Free Bittersweet Endeavors by Tamara Ternie Page A

fingers raked through his hair.  “ Tis my fault she ’ s taken il l and I shall stay and do what ever I can for her.  My conscience shalt not allow otherwise.”
    “Are you sure tis only your conscience speaking, Seth?” he snipped.
    Seth didn’t answer and broke away from hi s father’s examining gaze.  He’ d not lie, but he wouldn’t admit the truth, either. 
    Truth?   H e didn’t know how he felt .   Something tug ged at his heart whenever she came near .  He’ d taken numerous fancies in the past , but his feelings for other women didn’t amount in to much, and his sentiment s never c a me close in compa rison of that which h e fe lt when Myra wa s with him .  His mind raced f or explanation but no thing offered comfort. 
    “Do what you must for now , Seth.  However, do not let your heart fall prey to someone like her .  Tis not wise , nor shalt I tolerate it ! ”
    Seth made start of an argument but his father waved him off.   “She’s not of your station, Seth.  I think no ill will upon any of these people due to their status, but this shall be a splendid, prosperous plantation once we accomplish our goals .  I’ll not have it invaded by an outsider who is a thief.  Think of the shame someone like that would place upon our family and our honorable reputation .   I beseech you; do not be the cause of our family’s ruin ation , Seth.”
    How could he argue that?  What father would want an indentured—a thief— as an object of his son’s affections , or worse, as his son’s wife ?
    Seth nodded.  “My only concern is with he r health, f ather.  I have no other intentions.” 
    He didn’t lie.  He couldn’t dispute his father’s argument , as her station was clearly beneath his.  I t was far from appropriate to have any thoughts of her , other than that of what she was, a servant .  How could he destroy his father’s social class in the colonies ?  Wasn’t that their reason s for taking the journey across the sea?  Despite not being paupers while in England, his father desired more.  They were an upper-middle class family, at best, but the opportunity in surpass ing that station was accomplished in the New World.  With no title that backed his father’s name, and only the use of his hands t hat toil ed and tarried for earn ing their wealth, he’d not have accomplish ed a hig her status in England.  Yet there , in the colonies , he had already climbed to the top of the social class es and gained respect of their fellow colonists.  They value d him as a man of wealth and reason.  He had even acquired a seat at the House of Burgess.  None of that could’ve been possible back in England.  Seth shook his head, defeated.  Nay , he’d not be the one who’d destroy his father’s dream , especially since he had sacrificed and worked so hard to obtain it .  It’d only jeopardize his father’s status, and for what?  A journey led to the unknown by a foolish heart?  
    “I’ll stay with her unt il someone else arrives, f ather, ” he finally conceded.  “Then I’ll take my leave and stay away her .”
    “I’ll have a servant sent who’ll care for her posthaste .  As well as send a field hand to fetch a physician ,” his father called out before he departed.
    His father took his leave and Seth reached for Myra ’s lifeless hand and caressed the smooth, silk-like skin between his thumb and finger.  A pang of regret filled him.   “Whatever these feelings are which erupt from my very being must be cast aside,” he whispered.  He brushed his lips across her forehead. “I’m sorry, Myra .”   He let go of her hand and it dropped to her side .   Perhaps it wa s best if Lucia care d for her, he considered.  “ Dash it ,” he said when his feet would n’t budge.
    How could his heart betray him and fall for such a woman?  A w oman .   Only a few months ago he thought she was only a girl.  But for some reason, when he watched her and Lucia celebrat