wanda1969

Title: “Rebecca”
Author: wanda1969
Prompt: “Rebecca”
Pairing(s): Jack Harkness/Ianto Jones
Rating: PG
Warnings: very occasional expletive. ALSO, SOMEONE HAD TO BE MRS DANVERS...
Spoilers: More for “Rebecca” (mainly the Hitchcock movie) rather than Torchwood
Disclaimer: I have created no characters here: I have merely borrowed the Torchwood characters from the BBC & their creators. I have also borrowed the plot and some characters from Daphne Du Maurier and Hitchcock (and his scriptwriters). No copyright infringement is intended. In fact, I know this film so well, it was really hard for me not to completely ‘quote’ it...I hope I have paraphrased where necessary.
Author's Notes: Torchwood characters shoehorned into “Rebecca”. This is closer to the Hitchcock film than the book. I’ve also added an Epilogue which is a bit like one of the first chapters of the book, but at the end- THE EPILOGUE IS THE ONE TO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO STOP WHERE THE FILM DID. I’ve deviated from the book by (mainly) not writing in the first person, and also by allowing the “second Mrs De Winter” to have a ‘name’.

My aim was for romantic drama/suspense in the 1930s film/book stylee with a bit of modern fanfiction (this is set in the modern day).

Many, many, many thanks to the very lovely and patient janiemc for both beta-ing and putting up with me...I am painfully pedantic (if only that would translate to tidying up...).

Chapter 5

Over the next few weeks ‘Mr and Mr Harkness’ saw Mrs Cooper rarely, yet the household ran like clockwork. On the few occasions they saw her she was politeness itself. Especially if Jack was there- he hadn’t had reason to be away from Manderley for any length of time.

With little else to do, Ianto had been spending his time looking for a theme for his and Jack’s party. He’d planned many parties as a Personal Assistant, but he was determined that this party matched the standard of Rebecca’s renowned parties.

Day after day he’d made notes about the decorations, the food and the guest list, but again and again, he’d thrown those notes into the waste paper basket.

***

Ianto sat in the Library. He was shaken from his thoughts, as Mrs Cooper entered the room. For the last few weeks she’d been quiet and accepting of the new situation.

“Sir, how are you?”

“Well, Mrs Cooper. And you?”

“Fine thank you, Sir. I found these notes in the wastepaper basket. Did you want them?”

“No, I’ve finished with those- I was just making some notes. We were thinking of having a party. You know, get to know the neighbours, invite Mr and Mrs Williams over. I’ve been trying to think of a theme, how to decorate the house. The arrangements are supposed to be a surprise for Jack.”

“Perhaps you could get some ideas from some of the paintings in the Great Hall? Mr Harkness has always been very interested in the history of the house and I know that he’s always admired one painting in particular. I could show you if you like?”

Ianto smiled, “Thank,you- I’d like that very much Mrs Cooper.”

It really did seem that after Mrs Cooper’s initial animosity towards him, things had changed. She seemed to be making a genuine effort to accept him into the household.

He followed her as she led him through the Hall, until she stopped in front of a large canvas. It was indeed unusual; while most of the paintings were portraits, or landscapes of the countryside surrounding Manderley, this one was of a family gathering in this very Hall. The walls were hung with garlands of flowers in reds and whites. Matching festoons, ribbons and drapery adorned the walls and the banisters of the grand staircase. At the foot of the stairs stood a handsome couple. The woman wore a large white Eighteenth century crinoline. The skirt and bodice were decorated with bows and tiny rosettes, the same rich red as the flowers in the garlands.

“It’s of the wedding of Lord Henry and Lady Caroline Harkness.”

“It certainly is unusual, and the decorations match the Hall perfectly, Mrs Cooper! I think that this could just do...”

“I can help you with the orders at the florist, and at the haberdashery in Portreath, if you wish, Sir?”

“That would be so wonderful- thank you, Mrs Cooper!”

“It’ll be no problem at all,” she said giving a small smile.

***

During the next few weeks Mrs Cooper was true to her word, helping Ianto order the decorations and advising him on the menu for the evening. On the day of the party she had even helped him hang the garlands and decorate the house.

When Jack had returned from inspecting the estate that afternoon Ianto had insisted he used the back stairs, determined that everything should be a surprise. They had bathed and Ianto had dressed in Jack’s favourite black suit with burgundy pinstripes, and matching burgundy silk shirt and tie, to match the deep reds of the flowers in the Great Hall.

As it approached half past six, Ianto and Jack made their way out of their room, ready to greet their guests who would soon be arriving. Ianto looked out of the window- it was rainy and stormy outside, but he had made sure that a welcoming fire had been lit in the fireplace of the Great Hall. He sneaked a glance over the banister; the room looked perfect. Owen Harper was already there, standing at the drinks table.

As he and Jack started down the stairs, he heard the door open.

“What a terrible night!” It was Toshiko’s voice, followed by Rhys’ Welsh tones.

“Thank God it’s warm in here...”

Apart from Owen, they were the first to arrive, and were handing over their coats to Frith. Ianto smiled over at Jack as the pair reached the landing half-way down the steps, before turning to look at the Hall.

Jack’s face fell as he stopped abruptly, taking in the room below. “What the devil did you think you were doing, Ianto? Why...?”

“What? What have I done?”

“Just...just go, Ianto...” the older man sighed angrily. “I’m not sure I can bear to look at you at the moment.”

As Ianto turned and made his way back up the stairs, he heard sirens and a foghorn outside, above the sound of the wind and the rain. And then there were raised voices and shouting.

Harper first: “Shit! It’s a wreck! C’mon Jack!”

Then Jack: “God, no...Are you coming Rhys?”

And then Rhys: “Of course- I’ll get some macs from the tack room.”

Ianto reached the large leaded window overlooking the drive, and collapsed onto the window seat. He was almost relieved that the storm and the shipwreck had interrupted the evening; whatever he had done to anger Jack would not be witnessed by the arriving guests. As the cars of their guests arrived, he saw the men being assembled into a large group and being handed mackintoshes and waterproofs, before heading off towards the beach and the cliffs. Some of their wives and girlfriends were being shown inside; others went back to their cars to return home.

He sat there for some time just staring at the rain lashing against the window panes. He started as he heard Mrs Cooper behind him.

“You thought you could take over here, didn’t you? You tried to take her place. But you weren’t here while he mourned, tortured by her loss, were you?”

“You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You knew this party would upset Jack.”

Cooper let out a sharp and brittle laugh. “It was the last party they had. The Great Hall was decorated just the same. She dressed as Lady Caroline- oh, she looked so beautiful in that white dress...You’ll never compare. Why don’t you just leave? I can look after him. I know what he needs.”

The young man was silent, stunned by her outburst.

“No one got the better of her- only the sea...He doesn’t love you- all of this is all some kind of phase. Leave him and his memories. I can take care of him- I know this house. I can give him what he wants. Make him happy again.” She stared out of the window, oblivious to Ianto as he got up from the window seat and made his way to his bedroom.

***

Time had slowed. Ianto wasn’t sure how long he’d spent sitting there on the edge of the bed, thinking over her words, before he finally stood. He had to see Jack and explain what had happened.

***

Chapter List: http://wanda1969.dreamwidth.org/17042.html