Loving Spirit
by
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"The Reverend Benton has
assured me that my barrenness is not a punishment from God, but a trial I must
accept in my earthly life.
"I listened to him and tried
to accept his words, but I began to cry and in his kindness, he made every
effort to console me. In my anguish, I reached out to him and he put his arms
around me and drew me close. I trembled in his embrace, but found such comfort
in his closeness, in his arms. I knew it was wrong, but I encircled his waist
with my arms, even though I knew he was a man of the cloth. I heard him moan
softly, then I felt his hand on my chin to lift my
head up, to seek my lips, my mouth. We kissed and I experienced such longing,
such warmth, such desire--like nothing I had ever felt
with Richard. I had no idea I could ever feel this way with a man, and though I
knew it was wrong, a sin, I could not control my response. Nor could he govern
his. Finally he drew back and his gray eyes searched mine. I heard him say,
'You know this is wrong, Thanie, but I cannot help
myself. God forgive me, but I want you so much.' I sensed it took every bit of
his willpower to turn from me and I was shaken by the realization of what we
had done. His mouth was firmly set as he turned to leave me and we said nothing
more to each other.
"I will hide this again in
my sewing box. I fear what would happen to all of us if Richard should come
upon it. Dear God! I want Reverend Benton as much as I want a baby. Maybe more so. If only we could have met before I married
Richard.
"I will tell Richard I am
feeling unwell this next Sunday and cannot go to church. How can I look upon
the face of the man I have kissed and embraced and longed for and hear him
speak of sin and damnation? I would risk either or both to see him alone once
again. But we must never let this happen, for both his sake and mine."
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About the Book
A tattered old journal discovered
by free-lance writer Dorcas Jamison brings to light a
doomed love affair in the days just prior to and during the Civil War era.
Dorcas
travels to
Wade Benton, a local history
teacher, joins her in perusing the journal and their mutual interest in Thanie's existence brings them to realize their attraction
for one another as they read about the nineteenth century woman who was drawn
into a passionate love affair with the local minister, an affair that ends
tragically.
Rich in details of everyday life
in that era, and underscoring the role women played, subordinate to their
husband's wishes, Thanie's life is contrasted with
the freedom of choice contemporary women can exercise in their choice of
lifestyles.
About the Author
F .G. Currie brings a strong
background in public relations, copywriting and witing
to the publication of Loving Spirit. Publication of her previous book A Grief
Well Ended by 1st Books established her as a talented author whose characters
lived not only on the printed page but in the memories of her readers.
A strong interest in American
history and the role women have played in the development of our country
enables her to convinceingly portray the everyday
existence of two women, one contemporary, one living
during the Civil War era.
A graduate of