Joanna felt her heart hammering in hard staccato beats as she explained, "Stefan Janacek's stateroom is across the passageway from mine so we see each other... frequently. And... I've talked to him some... well, maybe a lot. And I've watched him working with his cats... and... we've spent some time on deck and...That's all."
Matthew's gaze dropped to her lip, and she knew from the look on his face that the subject of Stefan Janacek had not been dismissed. She also suspected he was beginning to put things together. Her explanation about her lip was dubious at best. Her extended response to his simple statement about her relation with Stefan a dead giveaway.
As they crossed the midway, smoke drifted from the food pavilion, carrying with it the aroma of roasting chicken. Joanna looked at Matthew and said, "I hope you and Libby can stay long enough to eat."
"I'm afraid not," Matthew said. "The gymnastic team arrives for warm-ups in thirty minutes, but we'll be back for you later."
Joanna glanced to where Otto and Gene stood with other troupe members who were gathered around several huge grills. "At least say hello to Otto and Gene."
"I'll have to make it quick."
After a brief reunion, Matthew looked at Gene and said, pointedly, "Joanna tells me you're pushing to drop the nets."
Gene shrugged. "We wouldn't have lost top spot if we'd dropped them months ago."
Matthew glared at Gene. "You wouldn't be flying with Joanna either."
"Wait!" Joanna interjected. "No one's dropping the nets. Right?" She looked at Gene for confirmation.
Folding his arms, Gene said, "Toby Jensen rides his unicycle on the rail, without nets. The Lindemann's work the tight wire, without nets." Muscles rippled in his jaws. "The problem is you're going to have to choose between the act and the gypsy king."
"Stefan has nothing to do with this and you know it," Joanna clipped, feeling a flush of resentment that Gene would mention Stefan in front of Matthew.
"He has everything to do with it," Gene said. "Your timing's been shot to hell ever since you got involved with that two-bit gypsy."
"Hold it, Gene," Matthew said. "She's not involved with the man."
"Like hell she's not!" Gene said. "The fact is, they can't seem to stay out of each other's quarters, day or night. How do you think she got that knot on her lip?"
Matthew glared at Gene. "That's enough of that kind of talk, Marquis."
"Fine," Gene said. "But I don't intend to be part of a second-rate act." He glanced toward the menagerie where Stefan stood talking to Kitta and his brothers. Riveting hostile eyes on them, Gene said in a lethal tone, "I'll see top spot again, whatever it takes."
Matthew fixed his eyes on Gene. "And I'll do whatever I can to talk Joanna into quitting the act. You can be sure of that."
Gene stared steadily at Matthew. "You don't have that much influence. She's the one who'll make the choice." His eyes shifted to Stefan. "I'm gambling she's not ready to quit the show."
Matthew glanced at Stefan, then looked at Joanna for confirmation. She nodded. "He's right. I'm not." She took Matthew's arm and tugged him away. "Don't start worrying about the nets coming down because it's not going to happen. Come on, I want you to meet Stefan."
Matthew looked at her, his gaze unflinching. "Then there is something to what Gene said about you and Stefan Janacek."
"No!" Joanna said. "I never compromised my values before I joined the show, and I don't do it now. Stefan and I are just friends." She looked ahead and caught Stefan watching her, his eager smile sending a warmth creeping over her. "Besides," she added, "he's not what you think. He's really a very ordinary man."
Matthew arched a skeptical brow. "Who's that bunch with him?"
Joanna looked at the men, both shorter than Stefan, and with swarthy complexions and dark Romany eyes. "Stefan's brothers, Laszlo and Ivan." The men turned and walked away, leaving Stefan with Kitta. Joanna willed Kitta to leave too, but she remained. She gazed with distaste at Kitta's hair baubles, and ropes of beads draped over her large breasts, and her bright skirt that revealed bare feet. "And that's Stefan's sister."
Matthew didn't respond, but Joanna felt his strong disapproval in the silence that hung between them as they approached Stefan and Kitta. Joanna made introductions, then waited through an awkward lull while no one spoke. Kitta broke the silence. "See you around, Stefan," she said. She gave Joanna a smile as cold as it was feigned, then ignoring Matthew completely, turned and walked away.
Stefan gave them an apologetic smile. "She may be eighteen," he said, "but she should be turned over someone's knee."
"At least she warmed a little," Joanna commented.
"Don't let her fool you," Stefan said. "She prides herself on being Romany. Takes to heart the old adage that one never knows what's behind a gypsy's eyes." He watched his sister strut off. "She forgets she too is only half Rom."
Matthew scanned a row of cages in which lions stretched lazily on their sides. In other cages, tigers paced restlessly behind heavy bars. "They're all yours?" he asked.
Stefan nodded. "I plan to phase out the lions and work only with tigers. They're more responsive, easier to train, and have better retention." He looked affectionately at his lions. "As you see, lions are relatively dull, lazy creatures."
Joanna looked at Stefan, surprised with his announcement. "You never said you'd be getting rid of the lions. Does that mean Rafat too?"
"Eventually," Stefan said. "But it won't be for a few more seasons."
Joanna folded her arms and flattened her mouth.
Stefan brushed a knuckle along her jaw. "Sorry I got your hopes up, honey, but I'm just not ready to cull the lions."
Matthew's eyes moved between Stefan and Joanna, clearly putting things together.
"If you have time," Stefan said to Matthew, "I'll show you my new Siberian tiger."
Matthew glanced at his pocket watch. "Maybe some other time," he said, giving Stefan a faltering smile. "Right now I have to get back to the academy."
Joanna walked with Matthew to the phaeton, but before climbing up, he said, "Don't do anything foolish like fall in love with a gypsy. I don't relish having to track down a caravan of itinerant panhandlers whenever I want to see my sister."
"They're not all like that," Joanna said. "As a matter of fact, Stefan has a brother who is a lawyer. And Stefan owns a home in Memphis—"
"You are involved." Matthew said. "He's also responsible for that knot on your lip."
"You needn't look at me as if I were cavorting with druids," Joanna clipped. "Stefan is just an ordinary man to whom I am attracted. Nothing more." The simple truth was, the thought of being with Stefan—friend, gypsy, big cat trainer—was both exciting, and frightening. But the thought of being without him, at this point, was unthinkable.
"Do you intend to keep seeing him?" Matthew asked.
"Yes, actually I do," Joanna replied. "But I don't plan for it to go any further than what it is now. We are just... very good friends."
"Hellfire, Jo, you're long past that! You didn't get that lip from a casual kiss. So you'll play with the bull till you get the horn in your eye. That makes me feel a whole heap better."
Joanna said nothing, but after a few moments of strained silence, Matthew rested his hands on her shoulders and said, "Sorry I snapped at you, Jo, but love is never planned, it just happens. I don't know much about gypsies, but I do know that their lifestyle is a whole lot different from ours. Just don't do anything rash. Marriage is forever. And it's true what they say. You do marry the family. So just be careful. Promise?"
Joanna gave a vague nod of agreement. But she already knew the answer. If Stefan continued to pursue their relationship, she would not discourage him.
CHAPTER FOUR
Joanna, feeling dismal, watched Matthew's phaeton amble away. She'd spent little time with him and his family, and now she wouldn't see them for another year, if she stayed with Porter Brothers, which was a big if. It seemed her visit to Vicksburg was over before it began. One
last performance and they'd be underway again. Her eyes stung and she blinked back tears, wondering what was coming over her. Matthew wasn't going anywhere. Wherever the show might take her, he'd always be in Vicksburg, contentedly sharing his life with Libby and Robbie.
She could still feel Robbie's little hand patting her mouth, and hear his gleeful squeal as she nibbled his tiny fingers. Matthew's life was so uncomplicated, so perfect that it made her restless for the same. But when she thought of settling down into the idealistic marriage with a home and children, she saw Stefan by her side. Yet... that could never be because ultimately, she intended to leave the show. But Stefan's life was the show, and always would be...
With the show, and with his family, and with his cats...
Turning, she gathered her cape around her costume and plodded across the grounds to the exhibition pavilion, where the evening performance had already begun. The rapping of kettledrums announced Stefan's act. From the shadows of the performer's entrance, she watched as Stefan approached the arena to the applause of an eager audience. With the confident smile she'd come to know, he walked into the big cage and raised his hand to acknowledge the crowd. The lights glistened off his muscular chest beneath the Hussar vest, and even at a distance, she could see the intensity in his eyes.
A terrible fear settled around her, a fear that now comprised the vivid image that Helen Janacek had painted. But instead of visualizing Stefan's father struggling beneath the frenzy of attacking cats, she saw Stefan.
Fool! Damn... optimistic... fool!
She should not watch the performance. She'd determined not to. Yet, she was unable to turn away. A drop-gate rattled up and four lions trotted through the barred tunnel and into the big cage. The heavy steel gate swished down, closing with a resounding clank.
As Joanna stood watching, Walter's voice startled her. "The first minute in the cage is the most dangerous," he said, moving to stand beside her.
Joanna acknowledged him with an apprehensive smile, then swallowed hard. "Why?" she asked, not sure she wanted to know at this particular moment.
Walter's eyes followed the lions as they scurried around looking for their pedestals. "The males have their eyes on the females, and when the tigers come in, the lions may try to gang up on them before the tigers can get onto their pedestals."
"Oh," Joanna replied, wishing the animals would take their places.
Walter leaned toward her. "Stefan brings the lions in first. They're the troublemakers. Until they're on their pedestals it's risky. Stefan must be expecting trouble. Over near the door—" he pointed to the escape door "—Stefan placed a board and a bucket of ammonia water there."
"He doesn't usually do that?"
Walter shook his head. "Not unless he's expecting trouble."
"Seats!" Stefan demanded, swinging his whip in a wide arc and sending it snapping against itself. Three lions hopped onto waiting pedestals, but the black-maned lion named Rafat, that had given Stefan trouble the first time Joanna saw Stefan, crouched and skulked behind the seated animals, refusing to obey.
"Rafat! Seats." Stefan moved behind the defiant animal and cracked his whip. Rafat whirled around to face him, one huge paw raised in protest, mouth twisted in a vicious snarl. "Seats!" Stefan commanded again, cracking his whip. The lion wrinkled his nose and roared, then crawled onto his pedestal and stood with ears laid back, tail flicking.
Walter studied Stefan's precise movements. "Watch his paw, Stefan," he muttered. He leaned toward Joanna. "An uplifted paw can cause quick damage, tear a man's arm off in one blow. And that lion's a bad one."
Joanna's mouth felt too dry to reply.
"Come on, Stefan, make him sit," Walter droned under his breath. He nudged Joanna and pointed to Rafat. "When an animal stands on his pedestal, he's ready to spring."
Stefan cracked his whip. "Rafat! Seats!" Rafat reluctantly sat on the pedestal, muscles taut, ears flat, tail twitching impatiently.
Walter let out a long sigh. "Now, Stefan will bring in the tigers. They're much more predictable than the lions."
Stefan motioned to an attendant to let the tigers enter. Four tigers trotted into the big cage. "Seats!" Stefan commanded once more. Two tigers hopped onto their pedestals while two others headed for the same pedestal, landing together and knocking it over. Rafat jumped from his perch and lunged for one of the tigers."Rafat! Seats!" Stefan commanded. Rafat circled Stefan, refusing to mount his pedestal.
Joanna dropped her gaze and found Walter wringing his hands. "Bad sign... won't face his trainer. I can feel it... that cat's getting ready to spring." Walter stepped forward, eyes fixed on Stefan. "Keep moving, Stefan," he warned, his voice troubled.
Stefan snapped Rafat on the ear with his whip. Rafat ran behind the pedestal, met the sting of Stefan's whip at the opposite end of the cage, then whirled around and jumped onto his pedestal. Stefan reset the toppled bench and commanded, "Seats."
The tigers quickly took their places.
When the animals were seated, Stefan mounted the fire ring on a standard in the center of the arena and lit it. Flames burst in a fiery circle. "Rica, come," he commanded a tigress. Rica jumped from her pedestal and leapt through the fiery hoop, then trotted gracefully around the arena and again sprang through the ring of fire. She wheeled and sat in front of Stefan, awaiting her treat. "Good girl," Stefan praised the animal, rubbing her head while slipping a small chunk of meat into her mouth. "Seats." The tigress mounted her pedestal.
When Stefan turned to acknowledge the applause of an enthusiastic audience, Rafat jumped from his pedestal and lunged for the tigress, knocking her from her pedestal and sending her tumbling across the arena. Then the cage seemed to explode as other lions and tigers joined in the ruckus, fur flying, billows of dust rising from the cage.
Screams rose from the crowd as the huge barred arena swayed. Outside, attendants nervously walked the perimeter of the cage, fearing it might give way and fall as animals scrambled and tumbled against the bars, hurling props about. As Joanna stood watching, too terrified to move, Stefan cracked his whip and brandished the heavy board. She heard him yell at the lions to take their seats, but the frenzied animals ignored him. Then without warning, Rafat broke from the scuffle and lunged for Stefan. Joanna screamed, blood rushing from her face, nails piercing the flesh of her palms.
Stefan hurled the bucket of ammonia water in Rafat's face, then grabbed the board again, striking the big lion on the legs and sending him rolling over.
"Rafat! Ahmed! Sahar! Seats!" Stefan yelled, swinging the board haphazardly while rushing the animals. The fighting stopped, leaving a cloud of brown dust hovering about the confused animals. Stefan arranged the toppled pedestals while eight skulking animals, scratched and gouged, roamed the cage looking for their seats. Stefan cracked his whip and gave his command and the animals rushed for their pedestals and waited. Stefan surveyed the shaggy-looking crew. Keeping a wary eye on Rafat, he proceeded with the act.
Joanna glanced at Walter. Sweat beaded on his brow and trickled down his temples. He slipped a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his face. "Stefan has control now," he said. "Rafat's a troublemaker, but I think even he's had enough for one night."
Joanna watched Rafat crouch amicably with the other lions that had taken their places in front of Stefan, then he rolled over like a giant, playful house cat, looked at Stefan for praise, and on command, headed for the tunnel. "Why does Stefan keep him?" she asked, as Stefan prompted the lineup of tigers to rear back on their haunches.
Walter shrugged. "Rafat's a magnificent animal, and Stefan feels confident he'll eventually be an outstanding performer."
She looked at Walter. "Would you have kept him?"
"Probably," Walter replied. "Nevertheless, I wish Stefan would get rid of him. But he won't. I've known Stefan too long to see him backed down by a cat."
Joanna didn't respond. Nothing about this madness made sense.
As Stefan cued the last tiger, Walter walked ahead several paces
and paused. His eyes fixed on a point beyond the big cage. Joanna looked in the direction of his gaze and saw a one-armed man standing near the performer's exit, staring at Walter. The man turned abruptly and pushed his way past the people blocking his exit. "Who is he?" Joanna asked.
Walter's eyes narrowed. "Klaus Haufchild, the trainer Stefan replaced." Walter's eyes remained on the man until he'd disappeared into the shadows of the corridor. Offering nothing more, he turned from Joanna, pressed his way through the crowd and headed after the man. Joanna pondered Walter's reaction on seeing the man he'd referred to as Klaus Haufchild. But she soon forgot Walter's hasty exit as the clamor of wild applause filled the pavilion. She looked at Stefan, who nodded briefly at the spectators as he left the arena and walked out of the lights toward the performer's exit.
She hadn't realized that Gene had spoken until she felt his hand gripping her arm. Icy-blue eyes darkened with anger. "I don't know what the hell's going on between you and Janacek," he said, his harsh words punctuating the pounding of Joanna's heart, "but we're on in fifteen minutes, and you're in no shape to fly."
Joanna snatched her arm away. "There's nothing going on between us," she replied. "I just don't like watching lions and tigers fighting or people being ripped apart." She hadn't realized her voice was so shaky until she'd spoken.
"Then you'd better not hang around Janacek," Gene said, "because if his animals don't rip him apart, I might."
Joanna glared at Gene. "Working together does not give you a claim on me. My personal life is mine, whether it includes Stefan Janacek or anyone else."
Gene's eyes narrowed. "I don't give a damn about your personal life unless it affects the act."
Joanna's nostrils flared. "You don't give a damn about anything, unless it affects the act."
Muscles rippled in Gene's jaw. "I don't know what your plans are, but I didn't spend six years training for a second-rate act, and I won't let Stefan Janacek or anyone else stand between me and the top."
Joanna raised a brow. "No, I'm sure you won't." She turned from Gene and walked away. Her legs felt weak, her head light, her body drained. Yet somehow, in less than fifteen minutes, she'd have to be ready to hurl herself through space with timing so precise she'd make contact with Otto the only instant his hands would be there. She wasn't sure she could do it this time.
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