I would go aristocrat (the NPC class), and would not consider this class a court fop at all. Note that they get d8 hit dice, and are proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with all types of armor and shields.
Try the swashbuckler from Complete Warrior. Even if you never actually do and swashing or buckling, the increased skills will be a boon. Also consider the "thug" from Unearthed Arcana as an example of how to modify the fighter. Lose a bonus feat, get 4 skill points, modify the skill selection slightly.
At Birthright.net we created a noble class for the 3.5 version of that game.
Here is the link to the file for Chap 1 (sanctioned and now considered "official" Birthright material, by the way. It is not OGC but is "free" so you can use it for your own stuff.
If you are only using classes from the WotC books then use the aristocrat NPC class from the DMG - it comes the closest to describing a "noble" born character. Infact it says the charactter msut take this clas at first level since he is born to it.
This is a link to Nifft's D&D page. It's got a lot of good stuff, including PC versions of the adept and aristocrat. If you take 4 or less levels of Aristocrat, your BAB will only suffer by 1, and you'll get sundry benefits. It's a good class.