10
Alice approaches Ianto with a letter in her hand.
"He's back in three days he says - heavens that's Thursday - and not alone. He gives directions to prepare all the best rooms. I'm to get more staff from the George Inn. The ladies will bring their maids, the gentlemen, valets. We must accommodate them all. Supplies to be got; linen, the mattresses …" Alice has worked herself up into quite a panic. "I'll get started. I'll go to the George. No, I'll tell Martha..."
Ianto can sense that the poor lady is overwhelmed. "May I assist you, Mrs Harkness?"
We see Alice approach Ianto in a rush of gratitude.
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Ianto wears a housekeeper's apron over his suit. He enters Jack's room with an armful of bed linen. It has been returned to its former glory. Toshiko is jumping up and down on the bed. Sophie is trying to coax her off it. Ianto gives Sophie the sheets.
Toshiko leaves the room with Ianto and skids all the way down the newly polished gallery in her stockinged feet. Ianto can't help smiling.
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Ianto sets down several bottles of wine on the kitchen table in order to dust them. The kitchen is a hive of activity -except for one lone figure sitting quietly in a chair by the fire, smoking a pipe; Grace Poole. Leah and one of the hired under cooks are talking about her.
"She gets good wages, I'd guess?"
"Wish I had as good; not one fifth what Mrs Poole receives." Another whispers.
Ianto affects not to listen, but is keenly interested.
"And she's laying it all by." Lea nodded "I shouldn't wonder if she's saved enough to keep her independent."
"She's a good hand, I daresay." The Under Cook commented.
Leah agrees "Not everyone could do it, that's for sure, not even for the money."
"No wonder the master relies on her" the Under Cook says with a sad shake of her head.
Leah notices Ianto's curious glance. She nudges the under cook. Ianto picks up the bottles and carries them away. As he passes he hears: "Doesn't he know?"
At that moment, Toshiko rushes in. "They're here! They're here!"
Alice tries to get her apron off. She becomes flustered. Ianto helps her. "Thank you."
Alice and Toshiko go. Ianto looks out of the window.
His attention is focussed on two equestrians who lead the arriving party; Jack and Gwen, the dark beauty at his side. She is laughing at something. The sun shines behind her. Ianto is dazzled.
He turns away.
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Ianto comes up the back stairs and on to the gallery, just as the ladies start to issue from their rooms. He stands back in a dark corner.
There is an approach of chatter; a subdued vivacity. A flurry of multicoloured silks, lace and velvets go by. They descend the staircase as noiselessly as a bright mist.
Ianto steps out. He walks right into the path of Gwen Cooper, who is dressed in white. They both startle.
"Excuse me, miss".
Gwen gives him a look of ice. Jack is at the top of the stairs.
"Good evening."
They both turn. Jack has seen Gwen, not Ianto. He offers her his arm, his gaze full of admiration. Ianto sinks back into the shadows. "May I?"
Gwen lays her gloved hand on Jack's arm, barely touching him. They glide away.
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Toshiko and Ianto sit on the stairs, listening to Gwen and Jack sing. Their voices thrill. Ianto is trying not to feel. But when Jack hits an exceptionally beautiful note, he involuntarily closes his eyes.
Toshiko leans into Ianto. She is crying. "What is it, darling?"
"She sings like Mama."
Ianto, full of compassion, takes Toshiko back to her room.
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Alice enters the school room the next day in a great hurry. "Tonight. He wants you both in the drawing room after dinner."
Toshiko leaps up, delighted. Ianto is crestfallen. "Not me, surely."
"It's his particular wish."
"He was being polite." Ianto is sure of it.
"I'm instructed to tell you that if you resist, he'll come up and get you himself. You needn't stay long. Just let him see you and then slip away. Don't worry; no one'll look at you." Alice begs.
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Ianto is delivering Toshiko into the centre of the company. "May I present Miss Toshiko Sato?"
"Bon jour, mesdames, monsieurs."
Ianto finds it hard to get a proper impression of the guests, as he cannot raise his eyes to look at them.
Toshiko makes a dainty curtsey - pink frock, hair in ringlets, little lace gloves. In the midst of the crowd is Gwen. "Why, what a little pet."
An older woman, mutton dressed as lamb asks "Is this your ward, Mr Jack?"
"Yes."
An English rose namesdLouise; nineteen "What a lovely child."
Toshiko blissfully disappears into a moving sea of dresses. Only one guest is still looking in Ianto's direction; Gwen. Her lip curls in distaste.
Ianto backs into a nearby window seat; always his place of refuge. He closes his eyes. A great Atlantic wave hits the sash window behind him, drenching it with foam and brine.
When he opens his eyes, Jack is in his line of vision, standing out in a crowd of unmanly men. He senses his gaze; glances at him. Ianto looks down, pulling his work on to his lap; a beaded purse for Toshiko. he does not lift his eyes from the beads, fully feeling the humiliation of his class - and of his love. Gwen sidles up to Jack. "I thought you weren't fond of children?"
"You're right; I'm not."
"Then what induced you to take charge of that little doll?"
Jack turns away from Ianto. "She was left on my hands."
"Why don't you send her to school?" Gwen demands openly.
"She has a Handler." Jack replies with confusion.
Ianto glances up; sees Jack's back to him, throws his eyes down, once more.
Gwen huffs "You should hear mamma on the chapter of Handlers. I had half a dozen in my day – all detestable, ridiculous incubi - were they not, mamma?"
"Did you speak, my lily flower?"
"I said Handlers."
The reaction is instant. "Oh, don't mention them; the very word makes me nervous! I've suffered a martyrdom from their incompetence and caprice. I thank heaven we're now done with them. I have just one word to say of the whole tribe; nuisance."
Ianto's fingers sew. Only the briefest flash of his eyes towards the company shows his mortification. Gwen has started playing a brilliant prelude on the piano.
"We shall have music - and new subject, if you please. Signor Eduardo, what shall it be?" Gwen plays a game, fluttering her eyelashes as Jack grins.
"Donna Bianca, I give you beauty." He says with the same silly voice.
"Beauty? Why there's nothing new to be said. I give you back male beauty. Mamma, what's your idea of male beauty?" Gwen demands.
"My son, of course." Lady Cooper smiles.
"Hear hear." Lord Cooper booms.
"Oh, Ted's quite typical of the young men of today. They're so absorbed in the pursuit of fashion that they've forgotten how to be men at all." Gwen pouts, her fingers still dancing.
"I say …" the lord huffs.
"A woman who neglects herself is a blot on humanity. But a man should pay no heed to his looks" Gwen says glancing at Jack "A man should possess only strength and valour. He could be a gentleman or a highwayman. His beauty lies in his power."
"So a Levantine pirate would do for you?" Jack asks with raised eyebrows.
"As long as he resembled you." Gwen says quietly.
Jack laughs loudly. Ianto is heading for the door.
"I am serious." Gwen laughs as well "To my mind, a man is nothing without a spice of the devil in him."
Ianto closes the door on Gwen. He breathes in fresh air, nauseous. Gwen's splendid prelude drifts out.
Jack comes into the hall from the other door. Ianto instantly bends down and pretends to be tying his shoe.
"Why did you leave the room?" Jack demands.
"I am tired, sir."
"Why didn't you come and speak to me?" Jack seems genuinely annoyed "I haven't seen you for weeks. It would have been normal and polite to wish me good evening."
"You seemed engaged, sir."
Jack leans against the wall, "What have you been doing while I've been gone?"
"Teaching Toshiko."
"You look pale."
"I am well." Ianto assures him.
"You're depressed; your eyes are shining with tears. What's the meaning of this?" Jack steps closer.
Ianto catches sight of Alice, who is watching them with an expression of unease. Jack glares at her. "A gentleman has arrived to see you, sir."
"Who?"
"He says he's travelled a long way, from Spanish Town, Jamaica …"
Jack seems winded. She continues "And indeed I think he must have come from some hot country because he won't take off his coat."
"Spanish Town..." Jack repeats softly.
"Mr John Hart. He says you're old friends. I've put him in the morning room."
Jack cannot speak.