Page 92 of Snapdragons
We’re going to build a life together. That’s what I’m fighting for. For us.
The gathered crowd, quite possibly the largest he’d ever fought in front of, pulsated in a great mass around the fighting ring.
Niles knew his part.
He held his chin at a proud angle and walked with confident, almost arrogant steps toward his destination. As he approached, someone in the crowd called out, “The Cornish Duke!” His yellow pantaloons and yellow dots painted on his face made him easily identifiable.
This was the point in every contest when his nerves ebbed and the exhilaration of the fight began to invigorate him. He knew he was good at boxing, and that was a great feeling for one who was far more accustomed to applauding others for being adept at their various undertakings. And the possibility of adding to his coffers was exciting as well.
Martin was easy to spot, and not merely because he, too, was stripped from the waist up. Though only two or three inches taller than Niles, the Bath Butcher was far more solidly built, with thick, powerful muscles testifying to his profession.
He is not undefeated nor undefeatable.
The crowd roared as Niles stepped into the ring at the same moment Martin did. Niles took a fortifying breath but didn’t allow his uncertainty to show. Confidence, even if it had to be somewhat feigned, was an important strategy.
But Martin looked every bit as confident as Niles was taking pains to appear. More than that, the man looked fiercely determined. The Butcher had lost his last two fights, highly publicized affairs that had led to questions about his future in the sport. The man would be fighting with every bit of strength and ability he possessed, intent not to lose again.
But this wasn’t a matter of reputation for Niles; he was fighting for a future with Penelope.
The cheers and jeers that sounded all around him faded into indistinguishable cacophony as the fight began. Niles had learned early on not to pay any heed to whose side the crowd seemed to be on. Spectators were notoriously fickle.
Niles and Martin circled each other, each sizing up the other. The Bath Butcher was a hesitant fighter, taking his time and pulling back after each swing or jab. He also had a shorter reach than first impressions would lead a person to expect. Niles knew all that.
He also suspected his opponent was well aware that the Cornish Duke didn’t deal blows as powerful as others of their profession and had been felled in the past by less devastating blows than others could endure.
Speed was Niles’s greatest asset in this fight. Brute strength was Martin’s.
The first four rounds were uneventful. Martin landed a few grazing blows. Niles managed a few of his own. He might have dealt more damage if the Butcher hadn’t insisted on hovering just out of reach.
By the fifth round, Niles knew he had to take the fight to his opponent. Getting within striking range was a risk, but the fight would go on for ages otherwise. Niles’s quickness would prevent at least some of Martin’s blows from landing.
Niles stepped closer and feinted to the left. Martin took the bait and swung hard, but Niles sidestepped. Martin stumbled, and Niles landed a crushing blow.
Cheers erupted. Niles ignored them. He needed to remain focused.
The same tactic worked once more. Martin absorbed the punch but moved a little slower afterward. It would take a lot of well-landed blows to bring down the Butcher. Three more slowed himbut didn’t topple him.
Then the Bath Butcher’s fist found Niles’s face. Pain sent him stumbling backward.
Niles did his best to shake off the blow. He managed to duck another swing. But not the next one.
The Bath Butcher grew more spirited. Seeing it, Niles took a bolder approach as well.
They were both still on their feet when the sixth round began. Niles could see his opponent was flagging. He hoped he was hiding his own pain and exhaustion better than Martin was.
A life with Penelope.Niles’s fist found Martin’s jaw, sending him reeling backward. But the man made a surprisingly fast recovery, lunging forward in the very next instant. He landed a blow to Niles’s midsection.
The air rushed from Niles’s lungs. He staggered but stayed on his feet.
Fighting for a miracle.
Niles set his feet once more.
A future of our own.
He raised his fists to fighting position.
A life with Penelope.
