Chapter Thirty-six
Fight Night
It was just after dinner the next evening when Raoul sought out Katherine. She had eaten in her room this evening. Raoul had been in town earlier at one of the men's smoking clubs. He had heard of a place where they had boxing matches. He had wanted to see one ever since arriving in this country. When he had still had the detective on retainer he had learned that Erik had found a man to train him in the art of boxing and had competed in several bouts himself. This had prompted Raoul to seek out one of his former military mates who had boxed for sport. He had taken his own lessons. He'd be damned if he would let Erik have any advantage over him when they faced off again.
That sentiment and anger seemed a moot point now that Raoul no longer felt his whole life hinged on one woman, a woman who did not want him. Not that Raoul would back down if challenged by Erik. Indeed Raoul felt at times if he and Erik were to face off it would end a lot of the residual bitterness they harbored underneath the surface for one another. It was safe to say Raoul would like to move on to greener pastures but he was still tied to Christine. Erik had seemed somewhat torn between Christine and Katherine. A man who had for many years kept himself separated from humanity had certainly progressed in the department of la amour. By all accounts Erik had become something of a Casanova or perhaps he would prefer Don Juan? Raoul could only marvel at the changes in his own attitude. It did not bother him in the least to think of Christine with Erik. The only reservation he had was that Erik may hurt her in some way.
Once standing in front of Katherine's door Raoul's mind returned to his proposed night's entertainment. The matches he heard about that were taking place this evening were not the sanctioned bouts of official boxing clubs. These were for novice boxers or older boxers no longer permitted to fight in legal matches. Raoul thought Katherine might enjoy seeing such a competition between two men. She was not the normal squeamish woman who would faint at the sight of blood or scorn the unnecessary violence of the sport. In fact Raoul knew that a number of high society ladies attended the matches regularly.
Katherine had told Raoul of the training games the men in her camp engaged in to teach young men the skills they would need for battle as well as keeping the older ones honed to perfection. She had confessed that she had watched along with Fawn and Dove. They had enjoyed watching the men test their skills. Raoul had teased her about her own skills on one occasion. She had shyly admitted that Matthew had taught her secretly how to battle as a man.
Raoul knocked on her door after first assuring himself that no one was anywhere near. It was not proper to seek out a woman in her bedroom. He had no nefarious intentions in mind but society dictated the rights and wrongs of ones actions not ones intentions.
Katherine opened the door giving him a smile then inviting him into her room. Upon considering things he left the door open just in case. That might lesson the objections to having a man in her room. Well probably not but it made him feel his less altruistic thoughts would not take flight.
She was an attractive woman after all, although his thoughts had been on a certain woman other than either Christine or Katherine since the weekend. Fawn had occupied much of his daytime thoughts as well as his dreams at night.
Once inside her room Katherine motioned for him to sit in one of the chairs that were positioned in front of the cold fireplace. Hitching his pant legs Raoul sat down gingerly. Raoul wondered why women insisted on such fragile chairs but he supposed he would never find the answer he was sure.
"I was concerned when you did not come down for the evening meal. Mrs. Graham assured us you were not ill but simply wanted a few quiet moments. If you are sure you are feeling well I would like to invite you to go with me to a boxing match tonight. Do you know what that is?"
"I do remember when I was little father used to go to a barn somewhere to watch these matches. Mother did not approve. I have seen men fighting over the last nine years as you know. Some were battles among the men of the tribe to keep their skills honed. Others were battles with soldiers or white men attacking the encampment. I used to enjoy the bouts between the men of the tribe. No one got hurt at least not seriously. Matthew was quite good. He never lost a fight. Real or one of practice. I think I would like to go. I need to expend some frustrations. What better way than watching men beat each other mercilessly?" Katherine could think of one man she would enjoy pummeling until he was quite senseless. The picture of her kissing his many bruises that popped instantly into her head she determinedly ignored.
Raoul chuckled at her eagerness to see men do damage to each other even if it was for sport. She definitely was like no other woman he knew.
"I'll go get the carriage ready then meet you out front in about fifteen minutes. I really wanted to go but I did not want to go alone. You are really an unusual woman Katherine. Not in a negative way. You are unique. One of a kind. I better stop. I will soon run out of adjectives." He patted her shoulder in a friendly manner then left her to get her things together.
It took about thirty minutes to find the secluded barn. It was some distance off the main road. Dense underbrush and thick groves of trees almost made seeing the road impossible. The night was alive with the sound of crickets calling to one another. As they went further into the density of foliage they began to hear shouts that were no doubt made by humans. They heard an occasional horse snort or call to another.
Coming around a sharp curve in the road suddenly they were in a clearing. The large red barn was in the middle of this unexpected clearing. It was already surrounded by perhaps twenty to thirty wagons and carriages. There were a great number of horses tethered around in various spots. Watering troughs were placed strategically around so they could be reached by the tethered animals.
There were obligatory outhouses along with a well and a couple of hand pumps that were mounted over large basins. Katherine supposed this was for the men to sluice off after a bout. She could well remember how sweaty Matthew and she would get after only a short while. For these men it would be far worse. Along with the sweat would most assuredly be blood.
Raoul helped Katherine down from the carriage. Once she was firmly standing on solid ground he released her hand to go to the front of the horses to tie them to the post provided. Assuring himself that the leads were tied tightly he rejoined Katherine. They could hear raised voices before they even got close to the building. There was obviously a crowd inside.
Katherine felt her heart beat quicken. She always got excited just before Matthew and the others had faced off. It had all been in fun with just enough brutality to force them to test their skills against their opponent. The worst thing that had ever happened was a nose was broken. A few scrapes and bruises but nothing life threatening.
Raoul gave the man at the door a few bills. The tall black man looked at the amount. Pleased he handed Raoul two white hand towels then opened the door to allow them to enter.
Noticing Katherine's questioning look toward the towels Raoul shrugged and said, "For the blood. Some may splatter a bit. Mostly they are for the women who faint. If at any time you wish to leave please tell me. Perhaps this was not such a good idea after all."
Katherine huffed and stuck her nose just slightly in the air. She snatched one of the towels from Raoul's hand. She marched through the doorway into the well lit and very crowded interior. The benches seemed full. The area around the floor was packed shoulder to shoulder with men. The women sat mostly on the benches interspersed with a few men.
The inside was alight with lanterns all around. Bleachers were around a square area roped off with a dirt floor. There were men around with their shirts off boxing an imaginary opponent. There muscles bulged with the movement. Many boasted many scars.
Raoul motioned to a bench in the second row. There were two empty seats. They had to climb over two women. Raoul was quite sure he felt a firm pinch on his backside as he passed the ladies. He flushed hoping no one had seen the woman make the bold move. He sat next to Katherine praying the woman on his other side was not the one who gave him the pinch. Although casting a quick glance to the side he noticed both women were more than just pretty as well as being amply endowed and apparently not ashamed to display their bounty.
Katherine was looking around trying to get a feel for the place. She eyed several men who no doubt were going to participate in a match. She was casually looking when her gaze suddenly locked on an all too familiar profile. He had his shirt removed. He was talking to a man big enough to lift a full grown buffalo. Katherine could not help but hope that Erik was not going to pair with that man. Lord above his hands were as big as her head.
Erik felt eyes upon him. Not the usual stares of the women wondering what he would be like to bed or the men wondering if he were worthy of a wager. He rolled his shoulders in irritation trying to shake the unwanted feeling. Ox had made it into town earlier this afternoon. Erik had sent him a telegram a week ago asking him to come work for him in his warehouse as the overseer. He needed someone he could trust. The present man was an insolent man he was sure was on the payroll of Jackson Tyler, the man who was stealing all Erik's merchandise from his warehouses. So far he had not been able to catch the man or prove anything. He had only his gut instinct. Darius had been working in the warehouses as an employee trying to gather information. He had picked up a few things listening to conversations. Nothing concrete but enough to warrant investigation.
Ox was just as he was when Erik had met him all those months ago. A little irreverent with the heart of a lion while at the same time championing the underdogs. Erik still equated him with Robin Hood for the man still took advantage of cleaning out the pockets of the rich to provide a bit of comfort for the less fortunate. He did use a bit of that for his own comfort as well but that was to be expected. Ox was a big bear of a man with a soft heart who just happened to like to pummel another man now and again.
"Say Erik my fine friend I was by your place earlier and there was this fine figure of a woman that brought me a cup of tea while I waited for that Darius fellow. Nadir refused to deal with me. Can ye' imagine such a thing? What might the woman's name be and might she be a lonesome woman? Bye the way I hope tea does not offend the plant in your parlor. I did no' have the heart to tell the woman I could no' stand the drink. She seemed so all fired set on givin' it to me I had it in my hands before I could muster a word."
"Stay away from her. She is my housekeeper. She is off limits."
Ox did not fail to notice Erik did not specifically mention the ladies name so in his book that made for a fine loop hole when and if Ox got caught in the hen house. "Fine there are plenty just waitin' to know ole Ox. So Erik Nadir was a tellin' me all about ye' troubles. You just leave it in ole Ox's hands. I'll ha' the bugger flushed out in no time. Seems you ha' been workin' out a might. Ye' ha' packed on a bit of muscle since our last meetin'. Do na' look behind ya' but there be a right beaut of a woman starin' a might fixed at ye'. Have ye' been a Tom cattin' Erik? Quite a looker she is. If ye' know want her I'd be right proud to take her off your hands boyo. Right pretty little thing she is too. Wonder how long an' luscious that light hair might be all tumblin down loose over nothin' but skin. Does set a man's mind to ponderin' don't it Erik?"
Erik picked up a towel then casually turned around. Letting his eyes travel over the crowd behind him as he used the towel to shield his face wiping at his mouth with the cloth. He cursed when he saw Raoul then did so again when his eyes locked on Katherine. Damn it. What the hell was wrong with Raoul bringing her here? God damn it he had his mask off. Normally that would not bother him, at least not when he was about to get in the ring. His face did not matter to anyone at these matches. Having Katherine and Raoul see him was another matter entirely.
Erik wanted to stride right over to that idiot knocking that smile right off his face. Damn fool. What he would not give to have Raoul in the ring with him for just a minute.
Forgetting all about Raoul when he caught Katherine giving him a very concentrated thorough perusal his body snapped to attention. His skin began that odd prickling as if ants were crawling along his skin followed by the heat of arousal. Damn. That's all he needed was to step in the ring with his trousers tented with his manhood raised at full mast. That would really give the crowd an entertaining evening. Fuck!
"Ox hit me. In the stomach. Do not try to kill me just give me a good blow. Enough to hurt without injury. God damn woman. Why did she have to come now? And with him of all people? He would just love to see me embarrassed. Well I will not give him that satisfaction. Hit me Ox. Now before I change my mind." Erik closed his eyes readying himself for the blow he knew was coming.
Ox looked over Erik's shoulder at the woman. She still had not looked away from Erik. Ah, now Ox understood. Erik was in a bit of discomfort. He needed a little pain to have his thoughts thinking of other things. Who was ole Ox to deny a man what he wanted? Besides he owed Erik a wee bit of pain for his actions when they first met. Ox plowed his fist into Erik's stomach. Just enough to knock the wind out of him for a short time. He did not put enough force behind the blow to even move Erik from where he stood. Much.
Erik struggled to regain his breath. The ploy had done the trick. His manhood was limp as a noodle. He was damn glad he did not ever plan to challenge Ox to a match as much as it disturbed him that he had never had the opportunity to test his skills in a real match with him. Erik was quite sure he could give Ox a run for his money, but he was quite certain the man could also kill him. He just had to make one thing clear to Ox though so he leaned in close to Ox to make sure he heard every word he said, "Stay away from that woman. If you so much as speak to her in any other way than as an acquaintance I will have to hurt you. She is off limits. Do I make myself clear? I will not be using my fists should you choose to ignore my warning. I am sure I do not have to elaborate any further as to what I mean."
Erik was a little unclear why it irked him to think of any man with Katherine. He just knew it did. He should be glad to see her interest focused elsewhere. He had trouble with his own especially when he remembered the two times they had nearly thrown caution to the wind. He turned to scowl in Raoul's direction. Raoul most of all irritated him. The thought of that perfect face close to Katherine during a kiss irked him beyond reason. He turned back just as Ox readied to give him a hearty slap to his back.
"Oh, indeed not my lad, indeed not. So the woman has caught your eye has she now? Pretty little thing she is too. If I did no' value our new friendship I would no' be givin' in so peaceable like. Tis a shame I'll no' get ta find out her hidden treasures. Lucky for me there are women a plenty needin' a big strong man with skills in the bedroom that leave 'em weepin' wantin' more." Ox slapped Erik on the back. Erik was braced for the slap. He had learned quickly that was the way Ox gave his approval to his friends. The more he liked you the harder and greater number of smacks to the back.
Katherine could not keep her eyes from returning to Erik over and over. There were other men just as muscled. Indeed some were even more impressive. She could not help but notice the other women with their eyes trained in Erik's direction as well. She had no idea where the sudden urge came from to blindfold all those lecherous women. After futilely fighting to keep from staring at Erik she at last gave a mental shrug deciding to enjoy what was in front of her. Why should she deny herself this forbidden pleasure? No one seemed to object to the other women ogling Erik. Well except for her that is. Indeed some were boldly shouting rather suggestive comments at Erik as well as the other men getting ready to enter the ring.
Katherine wanted to smack the woman at her side when she kept shouting some very rude and lude remarks at Erik. Apparently Erik had quite a following of admirers. Various women were making attempts to gain his attention. She could only fume in silence while wishing they would all go temporarily blind.
"So what do you think so far Katherine? I had heard Erik attended matches as well as participating. I did not know he would be here tonight. His presence does not bother you does it? If it does we can leave."
Not able to tear her eyes from Erik's imposing figure she answered Raoul distractedly, "No. No of course not. Why should it bother me? We hardly know each other." Well after the hayride and the encounter today they knew each other quite well.
"Katherine, pardon me if I step out of line but I could hardly miss how you and Erik have reacted to each other. After your altercation in the theatre the place buzzed with speculation as to what happened behind those closed doors. It seems others observed the glances between the two of you that neither of you seem to be aware of. I just wish to caution you where Erik is concerned. He has had an ongoing affection for Christine for many years. One which as you know was quite destructive as I told you before. I just would not want to see anything happen to you. I would not want to see you hurt."
"There is nothing between us so there is no need for your concern. I thank you for your concern for my welfare. I do value your friendship. The only thing I feel for Mr. Fontaine is concern about how he will affect my business ventures." Her whole conversation was made while her gaze remained fixed on Erik. Any fool could see she was attracted to him. Raoul was not a fool.
Raoul followed Katherine's gaze. She was attracted even if she was unaware of that fact. He hoped Erik would not hurt her or Christine. Although knowing Katherine as he did he could almost feel sorry for Erik. Raoul had a feeling that once Katherine became aware of her feelings then finally gave into them neither hell nor high water would keep her from pursuing what she wanted. He could picture her stealthily treading through a forest tracking her prey. Running it to ground then collecting her prize. In this case it was a man. Erik. A man Raoul should hate but he did not. He could not say he liked Erik but he no longer held any ill will toward him. He still felt compelled to compete with him but he no longer wished to run him through with his sword every time he saw him. Letting Christine go had allowed him to let go of his anger toward Erik. It was pointless, which was a good thing as he was to have dinner in Erik's home on Friday night. Raoul wondered what sort of competition they would embroil in during the evening.
The crowd shouting brought Raoul back to the present. Erik was stepping into the ring. Raoul could not miss Katherine's move to the edge of her seat. Her focus was glued to the man in the ring. Raoul smiled shaking his head. What did Erik have that drove women to such devotion in such a short time? For a man who claimed to have no appeal to women it would seem Erik had quite a following if he were to judge by the women watching the match about to begin.
Some of those women who would normally be quite sedate and prim and proper were shouting out the most lude as well as crude suggestions to Erik. Raoul's face began to flush when the woman who he was sure pinched him made a particularly off color remark concerning Erik's hidden male attributes. It would seem nothing was off limits to discuss at these matches. Everyone was free to behave in a most immoral manner. Raoul rather liked that aspect. He had always thought women were held in too much restraint. Given the opportunity they could be equal to men in any situation. That opinion he kept to himself as it would not win him favor with any of the men of the clubs he patronized.
Erik could feel her eyes on him. It could only be her making his skin feel in this peculiar way. He rolled his shoulders trying to shake the feeling. He had to focus on the bout ahead or he might come away with a few more bruises than usual. He had no wish to disgrace himself in front of Katherine or de Chagny. Before when he met his opponent it was as a means to rid himself of his demons. With her looking on he felt he had to prove something to her as well as himself. What he needed to prove he could not say other than he felt in some way his manhood hung in the balance.
Perhaps more than his manhood was at stake. His eyes kept track of Katherine's every movement. Giving himself a mental shake he concentrated on his opponent.
Erik had been paired with a well known ex-boxer called Bull. The man was almost as big as Ox. He stood at least six foot six. Erik guessed he weighed somewhere between a full grown walrus and a rhino. With his bushy mustache and tough looking hide he could go either way was Erik's silent opinion.
"Erik this one's a bit of different kettle of fish than anyone ye' may have gone a round or two with afore. He'll no be wearin' out. He's a steady sort. He pounds away at his opponent a bit at a time. Watch that left. He has a powerful uppercut. Has a bit of a glass jaw though if ye' get the chance ta' tap him one. He'll no' be droppin' his guard. You'll have ta' draw him out. Might have ta' take a hit or two. As long as ye' stay away from that left things should be right as rain. So if ye' do na' make it out just so ye' know, I'll be makin' me move on the little lass. I hear tell she's a might on the wild side just gettin' back from the wilds and all."
Erik was pulling off his leather gloves. One might think he had no interest in what Ox just stated. On the contrary his voice filled with menace he quietly said, "You so much as look cross-eyed at her and I will gut you as you watch me do it. This is the last time I will warn you. The next time you die." From his nonchalant stance one would not think he did not have anything but pleasant conversation on his mind. When Erik met Ox's eyes the man could see nothing but deadly promise looking back at him.
Ox raised his hands in surrender as he said, "No need to get so fierce lad. All that need be said was ye' had a claim on the lass. Ole Ox has no need ta' be poachin' another man's woman. There's always a woman waitin' for the likes of ole Ox. I'll no be braggin' just fillin' in the facts. Women find a bit of rough diamonds to their taste now and again. Takin' a closer look at the wee lass I'd wager ye' might no come away unscathed Erik. The ones like that dig deep under a man's skin. Burrow down until they reach his heart. If that is no' the way ye' be thinkin' I might suggest ye' avoid the lass altogether."
"I have no idea what the hell you are talking about." Erik had an idea but it was preposterous. No one would own his heart ever again. He was now starting to realize all he had left of his feelings for Christine was a natural lust for a beautiful woman. One who was willing to give herself to him even if his damn mind refused to accommodate his body.
"Well I have given ye' my warnin'. I canna' do more than that. Do no' be forgettin' to send ole Ox an invite to the weddin'." He slapped Erik on the back with a hearty laugh then left before Erik could respond.
With one quick furtive glance at Katherine Erik turned his attention to the man joining him in the ring. Just before the bell rang Erik thought "This should be interesting".
A/N: As promised I have posted another chapter since my reveiws were most gratifying. I know the begging seems cheap as a two dollar hooker but I need the fix every now and again. Thanks for feeding my need.