Royal Matchmaker
Chapter Thirteen
The next day flew by, although Ianto couldn't really remember anything he did; he spent the majority of it in their suite, afraid that he might run into Jack at some point and then the annoying, bossy little voice in the back of his mind would win the battle and he'd blurt out the words 'I love you'. He'd spent a restless night, tossing and turning as His Royal Highness Prince Jack of Boeshane invaded his every dream.
Finally, he couldn't dodge time any longer; he had to start getting ready for the ball. He spent an inordinate amount of time in the shower where the torrents of water covered up every tear shed, and there were a lot of them. At one point, Ianto had slid down the tiled wall to the shower's floor where he'd sat under the cascading water, head buried in his hands, the steam hiding him as he sobbed his heart out.
Sure that he'd gotten his emotions under control, Ianto shut off the water, dried himself and combed his hair, although he was unable to meet his reflection in the mirror. He knew that if he saw how much pain was still in his eyes he wouldn't be able to leave his room at all.
Draped in a towel slung low on his hips, Ianto straightened his shoulders and marched out into the bedroom and over to the wardrobe. Being careful not to look into the full-length mirror that covered the entire door, he reached in and drew out the garment bag that held his tuxedo, hanging it on the clothing rail next to the door.
A sudden thought struck and he went to the desk, digging into his briefcase for a velvet-covered jewellery box. He opened it and looked at the beautiful jewelled pin inside, then threw on some casual clothes before hurrying out of his room and into the hall. As he dashed down the stairs toward the entryway, he dodged several musicians coming in with their instrument cases; their laughter was subdued but they were ever-so-proud at being chosen by the monarch to play at the celebration of his long reign.
Catching sight of his quarry, Ianto waved. "Owen!"
"Sir?" Owen gestured at Ianto's casual attire. "The celebration is about to start; shouldn't you be dressed?"
"Yes, yes, I'm just going to go do that," Ianto smiled, "but I have a favour to ask of you first."
"Of course, anything for the King of Hearts," Owen smiled happily, thinking that angels must have put the idea of contacting a matchmaker into his head. 'If it weren't for Ianto, I never would have met Toshiko,' and the thought of her made his heart beat faster.
"Can you see that this gets to Petra?" He put the velvet box into Owen's hands. "I want her to have this for the celebration."
Owen frowned. "Perhaps you would prefer to give it to her yourself?"
"No!" Ianto exclaimed a little too quickly. "No, I'm sure she's busy, I don't want to distract her." He began to back away nervously. "I'm sure she has plenty on her mind."
"As do we all," Owen agreed, "what with the huge announcement from the prince in the offing."
True panic set in and Ianto moved quickly toward the stairs. "Yes, yes…" He couldn't get anything else past the lump in his throat and with a torrent of tears threatening, he was overcome with the desperate need to get back to the safety of his room.
"I'll make sure Lady Petra gets this with your best wishes, sir," Owen assured Ianto's rapidly retreating back.
Ianto glanced over his shoulder. "Thank you. You're a good man, Owen," and he managed a genuine smile.
He'd only looked away for a moment but when Ianto turned back and began mounting the stairs again he found himself face-to-face with Prince Jack, formally dressed in his suit designed specifically for the Jubilee Celebration.
Please to see Ianto at last – he'd been looking around the palace for his matchmaker… his friend… whenever he'd had a free moment – Jack beamed at him. "So, how do I look?"
To Ianto Jones, the man looked like a dream come true. The bespoke black tuxedo was adorned with three rows of gold braid at the cuffs and had been carefully tailored to fit Jack's body like a glove. There were two royal insignia above the left breast pocket, and a red and gold sash crossed his chest from shoulder to hip. His tie was gold satin and over that he wore a red-and-gold ribbon from which hung his Medal of Courage.
Feeling like a fool, all Ianto could do was nod and smile tremulously, knowing that the sight of Jack would be etched in his mind forever.
"You, on the other hand, are dressed a bit… casually," Jack quirked an eyebrow, "but I like it."
"Yes, well… I'm umm…" Ianto stammered and chuckled nervously. "Actually erm… This is kind of the real me," he said, knowing he sounded inane but unable to stop talking and suddenly he found himself blurting out, "I have to admit, I've been hiding, trying so hard to live up to expectations, to be this perfect, put-together, has-all-the-answers, know-it-all man from Wales."
Jack had to force himself to remain still and silent, afraid that he might break the spell and that Ianto would stop talking to him so openly.
"I'm just… not…" Ianto rolled his eyes, "that guy."
"I know the feeling." Jack caught himself and changed the subject. "How do I look? I um… Is it okay? It's not too buttoned up?"
"You look amazing." There was sincere pride in Ianto's voice and for a moment, true happiness shone from his eyes; he couldn't resist reaching out and making a small adjustment to the sash and smoothing his hands down Jack's arms, his fingers lingering for just a moment.
"Thank you, Ianto."
Yet again, tears threatened and Ianto quickly hung his head, hoping Jack hadn't noticed. "Yeah, I um…" He got himself under control and smiled that fake smile he'd been using so much lately. "So, are you excited?"
"Yes, oh yes!" Jack nodded energetically. "And a little anxious, but I think that's to be expected, don't you?"
"Yeah, I think so, but you'll work through that," Ianto hastily reassured him. "I have no doubt."
For a moment the rest of the world ceased to exist as Jack and Ianto looked into one another's eyes, lost in the depths of what they were seeing, Ianto knowing it would be the last time they would ever be together like this while Jack was wondering if he was about to make the biggest mistake of his entire life.
Terrified that he would say something he shouldn't, Ianto was the first to break the spell. "Well, I guess I'd better go slip into something a lot less comfortable!"
"Yes," Jack grinned at him, "please do."
They were several paces apart when they both paused; Jack turned around first.
"Ianto…"
"Yes?" the Welshman spun on his heel.
"I know I've said this to you before, but I really am very…" The flare of hope in Ianto's eyes died and that stabbed at Jack's soul like a blazing hot knife.
"I know, I know…" Ianto managed to keep his tears at bay. "I can see it in your eyes."
Jack stared at him, wanting so badly to say something comforting but in his heart he knew that at the moment there were simply no words that could possibly make Ianto feel better. 'Nothing I could say now would bring a true smile back to his face,' and that realisation made Jack feel worse than he ever had in his life.
"So go!" Ianto gestured down the stairs, his movements surprisingly smooth despite the turmoil that was shaking his very soul. "Go to your happily-ever-after!" He watched Jack turn to leave and the moment the man's back was turned, tears filled his eyes and he barely choked back a sob as he ran up the stairs and locked himself in his room.
The palace looked magical beneath the glow of the full moon, with lights shining in every window and soft music wafting out the open entryway door into the night air. A steady stream of expensive Hovers deposited well-heeled men and elegantly attired ladies, all excited by the rumours of a romantic surprise which had spread quickly through the Peninsula.
Inside the ballroom, the crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, while tables covered with snowy white linens were spread out along the outer edges of the dance floor. Suited waiters slid effortlessly through the people, offering drinks and hors d'oeuvres while the orchestra played classical Boeshanian music. Free of their coats, wraps and capes, women revealed gowns in a rainbow of colours set off by gem-laden jewellery while their escorts and other men wore both suits and tuxedos. There was a low murmur of conversation, most of it speculating on Prince Jack's expected announcement.
In front of the fireplace, King Franklin and Prince Jack were receiving their guests and Jack smiled broadly as Tosh stepped up and bowed. "Your Highness."
"You look lovely, Toshiko," Jack proclaimed, and she did. Tosh had chosen a high-necked sleeveless floor-length gown that had a black skirt and gold-embellished waistband with a bodice of gold mesh embroidered with gold thread and enhanced by gold crystal beads.
Leaving the prince as others approached, Tosh scanned the room and to her surprise, she saw three familiar faces. Walking over to them, she greeted them with a large grin. "You're those kids from the Cardiff wedding!"
"That's us!" the brunette piped up.
Tosh remembered the boy telling her that he got invited everywhere. "Let me guess, your mum has friends in the monarchy?"
Before he could answer, the blonde teenager giggled. "No, but Llando does," and she gestured to the fourth member of their group, a tall, good-looking young man.
Shaking her head Tosh laughed, pleased to see the two young people had gotten together. "You all have a good time," and she turned away to accept a drink from a passing waiter.
Jack surveyed the room. "Quite the turn-out, Father," he observed happily. "Congratulations, by the way," and he bowed his head.
Thank you, my boy," Franklin accepted with a proud smile and then movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. "Ah, here comes your soon-to-be-betrothed now."
Petra walked up to the men, bowing first to the king, "Your Highness," and then to Jack.
"You look stunning," he told her and she did, wearing a gown of embroidered silver lame and lace. "I…" The smile suddenly left his face.
Petra saw that he was staring at the right side of her bodice and glanced down at the pin. "They're butterflies," she explained.
The pin was made of three golden-winged butterflies, encircled so that the bottom tips of their wings met in the centre where a small diamond glistened. The edges of their wings were adorned with more smaller diamonds and each body was created by miniature butterflies done in matching pink diamonds with small ruby centres. The effect was truly stunning.
"Do you like it?!" she asked. "It was a gift from your matchmaker."
For a moment Jack was truly stunned into speechlessness, remembering Ianto's words about the significance of the ethereal butterfly. Then he managed to say, "how very thoughtful of him." Tearing his eyes from the pin, he asked, "where is Ianto anyway?"
Disappointed that her intended was more interested in looking for an employee than in paying her proper attention, Petra pretended to look around for a second. "I'm not sure, Your Highness," she shrugged as though it were of no importance. "Perhaps we should take our places?"
Glancing over Petra's shoulder, Jack saw Tosh standing at the side of the room, trying not to appear anxious as she too looked around at the people gathered. "Excuse me for a moment, I'll be right there."
Walking up to Tosh, Jack frowned. "Toshiko, have you seen Ianto?"
Tosh wasn't sure what to say. "Oh… yes…" She struggled to find a good excuse for his absence. "I'm sure he's somewhere around here, Your Highness."
"I see," Jack was frustrated. "Do you know exactly where I might find him?" but before Tosh could answer, the king began to speak.
"May I have everyone take their places, please."
Gritting his teeth at the older man's timing, Jack heaved a deep sigh and returned to his father's side.
Even though it was past eight in the evening, the Boeshane Train Terminal was bustling with travellers and a ready-to-depart train sounded its horn, telling stragglers to get a move on.
A seasoned traveller himself, Ianto had no problems manoeuvring his two rolling bags through the crowds and toward his departure gate, then outside to the platform where there were fewer passengers. Bundled against the cold night air and with a look of hopelessness on his face, he sat down on a bench to await his train.