Passing as Elias (4 page)

“No,” Elizabeth muttered, “no, he cannot have.”

“Why?” her mother’s voice became sharp.

“Because I told him …” Elizabeth’s voice trailed away, and she changed tack “
Because
there are far better ladies for him to court. Why would he want a poor girl like me? He has nothing to gain from marrying me.” Her mother need not know that she had informed the Captain that she never planned to marry.

“Because you are the cleverest girl in town,” her mother rubbed her shoulder, “and he knows it too!”

“Brains do not matter when all he wants is a vessel in which to carry his children,” she said angrily, the colour rising in her cheeks.

“Elizabeth, are you not pleased?” Her mother looked shocked, “I thought you would be happy. No one has ever formally courted you before.”

Elizabeth did not respond. Her mind was ticking over furiously as she tried to think of a solution. Suddenly she remembered what the Captain had said the previous night. He had expressed discomfort – no –
dislike
at the thought of his sister marrying, for she would lose all of her rights. Did that mean he thought that men and women should have equal rights? If they were to be married, would he allow her to work? Furthermore, would he allow her wage to be her own? And what of his career in the Navy? Would she be destined to stay at home and raise a child alone while he went on month long trips across the sea?

No
, she thought furiously,
I shall not be married
. Captain Greenwood could court her if he wished, though his attempts would be wasted.

Elizabeth had never been in love, she had never even had a childhood sweetheart for that matter. Not one person had ever managed to gain her affections. Her coldness towards the male gender had kept possible suitors at bay. Her father had once told her that men did not like it when a woman thought herself more clever than them. “But we all know that you are,” he had added in a whisper, with a wink. Elizabeth assumed most men found her intimidating, or hostile. When she was little, a boy that lived up the road had always called her the “fire-breathing dragon”, for she had a rather foul temper.

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Elizabeth said to her mother, “Did he say what he plans to do?”

“Yes. He asked if he could escort you home after church on the morrow.” Her mother was positively shuddering with excitement.

“
On the morrow
?” Elizabeth said flabbergasted.

“Indeed. I shall not bother you of course. I will visit Dot, and leave you two be,” she said as she squeezed Elizabeth’s arm gently.

“So you accepted on my behalf?” Elizabeth fumed.

“Of course! I thought you would be pleased!”

Elizabeth stood, shaking off her mother’s hand, “I am rather tired. I think I might … have a lie down.”  Without another word she left the room, leaving her mother looking after her in bewilderment.

~

Sunday morning’s service came far too quickly for Elizabeth’s liking. When she entered the church she spotted Captain Greenwood immediately, sitting at a pew towards the back of the room. He seemed to have sensed that she had entered the vicinity, for he turned in his seat as she walked through the doors, and stared at her, smiling. Elizabeth avoided his gaze and sat several rows in front of him, her cheeks burning. She was dreading the end of the sermon. She could feel Captain Greenwood staring at the back of her head as though he were burning a hole right through to her eyeballs. She dared not turn around for fear he would catch her looking at him.

Eventually, when the service ended, Elizabeth avoided standing up until it would become rude not to. Her mother had bustled off with a gaggle of her friends, leaving Elizabeth sitting at a pew by herself. She busied herself with her purse, pretending to look for something within its depths as she heard Captain Greenwood step beside her and clear his throat noisily to gain her attention.

“Good Morning, Miss Searson.” He gave a small bow, and held his hand out for her to take, which she did reluctantly.

Other women that attended the service whispered behind their hands and glared at Elizabeth, as she stood beside Captain Greenwood, rather pink in the face.

“Good-Good morning,” Elizabeth breathed, ‘did you enjoy today’s service, Captain Greenwood?’

“Of course,” he brought her hand to his lips, “might I say how lovely you look today?”

“You might,” Elizabeth’s teeth clenched together, and she slipped her hand from beneath his lips, “shall we walk?”

Captain Greenwood walked her through the church doors and into the bleary sunlight. Clouds had covered the blue sky during the sermon, and the threat of rain lingered in the air. She could hear the young females whispering behind her. She knew they were wondering how a common girl like Elizabeth had secured such an excellent escort home. They could have him for all she cared.

They strolled casually along the winding path that led from the church, neither of them speaking until they had rounded a corner, away from peering eyes.

“I suppose you are not surprised that I asked for you?” Captain Greenwood said plainly.

Elizabeth felt her heart thud quickly against her ribcage. She had never been in a position quite like this before, and was unsure how to act, or what to say.

“I was surprised,” she admitted, “considering …”

“Considering?” Captain Greenwood pressed on.

“You expressed distaste for marriage – as did I,” Elizabeth said honestly.

To her surprise, the Captain laughed heartily. Elizabeth saw that his eyes crinkled at the sides when he smiled.

“I thought you might say that,” he chortled, “though it is not entirely true.’

“You lied?” Elizabeth said quickly, snapping her head around to look at his expression.

“No, of course not, he reassured her, ‘however I only expressed displeasure of my sisters marriage, and the laws that govern a union between a man and a woman.”

“So you wish to marry?”

“I do,” the captain said, “I am nearing my thirty-first birthday. I do think it is time I settled down.”

Elizabeth did not respond to this. Had he forgotten what she had said?

“I also believe the same of you,” he admitted.

“I beg your pardon, Captain, but you are ever so wrong,” Elizabeth said loftily.

“You misunderstand me,” he smiled kindly, “I do understand that you are against marriage, though not all aspects of it. You are like me. I think we both like the idea of a companion, however, you do not wish to marry because you see yourself as independent. You want to be the breadwinner, and belong to no one. Am I right?”

Elizabeth frowned, but did not answer. He was utterly right. From her silence, Captain Greenwood had come to the same conclusion. It seemed to please him, for he smiled congenially and fell silent.

“You revel in my displeasure,” Elizabeth noted coldly.

“Not at all.” He raised his eyebrows, “I am an extremely good judge of character, Miss Searson. It took me many visits to the apothecary to understand you. Usually, I can tell instantly what a person is like just from one conversation.”

“Is that so?” Elizabeth pursed her lips.

“Oh yes,” he smirked, “People are … shallow. Most men and women are consumed with thoughts of themselves. They are unguarded, lack creativity, and crave nothing more than money, status, and social hierarchy. You, however, do not care for social status; in fact, you would have the status quo completely abolished if it were your way. I can see it in your eyes too, creativity, and a thirst to prove yourself. However, lastly, you are ever so guarded. It is as though you have built a giant wall around yourself and dare not let another soul inside.”

Elizabeth had stopped walking, and was looking up at Captain Greenwood, anger flaring in her eyes.

“Do you mean to insult me in every possible way?” she said in a shaky voice.

“No, not at all.” The Captain looked genuinely worried at her expression, “I meant to compliment you on your uniqueness.”

“Well, you got one thing wrong, Captain,” Elizabeth said, her heart thumping hard, “I am like everyone else in the respect that I think of no one but myself. I do not care for anyone, Captain, except myself. I am, as you put it, shallow.”

“I do not think so,” he said with raised eyebrows.

Elizabeth had had enough, “Why did you ask for me?” she demanded.

“I – what?” He looked quite alarmed at the direction the conversation seemed to be taking.

“Why did you ask for me?” Elizabeth repeated slowly and clearly.

“I – well – I thought the answer to that was quite obvious.”  He tried to take her hand in his, but she snatched it back.

“Spare me your charm. It may work on the other women, but it will not work on me, Captain.”

“Please, you have me all wrong,” he sighed.

“Do I?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.

“I find you interesting,” Captain Greenwood said, a pleading note in his voice, “you are a woman who is not only beautiful, but exceedingly clever as well.”

Elizabeth stared, “Why bother courting me, Captain? You know I am not interested in marriage. I wish to work, and earn a salary that is not classified as my husband’s property.”

“You could have all that … if you would marry me.”

“If I were to marry
you
, Captain, I would become property, and my wage would be yours.”

“I do not dare try and tame a wild mare such as yourself, Miss Searson, but merely gaze upon your beauty, be enchanted by your words, and simply exist in your presence.”

Elizabeth scoffed, “Are you telling me that you would be content with a …
rogue
wife? A wife who dares to talk back, comes and goes as she pleases, and earns as much as you?”

“If it were you,” he said. “I want a woman who thinks for herself, not some whore in a bar who seeks me out because of my position.”

They were standing extremely close now, both breathing rather hard from the heated discussion. Elizabeth felt rather ashamed of her attitude towards the Captain. He had never done wrong by her, yet she felt so enraged simply by his presence. Of course she did not despise the man. He intrigued her to some extent, though mostly she felt confused.

“Please forgive my clumsy words,” he said sincerely, ‘all I seem to do is apologise lately. Mayhap I left my manners at sea.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes wearily, “It is not you who should be sorry,” she breathed, “I find you … exhausting, and my temper is often quick to flare, for which I am sorry.”

“I do not mean to make you so mad.” The Captain smiled, and Elizabeth felt her heart lighten considerably.

They continued walking in silence for another minute, before Elizabeth admitted, “You were right, you know.”

“About what?”

“You said I was guarded. You were right.”

I am sorry,”  he said.

“So am I,” Elizabeth said mildly, “I constantly complain of equality, and liberty, yet I am trapped inside myself. I have become quite withdrawn. I suppose that is why I was so surprised when you told my mother you wished to court me. I figured no one would be interested in such a defensive, fire-breathing dragon.”

“You may indeed breathe fire, Miss Searson,” the Captain chuckled, “but I would much prefer you to be a dragon, rather than a fluffy little bunny rabbit who would just roll over and feign death in the face of confrontation.”

Elizabeth could not help but give a small smile, “I bet you say that to all of the ladies.”

“Have you never wondered why I always sought you at the apothecary the very day after I returned from sea?”

“I am unaccustomed to the attention of men,” she admitted.

They were almost at her home now–something that Elizabeth was not sure if she was happy about. George Greenwood had intrigued her quite thoroughly, though not enough to change her views. They stopped walking once they had reached her front door.

“Well, please, let me make it clear so that there is no more confusion.” He continued, “Miss Searson, it would greatly pleasure me if you would allow us to spend more time together. I would very much like to get to know you better.”

“Do you not worry that your efforts may go to waste?” she asked.

He considered this for a moment, “All I can do is try.” He smiled as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. This time, Elizabeth did not pull her hand away.

“Thank you for escorting me home, Captain.”

“It was my pleasure, Miss Searson.”

Without another word Elizabeth went inside her home and left the captain on her doorstep for the second day in a row.

~

Monday morning came in a blaze of heat and sunshine, and Elizabeth continued to fret throughout the day, for it had been the third day she had not seen hide nor hair of Professor de Bard. She opened the apothecary and resumed business as usual, though her mind was preoccupied, and she made several mistakes.

Bernard de Bard had no family, and therefore, no one to notice if he had gone missing. Elizabeth would be the only person to realise that he had gone. She decided that she would enter his home tonight, whether the door was locked or not, for she needed to know that he was most definitely not inside.