Bittersweet Endeavors

by Tamara Ternie

  Myra swallowed hard, and by the grim expression on Thomas’s face, the news he brought wasn’t good on any account.

  “Your uncle has gathered some of his men, and it is said that he intends to strike tonight whilst his anger still burns fresh. With Lord Sutherling’s age, he feels he’ll not stand as a worthy challenger to protect you.”

  “And he’s probably right,” Myra sighed.

  “Milady,” he said softly. Lines of worry fell dark across his handsome face, and Myra smiled.

  “Tis all right, Thomas. Whatever my uncle attempts, I’ll be prepared,” she said more bravely than she felt. He smiled, but she saw the concern in his eyes. He’d been a dear friend to her since her journey to the colonies. A godsend, in fact, she thought. She wished there was a way to show him the amount of gratitude she felt in her heart.

  “With Seth gone, and Lord Sutherling presently at court to take my hand, I must resign and surrender to my unfortunate lot. I’ve been through worse and survived,” she added. “What more can I ask than that?” She tried to sound confident and thought she pulled it off well. “In comparison to the dangers I faced in my life, if marriage to Lord Sutherling is the worst I now face, I shall be thankful.”

  “Milady, if I may be so bold to suggest,” he said, and his words lingered as he stood in thought.

  “You have another resolution?” she asked, hopeful. Thomas didn’t answer at first. His booted feet shuffled on the floor and he held his head down. In all the time Myra knew him, she never saw him so anxious.

  “Lord Sutherling is old, and I beg your pardon, milady, but I do not understand The King’s reasoning in making such a decision. There are many younger men as worthy to take your hand. Yet, I believe I can sway him.”

  “You can speak to him on Seth and my behalf?” she asked excitedly. “Do you think he’ll change his mind?”

  “Nay, milady,” he said quietly. “I don’t believe he’ll change his mind with regard to Seth, but . . .”

  Myra didn’t hide her disappointment. Her shoulders slumped and she collapsed into the hard walnut chair. “But what?” she asked confused.

  “He may accept me as candidate for your husband.”

  “You?” she asked, and didn’t hide her surprise.

  “Please, milady, there’s no reason to seem so appalled,” he retorted.

  “Oh, nay, Thomas, I apologize if I appear ungrateful or bemused. It’s only that, with all due respect, why would he accept you over Seth?”

  “Milady,” he laughed. “I’m not the pauper or an indenture as you’ve come to know in Jamestown. Surely you don’t see me as such still?”

  “Why nay, of course not,” she lied. Even then he stood in front of her adorned with fine clothing and trinkets, it was difficult for Myra to see him as anything other than what she’d come to know him back in Jamestown.

  “As Sutherling, I, too, am a faithful servant to His Majesty and am titled and well compensated for my efforts,” he said. “In fact, my lands are not so far from your Brunnington.

  “I apologize,” she said, standing. She curtsied. “I truly didn’t intend to show disrespect.”

  “You never need apologize, milady.” Thomas reached for her arms and held her in a warm, friendly embrace. Myra looked into his eyes and smiled, but she felt uncomfortable in his arms. Although his embrace was welcoming and platonic, he wasn’t Seth.

  “I appreciate your sacrifice, Thomas. But I love Seth and could never love another. And you, above all others, deserve to marry a woman who is worthy of you.”

  “Then what shalt you do?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I beg your pardon, Lady Myra, but time is short, and if it comes to Lord Sutherling or me, for your sake, I think you should reconsider. We don’t love one another, but I think in time, our friendship could sprout into affection for one another. But most of all, as I’ve proven, I’m capable of protecting you from harm. And tonight, your uncle shall seek his revenge upon you.”

  “If I must choose betwixt the two, I’ll be honored if it is you,” Myra smiled.

  “Very well,” he returned. He patted her hand and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead, much in the fashion her father did when she was young. “I must make way to court. Shall I escort you?”

  “I wish for a few more moments to think.”

  “Very well, milady, I shall leave a few men outside your door. They’ll escort and keep you safe when you leave for court.”

  “Nay, tis not necessary,” she said. He paused near the door and turned to look at her. Concern etched at his brow. She suspected he already knew her intention was not to return to court. She finally concluded that she’d only allow her heart to guide her, not The King’s order. No amount of wealth was worth giving up a child’s father. She hoped Seth would realize that in time, as well as her son when he became a man.

  “And Thomas,” she called out before he quit the room. “About the inquiries on Hester…you stated you have information?” With all the day wrought, she found herself desperate to receive a semblance of good cheer. If all was lost for her own happiness, she wished to at least send pleasing news to Lucia about her mother.

  “Aye, I near forgot. I apologize,” he said. “She is happy and well. She’s presently a maid residing at a good home at a respectful family in London. I personally spoke to her and conveyed Lucia’s well wishes. I also expressed to her about Lucia’s happiness since her good fortune to have befriended you.”

  “This news brings harmony to my heart and peace to my mind,” she said with tears of happiness. “As I, Lucia shall be very pleased to hear her mother is alive, well, and happy.”

  Myra hoped that if all went well, and Seth more agreeable than their last meeting, she too would soon be happy.

  * * *

  Seth worked tirelessly and prepared for his departure, as well as set a trap for Ashton before he left the country. He relayed to the men at Brunnington that he was angry at The King’s ruling and intended to abduct Myra from court and take her to the docks. He knew they’d convey his intent to Ashton. And the docks was where Seth laid hidden, waiting for Ashton to take his bait.

  He prayed that Myra didn’t listen to his request — nay, his demand — for her to marry Sutherling. He was a fool to ask and expect her to take on such an undertaking. As Myra accused, he allowed his father, albeit out of sight, to sway him from using better judgment. No amount of wealth or prestige could compensate the moments of happiness he’d found with her or will enjoy with his son.

  Seth realized that it was a fool-hearted mistake to have left her alone to face The King and Lord Sutherling. He wondered if it was now too late. Perhaps she was already Lady Sutherling. He closed his eyes and blocked out the thought that he had lost her forever. He couldn’t dwell on it. The notion drew him to distraction, and he needed his attention kept on his objective. His priority was to keep Myra and his son safe, and until Ashton was dead, they’d be in harm’s way, always. Seth hauled another heavy rope onto the ship he chartered in preparation to take Myra back home, if time still allotted. He swiped the sweat from his brow. He had never intentionally set out to kill a man, and the intrusive thought bothered him. When he killed Frederickson, it wasn’t his intention. It just happened due to circumstance and he wasn’t able to prevent it. Although he found revulsion with the actual deed, it was necessary. Unlike Frederickson, Seth decisively aimed to kill Ashton. Ashton brutally murdered Myra’s parents — his son’s grandparents — he reminded, and made the decision easier to accept. If the feat didn’t get accomplished by his hand, then surely one day, it’d be done by someone else. A man with Ashton’s debauched reputation, numbered his days considerably.

  Seth heaved a heavy chain to the deck and looked down at the rest of the gear that needed loaded. Someone approached, and when he looked off toward the pathway in expectation of Ashton’s arrival, he instead saw Myra. Seth stood, undecided whether to let his fear, anger, or relief let loose first once she made her way to h
im.

  “Dash it, Myra! What are you doing here?” he shouted.

  “Please, Seth, don’t turn me away. I can’t marry Lord Sutherling, or even Thomas, for that matter.”

  “Thomas?” he asked, confused.

  “Tis not important,” she said, and waved him off. “My opinion is, I cannot be happy nor shalt our son if I go through with this.”

  “Myra,” he began.

  “Nay, you will not sway me, Seth,” she said, her tone firm. “If I must, I’ll take our son elsewhere, but I’ll not be bartered off to any man who holds a title for the sake of land.”

  “Myra,” Seth tried again, but once more flouted by her persistence.

  “Nay, I’m not finished,” she said angrily. “You were willing to give up everything for me in Jamestown, Seth, so why would you expect any less from me?” She raised her hand and slapped his away when he raised his finger to interject. “Nay,” she ordered again, “I’m not yet finished,” she said, her voice harsh and unyielding. “I’d gladly live as a maid. A lowly, poor indenture to your family if it meant we could be together. Our son is of our blood, Seth, and he, too, will find happiness, as we did at one time. Aye, certainly coffers would make it easier for him, but—” She abruptly stopped and noticed him smiling.

  He couldn’t help it. She became more delightful by each second passed as she ranted, and tried so desperately to convince him of a decision he had already settled.

  “Why are you smiling?” she asked suspiciously.

  “Because I love you,” he said with a broad smile.

  That took the wind out of her sails. For the first time since she began her speech, she took a breath. A heavy, long sigh ensued.

  “Then I’m no longer obliged to marry Lord Sutherling or Thomas?”

  Nay, you shall no longer…when did Thomas enter into this decision?” he asked, annoyed. It was easier for him to accept the decision when he believed the bed she’d share would be that of a man of many years, as well as decrepit, but Thomas was young and virile. Jealousy twisted his gut.

  “Tis not important,” she said, smiling. “It matters only that you’re the one I want and shalt love until the day I die.”

  “Aye, sweetling, but you can wager that’ll not be long if you do not make haste and hide,” he warned.

  Myra wrapped her arms around him and relief consumed his entire body. He didn’t lose her, and best of all, he’d never lose her again.

  Myra stood on her toes and cupped his face into her hands. Her eyes displayed how much she longed for him, and her lips moistened and readied for his kiss. She needed to be held and comforted, and rightly so, he thought. He, too, needed her, and if he could, he’d have made love to her right there and celebrated their union together. But he couldn’t. Not yet, at least.

  “You must go and hide, Myra,” he repeated, and gently pushed her back.

  “My uncle,” she whispered. “Don’t do it, Seth! I beseech you, let The King’s men capture him,” she pleaded. “I watched him slay my parent, and my father was a great, very strong man, able to battle and win against the largest of men and army, yet my uncle defeated him. Ashton knows naught about honor. He’ll not fight fair, Seth! I cannot go through that again. I cannot stand here and watch him end you, too.”

  “I’m sorry, Myra,” he soothed, “But this must be done, for your sake as well as our sons.” He smoothed her hair with his hand and tried to kiss her tears away. He held her tight and attempted to caress the worries from her trembling body.

  “I know what you speak is necessary,” she said, and sniffed back more tears. She dried her eyes on her sleeve. “Please, Seth, be cautious.”

  Horse hooves pounded in the distance, and when they looked up, he and Myra saw gusts of dust kicked behind in the horses’ wake and lingered in the distant brush.

  “That’s him,” Myra said, when their figures came into view, but still at a distance.

  “Make haste and go inside the ship’s hull and hide yourself. I shall come for you when all is clear.” Seth grabbed her arm. “If I don’t come for you,” he warned, “Then lay in wait until The King’s men come and find you.”

  Although he knew she wanted to, she didn’t argue. He pushed her toward the ship, and Seth quickly prepared for his encounter with Ashton.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  215

  The horses’ hooves pounded hard onto the ground when they made their way toward the docks. Seth watched the whirls of dust behind Ashton as he and his man charged forward. Seth secured the line across the road and prepared to waylay their path. One line fastened around a large oak and the other entwined about another oak to impede Ashton’s path.

  Crouched beneath the brush, Seth waited and his hands squeezed the rope firmly. His heels braced against the hard dirt beneath. He glanced toward the ship and prayed that Myra stayed well-hidden. If all went well, Ashton would soon be dead and unable to harm Myra or find his escape out of England.

  Ashton’s man approached the rope first. His horse’s legs met the line and hurled the man forward onto the dirt. His neck broke the instant he landed onto the road. Ashton’s horse approached and faltered prior to striking the marked trap, saved only by his man whose horse had discovered the snare. Ashton’s steed reared, and its back hooves planted into the ground. The horse raised its front hooves high, and a loud neighing ensued. Ashton propelled downward onto the ground. He toppled to the dirt and rolled relentlessly to the edge of the road.

  Unlike the other man, Ashton didn’t break his neck by the fall, but his gait slowed when he stood, addled by the plunge he’d taken. Seth pulled the knife from his belt and ran full chisel toward him. Despite the fall, the man proved lazily slow and his effeminate sized body made for an easy kill. He wasn’t the formidable enemy he imagined in his mind. When Seth reached him, he grabbed Ashton around his upper shoulders and held him tight against his chest. Seth raised the knife to his throat. “May your blackened soul lay tormented in Hell forever,” Seth declared. And in one hasty stroke, he sliced the blade across Ashton’s neck. His body slumped and Seth released his dead body to the ground.

  * * *

  When The King’s men came to retrieve her from the ship’s hull, Myra feared the worst. Yet to her relief, Ashton didn’t kill Seth, but near as troublesome, The King’s men arrived and took them both into custody by The King’s order of decree. Although she knew The King would be angry by her insolence, she hadn’t expected that he would send for them so soon, but yet there they stood, at The King’s court. She and Seth walked down the aisle toward The King, her gait purposefully slow.

  “Oh, Seth,” she whispered, holding his hand so tight that she thought it might break. “What do you think he’ll do to us?”

  “I dare not venture to speculate,” Seth returned. “To bait your uncle, I stated disgust for The King’s decree that separated us, and I let loose a very angry tongue that undoubtedly would offend The King if relayed. I’m sure it’ll not bode well,” he warned.

  They reached the end of the walkway. The King glared down at them and Myra swallowed hard. James and Thomas loitered a distance from The King but Myra knew they’d be of little use to aid their cause.

  “Come forward,” The King ordered and his voice was loud and commanding.

  If not for Seth’s support, Myra didn’t think she’d had made the short distance without faltering.

  “May I speak, Your Grace,” Seth humbly asked.

  The King nodded.

  “Do what you will for my impudence, but I beg for your mercy that Myra not be punished.”

  “My men state that Lord Brunnington is dead by your hand?”

  Seth nodded the affirmative.

  “So, I am not only in your debt for killing one of my enemies, but now two?” The King raised a brow upward and Myra believed there may have been a hint of a smile upon The King’s face.

  “You owe no debt, My King, but if you feel exceedingly inclined to show imbursement, I beseech you repay by setting
Myra free.”

  The King smiled, and then he laughed. He sat up straight in his chair and looked thoughtfully at her and then at Seth.

  “Naught can abate my annoyance for you defying me,” he said to Myra, his voice full of authority, “But had you not fled, you’d be aware that I changed my previous decree.”

  Myra and Seth looked at each other. The anticipation in his eyes matched the hope she felt in her heart.

  “Tis my opinion, as well as my decree, that Seth Preston shall make an honorable and loyal subject to the crown and nurture your son’s skills and strengths effectively in preparation to take his rightful place at Brunnington whilst he is in remainder.”

  Myra grabbed Seth and hugged him tight.

  “Further ordered is that an annulment is sanctioned for your unlawful marriage to Ballentine. For many reason,” he said emphatically, “Tis not recognized by the church or that of law. With respect to your son, Jonathon, and his place at Brunnington, I mandate that you are properly wedded to his father, Seth Preston.”

  The King waved his hand and the clergyman quickly walked toward them. Before Myra realized what transpired, she and Seth became husband and wife.

  The King rose to take his leave but added, “May your marriage bring forth bountiful love and children, my cousin.” He then turned to Seth. “You have caught my attention and appreciation, Seth Preston, and as such, we shall meet again, soon, and discuss what your future shall entail.”

  Seth nodded his head, appreciatively. “I shall look forward to our next meeting, Your Majesty.”

  Myra smiled wide and lowered herself into a curtsy to show her appreciation.

  The King made his departure and James and Thomas approached and offered their congratulations, but Myra had only one thought on her mind. “The ship?” she asked Seth, excitedly.

  “Supplied and ready to set sail,” Seth smiled.

  “Tis time to bring our son and Lucia home.”

  “Anything you desire is yours, my wife.”

  Seth took her hand into his, stooped over it in a formal bow, and kissed her gently on the forehand. An ornery grin twitched at his lips and he let loose a laugh. They stood there like two fools and shared joyful merriment as they laughed and twirled with one another in the near empty hall, as Thomas and James silently left the room. Seth abruptly gripped her hands and drew her body firmly against his. He captured her mouth with his and kissed her hard and long, and muffled promises professed his love against her lips. In his arms, Myra’s eyes filled with tears of joy. And there, as Seth held her tightly against him, she realized a profound fact. For the first time in many years, she was safe and at peace, but what mattered most, she was happy.