Bittersweet Endeavors by Tamara Ternie Read Free Book Online Page B

girl.”  His father shook his head and let loose a heavy sigh.  “Learn from my mistakes, Seth.”
    The words cut through him like a sword .  S eth turned and faced his father and was unable to keep his surprise at bay.  His father had n ever mentioned his past indiscretion so blatantly.  The incredulity of it brought a silence between them both. 
    Anvil cleared his throat and it slowly cleansed the adulterous air around them.  Patting Seth heavily on the back, his boisterous voice rang out.  “Now, let us get our work done, Seth.  The hour is growing late and I w ish for no more delays.  We shall move into our new home ‘ fore winter becomes too harsh .  Your dallying out here shalt only prolong that time .  W ouldn't you agree?” 
    Seth looked across the field and watched the men who worked into the late hour on the decorative trim of their new home. The sound of hammers striking the tips of nails and saws grinding against wood echoed from afar.
    “It’ll be the grandest home in Jamestown and shalt capture the envy of all.”  His father’s chest heaved outward and a proud look illuminated his face.   “It shall al l be yours one day, Seth.  Then, it shall be y our future sons thereafter.”  Anvil looked reverently at Seth , but his father’s wariness aged his face by many years in th e short space of time they stood there.  “A girl like that,” he said , nodding in the direction of Myra , “ Twould on ly bring down what I strived hard in creating .”  His father took a few steps away from Seth .  He looked off into the field where la yers of tobacco gre w prosperous when in season.   “ Wealth and prestige are important,” his father continued in the same sharp, formidable tone.  “In the short time we’ve been here, I’ve gained that amongst our neighbors and elders.  Aye, wealth and prestige are everything,” he repeated , but much more vivaciously.  “Never forget that.  I don’t wish seeing all my work ruine d by you r fancying the wrong sort .  Do you understand?”
    Seth didn't understand, but as always, he nodded his head in agreement.  “You have naught to worry about, f ather, I haven’t tak en a fancy for our new servant .”
    “Good.  Then we must plan.  You are near four and twenty years .  Tis time we arrange your marriage with one of the eligible ladies who are more appropriate for your station . ”
    Seth didn’t consider marriage too often, but the thought of being shackled to one of the proper ladies of Jamestown left a sour taste in his mouth.  Good God, if he raised his voice above a whisper, most of them would startle like a mouse.  Nay , t i mid, well-mannered women didn’t suit him.  His taste desired o ne full of fire and life.  A woman similar to —he quashed the thought before he dwelled on it .  His father was right.  A girl— nay , he corrected after he envisi on ed the well-defined curves on Myra 's delicate frame—a woman like Myra didn’t make an appropriate wife for someone of his stat ion .  Not that he considered the possibility of marriage to Myra , of course, but someone with a similar disposition in the upper classes would suit him just fine.
    “ Tis best if we hold off marriage plans until my return from Cambridge .  Wouldn’t you agree, f ather?  I’m sure a new wife would n’t appreciate a husband being absent for such a long length of time after marriage . ”
    Anvil grunted out something unintelli gible.  He finally nodded. “ Perhaps you’re right.  We must think more about it.  However, since you’ve br o ach the subject of school, it may serve best if we act on comple ting your education first .  We’ ve put it off much too long as it is.  I shall send a post to England on the morrow and see about finishing your studies .”
    Seth followed Anvil’s stare as he w atched Myra and Lucia . He admired Myra ’s delicate figure silhouette d a gainst the dusk b ackdrop.  His body tensed and the urge