Royal Matchmaker

Chapter Three

Nine hours after boarding the royal shuttle and touching down at the Boeshanian spaceport, then climbing aboard the train and being settled in the royal coach car, Ianto and Toshiko stepped out onto the Boeshane Peninsula. Their journey had been amazing; once the shuttle had arrived on Cibron Four, they'd watched out the windows in utter wonder as it skimmed over vast forests with trees hundreds of feet high, through mountain passes that were shrouded in clouds, and across deep valleys speckled with small villages, tiny farms and vast pastures.

New Moon Cardiff was mostly a large city designed to look like individual towns and farming communities, and there was definitely beauty to be found in its hundreds of miles of coastline, in the Brecon Beacons, in its unsettled and barren interior, and in its claim to mountain fame, Mount Snowdon, which rose more than 53,000 feet into the air.

While he would always be a proud Welshman, Ianto had to admit that Cibron Four was indeed quite spectacular.

As the train pulled into the Boeshane Central Train Station, two uniformed men entered the car and collected their luggage. "If you'll follow us, Sir and Miss, we'll take you to your Hover." They waited politely for Ianto and Toshiko to gather their coats and bags, then led them off the train and onto a busy platform teeming with travellers.

Tosh was sorry to leave the train; even though she worked with lovely and expensive things every day and knew how to provide every detail of first class service, she'd never felt so elegant and pampered in her entire life. The car was the absolute end of luxury, with rich wood-panelled walls, chairs upholstered in leather while the small love seat was covered in beautiful needlepoint. They had been served tea with all the accoutrements, including cut-glass finger bowls and hand-embroidered linens. The tea set itself was antique bone china, the pieces – teapot, sugar, creamer, plates, cups and saucers – all nearly translucent with a warm glow.

There were savoury little sandwiches of watercress and ham, and cucumber with mint butter, pastry puffs filled with curried chicken, and Tosh's newly discovered favourite, tiny tartlets with spinach and cheese.

Sweet offerings included lovely scones with clotted cream and wolfberry jam, incredibly thin and crispy lime wafers, meringue kisses and rose-water sugar cookies cut in the shapes of flowers. There were also slices of old-fashioned Victoria sponge, hickory nut butter cake, succulent lemon bread and squares of honey tart. Everything was just as fresh as it could be, all the perfect accompaniment to the pot of perfectly brewed tea.

Ianto made mental notes to ask the chef for recipes to several of the items, knowing they would be welcome additions to his repertoire for the formal and semi-formal teas he held to introduce prospective mates to one another.

As they were gathering their things, the young steward who served them smiled conspiratorially and slipped them each a small tin to put in their bags; they would later discover that he'd filled each one with more sweets to enjoy later.

As they traversed the length of the landing platform following the men carrying their bags toward a waiting Hover, Ianto flipped through the pages of a small book on etiquette Tosh had given him. "I had no idea there were so many rules about working with royals!"

"Never turn your back to a royal when leaving the room, always address them as Your Highness," Toshiko repeated some of the most important rules. "Oh, and don't talk to them in a harsh tone!"

"Well, when in doubt bow or curtsy," Ianto nodded and then shook his head. 'What have I gotten us into!'

"Simple!"

Ianto handed the book back to Tosh and tucked his hands in his coat pockets. "All right, quiz me on Prince Jack."

"Okay, Prince Jack is the heir apparent and the only son to…"

"King Franklin and Queen Cristina!" Ianto snorted. "Come on, give me something real!"

"Umm… okay, his mother passed away when he was…"

"Nineteen."

"Okay," Tosh ran her finger down the list of data she'd gathered on the royal family. "Since finishing his degree in…"

"Political science."

"Correct, and he has spent his time…"

Ianto was stumped for a moment and then it came to him. "Ahh! Travelling round the world."

Toshiko nodded, "and his favourite things to do?"

"Adventure sports, race car driving, rock climbing, scuba diving."

"Right," she closed the tablet. "And when it comes to relationships?"

Ianto grinned at her. "He's never been photographed with the same woman twice!"

"So, are we dealing with a commitment-phobe?"

"It's too soon to tell."

Tosh frowned. "Well, has your gift given you any indication of the kind of woman we should be looking for?"

"No, not at all. I mean, I'll definitely know more the second I meet him, but in the meantime the only thing we have to go on is that she cannot be a commoner."

"Just my luck," lamented Tosh with a big pout, causing Ianto to laugh at her.

Suddenly Tosh squealed quietly and grabbed his arm, trying to point without actually pointing to a large, gleaming black Hover with the royal crest on the door.

Ianto looked up and standing beside the elegant Hover, he saw a distinguished man holding a sign bearing the Royal crest, below which was printed 'Ianto Jones'. "That's me!" he exclaimed softly, trying not to be too impressed. "Wow!"

The nearly forty-five-minute trip in the Hover took them over cobblestone roads, through dense forests and alongside crystal-clear rivers. Then without warning, the trees were gone and everything around them opened up and there before their eyes stood Castle Boeshane, an imposing edifice both welcoming and warning as it stood amidst acres of manicured grounds and elegantly crafted gardens.

With its royal flags fluttering wildly in the breeze, the Hover flew into an inner courtyard where it came to a halt next to a life-size statue of King Leopold the Mighty and Just, the first monarch and the man who united the warring tribes of the Boeshane Peninsula into the peace-loving homogenous people of today.

The instant the Hover came to a stop two liveried footmen stepped forward, one of which opened the door and gave his hand to assist Toshiko out while Ianto waved him away with a smile, sliding out to stand and as unobtrusively as possible stretch his legs and back. The other man went to the back of the Hover and began removing their luggage, setting it on a gleaming brass trolley for transport to their rooms.

Ianto and Tosh took a moment to look around the courtyard, noting the big fountain in the centre, the many lead-glass-paned windows overlooking them, the masses of verdant ivy that crept over the ancient stonework walls and the abundant flowerbeds offering flowers of every colour of the rainbow as well as a few hybrid shades Toshiko had never seen before.

"This is going to take some getting used to," muttered Ianto and he looked upward at the castle's tower.

"Yup…" Tosh spun in a small circle, craning her neck back to see the turrets across the far wall. "Okay, I'm used to it!"

"Really?"

"You know, this place just oozes romance; I think it's going to make our job a wedding cake walk."

A small boy about eight came walking out the door. "You must be the people of Cymru."

"Yes, or you can call us the Welsh." Ianto was impressed by the boy's effortless pronunciation of a word he'd heard many adults stumble over back on New Moon Cardiff, where children began learning to speak Welsh from the moment they were born and where English was definitely considered a second language. A thought struck and Ianto couldn't help himself.

"Huh, sounds like we're in a band. Yeah, we're The Welsh!" and he struck a silly pose.

Tosh got a case of the giggles which she quickly swallowed, allowing only a few to escape.

"Hi, I'm Ianto and this is Toshiko." Ianto held out his hand. "And you are?"

"Not where he's supposed to be!" Owen came rushing up, slightly out of breath. "Begging your pardons, this is my son, Rudy."

"Hello," Rudy politely shook their hands.

"He's supposed to be tending to his studies," Owen admonished the boy.

"Yes, father. I was just welcoming our guests to the palace."

"I see," Owen nodded. "Well, perhaps you'd like to run off to your room and have the afternoon snack that I prepared while I get our guests settled. After that I'll take you to the community centre where you can spend the rest of the day."

Excited by the afternoon's outing, Rudy bowed politely first to Tosh and then to Ianto. "Good day." And then he was gone just as fast as his feet could carry him without actually running.

Ianto looked at the man curiously. "Hello, and you are?" He held out his hand again. "Ianto Jones."

"Owen Harper." He shook Ianto's hand then turned and offered his hand to Tosh.

"Toshiko Sato," she smiled warmly.

"Yes, we spoke on the phone." Owen held her hand just a moment longer than was absolutely necessary. He'd been thinking about her since their conversation.

"Yes, we did," Tosh found herself blushing slightly.

"I am Prince Jack's personal valet."

Turning to Ianto, Tosh confided, "This man know the prince better than he knows himself."

Ianto looked at Owen through narrowed eyes, as though weighing him up. "Oh, really."

"Uh-huh."

"Is there someth…" Owen had a quizzical look on his face, as though he'd missed something in their conversation.

"Nope!"

"Nothing!"

Ianto and Tosh spoke simultaneously.

Owen blinked, looking like he was going to say something and then shut his mouth, indicating with a discrete wave of his hand that they should proceed him into the castle. "Please…"

A group of reporters were gathered outside a village shop, knowing that Jack was inside because his Hover was parked out in front, and only the prince drove a vintage candy-apple red Hover. The instant he appeared, exiting the shop with two bags in his hands, the questions and the pictures began.

"Your Highness, is there any truth to the rumours you're going to sail around the world?"

Jack paused and looked at the woman. "I'm afraid that ship has sunk for the moment." He slipped his bags into the Hover while the woman, emboldened that he'd answered her question stepped closer.

"So what's the next adventure for the fair prince?"

Jack worked hard to keep a grimace from his face as he politely responded, "Nothing but home sweet home." He turned away to discourage further questions just as his mobile rang. Pulling it from his pocket he looked at the screen. "Owen…"

"Your father has requested your immediate presence in his study." Owen's tone brooked no argument.

"That sounds ominous," Jack said slowly, mentally flailing about for an excuse not to show up but finding nothing.

Ianto sat bolt upright in his chair, while King Franklin adopted a much more relaxed pose, resting against the back of the chair. Feeling slightly uncomfortable in the deepening silence, Ianto studied the drawing room, taking in the richly upholstered furniture, the exquisite works of art that decorated the walls, the marble busts that hugged the corners and the profusion of beautifully arranged flowers that adorned a number of the small tables. Smiling again at the king, Ianto took a sip of tea from a bone china cup so thin he could see the shadow of his fingers through it.

King Franklin decided he liked Ianto; it was refreshing to find a young man who maintained his poise in a trying situation and didn't try to fill the silence with idle chit-chat. "I'm sure Prince Jack will be along any minute. He had a full schedule today."

"I'm sure," Ianto nodded. "I can't imagine. I'm sure he's as anxious to meet me as I am to meet him."

The king merely smiled at Ianto.

Ianto was just about to pick up his teacup again when Jack came striding into the room and Ianto leapt to his feet, followed by the king at a more leisurely pace.

Jack frowned, seeing that his father had a guest. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"No, quite the contrary," the king assured him. "His Highness Prince John of Boeshane – Jack for short – meet Ianto Jones of New Moon Cardiff."

With a welcoming smile, Jack held out his hand. "And you are…?"

Ianto shook hands, saying, "I'm your royal matchmaker."

Jack's eyebrows shot upward like little rockets and he dropped Ianto's hand as if it were a hot coal, drawing back slightly.

"Mr Jones is somewhat of an expert in the world of romance," the king explained. "Some even call him the King of Hearts. I've hired him to help you on your quest."

"Quest?" Jack cocked his head and looked at his father. "And what would that be?"

"Finding you the love of your life," Ianto answered, feeling his heart sink as he realised his client knew nothing about his being there. "Ta-da!" His smile was just a bit weak this time.

"Ah…" Jack turned to him, actually speechless.

"Perhaps I should leave you two to get acquainted," the king started towards the door.

"No!" Jack protested. "Erm…"

"Stay, please!" Ianto urged.

"No, not at all," King Franklin declined. "I believe you both have your work cut out for you." And he was gone, leaving Jack and Ianto looking at one another.

Ianto sighed, breaking the silence. "Oh boy, this is the first you're hearing about me."

"Yeah," Jack nodded, trying to keep a pleasant look on his face. "If nothing else, your perception is spot-on and if my instinct is correct there's nothing I can do about it." His smile was becoming a tad forced.

"Do I detect a note of resistance?"

"A note? It's more like a symphony," Jack declared. "But first things first. Do I call you Mr Jones or would you prefer King of Hearts?"

"Well, king sounds a little stuffy, so why don't you call me Ianto," he smiled warmly. Despite the prince's obvious reluctance there was something Ianto found very intriguing about him. "And what can I call you?"

"Your Highness will do quite nicely." Jack sat in the chair his father had vacated.

Into was definitely taken aback. "Ahh… Your Hi… ness." He didn't sit until after Jack.

"So," Jack crossed his legs and plucked at the crease in his trousers. "You're here to find me the love of my life in under a month." His tone of voice clearly said he didn't think that was possible.

"That is the plan, yes."

"But you have received the proper training, I suppose?" Jack inquired with a raised eyebrow. "You've attended some matchmaking academy, obtained some kind of certificate, graduated top of your class, perhaps?" He knew he sounded like a right bastard but he was having trouble keeping a lid on the anger he felt for his father going behind his back and hiring Ianto in the first place.

Ianto wasn't bothered by the questions at all; he could feel the waves of frustration rolling off Jack. "I spent ten years working with the largest matchmaking firm on New Moon Cardiff before going out on my own. My very high-profile clients all rave that I have an incredible gift for bringing people together."

Despite himself, Jack was beginning to be impressed by Ianto Jones. He wasn't at all put off by the questions or the snarky attitude that went with them.

"I get a gut instinct when I meet people for the first time." Ianto's voice was earnest and he leaned forward as he spoke.

"What does your gut tell you about me?" Jack really wanted to hear what Ianto had to say about him.

Ianto smiled softly. "The first feeling I'm getting is that there's a lot more to you than you let on."

A mask fell over Jack's face.

"And you probably don't believe in true love."

There was silence in the room as Jack studied Ianto for a moment, wondering how he knew so much about him, if it truly was instinct or if someone – his father or Owen – had let slip enough information that Ianto could easily reach his conclusions.

"Well, let's take the first step in finding me my happily-ever-after, shall we? I'm a Libra, so what does that tell you about me?"

Ianto chuckled and sipped at his now cold tea. "Well, nothing actually." He sat back. "What do I need is to spend time with you and get you to open up a little so I can sort of dissect your personality…"

"So, I'm to be a bug under the matchmaker's microscope?"

"No! You're not a bug! It's really not awful!" Ianto leaned forward again, trying to reassure the prince.

"Really?" Again the eyebrow rose. "Because having one's personality dissected by a complete stranger doesn't exactly sound pleasant."

Setting his teacup back on the table, Ianto clasped his hands in front of him. "Listen, if we're going to make this work, and I know that we can, I'm going to need you to trust me."

"See," Jack rose from his chair, "I was raised to believe that trust is something earned, not given."

Ianto quickly stood up. "All right, that's fair. How can I earn your trust?"

For a moment it looked like Jack was going to say something, but then he shrugged and shook his head.

"Oh come on, I'm up for the challenge if you are," Ianto cajoled.

The prince smiled, snapped his heels together and bowed slightly.

Ianto smiled back and stood there, waiting expectantly.

Jack bowed his head again.

It took a few seconds for the lightbulb to go off in Ianto's head, but then, "Ohh!" He picked up his tablet and took two steps away from the prince and towards the door, his mind racing as he tried to remember how to get to his room.

"You can leave the china," the prince remarked dryly.

'Huh?' Ianto frowned and then looked down to see that his cup and saucer were sitting atop his tablet and he felt a bright blush climbing his cheeks as he turned back and set the delicate china on the table. "We'll talk… later… then," and he fled the room, trying to maintain as much dignity as he could.

Jack watched Ianto leave and then sat down to contemplate this strange man who wanted to invade his privacy and dissect his life. He was certainly good-looking, very pleasing to the eye, and Jack found himself wondering if Ianto Jones had found the love of his life yet, or if matchmakers didn't believe in love for themselves only for others.