Brokeback Manor (2/9)
Title: Brokeback Manor
Authors: et_muse and angelzbabe1989
Fandom: Torchwood
Pairings: Jack/Ianto, also mentions of Gwen/Rhys, Owen/Tosh
Rating: Mature/R (This Chapter: PG)
Disclaimer: We asked for Jack and Ianto for Christmas, but no one came through...
Summary: Bartholomew Jackson Harkness, Viscount Morville, hears little but of duty. His mother demands that he marry and beget heirs - and soon. She even has a suitable match in mind: his childhood friend, one Lady Gwendolyn Augusta Cooper. But Jack’s heart knows not of duty - only of love.
Spencer Ianto Huntly-Jones, Viscount Worfield, knows too the burden of familial duty. His ward, his sixteen year old sister Martha Honoria, will soon enter society. Knowing a scandal would severely blemish her delicate reputation, he and Jack must keep their love a closely guarded secret.
In a battle between the demands of society and the demands of the heart, who will emerge the victor?
Authors' Note: Introducing... the plot that snuck up on us...
We'd also like to thank everyone who left a comment on chapter one... it was a much better response than we'd even hoped for - comments like that really make all the effort of writing this worth it :)
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Striding into the reception hall, Jack had torn off his gloves and was making to mount the stairs when he was accosted by an agitated Natasha, an upstairs maid. The daughter of his housekeeper Mrs Aston, Tosh, as he was wont to call her, had been his childhood companion, and remained a trusted confidante.
“Sir! The Baroness and Lady Gwen are in the parlour with your mother. She’s been looking for you.” Aware of the limited privacy afforded by their setting, Tosh lowered her voice. “When mother asked me where you were, I near confessed that I had no idea. If it weren’t for Owen I would have been forced to do so. He mentioned seeing your riding off alone when he was brining in the rabbits, and I assumed that you had a … prior commitment… and would not wish to be disturbed.” The corners of Jack’s mouth quirked appreciatively. “I have been concocting excuses, but I fear they were becoming a little suspicious.”
“You are truly irreplaceable Tosh, in my household and in my heart. Remember that if I’m eaten by the dragon.” Sweeping around dramatically, Jack set his shoulders and set out to brave his mother’s lair. As he ventured forth, he sent a prayer of thanks that his faithful friend had appeased the beast in his absence. If he didn’t already adore Tosh then her innate ability to concoct ingenious alibis at the drop of a hat would certainly have won his esteem.
Girding his loins, he stepped through the door.
* * * * *
Gwen turned to Jack, opening her parasol, as they stepped out onto the lawn.
“Do they honestly believe that one more promenade around the lawn together is going to change what a year of their determined nudging has not?” she mused.
“Well, hope springs eternal in deluded matchmaking mamas,” Jack replied.
Gwen sighed.
“While I have no objection to the general concept of matrimony, my mother seems unable to accept my conviction that I should marry for love, or not at all. And whilst I hold you in dearest regard, I do not feel for you that particular attachment I believe I should feel for my intended. Without intending any offence, I am truly convinced that a marriage between us would be an unmitigated disaster.”
Jack smiled.
“Do not vex yourself with thoughts of offending me. In this matter, we are entirely in concordance. If it were possible to choose my heart’s object, on a basis of practicality, and to appease our mothers, I would certainly consider you.”
“As I would you,” Gwen rejoined, “but such a choice is not possible, and the heart itself knows little of practicality and reason.”
That Gwen so readily understood his direction only served to strengthen Jack’s long-held conviction that, like him, Gwen had fixed upon an ‘unsuitable’ consort. While he did not know her suitor’s identity, numerous events in the course of more than a year had soundly convinced him of his existence. Sharing her predicament, he fervently hoped that a positive outcome would be more easily attainable for her than it was for him and Ianto.
Walking on in silence, Jack could never have known how closely her thoughts echoed his own.
Jack’s expressed sentiments on the subject attested to his having personal experience of the ungovernable nature of the human heart. Before meeting and falling in love with Rhys, Gwen would not, indeed could not, have recognised the symptoms in another. Now, with love never too far from her thoughts, it was obvious. Although the very idea of it was alien to her, the quiet adoration apparent in Jack and Ianto’s shared looks was unmistakable. While she would never be as outré as to voice her suspicions to anyone, not even Jack or Ianto, she hoped they would be able to hold onto their love, despite the strictures of conventional boundaries.
Content that their mothers would be satisfied with the duration of their walk, if not the substance of their conversation, Jack and Gwen turned back towards the house.
* * * * *
Ianto was answering some correspondence when Martha burst into the library, an irritated expression on her face.
“I know I agreed to this, but I didn’t think the rules were going to be so illogical!”
Ianto smiled indulgently at his beloved baby sister.
“What is it this time, Martha?” This was not an unusual scene. Since the arrival of the finishing governess, rarely had a week passed where 16 year old Martha did not have some objection to her teachings.
“What is the point of my education if I am not permitted to demonstrate its results in polite society?” Martha lamented. “Miss Whitely decreed that it is unseemly for a woman to appear too educated. I may not even correct someone if they are misinformed! It is simply preposterous.” Huffing, she sank into a chair across the table from Ianto. As was often the case, Ianto found himself agreeing with his hoydenish ward’s sentiments.
“Unfortunately,” he responded, “the rules of society are based not in logic, but in tradition.” Settling back into his chair, Ianto sought to divert his sister’s attention from her current annoyance. “So, other than yet another disagreement with poor Miss Whitely, have you had a pleasant day?”
“For the most part,” Martha conceded. “And you, my dear brother? Has your day been all you hoped it would be?” Her tone left no doubt of her good information. Matching her subtle phasing, Ianto responded cheerfully to her interrogation.
“Why, yes, it has. My refreshing ride in the countryside this morning undoubtedly started the day in a positive fashion.”
Their conversation was cut short by the clanging of the dinner bell.
Chapter Three
Authors: et_muse and angelzbabe1989
Fandom: Torchwood
Pairings: Jack/Ianto, also mentions of Gwen/Rhys, Owen/Tosh
Rating: Mature/R (This Chapter: PG)
Disclaimer: We asked for Jack and Ianto for Christmas, but no one came through...
Summary: Bartholomew Jackson Harkness, Viscount Morville, hears little but of duty. His mother demands that he marry and beget heirs - and soon. She even has a suitable match in mind: his childhood friend, one Lady Gwendolyn Augusta Cooper. But Jack’s heart knows not of duty - only of love.
Spencer Ianto Huntly-Jones, Viscount Worfield, knows too the burden of familial duty. His ward, his sixteen year old sister Martha Honoria, will soon enter society. Knowing a scandal would severely blemish her delicate reputation, he and Jack must keep their love a closely guarded secret.
In a battle between the demands of society and the demands of the heart, who will emerge the victor?
Authors' Note: Introducing... the plot that snuck up on us...
We'd also like to thank everyone who left a comment on chapter one... it was a much better response than we'd even hoped for - comments like that really make all the effort of writing this worth it :)
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Striding into the reception hall, Jack had torn off his gloves and was making to mount the stairs when he was accosted by an agitated Natasha, an upstairs maid. The daughter of his housekeeper Mrs Aston, Tosh, as he was wont to call her, had been his childhood companion, and remained a trusted confidante.
“Sir! The Baroness and Lady Gwen are in the parlour with your mother. She’s been looking for you.” Aware of the limited privacy afforded by their setting, Tosh lowered her voice. “When mother asked me where you were, I near confessed that I had no idea. If it weren’t for Owen I would have been forced to do so. He mentioned seeing your riding off alone when he was brining in the rabbits, and I assumed that you had a … prior commitment… and would not wish to be disturbed.” The corners of Jack’s mouth quirked appreciatively. “I have been concocting excuses, but I fear they were becoming a little suspicious.”
“You are truly irreplaceable Tosh, in my household and in my heart. Remember that if I’m eaten by the dragon.” Sweeping around dramatically, Jack set his shoulders and set out to brave his mother’s lair. As he ventured forth, he sent a prayer of thanks that his faithful friend had appeased the beast in his absence. If he didn’t already adore Tosh then her innate ability to concoct ingenious alibis at the drop of a hat would certainly have won his esteem.
Girding his loins, he stepped through the door.
* * * * *
Gwen turned to Jack, opening her parasol, as they stepped out onto the lawn.
“Do they honestly believe that one more promenade around the lawn together is going to change what a year of their determined nudging has not?” she mused.
“Well, hope springs eternal in deluded matchmaking mamas,” Jack replied.
Gwen sighed.
“While I have no objection to the general concept of matrimony, my mother seems unable to accept my conviction that I should marry for love, or not at all. And whilst I hold you in dearest regard, I do not feel for you that particular attachment I believe I should feel for my intended. Without intending any offence, I am truly convinced that a marriage between us would be an unmitigated disaster.”
Jack smiled.
“Do not vex yourself with thoughts of offending me. In this matter, we are entirely in concordance. If it were possible to choose my heart’s object, on a basis of practicality, and to appease our mothers, I would certainly consider you.”
“As I would you,” Gwen rejoined, “but such a choice is not possible, and the heart itself knows little of practicality and reason.”
That Gwen so readily understood his direction only served to strengthen Jack’s long-held conviction that, like him, Gwen had fixed upon an ‘unsuitable’ consort. While he did not know her suitor’s identity, numerous events in the course of more than a year had soundly convinced him of his existence. Sharing her predicament, he fervently hoped that a positive outcome would be more easily attainable for her than it was for him and Ianto.
Walking on in silence, Jack could never have known how closely her thoughts echoed his own.
Jack’s expressed sentiments on the subject attested to his having personal experience of the ungovernable nature of the human heart. Before meeting and falling in love with Rhys, Gwen would not, indeed could not, have recognised the symptoms in another. Now, with love never too far from her thoughts, it was obvious. Although the very idea of it was alien to her, the quiet adoration apparent in Jack and Ianto’s shared looks was unmistakable. While she would never be as outré as to voice her suspicions to anyone, not even Jack or Ianto, she hoped they would be able to hold onto their love, despite the strictures of conventional boundaries.
Content that their mothers would be satisfied with the duration of their walk, if not the substance of their conversation, Jack and Gwen turned back towards the house.
* * * * *
Ianto was answering some correspondence when Martha burst into the library, an irritated expression on her face.
“I know I agreed to this, but I didn’t think the rules were going to be so illogical!”
Ianto smiled indulgently at his beloved baby sister.
“What is it this time, Martha?” This was not an unusual scene. Since the arrival of the finishing governess, rarely had a week passed where 16 year old Martha did not have some objection to her teachings.
“What is the point of my education if I am not permitted to demonstrate its results in polite society?” Martha lamented. “Miss Whitely decreed that it is unseemly for a woman to appear too educated. I may not even correct someone if they are misinformed! It is simply preposterous.” Huffing, she sank into a chair across the table from Ianto. As was often the case, Ianto found himself agreeing with his hoydenish ward’s sentiments.
“Unfortunately,” he responded, “the rules of society are based not in logic, but in tradition.” Settling back into his chair, Ianto sought to divert his sister’s attention from her current annoyance. “So, other than yet another disagreement with poor Miss Whitely, have you had a pleasant day?”
“For the most part,” Martha conceded. “And you, my dear brother? Has your day been all you hoped it would be?” Her tone left no doubt of her good information. Matching her subtle phasing, Ianto responded cheerfully to her interrogation.
“Why, yes, it has. My refreshing ride in the countryside this morning undoubtedly started the day in a positive fashion.”
Their conversation was cut short by the clanging of the dinner bell.
Chapter Three