Sidney was frustrated from his encounters with Charlotte. It was so easy to be in her company and all he wanted to do was stay with her. He raged with anger towards his brother who had gotten the family into so much debt. He was thankful he was competing tonight and was able to get out of an engagement with Eliza. She was becoming suspicious of his commitment to their bargain but at this point he didn't care. Every time he encountered Charlotte he lost all sense and his yearning for her increased. He had to get rid of his frustration tonight. He was struggling to control his emotions and when he was around Charlotte only a fool would miss his feelings towards her.
He arrived at the club and checked the match schedules. He stopped still when he noticed the names of Lord Thomas, James Heywood and John Heywood. Sidney's first match was against John Heywood. He clamped down his nerves as he realised he was to fight Charlotte's brother. He had to concentrate and hope he would be able to be competitive. He regretted drinking and smoking a little more than usual and didn't know if he was going to be competitive tonight. There was a purse of $5000 tonight, this was more than a recreational competition.
While he was preparing a group arrived, and everyone present stopped. It was Thomas, James and John who were followed by a group of supporters. The three men looked fit and Sidney felt he was being measured up by Charlotte's brothers who had determined looks on their faces. Sidney recognised a number of men he had meet before with Charlotte. He couldn't work out who the women were because they were dressed as if they were going to a mask ball. They were wearing masks and hooded caps that covered their heads. It meant that they could not to be recognised and it created a mysterious atmosphere. He recognised Charlotte because she was being guarded by her two great Danes.
He remembered her saying to him she would see him later.
The night's competition was brutal, and a number of the fighters were injured. Thomas, James and John were superb fighters who were fit and talented. Sidney wished he has been in better fighting condition and be able to compete on the same level. He stepped up for his match and tried not to look intimidate, but it was difficult as he felt John wanted to inflict some damage. He was able to keep up with John until fatigue started setting in and John's pouching power seemed to increase. He was knocked down and he had to sit down…
One of the hooded women stood before him and treated his cuts and gave him some smelling salts. The lady had her back turned away from the crowd and lifted her mask revealing her identify
"Charlotte?" Sidney feeling, he was in a dream… she smiled but had a worried look on her face…
"you can't continue fighting or you are going to have serious brain damage… I think my brother knows what happened in Sanditon and he will knock you out!"… due to his concussion already, he wasn't thinking "I am so sorry…. I can't go on… please… Charlotte maybe this will be better".
"Don't think that way… you are a man of honour who is doing the best for you family… I am going to tell the referee that you are not able to compete…. My brothers are prized fighters in our county and are determined to win. They have strict training routines and they don't smoke. The organisers thought my brothers were country boys but will be sorry when one of them wins the purse of $5000. Not to mention money made by betting on them tonight. The odds are high as no one has seen them fight. Luckily you encountered John… James is our family's best fighter. They have come purposely to compete in the coming competition rounds and I would suggest you retire from fighting while they are here. He nodes without questioning her".
She helped him out of the ring and tended to his cuts and bruises while the next match continued. Zeus and Hercules appeared licking his face and each sitting beside him as to guard him. John appeared with a grin on his face…
"how are you going Parker?". "John, please be kind to Mr Parker… he has many worries and responsibilities." John who always listened to his sister apologised if he had injured Sidney and asks if she could check his technique. "I will be back"… she softly speaks to Sidney… Zeus and Hercules stayed which surprised him. Sidney watched as she seemed to have a coaching session with her brother and appeared she was giving pointers about techniques as he mimics her movements. She also told John the weaknesses she had seen with the other gentleman. John laughed "I am not worried about them as I have James to content with!" John went off to prepare for his next round and Charlotte went back to Sidney.
Sidney felt he was being looked after by an angel and just basked in her presence. She had her mask back on and was wrapping his hands. She also had used an ointment that seemed to soothe his cuts. Zeus and Hercules continued to stay with him and growled when anyone came near him. Both placing their heads on his lap and looked at her. She smiled at this picture and commented "I have to go and support James… he was near enough to watch in the awe of the fighting prowess of Charlotte's brother. He also noticed that Charlotte was watching the whole fight, tending to her brother's wounds and giving strategic instructions which gave James the upper hand. He won the match and went back to prepare for his next match.
Charlotte went back to check on Sidney. She checked his cuts and bruises and applied more cream as the dogs had licked it off. "Charlotte... are you coaching them?" She smiled guilty… "yes… I am normally their coach when they compete. Mr Parker, women in Willingdon do know how to fight." This causing Sidney to laugh but he had to stop as his ribs hurt. "Sidney… do you think you have broken a rib?" a worried look appeared on her face. She calls over Thomas and asks him to check Sidney for her… Thomas looks but was not sure if any were broken… Charlotte taking a deep breath... was thankful she had a mask and hood one. Quickly checking that no one was around made a quick choice… "Thomas make sure no one comes near us but stay with me"… She places her hand on Sidney's stomach and side…. Ignoring Sidney's sharp breath intake as she starts checking if there was anything broken. The dogs seemed concerned and she had to pushed them back so she could check him "Lord Campbell is the organiser and didn't think to engage a surgeon" commented an annoyed Charlotte who had been dealing with many injuries tonight. Thankfully it was only badly bruised, and the ribs were not broken… She applied some ointment and dealt with a wound that had opened up.. stopping the bleeding by bandaging him up. She made sure she appeared professional and not let it seems this had affected her. Poor Sidney was a buzz of feelings as she tended his wounds and struggled to breath as she touched him. He just wanted to take her in his arms.
Once Sidney was dressed again Thomas went back to compete in his next match. Charlotte also had to return to support her brothers who clearly looked like they would face each other in the final match. James was finally declared the winner. Sidney was still looking sick after 2 hours and Charlotte was worried about him. The dogs had not moved from his side and that made her worried "I think we need to take him to Tom and Mary's house" Charlotte suggested. Sidney was in no condition to question what was happening. Mary was surprised to see Charlotte at this late hour and was concerned when Sidney was carried in by two identical men. Once he was settled Charlotte introduced her brothers to Mary and explained what had happened. "He thought he was fit enough to compete against my brother John?" commentedCharlotte. "We have tended to his injuries but suggest you call the doctor in the morning. James suggesting Mr Parker increase his exercise regime and maybe give up his smoking habit.
"Could you please let us know how he is going?" a concerned Charlotte asks Mary. She felt that she should have warned him about her brothers and encouraged him not to compete. Sidney was not the only gentleman who was laid up after their fights against the Heywood men. James and John had always thought titled gentlemen were lazy and unfit. This was confirmed to them tonight and they were looking forward to taking money from these wealthy people. They knew the story of the Parker family and after meeting Mary were determined to win their matches for their sister. After watching their sister with Mr Sidney Parker tonight, they realised that he was the reason she had returned back from Sanditon changed. They spoke with Thomas who confirmed the matter. Their sister truly loved Sidney Parker and was trying hard to free him form Eliza Campion.
Sidney woke up the next day and felt like he had been knocked out by 10 men and his head was still spinning. When he got his bearings, he realised he was at the Parker house and had no idea how he had gotten there. He felt he was pinned to the bed but when he lifted his head he understood why… Zeus and Hercules were lying on either side of him. Both moving to place their heads on his chest and were waiting for an ear scratch. Tom stuck his head in the room and wished his brother a cheerful good morning. "How did I get here" asked Sidney. The last thing he remembered was Charlotte tending to his wounds. "You were lucky brother, Miss Heywood and her brothers brought you here. Sidney closed his eyes as he would have looked so weak in the eyes of her brothers. He had always prized himself as a fighter and when it mattered he had failed. "Mr John Heywood told Mary to tell you that you should think about increasing your exercise regime and give up smoking. I have been telling you this for years." Tom laughs.
Mary came by and he asked her how Miss Heywood appeared when they brought him to the house. He could no longer sit up and laid down carefully. Zeus and Hercules both settling closer to Sidney as if they were wanting to comfort him. Mary thought before responding but decided to be truthful… "Charlotte was concerned for you and made sure we called the doctor to check on you. She left Zeus and Hercules as they wanted to stay with you. She rubs the dog's tummies and loved their gentle nature.
Sidney closed his eyes and made a resolution to stop the excess smoking, drinking and improve his fitness. Charlotte's brother's and Thomas all outclassed him, and it had showed his defects. All he could think about was what Charlotte thought. Zeus and Hercules moving even closer and he rubbed their heads and the three drifted off to sleep.
The children came to see the dogs but they would not move until Sidney was out of bed. Mary observing that they never did this for anyone...
"It is as if they feel connected to you"… he knew why because they sense he loved their mistress and they in turn were loyal to him.