Bittersweet Endeavors

by Tamara Ternie

  She whispered his name and trailed kisses down his neck. He felt good next to her, and moreover, very right. But after a low growl escaped his throat, he abruptly ended the moment shared between them. With a firm grasp of her arms, he set her aside and turned away. Still dazed, her hand went to her lips which tingled and burned from their heated kiss.

  “Seth,” she said in a soft whisper. She wondered if he wanted her back. So many doubts ran through her mind and she lowered her eyes. She feared what might come of their passionate moment, but worse, what may not.

  He whirled around and the expression on his face looked grim. He didn’t feel the same depths of desire she felt just a moment before while in his arms.

  “Again, I owe you an apology. I shouldn’t have taken such liberties, especially now that you are Frederickson’s wife.” His head raised and he looked upward at the stars above. He threaded his fingers between his long blond locks. The frustration that plagued his face came disturbingly near her consternation over the scenario. When he lowered his head and looked at her, he opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out and he didn’t continue. Perhaps he’d confess his love and explain why he treated her so atrociously since he returned.

  Something caught his attention and he looked toward the house. When his eyes fell again upon her, a tsk came across his lips and a look of disgust marred his handsome face. He nodded his head toward the back entrance of the house. “Your husband is searching for you. ‘Twould be best if you go to him before he discovers we’re here together,” he clipped out angrily.

  With a start, Myra jumped and moved away from the moon’s glow so Zachary wouldn’t discover her location. Without saying anything further, Seth began to make his ascent up the steps that led back to the Frederickson home.

  “Wait,” she called quietly out to him. “I must speak to you before you take your leave.”

  Seth looked where Zachary stood and he shook his head. “You shall hold your tongue. I’m in no mood to duel with your husband tonight, less you care to see him dead.”

  “Please, Seth,” she urged and she stepped back, deeper into the thickness of the gardens and out of Zachary’s view. “It’s of great import,” she urged.

  After another glance toward Zachary, Seth let out a loud breath of resignation. “Only a moment, tis all we can spare before he makes his way here.”

  “I must ask a favor of you.” Her voice was low, trembling.

  “What favor can I supply for you, Myra? Unless, tis advice you seek,” he spat out angrily.

  “Advice?”

  “Aye, from Frederickson’s reputation of being a scoundrel who dishes in a healthy, lust-filled appetite…” He raised his hand to her cheek and his fingers gently grazed across her bruise. “I’d advise you to use caution when enjoying the pleasures of his bed.” His eyes stared off, hard, in Zachary’s direction.

  “Don’t be so foul, Seth. This happens to be from—” She didn’t continue. Let him believe what he wanted, she decided. There was conversing with him that night, she decided. He was angered and hurting and his pain was still fresh and too great.

  “I need not hear of your bedpost adventure,” he said in a harsh whisper.

  His tone and insinuation infuriated her all the more. Not allowing the darkness that surround them hinder her disgust at his bawdiness, she swung her foot into his shin.

  “Dash it, Myra!”

  “Hush!” she fiercely whispered. Gads, certainly Zachary heard him call out!

  “What do you mean, hush?” he overly exaggerated the sound while mimicking her. “You kick me and then ask me to be quiet?”

  “Please, Seth, you must keep quiet. He shall hear you.” She rolled her eyes heavenward. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kicked you. I just need to get this said before he finds me…find us.”

  “Then continue, but do it posthaste.”

  “How did you know about the child I carry?”

  “What? You ask me to risk your husband’s wrath to speak about that babe you carry?”

  Even in the dark, Myra saw his eyes widen, incredulous to what she had asked. She wondered why he appeared so surprise. Her angered stewed within her and she decided that she wasn’t standing idle as he showed his distaste for a child that he created! She raised her leg to kick his other shin, but he anticipated her move. As she swung her leg toward him, he grabbed her ankle just seconds before it made contact. She fell to the ground with a thud. All the air escaped her lungs in a loud whoosh.

  “Are you all right?” Seth dropped to his knees at her side, deep concern laced his tone, and the stream of light that illuminated his face displayed his worry.

  “Myra?” Zachary called out again. He was very close, and she flinched with fear.

  “I have to go, Myra. For your sake, he cannot find us together. Tell me true, are you hurt? Did I harm the child?” He placed his hand on her stomach with clear concern that he’d hurt them by his thoughtless move.

  She reached up and gripped a handful of golden ribbons that flowed from his jacket’s shoulder to prevent his departure. “You must first tell me how you knew I carried your child?”

  Seth stood and looked over the bush toward the sound of Zachary’s voice that called out to Myra again. He turned back to Myra and his voice flowed cautiously. “My child?” he asked, confused. “My father assured me that the child is Zachary’s.”

  Zachary’s voice grew stronger and she knew he neared to only a few meters away from them. Barely an audible whisper, she said, “The child is yours, Seth. By all that’s holy, I swear it. Zachary isn’t aware of it, and you must swear to me that you and your father shan’t tell him. I fear for what he’ll do if he learns the truth.”

  “Myra,” Zachary called again from the neighboring hedge to her right.

  Whispers between her and Seth would now be easily overheard. Instead of taking a risk at being caught, she mouthed, “The baby is yours.”

  The moonlight glimmered on Seth’s face as he hovered over her. At first he appeared to be confused and then anger set his face hard. With both of her hands, she gripped either side of his waistcoat and pulled him close, his face only inches from hers. “Please,” she mouthed silently. “You must go.”

  When Zachary turned the bend and began his walk down their aisle, he called her name out again. From where he stood, Myra was certain he’d find them, and in their present position, it wasn’t considered near to being appropriate.

  “Please,” she mouthed again, but Seth interrupted her plea and brushed his lips against hers.

  “I promise,” he quietly vowed into her ear. “I’ll not tell him, but you’ll explain this, and soon,” he added. He quickly and quietly rushed off toward the Frederickson home.

  The little relief she found in Seth’s words was quickly eradicated after Zachary stood a scant foot away from where she hid. Just a slight movement of his head and she’d be caught. She rolled deeper beneath the brush, and her fear intensified with every single foul word that was muttered from Zachary’s lips. Robust aromas of damp grass and dirt whirled her senses, as if mocking her indignant position.

  She closed her eyes and waited, and envisioned all the worst unimaginable things he'd do in form of punishment if he found her.

  God help her now, she prayed.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “What’s the matter, Myra? Did something happen?” Lucia helped Myra remove her gown that had been spoiled by dirt and debris of the gardens.

  “Oh, Lucia, he was here! Seth was here!”

  Myra hugged herself and pulled away from Lucia and twirled around the room. Her arms flared out in whirling glee, and she felt so much excitement within her.

  “Did Seth change his mind about the child?”

  Myra stopped and the smile left her face. She wrapped her arms around the bedpost and leaned her head against the column’s hard wood. “He didn’t know the child is his, Lucia.” A tear fell down her cheek. “His father told him it’s Zachary’s.”

 
; “Oh, Myra, what shall you two do now?”

  “I do not know. Zachary interrupted us before we could further speak of it.”

  A loud knock resounded against her door and Myra jumped. She was further startled when he didn’t wait for her reply, and Zachary burst into the room. His vast, muscular body left no space within the door’s frame.

  “You were outside.”

  It wasn’t a question and Myra debated about how she’d respond. Lying was her initial thought—say she had retired early, but she didn’t think it would help her cause. She wondered if he saw her under the brush. Worse, if he saw her outside with Seth. “Aye?” Something noncommittal seemed her best recourse.

  “Seth.” A muscle twitched in his jaw and his fists clenched at his sides. “Were you with him, Myra?”

  Lucia stepped protectively in front of her, but Myra placed her hands on her shoulders and guided her gently away. She offered a look of appreciation but warded her off with unspoken words.

  “You can go now, Lucia,” Myra said.

  “But, milady,” she returned, in her subservient voice she’d grown accustomed while in Zachary’s presence.

  “That’ll be all tonight. Thank you.”

  Lucia reluctantly left but chose not to close the door behind her. Myra knew she’d stay only a few feet away. She’d remain within an earshot range lest she needed her assistance.

  “I want you to tell me why you were outside with Seth Preston tonight.” His tone was hard and forceful. He’d not be unheeded and demanded her reply.

  “You are mistaken, Zachary. I went out for a breath of fresh air, but only stayed outside a sparse few moments.” Myra held her breath. “And, I was out there alone.”

  She didn’t have a chance to think about further excuses. His hand belted a slap across her face and stung all the more harshly since his strike had hit her already bruised cheek.

  “Don’t lie to me!” His voice rattled the glass of the chandelier and the candles’ light flickered chillingly within her room. Lucia barged into the room, and although Myra felt threatened and frightened, she motioned with her hand toward Lucia, and she again, reluctantly left.

  “If I see you alone with him again, Myra, I’ll kill him. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Aye, Zachary.” She stepped away and reached for the coverlet on her bed and concealed herself, as she stood in only her chemise, she feared her protruding belly may give her secret away. “But naught happened between us. We only talked.”

  He snorted his disbelief.

  “There’s naught between Seth and myself. And what, pray tell, should it matter? This isn’t a marriage of love but one of convenience,” she added boldly. “We’re here to serve each other’s purpose, tis all. I don’t understand—”

  “What is it that you don’t understand, Myra?” His tone grated out like broken glass, and Myra felt a chill course through her as his voice cut through her very bone. “Do you not understand that I have to watch my wife make eyes at another man when she’ll not even give me the slightest glance? Can you not see that this mayhap be humiliating for me in front of our guests?”

  “We agreed, Zachary. Tis a marriage by name only. You’ll be able to return to good graces with King Charles, and I the freedom to save my sister and unseat my uncle. Is that not what we agreed?”

  Zachary stepped forward and towered her small frame. He no longer donned his periwig, and a lock of his dark-gray hair fell forward over his eye and made his appearance all the more menacing. His face reddened and his cold, gray eyes scourged through her as if he attempted to steal her soul.

  “If you’d get Seth Preston out of your mind, we could have a real marriage, Myra.”

  “I don’t want a real marriage with you!”

  If possible, all of Zachary’s life’s blood rushed into his cheeks and it displayed his full-fledged anger. It was then that Myra knew she shouldn’t have declared her hatred so blatantly.

  Zachary grabbed a fistful of Myra’s hair and easily overpowered her. He pulled her toward him, and he thrust his lips onto hers. She struggled within his clutches and tried to break free of his hold. Aside the pain, she only comprehended that the vile man erased the sweet kisses Seth had left behind only an hour before he came into the room. It nauseated her. Without care to repercussions, Myra raised her hand and clawed her sharp nails against his cheek. Five ghastly layers of deep, bloodied indents marred his cheek. Blood oozed from the sight. She gasped aloud when she saw what her action produced.

  Zachary’s hand went to his face. Anger surged through his eyes when he lowered his bloodstained hand and comprehended the damage she inflicted. He threw Myra to the floor and she cried out as her head collided against the bricks of the hearth. Blood trickled down her forehead. Zachary backed away from her and stumbled, and his hand rose protectively against his face as he winced in pain. He rushed to the looking-glass that was lying on her bureau. Myra swallowed her fear, and she watched the maddened expressions splay across Zachary’s face when he viewed the grotesque marks she had left behind.

  “How dare you do this to me?” he shouted.

  In slow, calculated steps, he edged toward her. Her fear equaled the time her uncle had held her captive by the roadside. Unlike her uncle, she feared this time she wouldn’t escape death by the madman who held her.

  “I didn’t mean it,” Myra pleaded. “I truly didn’t mean it.” She dragged herself across the floor until her back leaned flush against the hearth. At the least, he’d beat her, and at his worst he’d take her life for her insolence. Neither option was acceptable. She closed her eyes and mentally detached herself for the thrashing she’d undoubtedly receive.

  “Sir,” a stranger’s voice called out in nearly a shout.

  Zachary held his arm in mid-air and readied for his strike, but he stopped at the sound of the man’s voice. Myra opened her eyes and saw who gave her the short reprieve, and her mouth opened in surprise.

  Thomas? Thomas Witcliff. As he helped her on the ship when coming to Jamestown so many months ago, he now stood before her and helped again. Zachary must have bought his bond at auction, Myra surmised. She was relieved when she saw his kind face.

  “I can take care of those wounds on your face, sir,” Thomas offered. “But if you do not want lasting scars, I must tend to them posthaste.”

  Zachary glared at her, and she almost thought he’d continue his tirade upon her. To her good fortune, his vanity won out and he stormed out the door.

  “Thank you,” Myra mouthed to Thomas before he followed his employer out the door. A gentle smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and after a terse nod, he followed Zachary down the hall.

  Lucia quickly returned after the men left. She lifted the hem of her skirt and pressed it against the wound on Myra’s head. With her other hand, she caressed the mark on Myra’s cheek which had already started to turn pale yellow and gray around the existing bruise.

  “He deserves worse than what you gave him, Myra. He’s a beast! Hopefully one day he’ll get what’s truly due him.”

  Myra held Lucia’s wrist and prevented her further prodding of her head and cheek. The more she poked, the worse the pain grew. “Tis fine. Honest.” Myra stood and closed her bedroom chamber door. A heavy sigh followed the echo of the door’s squeak. It wasn’t until she turned the key that she felt safe.

  “We have to do something, Lucia. We need to get you away from here before his anger turns to you. He may decide to use you against me. He has already threatened to harm Seth, and God’s truth, Lucia, I don’t know what I’ll do if he threatens you, too.”

  “I’ll not leave.” She shook her head vehemently and a frown held firm on her face. “I’ll not leave you here alone to contend with him, especially whilst that babe is in your belly.” Lucia bit nervously at her bottom lip.

  Myra shook her head in resignation. “There’s no getting out of this. It shall only get worse. Especially once he learns there’s a child within my womb. I am damned to be his wif
e, in the eyes of law and God, Lucia. There’s no getting loose of this now. No matter if Seth still loves me, we’ll never be together.” Myra threw herself onto the bed and wept. She wished that she forced Seth to listen before she yielded to Zachary’s ultimatum.

  “We’ll leave Virginia and not return until after the baby’s birth,” Lucia suggested. “Cook told me that Zachary has accepted an invitation at the Preston’s on the morrow. You can speak to Seth and see if he can offer assistance.”

  “I know not what to expect from Seth. Presently, I’ll be satisfied if he doesn’t hate me. But we do need to get a way to England and find Mary posthaste. By Zachary revealing my identity so soon, we have no time to delay. We need to get her to safety before word gets back to my uncle that my identity is no longer hidden.” Myra shook her head. “I don’t believe Zachary had any intentions on helping to bring her to safety. I think his only intent was to get the Brunnington title, as well as a way to gain an audience with The King to make his plea. His marriage to me has afforded him both. He gains little advantage by helping me now.”

  “Tis settled, Myra, you must go to Seth for help. He’s the only one who can trust to aid you now.”

  * * *

  Zachary stared at her from the moment they arrived, and no matter what direction she turned, she felt his examining gaze upon her. Myra shifted uncomfortably in her chair. It was all she had done the past two hours since they arrived at the Preston’s home. She ran out of areas to look in order to avoid making eye contact with Seth, as well as Margaret’s damning stare. Myra tried to greet her upon their arrival at the Preston Manor, but she was met with a cold silence and then mumbled words of disgust as Margaret walked away from her. Myra knew she couldn’t blame Margaret for her reaction. Margaret wasn’t privy to the real reasons of her and Zachary’s relationship, and believed that she stole the man she loved. It left her devastated, and rightly so, but she couldn’t allow herself to worry about Margaret. She needed to talk with Seth alone, and Myra thought and contrived of a way she’d get away with it. But if Zachary caught wind of her plan, he’d surely make her pay the consequences, and possibly harm Seth in the process.