carriage, so it seemed unlikely that he knew about Luke's revised will. If anything, he'd been more approachable than usual.

Ben's never been particularly sociable, although his attitude has certainly improved over the years…among other things. Rey bit her lip as she remembered how he'd looked without a stitch of clothing on, how he'd felt lying full-length on top of her.

She'd been shy at first, despite provoking the situation, but Ben had taken his time with her, arousing her until she was breathless and begging. But did he take such good care of me because he wanted me as much as I wanted him or…? Rey stalled as a terrible thought crossed her mind.

What if Ben knew about his change of status and simply hadn't let on? What if he'd slept with her knowing that she would be compromised and therefore beholden to him if he chose to make her loss of innocence known? Would Ben stoop to sleeping with her to ensure that he had access to Luke's money?

Once again searching for him in the crowd, Rey started when she realized that Ben had maneuvered himself behind her partner, clearly intent on cornering her before she left the dance floor.

"Rose and her sister, Paige, are both—"

"Oh, no!"

"What's wrong?" Finn said, giving Rey a quizzical look.

"Ben's right behind you!" she whispered. "What should I do if he asks me to dance? I have no idea what to say to him right now."

"You'd better brace yourself then," Finn chuckled as he looked over his shoulder, "because I don't think he's going to take 'no' for an answer."

Glowering as Rey leaned into conversation with her handsome partner, Ben waited impatiently for a break in the music. Feeling like a fool for waxing poetic about her for hours on end while she was content to ignore him in favor of another man, Ben was determined to get an explanation out of her. Had their midnight rendezvous meant so little to her? Was he the only one who'd laid their heart on the line? He had to know.

"Lady Niima, may I have the next dance?" he requested as soon as the last note sounded, giving Finn the barest of nods before holding out his arm for Rey.

"If you must," she said tightly, curving her fingers around his thick bicep while her friend respectfully stepped to the side.

"Thank you, my lady," Ben said, amused by her haughty tone. Damn, but he liked her. "Give me your hand," he directed when the orchestra took up a dreamy ballad.

"A waltz?" Rey inquired curiously, assuming the correct posture by placing one hand on his shoulder and the other in his. "Are you sure we should be doing this, my lord?"

"Whatever do you mean?" he replied, expertly leading her into the foreign dance.

"In some circles, the waltz is considered inappropriate between unwed men and women, as you well know—oh!" she gasped as he suddenly swept her off her feet and twirled her in a wide circle. "Ben!" she laughed in an unguarded moment of pure joy, exhilarated by his display of strength.

"That's better," Ben beamed, lacing their fingers together. "I've been waiting to see you smile again all day, sweetheart."

Rey's eyes widened at the endearment before sliding surreptitiously around the room. "Put me down, please," she said coolly.

Gently lowering her to the ground, Ben searched her pretty face. "What is it?"

"Nothing," she denied curtly.

"You're angry with me," he said in surprise, picking up on her mood.

"I'm angry with myself," Rey corrected.

"Whatever for?"

"I'm not like you, Ben," Rey huffed. "Despite what I instigated last night, I can't just sleep around and damn the consequences. I can't just flirt with whomever I want and hope for the best. If I want to make a good marriage, I have to—"

"Who do you intend to marry?" he interrupted sharply, pulling her to a stop. "Johnson?"

"It doesn't matter. Look, there's something I need to tell—"

"Of course it matters!" Ben growled, tightening his hold. "You're mine!"

"Excuse me?! I'm no one's property," she shot back.

"Don't test me, Rey, I'm not in the mood for games," he said, dragging her flush against him and lowering his lips to within an inch of her own. "We're nowhere near done with each other and you well know it."

"I don't—Ben, you're too close," Rey whispered, swaying towards him in spite of her words. "People will talk."

"Let them."

"Ben…"

"Come out onto the terrace with me, then," he said, ghosting his lips over hers. "I'm not letting you out of my sight until we've discussed this properly."

"I shouldn't," Rey faltered.

"But you want to," he said confidently.

"Yes," she conceded, "but don't let that go to your thick head, you arrogant swine!"

"Never," Ben smiled, backing off slightly and placing her hand in the crook of his arm. "Right this way, my lady."

Alarm bells were going off in her head as Ben lead her out to the deserted veranda, but she ignored them. What could he possibly do to her thirty feet from his mother's packed drawing room?

Quite a lot, as it turned out.

Rey moaned as his wide lips crashed over hers the moment they reached a secluded alcove. He didn't give her time to think let alone argue, backing her into the cool balustrade and cupping the back of her head with firm fingers. Leaning into his massive chest without a shred of self-preservation, Rey gripped the front of his finely made dinner jacket, pulling him even closer. It felt so good to be in his arms again.

Too good. Get ahold of yourself, Rey. You were supposed to discuss…you were…there was something… Losing her train of thought as Ben's hips slid into contact with hers, Rey was instantly aware of the hard jut of his body. He was a large man, her Ben, all over.

When they parted to catch their breath few tumultuous minutes later, Ben took the opportunity to rumble, "Does Finn Johnson kiss you like that?" and ruin the moment.

"What?" she asked, dumbfounded by the abrupt accusation.

"Johnson," he glowered. "How long have you known him?"

"Finn? Why do you—Ben, are you jealous?" Rey gaped, shocked by the notion. The man's family had more money than the crown for goodness sake! He could have anything he wanted, any woman he wanted. So, why was he jealous of her?

"Of course I am! You went from my arms to his within a matter of hours!" he grumbled, honest to the point of insolence. "It's insulting!"

"That wasn't my intent."

"This isn't funny, Rey. I need to know how deeply you're involved with—"

"Ben, it's not like that," Rey interjected. "You needn't be jealous; the Earl and I are just friends. We used to play together as children, that's all."

"Just friends, huh?"

"Yes! And if you don't believe me, you can—"

"I believe you," he broke in. "You're many things, Rey Niima, but you're not a liar."

"Oh, well, good," she said lamely.

A tense silence stretched between them until Ben chuckled, his deep voice surrounding her in the relative darkness of their hideaway. "Is that what we are?"

"What?"

"Friends," he said with a crooked grin. "Are we friends?"

"We're…" Family? Friends? Lovers? Rey trembled with uncertainty and barely repressed desire. Tell him, Rey. Tell him about Luke. "I don't know what we are."

"Is that why you're upset with me?" he probed, absently playing with the fine hairs at the nape of her neck. It was an oddly comforting gesture and Rey had to fight not to lean into it. "Because you're unsure about the future of our relationship?"

"The future of our relationship?" she parroted.

"We're lovers, Rey," Ben reminded her with a smirk. "You're my woman now."

"I'm not—we're not—it was a one-time thing," she stammered. Tell him!

"We'll see about that," he challenged, dipping his head toward hers again.

"Am I the only one?" she queried, quickly turning her cheek to avoid his tempting mouth. "What about that woman who was hanging all over you earlier?"

"What woman?" Ben tilted her chin to make her look at him again.

"The one sitting next to you on that ostentatious bolt of red velvet when I came downstairs," Rey reminded him.

"Oh, her?" he said dismissively. "I barely heard a word she said to me; I was waiting for you."

"You were?"

Ben nodded, gently framing her flushed face. She tried not to melt under his sincere stare, but it was tough going.

"Well, you still shouldn't have let that black-haired hussy put her hands on you the day after making love to me," she chastised half-heartedly. Did you make love to me? Or was it just…

"I'm sorry," he murmured, pressing a tender kiss to her freckled cheek.

"Stop it," Rey breathed.

"Stop what?"

"You know what!"

Ben trailed his lips across her face to her mouth, but he didn't close the distance. "Kiss me, Rey."

Don't you dare, Rey! You need to find out what he knows about the inheritance before you give into your baser needs. Don't do it, don't do it, don't do it!

"Please," he whispered longingly.

Dammit.

Rey slammed her lips over his, kissing him so fiercely that he actually staggered back a few paces before wrapping her up against him. His hands were in her hair, on her body, everywhere, as uncoordinated as his harsh breathing, showing her without words just how much he wanted her. Emboldened by his enthusiastic response, Rey fumbled with the buttons holding his coat closed, frantic to push aside her doubts and lose herself in his arms instead.

Argh! Why won't these stupid things—

"Ben? Rey? Are you out here?"

The young couple froze in horror as Han Solo's voice cut through their passion like a knife.

"Oh my god!" Rey exclaimed. "Your father!"

"Bloody hell," Ben swore.

"Oh my god!" she repeated. "Ben, if he catches us like this…"

"It's okay, we're well hidden," he assured her, but his tone was less than convincing.

"Are you sure? What if—"

"Calm down," he mumbled, still breathing harshly.

"Calm down?!" Rey returned incredulously. "Calm down?! How dare—"

Ben laughed despite the seriousness of the situation, hugging her close. "I was talking to myself."

"Oh. Right. Sorry," she said sheepishly as his arousal nudged her flat stomach. "So, what should we do?"

"You go first and take my father back inside. If he asks, tell him something came up and I had to step away," he instructed.

"What about you?"

"I'll follow in a few minutes, once I've had time to collect myself."

"Okay," Rey agreed. "How do I look?" she asked, stepping back.

"Beautiful," he said gruffly.

Blushing to the roots of her sable hair at the appreciative look on Ben's handsome face, Rey impulsively reached up to place a kiss on his long chin. "Don't be too long." Hurrying forward before he had a chance to respond, Rey intercepted Han before he could wander too far from the house. "Here I am, uncle! Is it time for supper yet? I'm starved!"

"Just about," Han replied. "Leia sent me on a mission to find you and my son. You haven't seen him, have you?"

"Ben? He went upstairs to take care of something," Rey said easily. "He should be back shortly, though."

"Is that so?" Han raised one dark eyebrow, taking in her slightly disheveled appearance.

"Yes," she lied, nervously tucking an errant curl behind her ear. "Shall we?" Rey indicated the patio door.

"We shall, my dear," he chuckled, looking toward the spot where she and Ben had been sequestered before turning around and opening the door for her. "I think you'll find the seating arrangement interesting this evening," Han said conversationally, taking her arm and leading her across the dance floor and into the dining room. "Your aunt really knows how to plan an entertaining party."

Confused by his enigmatic statement, Rey just smiled and nodded. As long as nobody looked at her too closely, she was sure that she could survive the rest of the evening without scandal and have a civil conversation with Ben about Luke's will after dinner.

But as Rey sat down in her assigned seat near the head of the huge dining table, Han's words came into startling focus. Reading the name cards on either side of her plate with growing trepidation, Rey realized that Poe Dameron, Viscount of Yavin, was to be her dinner companion for the evening, not Ben.

Oh, Leia, she sighed when Ben arrived a few moments later, looking apoplectic as his mother escorted him to the other end of the table. You don't even know what you've done.

A/N: Or does she?! Haha! You'll just have to wait and see, friends! I'm planning to finish up the second part of the tale in the next week or so, so please let me know what you think so far. I hope everyone is ready for the Year of Reylo because I sure as hell am! Please check out my other fics if you enjoyed this! I have a lot lol