2

Gray was hesitating in the doorway and Ianto was careful not to show that he had seen him in case he wanted to bolt but eventually he crept in to sit near him with his hands clasped in his lap.

Ianto lowered the book to turn the page in his beloved private library Jack had deemed his and his alone. For Gray to enter meant he wanted something important, their relationship both awkward and stilted since the entire 'Gwen' fiasco.

Gray cleared his throat and Ianto tried not to sigh as he lowered the book again to politely look at his brother-in-law.

"Violet" Gray croaked, his nerves frayed by the cold stare of his brother's consort, hand and assassin.

"Yes" Ianto said softly, "You have been courting for a while now."

"I was….I mean…."

Ianto sighed as he knew the words caching in Gray's throat and he said them for him, "You seek her hand."

"Yes" Gray relaxed with relief.

Ianto looked into the corner of the room as if considering, then he turned back to Gray, "It is barely spring, we have a hard summer ahead and then the fall…maybe…maybe she would make a nice winter bride. Perhaps a Christmas Wedding?"

The noise in the corner of the room had them both turning to watch as Violet appeared from the shadows, "Master. A year? That's almost a year!"

"Vi, I have need of you…"

Her eyes were brimming with tears, "You have need of me? Or do you still not trust him! You said you would let me wed, you promised me that if he asked you would yield!"

"But that was two months back" Ianto growled, "I have been waiting and have had a change of circumstance I need to you by my side, not his. Wait and court more freely as intendeds. Come winter I will be able to let you go."

"Change of….that's not fair!" Violet sobbed in a rare display of anger, then she looked away as she angrily scrubbed her face, "Fine. Yes master sorry. I…you know what is best. We can court freely without a chaperone?"

Ianto seemed to be torn with something, his face twisting as he struggled, then he sighed.

"I will give you her hand in the fall" he said flatly, "Do not take her from me too soon, all I ask. Just six months then."

She squealed as he conceded and rushed to hug him, surprised when he abruptly rose and threw the book back in the chair instead of allowing the hug and it hurt her to know she had displeased him so much, even if he had backed down on the time limit.

As she watched him leave the room she wondered if she should have accepted his decision and decided to ask him later for his reason, she now wondered if there was something else going on and he needed her for something other than training?

Ianto stalked the hall, not even noticing those who brushed the walls to avoid him as his black cloak fanned out to resemble the wings of a great black raven, his anger thrumming as he considered things, then he found himself outside the War Room where he could hear his husband inside locked in a fierce debate with a neighbouring Royal Representative.

"When you can give back the fifty head of cattle, I can get him to return the three maidens" Jack repeated.

"We may not want them back, what if they are sullied now?" the man said in his broguish accent of his people.

"What if the cattle are?" Ianto said calmly as he entered, "Are your men so in need of three women?"

Jack blinked with shock, turning to stare at Ianto as he did something he never did, he interrupted.

"I do not appreciate your…your…."

"Consort is the preferred term" Ianto said calmly as he popped his hip against the table, "But husband works just as well I suppose. Only, those girls were whipped and starved when they were shown to us and I fear how many cattle have been eaten by now."

The man gaped at him.

"Perhaps a fresh fifty head of cattle? As a good will gesture they send three healthy maidens that are schooled in the art of…companionship?" Ianto asked knowing those who had taken the girls had done so for love and some of their whores would not mind a change, perefering violence to the mild mannered guards of the keep.

"Yes" the man said quickly, "What he said."

"Fine" Jack shrugged, "Make it so."

Once the man flounced off Jack turned to frown at Ianto. "What the hell has gotten into you today!"

Ianto sighed softly, "Cariad, I need to speak to you about our child."

"Well I don't!" Jack snapped, "Why bother. Besides, things are so volatile at the moment, perhaps we should wait a few years before thinking about it again!"

"What?" Ianto spluttered.

Anyway, I want to ask why you denied Gray!" Jack said angrily as he spun to slam a cupboard, "A royal wedding would be a boon to the realm right now."

"He has been in here already? You allowed him to interrupt yet chastise me? It's not a good time to let her leave my side; I need her now" Ianto tried to argue, "Jack…"

"I have to think of my people" Jack finally stopped slamming the cupboard and stared at the map on the wall, "Do not assume you are above my anger Ianto. Coming in here into my War Room and speaking like one of my advisors."

"I am your consort" Ianto said softly, taking a step back as he felt his heart twist. "Jack…"

"Not now!" Jack roared, "Get out, I need…I need to think. I may need to fix what you just did. For the love of the gods, I have my people to consider in these things."

"Yes" Ianto said softly as he reached for the door knob, "Your people. Never mind mine"

Jack swung to ask what the hell he meant by that but he was already gone.