Bittersweet Endeavors Read Online Free PDF

stomach t ied in knots at the rebuke she’ d surely receive once the door closed behind them .
    T he door shut and he looked at her thoughtfully.   He wasn’t the angry , young man who just mo ments before looked as though he welcome d the chance to strangle her .
    “I don’t wish to be vulgar or harsh with you, Myra ,” he breathed out in resignation.  “ M y father has given me the responsibility of seeing to the new servants , you included.  I don’t want to disappoint him.”
    He paced in front of her.  The large footprints made in his wake wore the fresh, white snow into a muddy slush beneath his feet before he spoke again.   “Accepting you into service causes him distress.”
    “That isn’t due to anything I’ve done, s ir. I assure you.  I’ ve not yet met your father, and I don’t make it practice of distressing those I ’m not acquainted .”
    “And to all those you are acquainted ,” he said exasperated , “I’ll bet a month’s crop that you aggravate quite adeptly.”
    She pu rsed her lips tightly together and wondered why he needled her.  If he knew what she’ d been through, perhaps he w ould feel some compassion for her.  Mayhap even help her.  Yet, she didn’t trust easily so s he held her tongue.  What of her sister?  If he felt obliged and reported her parent s ’ murder s , Mary was at risk.   Sh e wouldn’t gamble on her life .  She decided she’d stay at his mer cy until she arrange d passage and return ed to England .  Then, she’ d regain what her uncle stole , including her sister. Until then , she would gather strength and resources and defeat her father’s successor when she had a better chance in succeeding .
    “If you can tell me true this time, I’d like to know the offense that resulted in your voyage to Jamestown.   The trader said your papers were lost during transit , but he believe d you made way by the court’s rule. ”
    “I’ve committed no crime.  I’ve come willingly into servitude to pay passage .  I have no family that bin ds me to the mother land and wanted to take this endeavor for experience .”
    “At your tender age? Alone?” 
    Seth eyed her wa rily and she knew her lie didn’t sound believable .  She wasn’t willing to tell him the truth, so she needed to craft a story that he ’d deem acceptable .  Myra wondered what offense she could say that she committed , but t he thought of giving him the satisfaction of her confessing to a criminal past disturbed her .
    “I stole a fish from the market and fed my family.  My family had no means of support and it was the only way they’d not starve .”  She hoped shamming a story with a familial purpose might suit her best.  
    “For your family ?” He lifted his brow and looked at her with suspicion.  “Yet a s parse moment ago, you stated you hav e no family.”  He glared at her.  “I’ ll tell you forthwith, we shan’t have your thievery—or falsehoods — here.  Is that understood?”  He directed his finger at her and angered lines crinkled his forehead.  “If the urge comes about to do so, I ’ ll personally see to it that I remove the offending appendage from your body , albeit hand or tongue. ”
    “And surely find pleasu re in the task,” she mumbled.  “ No need to fret , I’ll not be stealing anything of yours or o f your family .  Your chattels are safe around me , Seth . ”
    “You’ll address me appropriately .  You shall show me respect by using my proper family name of Preston.”
    “ Aye ,” she bit out.  She wanted to state that no one had informed her of such sur name until that moment , but she kept silent .  Under the circumstances, o bedience serve d her best.  “Are we finished, Mister Preston? ” She asked the question politely, and even humbl ed herself by lowering her eyes downward .
    “Much better.  You may make a worthy servant yet.” 
    She wanted to throttle him.
    He slowly backed away but still faced her , and Myra