Bittersweet Endeavors

by Tamara Ternie

  “Pray tell, my man, what have you done to your face?”

  “Anvil,” Anne quietly reprimanded, and was shocked by her husband’s brazenness.

  “Tis quite all right, Mrs. Preston.” Zachary raised one hand to his cheek and touched the white linen that covered the wound. Beneath the table, he reached out with his other hand and wrapped his fingers tightly around hers. He squeezed hard—painfully hard.

  To Myra’s horror, Zachary removed the bandage right at the table! The five distinct lines of red lacerations that damaged his face sent gasps stirring around the table, as well as stares set on her.

  “‘Twould seem I didn’t expect my new wife to be so spirited behind closed doors,” he grinned. “For such a timid chit in usual appearance, she’s quite a siren once alone in the comforts of our private chambers.”

  Myra shifted her eyes and glimpsed at Seth. His eyes closed as if he tried to shut out the idea Zachary vividly presented, and when she considered her untamed passions whilst making love to Seth, he’d surely believe the tale. Didn’t she leave similar, less degree marks upon his back? Before another thought took form, Myra’s attention went toward Margaret who rose from her chair. She had tried to be discreet when quitting the room, but her weeps of pain wasn’t quashed by her delicate hand. Poor Margaret. Myra wondered if she’d ever forgive her.

  “Surely this isn’t proper talk whilst we sup…or anywhere else, Zachary” Myra admonished.

  “Why, of course, my sweet. Where are my manners?” He feigned regret and a smile taunted toward Seth as Zachary stared at him. “It’s just that once Anvil broached the subject, I couldn’t think of anything other than the truth for explanation. I apologize, my dear ladies.” He nodded his apology to Anna Preston and her daughters as he rose from his seat. Beneath the table, his fingers still grasped Myra’s hand in a firm grip. “Well, with that most pleasing thought in mind,” he said suggestively, and he held a smirk on his face that aimed at Seth. “I think we shall take our leave early this evening. Mayhap I can see what damage my dear wife can inflict on my other cheek.”

  Seth abruptly stood. His tightly closed fists slammed down on the table’s edge and the whites of his knuckles pressed through into view. The delicate framed chair that once sat beneath him flew to the floor in a loud clatter.

  “Do you take issue with me taking my wife home?” he pressed, and encouraged Seth onward to make argument. “Of course, as you know, we’re still newly wedded and this is the time we embark alone on getting to know each other much better. Tis a surprise I talked her out of leaving the wedding bed so soon to join you all tonight.”

  Tears formed in Myra’s eyes and she fought the urge to shout denials at Zachary’s hurtful words, but if she interfered, she feared she would make matters worse for Seth. Seth turned and looked at her, and after she silently pleaded for him to end the quarrel, he turned around and exited the dining hall.

  “Apparently he has no objections,” Zachary laughed.

  “Frederickson, I’d like to have a word in private before you take your leave.”

  “Certainly, I’ll have a word with my wife first and then I’ll meet you in your study.”

  Anvil nodded but his anger lingered within his faded blue eyes. Zachary led Myra out through the doors and onto the terrace. When the doors shut behind them, Myra prepared to let loose all her anger.

  “How dare you say such foul lies?”

  “Would you rather have Seth Preston believe that you’re waiting and pining away for him? Is that your preference?” His hand rose to her throat and he clasped down tight. “As I’ve twice warned, you’ll not befool me!”

  “I’ve done what you’ve asked. I didn’t speak to Seth this entire evening and haven’t even looked upon him. Why do you need to be so cruel?”

  She pulled back and freed herself of his hold. She walked to the balcony and gripped her hands tightly across the edge. The calm, crisp air of the night didn’t help to cool her anger.

  “Why come tonight? Was it your purpose to badger Seth?”

  “I’ll not have any mistake in his eyes, or that of this community, to whom you belong, Myra.”

  “I do not belong to anyone, least of all you! You can berate Seth privately or publically, but it shan’t change the fact that I love him,” she shamelessly admitted.

  Myra pushed herself away from the balcony and whirled around and faced him. “You may own me by name and contract, Zachary, but you’ll never own me by heart!”

  If not for being in the Preston’s home, he would have beaten her. It was their location in the Preston home that gave her the courage that she voiced the truth.

  “Tonight, I’ll make you regret those words, Myra. I promise you that,” he said gently. Too gently. It raised the fine hairs on the back of her neck, but she didn’t regret her words.

  “Seth Preston is set to marry Cassandra next month, Myra. Tis time you realize that whatever was between you and him is now over. You may as well succumb to me.”

  Seth is marrying Cassandra? She shouldn’t be surprised but it came as a hard blow. She wasn’t sure how much more heartache she could endure.

  “I must speak with Anvil now. I’ll return shortly, but until then, I want you to remain here, and alone. Once we’re home, I’ll show you to whom you belong, my dearest.”

  Myra turned her back from him and looked over the ledge of the stone terrace wall. She raised her eyes and beheld the dark sky. A storm brewed and thunder rumbled the sky, but it didn’t mask the sound of Zachary’s departure as he slammed the door shut behind him.

  Although he had left, Myra lungs ached for a full breath, but her heart pounded so wildly in her chest that she felt the air choke her. There was no stopping him now. He’d take her to his bed, and no matter what amount of protest, she’d not be able to fend him off. Her hands went to her face and she rubbed away the tears that streamed down her cheeks.

  All strength left her. She felt weak and too much a coward to help herself, let alone her sister and Lucia, too. Who was she fooling? The more she tried, the more hurt she caused those around her. Who’d be next? Myra looked over the balcony. Mindless of anything other than her need to flee Zachary’s vengeful hand and Seth’s pending marriage to Cassandra, she lifted herself atop the ledge of the stone rail.

  She’d have her escape.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Watching the scene below his bedroom terrace enraged Seth. When he saw Zachary’s hand wrapped around Myra’s neck, he wanted to beat the contemptible man to death with his bare hands and choke him until his life’s blood drained from his face. He wished the two of them spoke louder so he had a better gist as to what their argument entailed. The question wrapped around his thoughts until he saw Myra’s intent once Zachary left.

  He didn’t think it possible to jump the height from the upper terrace to the one below without causing breakage to one’s neck, but he didn’t care about the consequences. He had to prevent Myra from making a grave mistake. Seconds seemed like hours as Seth lowered himself over the edge onto the spacious terrace below. He prayed he would make it to her in time.

  Seth grabbed her around her waist just as she leaned forward to take the plunge. It wasn’t until he managed to return her feet to the safety of the ground that he felt the fear leave him. Yet anger quickly replaced his concern.

  “What are you doing?” he yelled.

  “I . . .” She lowered her head and her cheeks blushed in shame.

  She should be ashamed, but when she fell to the ground and wept uncontrollably, Seth’s heart went out to her. Myra leaned against the balcony wall, bowed her head and hugged her knees to her chest. She hid her face from his sight.

  “I beseech you, Seth. You mustn’t tell Zachary what I was going to do.”

  Seth forced her to look at him and tears cascaded down her cheeks. The fear he saw in her eyes made him cringe inwardly. He wanted to take her into his arms and cradle her there forever.

  “Hush,” he soothed. “Tis f
ine, I’ll not say a word. But pray tell, what brought this on?”

  Her body tensed and she quickly came to her feet. “You have to go, Seth. He’ll return soon, and if he finds you here, he’ll kill you.”

  Seth straightened and his muscles tensed. “I do not fear Frederickson,” he assured.

  “Please, Seth, you must go.”

  With a shove, she urged him to move away and pushed him toward the side door that led into the great hall. It was a different door than Zachary had taken on his departure, but Seth wouldn’t leave.

  “I cannot leave knowing you may pull a foolish stunt like this again, Myra.” In a tender caress, he brushed an ebony strand of hair from her face. “What the devil has gotten into you?”

  Seth almost felt regret the moment her red, tear-stained eyes met his. Even in such emotional disarray he found her to be the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes upon.

  “What of the child, Myra? Would you kill the child by such a cowardly act?”

  Her amber eyes widened and the golden glint sparked by the sheen of the moon’s light. The fear she felt mirrored in their reflection. Her hand rose to her open mouth and she began to tremble. Her chin lowered to her chest and she wept with heavy, sorrowful sobs. Truth be told, he believed she had forgot she even carried a child within her. He wondered what would have frightened her insomuch that she’d wish to end her life.

  Myra opened her mouth but no words escaped. More tears streamed from her eyes and she lowered her head again. He wanted to reach out to her and let her know she didn’t have to go through her pain alone, but he couldn’t, he hadn’t the right.

  “Please, Seth, you must go before he returns. I promise not to do something so foolish. I don’t know what came over me.” Myra looked at the door. She wrung her hands together in the folds of her skirt and made another plea. “I only intended to jump below and escape. Run away where no one would ever find me again. My intentions were not as lethal as you mayhap think. T’was unwise, but my intent was not deadly. Now please, you must leave!”

  “What did that bastard do to you?” The faded bruise on her face stirred his anger anew. He looked at the door and secretly wished Zachary would walk through. He wanted to incite the man’s anger insomuch that Zachary would call him out. But that would only add to Myra’s pain, so he relented.

  “I’ll go, but I’ll have your solemn vow before I take leave that you’ll never do anything as foolish as this again. I couldn’t bear it, Myra.”

  “I swear it,” she said weakly under breath. “T’was foolish of me, I know.”

  Seth ran his fingers through his hair. Exasperated, he sighed. “Why, Myra? Why marry him? I saw how he treated you out here on this balcony, as well as the markings on your face.”

  “There are many reasons why, Seth. They all matter naught now that it’s all said and done.” Myra closed her eyes for a moment and Seth watched on as she tried not to weep. Yet, the tears trickled slowly down her cheeks. Seth wanted to reach for her but anger captured him by her words.

  “It matters naught?” he said harshly. “We were engaged to be married upon my return and it matters naught? For the love of God, Myra, I escaped death and came home to hear that the woman I love was marrying another man! Then you tell me the child you carry is mine once it’s too late! Aye, Myra, it matters! Indeed, it matters greatly to me. Pray tell, why did you marry him?”

  Myra looked at him thoughtfully and then reached out and softly caressed the side of his cheek. “Things happened beyond my control, Seth. Prior to my coming to the colonies, my uncle killed my family and is now holding my sister captive to retain my silence for his ghastly deed. Tis why he forced me into a life of servitude.”

  ”That doesn’t explain why you married him, Myra.”

  Myra shook her head. “Once Zachary discovered my identity and learned of my secrets, he forced me. If not, he’d have sent a missive to my uncle and provoked him into killing my sister. I’ll not have my sister’s blood on my hands, Seth. I couldn’t bear it!” she cried. “She’s all I have left. That’s why I couldn’t tell anyone of my true identity.”

  “Not even me?” Seth glared at her. “Yet you trusted Lucia.” He resented Lucia enough already, but his knowing that Myra trusted her more than himself caused a twinge of jealousy within him.

  “I didn’t want you involved.”

  “I’d have helped you, you know that! I could’ve retrieved her for you whilst I was there. All you needed to do was trust me enough to tell me.”

  “That’s exactly why I didn’t. I didn’t was tangled in this, Seth. I didn’t want to see you murdered by him, too! I rather had risked losing your love than see you dead. Tis why I made the decision I did.”

  Wild sobs overtook her and Seth reached out and brought her into his arms. He hugged her close until her cries subsided. He pushed her gently to arm’s length and held firm by her shoulders. “Myra,” he whispered. “Do not play me false. Is the child truly mine? As you’ve been accused, did you bed Frederickson after I left?”

  “Nay, the child is yours.” The words came as a faint whisper off her lips. “I have never, nor shall I ever share his bed. He’s more enamored with the title he thinks he can procure than he is of me, but The King shall never let him have it after his treason. He’s a fool!”

  His fists clenched repeatedly at his sides. He wanted to believe her. If she spoke the truth, he wondered why his father lied to him. The thought alarmed him that his father was capable of such cruelty.

  “I wanted to explain this to you, Seth. I tired that day by the lake when you returned, do you remember?”

  “I’ll never forget that day, Myra. I believed the child was Zachary’s, especially once I walked in on the announcement of your intent to marry him. For good cause, anger starved my reason.”

  “When you rejected me by the lake, you gave me no other choice but to see it through, Seth, especially for the for sake of our child. Your father lied to you so we’d not be together. He’s been conspiring with Zachary from the beginning. That’s why he sent you away and offered me to Zachary! Can’t you see that it’s he who betrayed you?”

  “My child shall bear another man’s name,” he whispered. A pain ached deep within him. Seth backed up and sieved his hair through his fingers. He started for the door.

  “Where are you going?” She reached for his arm and stopped him.

  “I need to confront my father and then I shall make things right for us, Myra.”

  “How?” she asked, and panic seized her fair, gentle face. Seth smiled and took her hands into his and calmed her.

  “First, I’ll get your sister to safety, I promise you that. I’ll return to England and once she’s out of harm’s way, you’ll not have to endure another moment of torment with Frederickson. Once the child’s born and it’s safe for you to travel, we’ll both return and explain to The King what Frederickson has done and ask him to sanction an annulment.” Seth thought he saw a glimpse of hope in Myra’s eyes. “I’ll have you back, Myra. By all that’s holy, I swear to you that.”

  “But you cannot.” Her hands trembled within his. “We need to find where she is, Seth. I don’t believe he has her at Brunnington. If you start making inquiries, he’ll slay you down to keep you silent.”

  But Seth wasn’t going to be deterred. “Tis already settled, Myra. I’ll not change my mind. Your husband has already revealed your secret to everyone. You risk losing your sister either way. I’ll leave on the morrow, and not hear another word otherwise.” He swept a kiss on her lips. “I rather die trying to get you back than not have you at all,” he whispered against her forehead as his lips pressed against her skin.

  Anvil and Zachary’s voices echoed from inside the door. Seth turned and saw their shadows grow larger as they made their way to the terrace door. Kneeling down, he brushed a chaste kiss on her lips and ran his finger down her cheek. He caught a fresh descending tear. Seth softly pressed another kiss against her lips and offered an encouragin
g smile.

  “If he ever raises his hand to you again, I shall slay him down, I swear,” he warned.

  “I’ll not let him harm me. Now make haste, Seth,” she called as she pushed him toward the door. “Please, be careful and promise me you’ll not directly confront my uncle. If you must do this, I need your oath you’ll not approach him. Just find my sister and take her to safety.”

  He made no promises.

  * * *

  Myra huddled in the corner of her bedchamber as Zachary’s fists pounded on her door.

  “Open this door right now, Myra; else I’ll tear it down from its hinges!”

  Myra cringed deeper within the shadow of the dim lit room of her bedchamber. Determined thuds from Zachary’s fists pounded on the door and echoed in her ears. A creaking noise to her right sounded, and Myra jumped away from the wall. A hand reached through an opened panel and grabbed her by the arm. She swallowed hard. Not knowing the person’s identity, she realized she didn’t care. It couldn’t be any worse than the fate that awaited her on the other side of her bedroom door. Blindly, she put her faith into the hand that outstretched from the secret panel within the wall. She grasped tightly with her free hand, and let the unexpected visitor lead her into the darkened hole.

  “Lucia warned me of Frederickson’s intentions, milady.” She recognized Thomas Witcliff’s voice, out to save her again. He was becoming her guardian angel in times of troubles.

  “Thank you,” she whispered and squeezed his hand. “I owe you a debt that I’ll not ever be able to repay.” Myra felt the lining of the walls. The open boards left only enough room for crawling. Stale air flailed her senses. Thick layers of wood dust and cobwebs were felt upon her skin with each movement she made, and she held back a sneeze that fought release.