Passing as Elias

chapter Ten

Sailors Return

Elizabeth continued to court Merrill in secret. They spoke of their love for each other to no one, under Elizabeth’s instructions. Merrill was confused as to why her lover wanted to keep their courtship a secret, but complied.

She continued to sneak out at night and visit Elizabeth. They kissed, and touched, and whispered sweet nothings into each other’s ears. Merrill was madly in love with Elias, and Elizabeth was madly in love with Merrill.

Elizabeth had convinced herself that Merrill would love her no matter what her gender was. After all, was it not Elizabeth’s personality that she had fallen for?

Elizabeth still refused to show her body to Merrill, something that seemed to deeply upset her. Merrill had been completely naked in front of Elizabeth many times. Merrill wanted to make love, and she expressed this desire almost every night. It seemed to hurt her feelings when Elias declined.

‘Do you not find me attractive?’ She asked almost every night.

‘I find you extremely attractive.’ Elizabeth would reassure.

‘Do you not think this will last?’ Merrill said, ‘Us, I mean.’

‘I wish it would last forever.’ Elizabeth said honestly, embracing Merrill.

‘If you wish it to last forever, then why do you not want to make love?’

‘Because we are not married.’ Elizabeth had used this excuse too many times to recall.

‘But if we plan to stay together … what is the point in waiting?’

Elizabeth felt sick every time the talked about sex. The lie had grown so big that it was taking over her life. She dreaded the day that Merrill would grow tired of waiting. However, Elizabeth knew that they did not have much time left together. Eventually, she would have to get rid of Elias, and return to her normal life, for five months had passed since Captain Greenwood left for sea. Within thirty days he would be due to return. How would Elizabeth break the news to Merrill? Would she cry? Would she beg to go with Elias?

It was a Wednesday morning when Elizabeth woke extremely early, and decided to make her way to the apothecary without Merrill. She left her lover snoring gently in bed, and made her way downstairs. Elizabeth felt she needed time alone to think about how she must end it with Merrill. She did not wish to do it, and kept telling herself that they could run away together, however, Elizabeth could not keep the secret of her gender hidden forever. Eventually, Merrill would want to make a life together, a life that would include marriage, and children. This was something Elizabeth could not offer her.

She had decided to do it that night. She would tell Merrill that she was leaving, heading overseas due to a job offer in another country. She did not wish to dwell upon Merrill’s reaction.

The day passed too quickly for Elizabeth. Merrill arrived early to the apothecary, wondering where Elias had gone. She expressed dislike for being left in bed while Elizabeth made her way to work. Elizabeth apologized, and simply stated that she needed to get a little bit of work done.

‘You looked so peaceful, I did not wish to wake you.’ She had said.

They flirted throughout the day, smiling, brushing against each other, and teasing one another in good spirit. Customers did not notice the electricity that flew between them, but Elizabeth could certainly feel it. Every time Merrill touched her it was like receiving an electric shock. She dreaded the end of the day, when she must reveal to Merrill that Elias would be leaving the town. She would tell her that Elias’ sister, Elizabeth, would be taking over the apothecary. She did not need to know the whole truth. This way, Elizabeth thought, perhaps she could get Merrill to fall in love with the real her. After all, they were the same person. If she did not like Elizabeth for who she was, then at least Elizabeth would be able to spend the day around the woman she loved so dearly.

Six o’clock came. Elizabeth drew the curtains, and flipped the sign upon the door. Merrill was in the laboratory, organizing jars of herbs into alphabetical order. When Elizabeth entered the laboratory, Merrill looked up and beamed.

Elizabeth sat down at her desk and watched Merrill work. Her heart was heavy with dread.

‘Merrill.’ She said in a rather shaky voice, ‘Come and sit.’

Merrill complied, but did not sit upon a chair. Instead, she sat upon Elizabeth’s lap and wrapped her arms around her neck.

‘I guess that will do.’ Elizabeth said with a smile as Merrill kissed her nose.

‘Shall I come over tonight, Sir?’ Merrill said with a smirk, kissing Elizabeth’s neck.

Yes, Elizabeth wanted to say.

‘No.’ She said, swallowing hard.

‘No?’ Merrill repeated, ‘Do you have much work to do?’

‘No.’ Elizabeth said again, closing her eyes as Merrill kissed her neck again.

‘Do you wish some time alone?’ Merrill whispered.

No, Elizabeth wanted to cry. She wanted to throw Merrill to the floor right then, kiss up and down her body, and make her scream.

‘Something of the sort.’ Elizabeth said through gritted teeth, as she tried to push the sexual visions aside.

‘Oh no, I have crowded you.’ Merrill fretted.

‘Not at all.’ Elizabeth said quickly, ‘I must … I must confess something to you.’

‘What is it?’

Elizabeth remained silent for several moments. Her heart thudded frantically in her chest. Say it, she willed herself. Just say it and it will all be over soon. It hurt to think about it.

‘Promise you will be happy for me.’ Elizabeth began nervously. She felt so saddened by this moment that she thought she might be sick.

‘Of course.’ Merrill promised. The thought that Elias might leave her did not seem to cross her mind.

‘I … I have received a letter.’ Elizabeth recited. She had rehearsed the speech in her head a thousand times over during the day.

‘Mmmh?’ Merrill said, resuming the kissing of Elizabeth’s neck. It made it extremely hard to concentrate.

‘I have been offered a position.’ Elizabeth said quickly, ‘to train as a surgeon.’

‘A surgeon?’ Merrill repeated amazed.

‘It is a wonderful opportunity.’ Elizabeth continued, determined to tell the whole story, ‘such a chance does not come by often.’

‘I am very pleased for you.’ Merrill beamed. She did not yet understand.

‘The only problem,’ Elizabeth said in a shaking voice, ‘It is … in the Netherlands.’

‘The Netherlands?’ Merrill repeated, aghast, ‘Can you not train here?’

‘The Doctors Association of Holland is said to be the best in the world. Their economy is thriving. I would be mad not to accept such an offer.’

‘Indeed.’ Merrill said breathlessly, ‘When will you accept?’

‘I have … I accepted over a week ago.’

Merrill thought hard, ‘When shall we leave?’

Elizabeth blanched, ‘We?’ she said faintly. This had done it.

Merrill became pale, ‘You did not mean for me to come, did you?’ Her voice was barely a whisper.

Elizabeth did not answer. She felt as though she might vomit from the effort this was taking her.

‘No. I did not.’ She forced herself to say.

Merrill stood, and stumbled upon the hem of her dress slightly. Straightening up, Elizabeth saw her eyes had become watery.

‘You mean to leave me?’ Merrill said.

‘I do not wish to.’ Elizabeth said pleadingly. She did not want Merrill to hate her.

Merrill had begun to cry, and Elizabeth felt that this could have gone much better.

‘I will return.’ Elizabeth lied, ‘I will come back to you.’

‘You do not wish to leave me, yet you refuse to let me come with you?’ Merrill said through her sobs.

‘I do not want to take you away from your life here. You should not throw away everything for me.’

‘You are my life.’ Merrill cried, ‘Everything I do revolves around you!’

‘Do you not see why that is a bad thing?’ Elizabeth said taking Merrill’s shoulders in her grasp, ‘Do you not have aspirations? Dreams?’

‘You are a man, Mister Searson, and may do as you please. I am a woman and may do as I am told.’

‘You can do as you wish.’ Elizabeth said fiercely, ‘When I am gone my sister will take over the apothecary. You shall work for her.’

‘I understand now,’ Merrill said through tears, ‘I understand why you would not f*ck me!’ She screamed the last words, making Elizabeth jump.

‘Merrill!’ Elizabeth pleaded, ‘Merrill, please. You are over reacting.’

And Merrill slapped her.

Elizabeth held her face, waiting for the stinging to pass. It hurt her heart more than it hurt her face.

‘Do not be like this.’ Elizabeth said softly, ‘If you were to hate me, I might die. I did not wish to hurt you.’

‘Well you have failed at that, Mister Searson.’ Merrill said, ‘Is there nothing I can say to change your mind?’

‘No.’ Elizabeth said in a shaking voice. She was afraid Merrill might slap her again.

Merrill glared, but did not say another word. Instead, she dropped to her knees in front of Elizabeth, and for a moment it looked as though she were about to beg.

However, Merrill reached for the waistband of Elizabeth’s breeches, and tried to unfasten them.

‘What are you doing?’ Elizabeth said shocked.

Merrill’s shaking hands struggled with the buttons, but she did not succeed for Elizabeth stepped out of her reach.

‘Let me.’ Merrill said through tears, ‘Let me show you how I love you.’

‘Merrill, please. Stand up.’ Elizabeth said worried.

So Merrill stood, but this time she started to undress herself. She fumbled with the lacing of her corset for her hands were shaking so badly.

‘Merrill.’ Elizabeth grabbed her wrists, ‘Please.’

‘I do love you.’ Merrill said thickly, tears clinging to her eyelashes.

‘And I love you.’ Elizabeth reassured. It was the utter truth, ‘But this cannot last.’ She held Merrill’s face in between her hands, and kissed her mouth. She could taste Merrill’s salty tears upon her lips.

Merrill kissed her with such ferocity that Elizabeth felt momentarily overpowered, even though Merrill was much smaller and weaker than her. Her breath was warm and sweet.

‘Wont you claim me?’ Merrill asked, wrapping her arms around Elizabeth’s neck. Elizabeth knew that Merrill was trying her hardest to make Elias stay.

Elizabeth let out a groan as Merrill kissed her again. Their tongues met, and they kissed deeply. Their wet, warm mouths explored one another hungrily.

Elizabeth could not take it any longer. She felt half mad with desire and wanted nothing more than to love Merrill completely and utterly in the way she deserved.

Elizabeth pressed Merrill against the workbench, sending quills and parchment to the floor. Vials smashed upon the stone, yet they ignored it. Their actions were fervent, desperate, and rushed. Elizabeth kissed Merrill with such force that the desk moved several inches, and books toppled to the floor. Merrill sat upon the bench-top and wrapped her legs around Elizabeth’s waist, forcing her closer.

With a swift movement Elizabeth lifted Merrill’s skirt until it was around her waist. She did not wear underpants, and a neat patch of dark hair could be seen between Merrill’s thighs.

An intoxicating scent reached Elizabeth’s nostrils. It was like a drug, and Elizabeth inhaled deeply. This made Merrill blush, and she looked deeply ashamed of herself as she parted her legs wider allowing Elizabeth more to gaze upon.

Elizabeth did not know what she was doing, but it felt so natural as she dropped to her knees as though about to worship her lover. She kissed Merrill’s inner thigh, her breath cascading over Merrill’s wetness.

‘Sir, please.’ Merrill tried to cover herself, ‘Please, do not stare.’

Merrill was embarrassed, and Elizabeth smiled as she tried to shield herself. This reminded Elizabeth of the first time she had lay with Captain Greenwood, how he had stared upon her like she were the most beautiful thing in the world.

Elizabeth now understood.

She wanted to smell Merrill. She wanted to taste her.

She inhaled, and was overwhelmed with the blissful perfume, the natural scent. It was heaven.

Elizabeth lowered her mouth and kissed around the patch of dark hair between Merrill’s thighs. She heard Merrill gasp audibly, and shy away.

‘What are you doing?’ Merrill said in a shaking voice, ‘Please, do not. I am embarrassed.’

Elizabeth ignored this, ‘You smell amazing.’

‘Do not say things like that.’ Merrill breathed, squirming.

‘I want to taste you.’ Elizabeth said glancing up at the expression on Merrill’s face. Never before had she considered doing this to another woman. Never before had Elizabeth imagined it being done to herself. She was not sure if it were a normal part of love making, yet it felt so right. She wanted to taste, to feel, and to smell Merrill.

Merrill was shocked. Her eyes were wide, and her face showed apprehension. Elizabeth could not resist her.

‘May I?’ Elizabeth asked.

Merrill did not say a word. A moment passed, and then she nodded.

And so Elizabeth lowered her mouth to Merrill, and kissed her there. Merrill gasped when Elizabeth’s tongue met her sex, and Elizabeth found her own body shaking.

‘What a thing to do, Sir!’ She gasped as Elizabeth’s tongue parted Merrill and lapped up her essence, swirling and dipping inside her. The simple act of tasting Merrill caused Elizabeth such physical pleasure that she found it difficult not to moan as well. Merrill’s gasps shot through Elizabeth like an electric current.

Elizabeth licked, and suckled, bringing Merrill to the brink of climax. Merrill’s back arched, and with her hands upon the back of Elizabeth’s head, she forced Elizabeth’s tongue deeper. Fingernails dug into Elizabeth’s scalp, and she wanted to touch herself while she tended to Merrill, for she was itching to feel the pleasure too. Yet she must not.

Elizabeth sank two fingers inside her, and flicked her tongue furiously over Merrill’s *oris, making her squirm.

Finally, Merrill cried out and clenched her thighs. She convulsed upon the bench, writhing as though being tortured. It lasted an eternity, and Elizabeth lapped up the fresh wave that poured from Merrill.

Panting, Elizabeth got to her feet and kissed Merrill upon the mouth so she could taste her own sweetness.

They embraced, trying to catch their breaths.

Five minutes passed before either of them spoke.

‘Are you still leaving?’ Merrill said.

Elizabeth did not reply and stared into the distance. She did not wish to rid herself of Elias’ persona, but she really had no choice. When Captain Greenwood returned it would be game over. It was best that Merrill forgot all about Elias Searson.

Merrill seemed to have guessed the answer, and buried her face into Elizabeth’s chest.

‘How long do we have?’ Merrill asked in a muffled voice.

Elizabeth inhaled deeply through her nose, ‘A month.’ She said.

~

Elizabeth dreaded Captain Greenwood’s return. She found herself wishing that he would get lost at sea. She felt immediately guilty when she thought these things, for he was a good man who had never done wrong by her. But Elizabeth had done so much wrong by him. She had lay with another woman, and enjoyed it far more than lying with her own husband. True, Elizabeth had married George Greenwood out of convenience, yet that did not explain her attraction to the same sex. She knew she would go to hell for her actions, but Elizabeth felt sorry for Merrill more than herself.

Merrill was depressed, and quiet over the following days. She had stopped visiting Elizabeth during the night, though this did not stop Elizabeth remaining in disguise just incase.

Throughout the workday they snuck kisses in the laboratory while the shop was empty, and on numerous occasions Elizabeth found her hands underneath Merrill’s skirt. Their forbidden love, and limited time made for excellent foreplay.

Every evening when the shop was closed, Elizabeth found herself between Merrill’s thighs. Elizabeth loved doing it, and was getting quite good. It also distracted Merrill from the fact that Elizabeth would not make love to her in the way a man should. Countless times Merrill tried to return the favor, insisting that she take Elias into her own mouth, but obviously Elizabeth always declined, for there was nothing to take.

When there was only a week left before Elias’ “departure” Merrill wanted to spend every waking moment together. They lay in Elizabeth’s bed, holding one another.

Merrill cried a lot, and wished Elizabeth to stay. It took Elizabeth all of her strength not to weep along with her lover, though of course she did not because that would not have been very manly of her. Elizabeth’s kept strong by reminding herself that she was not actually leaving, and she would still get to see Merrill while she was a woman.

It was a cold, windy Tuesday when everything came crashing down around Elizabeth. She left Merrill sleeping in bed that morning, thinking to escape to the apothecary rather early to complete some custom orders. She wore her usual shirt, vest, breeches, and shoes. After giving the wig a quick brush in the washroom, Elizabeth was ready to leave. She noticed that there was a rather large bruise upon her neck. Merrill had branded her again. She touched it lightly and smiled. The memories of the night before came flooding back, and Elizabeth felt instantly aroused. Yet there was no time to satisfy her urges. She needed to finish some work, for she had fallen quite behind lately. Having a love life did indeed put the apothecary in second place.

Elizabeth took the stairs two at a time, picked up her briefcase, umbrella, and hat at the door, and stepped outside into the chilly morning air.

She had barely taken two steps away from the house when a voice called out to her.

‘You! What the devil are you doing in my house?’ Elizabeth spun around to see who had called, for obviously there had been some kind of mistake as this was her house. She turned to face the direction of the voice.

Thwack.

Elizabeth crumpled to the floor, holding her face in her hands, blinded by the immense pain. Someone had hit her. Someone had punched her right in the eye.

Elizabeth swore and rolled onto her back, lights blinking rapidly in front of her eyes. Everything was blurry. For one horrible moment she feared that she had indeed become blind from the blow. Yet things were slowly coming back into focus. It was such a pain that she had never felt before, but it did not end there.

‘What. The. F*ck. Do. You. Think. You. Are. Doing. In. My. House!’ Each word brought another blow to Elizabeth’s body. She cried, and flailed, trying to fight the attacker off. Somewhere deep in her mind she knew that this voice was familiar. No, it could not be, she thought dazedly. Again and again, the blows kept coming. Her ribs cracked and she spat blood.

‘Where is my wife, you mongrel?’ Elizabeth felt the front of her shirt being grabbed, ‘is that her mark upon your neck? IS IT?’

And Elizabeth realized.

‘George!’ Elizabeth cried desperately, ‘George!’

The beating ceased.

Silence rang the air. The only sound came from Elizabeth who coughed and spat blood onto the pavement.

It was a wonder how George Greenwood managed to recognize Elizabeth through the swollen eye he had just given her, yet he said her name.

‘El-Elizabeth?’ He dropped his grip from her shirt and took a step back.

Tears streaked her face, and her whole body ached yet she managed to nod.

‘Christ.’ She heard George mutter. He did not rush to her side, and did not ask if she was all right.

‘Why are you dressed that way? What have you done to your hair?’

Yet Elizabeth did not have time to answer. She heard footsteps, a scream, and then someone threw themselves on top of Elizabeth.

It was Merrill. She crouched over Elizabeth, still in her nightdress. The yells must have woken her.

‘What have you done?’ Merrill cried at Captain Greenwood, who stood back, watching.

‘Merrill, no. Please, go inside.’ Elizabeth muttered dazedly. She tried to get up, yet the pain in her ribs was too much. She winced and remained on the floor.

‘Mister Searson, are you all right?’ Merrill tried to wipe the blood from Elizabeth’s face.

George stepped forwards, and Merrill yelled at him, ‘Get back, sea dog!’

He ceased.

‘What did you call … what did you call her?’ George said, staring at Merrill.

‘He did not call me anything.’ Merrill said angrily to George.

‘No.’ George spat, pointing a finger at Elizabeth, ‘What did you call her?’

Utter dread pierced Elizabeth. She stared into the face of George, willing him to be silent. Pleading silently that he not speak another word. Yet it was too late.

‘How dare you! This is Mister Searson!’ Merrill said, anger flaring in her eyes, ‘A great man!’

George’s eyes traveled from Merrill’s tear-streaked face, to Elizabeth’s bloody, beaten, and swollen one. His eyes flickered downward to the bruise upon Elizabeth’s neck. Understanding blossomed in his dark eyes.

‘Did you give Searson that mark?’ George pointed to Elizabeth.

Merrill looked to Elizabeth and then back to George, ‘What of it?’ She hissed.

‘So.’ George said, ‘Sweethearts, are you?’

Merrill did not answer, but tried to help Elizabeth to her feet.

Crossing his arms over his wide chest, George said, ‘this is how it is then? You know, I have heard of wives being unfaithful whilst their husbands are at sea, yet I have never heard of two women becoming lovers.’

Elizabeth closed her eyes and hoped she might vanish from the spot. George was glaring at her with such animosity that she recoiled from his stare. Merrill looked between them, confused.

‘You are mad.’ She accused George. ‘Mad! They should lock you up before you hurt someone else!’

‘You mean you do not know?’ George turned to Elizabeth, ‘is this a new hobby, my dear? Luring young women into your bed?’

Elizabeth did not speak.

‘Well?’ George waited.

‘What is he talking about?’ Merrill said, ‘Do you know him? Is he mad?’

‘I know him.’ Elizabeth whispered. She could feel blood oozing from her nostril, ‘He is not mad.’

Merrill did not understand. She did not yet comprehend the situation that she had walked in on.

‘Are you not going to tell her?’ George asked lightly. His voice was full of malice, ‘Do you not think she deserves to know? After all, she has been hoodwinked.’

‘Stop it.’ Elizabeth said through gritted teeth.

‘I guess I must be the one to break the poor girls heart. How old is she, my sweet? Sixteen? Seventeen? Quite a pretty thing too. You have good taste. I might like a taste for myself, if you are not opposed to sharing.’

He tried to grab Merrill’s arm, but she swatted him away, ‘Do not touch me!’

Elizabeth surged with anger, ‘Keep your hands off her.’

George’s eyes flashed. Elizabeth had never seen this look upon his face before.

‘You choose her, do you?’ George glared.

Elizabeth wiped away the blood dripping down her lip with the back of her hand.

‘Yes.’ She breathed.

‘So, tell her what you have done, or I will.’ George said.

Elizabeth looked between them. They both stared at Elizabeth, waiting. Her heart pounded, and she was drenched in sweat. Her mind screamed, do it, do it now. You must be the one to tell her, you must show her. The truth could not come from Captain Greenwood.

With a trembling hand, Elizabeth reached for her wig, and slowly pulled it from her head. Red curls flopped to her shoulders.

Merrill did not gasp, she did not even recoil. Instead, her face became pale, and her pupils dilated as she realized the truth. Elizabeth stared at Merrill, trying to communicate an explanation through her eyes.

‘I am sorry.’ Elizabeth whispered through trembling lips. She was ashamed of herself, and disgusted that she had done these things to Merrill.

‘No.’ Merrill said, her eyes as round as saucers, ‘no.’

Elizabeth tried to stifle the heart-wrenching sob that escaped her, ‘Merrill, I never meant this to happen.’ Elizabeth said shakily.

Never before had Elizabeth felt so dependant on another person’s love. She could not bare it if Merrill hated her.

‘Tell me it is not true.’ Merrill said, her voice cracking.

‘It is true.’ Elizabeth wiped away the tears that slid down her cheeks, ‘I never planned this. I never meant to fall in love. And you must believe me when I say it. I do love you more than anything. God knows I mean it.’

‘God knows you are going to hell for your filthy perversion.’ George hissed.

Elizabeth ignored him and took Merrill’s hands between her own, ‘Please, Merrill. It was real for me. It was real. I never knew it was possible, for a girl to love another girl. I never knew, but now it is all that I know.’

Merrill stood, wrenching her hands from Elizabeth’s grip.

‘I believe you have killed me.’ She said.

Merrill took a step backward, glanced at George Greenwood, turned on her heel, and ran. Elizabeth watched as she disappeared around a corner.

Elizabeth could not help it. Sobs tore from her and she yelled at George, ‘You have ruined everything!’

George picked her up from the ground roughly, and threw her over his wide shoulder. He carried her inside of their house and dropped her carelessly onto the sitting room lounge. Elizabeth had forgotten all about the pain of her face, and ribs. The only pain she knew now was the loss of Merrill. Elizabeth knew that she would not come back.

‘Well, this makes things quite simple.’ George said as he paced the room.

Elizabeth sobbed into a cushion, smearing the spotless furniture with blood and tears.

‘I knew you never loved me, but I never thought … with another girl.’

He did not seem too upset, Elizabeth thought. On the contrary, he seemed giddy, as though awaiting something glorious.

Looking through her tear-clogged eyelashes, Elizabeth saw that George was grinning. ‘W-what?’ Elizabeth said, hiccupping slightly.

‘Honestly, though. Five months? It did not take you long, did it?’

Elizabeth frowned. She did not understand what he was talking about.

‘George, I am sorry I have deceived you.’ Elizabeth said miserably.

‘On the contrary, my dear, you have done very well indeed.’

‘I do not follow.’

‘Well, this is exactly what I wanted. You see, after your disgusting perversion I am free to divorce you.’

That was fair enough, Elizabeth thought. She deserved that. In fact, she was glad of it. But why was George happy? Did he not love her anymore after five short months apart? He was taking this revelation of Elizabeth’s unfaithfulness extremely well.

‘I had expected to wait several years, of course. You would, indeed, be a long project.’

‘Project?’ Elizabeth repeated, ‘What are you talking about?’

‘Have you not realized yet?’ George said with raised eyebrows, ‘In the beginning I did worry that you would guess my plan.’

‘Plan?’ Elizabeth said, becoming quite agitated, ‘What are you talking about, George?’

‘Professor de Bard, of course.’ George said. He stopped pacing to look at Elizabeth, ‘Did you not think the timing perfect?’

‘What does this have to do with the Professor?’ Elizabeth said slowly.

‘Did I not tell you that my father was a lawyer? I think I mentioned it, foolishly, after we had been courting for a week.’

‘I remember.’ Elizabeth said. She swallowed and felt blood ooze down the back of her throat, sickeningly.

‘Well. Two weeks before Professor de Bard’s death, he approached my father’s colleague in order to change his Will. It was a peculiar thing to do, leaving everything to a girl that is not a blood relative.’

‘What of it?’ Elizabeth said through narrowed eyes.

‘Well, when I returned from sea, my father informed me of the strange situation regarding Professor de Bard’s Will. He told me that, of course, Miss Searson would not be able to take ownership of the properties listed in the Will for there was no men in the family.’

Realization was dawning upon Elizabeth, but she hoped that she was just jumping to conclusions.

‘Did you not think it strange, that he should die only two weeks after re-writing his Will?’

‘Why should I think it strange?’ Elizabeth said, ‘He was always testing vaccines on himself.’

‘Well then, you may have noticed that his death coincided nicely with my return from sea. Do you not remember I visited you in the apothecary that day?’

Elizabeth remembered. George had visited the apothecary on the day that Professor de Bard had said that he needed to go home early to attend other business.

‘While we chatted you failed to notice that I thieved a number of vials containing Lyied.’

Lyied was a poison they stocked at the apothecary, primarily used to kill rats.

Elizabeth did not wish to hear this. It could not be true. Good, warm-hearted George Greenwood had always been so kind and gentle. She could not believe this of him.

‘No.’ Elizabeth said.

‘Yes. After our chat I visited Professor de Bard’s home.’ He looked around, ‘this home. I laced every liquid in the house with the Lyied.’

Elizabeth stared, ‘Why?’

‘Because, I knew that if Professor de Bard died, his property would belong to Elizabeth Searson’s husband.’

‘You … you courted me for this?’ Elizabeth said disbelievingly, ‘You killed a great man to get this home?’

‘Not just his home. Do you know how much that apothecary is worth? On such a large plot in the middle of town, it will sell for a very excellent price.’

Elizabeth needed to get up and run to the nearest authority. She needed to tell someone that Professor de Bard’s death had not been an accident. She shifted her weight upon the lounge into a position where it would be easy to lunge for the door.

‘Do not think of going anywhere.’ George said casually, leaning on the mantelpiece.

Elizabeth took a deep steadying breath, ‘What are you going to do with me?’ She said through gritted teeth, ‘Kill me too?’

‘Do not be ridiculous, my dear. Why would I kill you? I already own the house, and the shop. Both properties are in my name. After all, it was you who asked me to sign for them. I suppose you thought you were tricking me, did you?’

Elizabeth did not respond. She felt foolish. Never had she considered that George might be using her to get access to the house and apothecary. She had been so obsessed with running the shop in the name of the Professor that she did not stop to consider why George Greenwood wanted to marry her so badly. Now that she thought of it though, everything did fall into place rather nicely for him.

‘Indeed, I was well aware that you had no feelings for me.’ George continued, ‘However, I think I did a rather good job playing the part of a love-struck man. Did you never wonder why I was so keen to get married? Did you never wonder why I chose to hide the marriage from my parents?’

‘I suppose I wanted to believe you cared.’ Elizabeth glared, ‘I thought you a good man.’

‘I thought you a decent girl, too.’ George said with a shrug, ‘But you changed your views on marriage so swiftly, of course I knew you were trying to use me. How sweet, I thought. I got exactly what I wanted to little to no effort.’

‘You killed a man for your own selfish gain.’

‘How do you think anyone makes it in the world?’ George rolled his eyes, ‘People die every day. No one will miss some old man.’

‘I would miss him!’ Elizabeth said fiercely, ‘He was everything, and you shall rot in a cell for what you have done to the Professor.’

George laughed, ‘I have already gotten away with it, my dear.’

‘I will tell everyone.’ Elizabeth hissed.

‘Who would believe someone like you? A woman that dresses as a man, and courts young girls? They will think you are mad. You will be in the nut house this time next week.’

Elizabeth did not respond. She stared angrily at George, her hands itching to clamp around his throat.

‘Regardless,’ George stood straight, ‘I shall be gone this time tomorrow. I will sell the properties and take the next carriage away from this shit hole.’

‘And what about me?’ Elizabeth said angrily, ‘Will you just leave me here, with no home, and no job?’

‘Why not put on your little boys outfit and walk the streets like the filthy whore you are?’ George snapped.

‘I wish you had drowned at sea!’ Elizabeth stood angrily. The pain in her ribs was nothing compared to her anger, ‘You will not get away with what you have done.’

‘My father will take care of the divorce paperwork, and I shall be gone in the morning. No one will believe you, and even they did, there would be nothing they could do about it.’ George said lazily.

Elizabeth fumed silently, her mind working fast for a way around this. What could she do? George Greenwood was a respectable man, with a lawyer for a father. Elizabeth was a no one that had been discovered dressing as a boy to run the apothecary, and she had had sexual encounters with another female. George was right – if anyone found out she would be carted off to the mad house.

‘So I shall make you a deal.’ George said looking quickly at his pocket watch, ‘Tell no one of this, and I shall not reveal your, uh, recent adventures.’

Elizabeth could not speak. Her mouth was dry, and she wanted to avenge Professor de Bard with all of her heart. Oh, how upset he would be if he knew that Elizabeth had lost the apothecary. Perhaps he had not intended to die so soon, and thought that by the time he did pass away, Elizabeth might be married to a nice gentleman who would not steal from her.

George took Elizabeth’s silence for a ‘yes’.

‘Excellent,’ George clapped his hands together, ‘I must dash, sweetheart. Lots of people to see, you know. You do not mind clearing out your things, do you? Good girl. I shall be back in the morning, and if you are still here, well, I suppose I shall have to send a letter to the insane asylum. So I would not linger if I were you.’

‘You have ruined me.’ Elizabeth said in a shaking voice, ‘You have taken everything I have ever cared about.’

George gave a shrug, ‘This is what happens when you think yourself equal to a man, my dear.’

He left without another word. Elizabeth listened as the door snapped shut behind him. She had never felt so alone. Everything she had loved was gone. Professor de Bard had been murdered, the apothecary had been stolen, and Merrill … Merrill was gone.

Elizabeth was rarely weepy, but she allowed herself to cry freely into the sofa cushions. She only had one person left in the world now, and that was her mother.