Passing as Elias

chapter Two

Unusual Absence

Elizabeth woke the next morning before the sun had risen above the hills. The sky outside was a deep ruby red, shot with gold. She could hear her mother snoring loudly in the room adjacent. Dressing silently, she then tiptoed downstairs into the kitchen. A hard loaf of bread sat upon the counter, though Elizabeth did not fancy a slice for her mother had never been an excellent baker. The pendulum clock upon the wall told Elizabeth that it was five o’clock in the morning. She was not unfamiliar with waking at so early, for she had been forced to do it for years while her father was alive. Together, her mother and Elizabeth would rise before she sun and prepare breakfast for her father. She would help with the washing, cooking, and cleaning. This, her mother insisted, was good practice for when she was a wife. Alas, Elizabeth’s father had passed away, and so had their daily routine. These days, Mary Searson did not wake until the sun was high in the sky, and Elizabeth had long left for work at the apothecary. Elizabeth’s income was absolutely essential to maintain the weekly rent. Her mother worked from home, knitting, sewing and mending for a small amount of money.

At half past seven Elizabeth left the house and began her walk to work. Today should be an easy day for it was Saturday, and therefore the shop closed at one o’clock. She was not a rush as it had been yesterday when she had failed to wake until ten minutes to eight o’clock. It was extremely out of character for her to be late. She arrived at the Apothecary with five minutes to spare, and felt quite pleased with herself to find that Professor de Bard was not waiting for her. She took out the key, and unlocked the door to the apothecary. Once inside she drew the curtains, lit the lamps, and checked the day’s orders. At two minutes to Eight o’clock she flipped the sign upon the door to ‘open’. She expected Professor de Bard to walk in at any second for he was always at work on time, however eight o’clock came and passed. Five past eight. Ten past eight. A quarter past eight.

Elizabeth did not fret too much for she knew the workings of the apothecary so well that she had no issue in running the shop alone. However she did worry about accumulating a backlog of orders. During the day the Professor made an assortment of potions, poisons and pills to satisfy the demand of the public. However, by ten o’clock he still had not shown up. Elizabeth assumed that he must be too ill to get out of bed – though she did not remember him ever being sick before. Regardless if he was ill, Professor de Bard had a recipe for any sickness that plagued him, so surely he must arrive soon.

Elizabeth continued to worry slightly as the day continued. She rushed about helping customers, giving advice, and recommending different products.

Finally, one o’clock came with still no sign of Professor de Bard. Perhaps he had decided to take a day of. Mayhap he was testing Elizabeth. Yes, that would be it, she thought with a smirk, the Professor is testing how I fair on my own.

Once Elizabeth had closed the shop she decided to walk to the Professor’s house and enquire as to why he had not shown up today. Mostly she wanted to gloat for coming to the conclusion that he was testing her. The Professor only lived a short distance away in a rather pretty house that backed onto a field. Elizabeth had visited it many times before now, and did not feel awkward in the slightest about turning up unexpected.

Once at his doorstep Elizabeth knocked loudly and waited for over a minute. There was no response so Elizabeth knocked again – this time louder. Another minute passed in absolute silence. She tried the doorknob but found that it was locked. Getting annoyed Elizabeth walked to the window that looked into his sitting room. She peered through the glass, which was difficult as it was quite grimy. She could not see any lamps lit, nor was there any movement. She rapped her knuckles upon the glass loudly. Nothing. Heaving a sigh, Elizabeth walked away from the Professor’s home and headed back to her own house. Last night he had said that he had important business he needed to attend to, yet he had not mentioned anything about leaving.

When Elizabeth arrived home at two o’clock in the evening, the sky was a brilliant blue, and fluffy clouds floated lazily across the horizon. Removing her bonnet and untying her hair, Elizabeth stepped into the sitting room where she found her mother standing in front of the fire, waiting, with an eager look upon her face.

Elizabeth sighed, ‘What a day I have had.’ She slumped into a chair and looked up at her mother, ‘Professor de Bard did not show up today – nor did he answer his door when I called upon him to see if –’ She stopped suddenly for her mother was showing a peculiar expression. ‘What is it?’ She asked suspiciously.

‘I have news.’ Her mother said with a quivering voice.

‘Of the Professor?’ Elizabeth sat up straight.

‘No.’ Her mother frowned, ‘I am sure he is just preoccupied with some new concoction he has discovered. You know what he is like, Elizabeth.’

Elizabeth nodded. It was true that the Professor often became obsessed if he felt he was close to a breakthrough in medical science.

Her mother sat down next to her and fixed Elizabeth with a wide-eyed gaze.

‘I have something to tell you.’ She persisted. It was clear she had been desperate to reveal this news for several hours.

‘What? Why are you acting so strange?’

Mary Searson cleared her throat noisily, ‘Well, I was knitting a pair of little booties for Mrs Weatherby down the lane, when I heard a knock upon the door around ten o’clock. I got up to answer it, and on the doorstep he stood.’

‘On the doorstep who stood?’ Elizabeth asked.

‘I asked him to come in and sit down, gave him a cup of tea. He looked right nervous, he did.’ Her mother continued.

‘Who was it?’ Elizabeth asked again.

Her mother ignored her, ‘I asked him what he wanted, and he said, well … he said that he wanted to make his intentions clear. Very polite he was, a proper gentleman. I was not quite sure what he meant though, so I asked him.’

‘I do not follow.’ Elizabeth said, rather confused, and becoming slightly annoyed.

‘He said his mother had brought him up good and proper, and to always treat a lady with respect. Bless him. He said ‘Mrs Searson, I have come here to inform you of my intentions to court your daughter’.’

‘What?’ Elizabeth said thunderstruck, ‘who? Who was it?’

‘George Greenwood, of course!’ Her mother said excitedly, ‘The Captain sat in that very spot, and told me that he planned to begin a courtship.’

‘No!’ Elizabeth gasped, ‘He never.’

‘He did!’ Her mother was positively beaming, ‘He asked my permission and all. What a lovely man he is, and handsome too. Why, a captain of the Royal Naval courting my daughter! Wait until Dot hears about this! Her daughter is marrying a tradesman. Ha! You’ll be a proper lady, Elizabeth. Oh my goodness, the children will be ever so handsome.’

‘No.’ Elizabeth muttered, ‘No, he cannot have.’

‘Why?’ Her mother became sharp.

‘Because I told him …’ Elizabeth’s voice trailed away, and she changed tact, ‘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 cleverer 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 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.’ And without another word she left the room, 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. Elizabeth 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 dare 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 so 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 supposed 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 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 shaking voice.

‘No, not at all.’ The Captain looked genuinely worried at her expression, ‘I meant to compliment you upon 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 upon 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 or 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, wether the door was locked or not, for she needed to know that he was most definitely not inside.

Closing time could not come quick enough for Elizabeth, and at the sound of the tower clock chiming six she ushered out the stragglers from the apothecary and locked the door behind her. Dusk was falling, and she walked at a quick pace to the Professor’s house, only a few streets away.

Reaching his doorstep, Elizabeth banged loudly upon the wooden door.

‘Professor!’ She called through the mail slot, ‘Professor de Bard! Are you in there?’

At that moment the Professor’s neighbour stepped out of their own door, and looked at Elizabeth curiously, ‘Wot chuu yellin’ for?’

‘Excuse me, Ma’am, have you seen Professor de Bard at all over the last few days?’

The woman frowned, ‘I ain’t seen ‘im all week long. Never seen ‘im much anyways. Quiet fing ‘ee is.’ She had a high, annoying voice, with an accent even more common than Elizabeth’s.

‘Have you not heard him through your shared wall?’ Elizabeth asked nervously.

‘Not a whisper.’ She replied, ‘Odd fellow, in’ee? Are you ‘is daughter? On’y I never seen him ‘ave family round before.’

‘No … No.’ Elizabeth cursed under her breath and banged upon the door again, ‘Professor … I am … I am coming in!’ She shouted. People’s heads were poking out of their kitchen windows here and there along the street, wondering what the commotion was.

Trying the doorknob again Elizabeth found, without surprise, that it was still locked. Taking a deep breath Elizabeth threw her shoulder against the door, only causing her immense pain. Wincing, she looked up and down the street before hitching her dress up to her knees, lifting a leg, and kicking the door as hard as she could. It did not budge. She tried again. Six kicks later and the door finally flew open with a loud bang, bouncing off the wall. Elizabeth caught the door before it rebounded shut again, and stepped over the threshold. The house was eerily silent, and immensely dark, as no lamps were lit. Allowing her eyes to adjust, Elizabeth stepped down the Professor’s narrow hall, the floorboards creaking ominously as she walked.

‘Professor?’ She called, ‘Are you home?’

As she had expected, only silence greeter her. Elizabeth checked the sitting room, kitchen, and the cupboard under the stairs before making her way upstairs and onto the landing. Once at the top there were two doors on either side of her. Turning to her left Elizabeth tried the first door. She opened it noiselessly to find herself inside the Professor’s washroom. It was small, and dark, with a basin in one corner, a rack of washcloths, and a small tub in the other corner. No one was inside this room, though a rather foul smelled had reached her nose. Sniffing, Elizabeth found that the smell was stronger upon the landing. She stepped out of the washroom, closing the door with a snap behind her. The smell was so putrid that she was avoiding breathing through her nose at all costs. There was only one place the smell could be coming from. Elizabeth made her way to the second door upon the landing, and reached out a hand to take the doorknob. Could the stench be some kind of new concoction the Professor had left brewing whilst taking a leave of absence? She turned the doorknob and cracked open the door by an inch. The first thing she noticed was a strange buzzing sound that seemed to be coming from inside the room. The atrocious smell hit her as though it were a tidal wave, causing her to gag and slap a hand to her mouth. Opening the door completely, a horrific sight met Elizabeth’s eyes. Professor de Bard was indeed in this room – and he was dead.

Elizabeth backed from the room and onto the landing, tripping upon the moth-eaten rug and falling backwards to the floor with a crash. A strangled cry left her mouth as she stared transfixed at the sight before her. The Professor lay on the floor, his blank eyes staring unseeingly at the ceiling. His skin was white, and he had begun to decompose in the days he had been left in his house. Flies buzzed around his body aggressively, and the smell of rotting flesh filled the room causing Elizabeth to retch upon the rug before her.

‘Help!’ Elizabeth cried at the top of her lungs, ‘Murder!’ She scrambled to her feet and sped down the flight of stairs, slipping at the bottom and crashing to the floor in a heap.

Elizabeth began crawling towards the open front door. Once on the lawn she propped herself over the flowerbed below the sitting room window and was violently ill into the dirt. The smell of death was upon her, and the image of the Professor was imprinted vividly in her memory. People were starting to come out of their houses now to find Elizabeth sobbing in Professor de Bard’s front garden. Two men asked her what the matter was, and when Elizabeth pointed inside the house they allowed themselves inside to investigate. The world seemed to speed up at that moment. Strangers were asking her questions, ushering her away from the house, and bringing her cups of tea. She was dizzy, and a Constable was questioning her. Some doctors came to examine the body, and took the Professor away in a big, black bag. All the while Elizabeth sat unmoving on the front lawn of her once dear friend and teacher, Bernard de Bard.