Passing as Elias by Kate Bloomfield

She was filled with a rage that she had never known before. The Captain followed Elizabeth as she marched up the street, cursing at anyone who got in her way.
    “Please, Miss Searson. Let me help. What happened?”
    “What happened, Captain Greenwood, is injustice to women.”
    “What did he say?” he said sharply.
    Elizabeth thrust Charles Smith’s card into Captain Greenwood’s hand. He read it and frowned, “Is it about Bernard de Bards will?”
    “Apparently they want to spit on the memory of Professor de Bard by refusing to comply with the wishes stated in his will,”  Elizabeth said.
    Captain Greenwood seemed thoroughly confused, “What conditions?”
    Elizabeth slowed down and eventually stopped walking. Panting, she turned to Captain Greenwood, anger blazing in her green eyes. He looked positively frightened at the expression on her face.
    “Professor de Bard left me his house, and the apothecary,” Elizabeth breathed, “however, according to law I can not possibly take ownership of his properties, as he so wished. …”
    “Until you are married,” Captain Greenwood finished for her.
    Elizabeth closed her eyes and breathed heavily through flared nostrils, “So you understand.”
    “More than you can imagine.” The Captain took her gloved hand and squeezed gently.
    Captain Greenwood took Elizabeth home in his carriage, looking furtively at her out of the corner of his eye every few minutes, to ensure that she would not have another fit of rage. She did not speak at all during the ride , though she thanked the Captain for his generosity in seeing her home. As she stepped from the carriage, he looked as though he wanted to say something to her, but had decided against it.
    Once on her doorstep, he took her hand once again and looked deeply into her face, “Miss Searson,” he said, screwing up his eyes in what appeared to be painful concentration, “I realise that my advances have been quite clumsy. Things always tend to go wrong when we try to spend time together, mostly because I have a habit of saying the wrong things, but I do want you to understand how deeply I care for you. I have thought of no one else since the time I met you over one year ago.”
    Elizabeth did not care to respond. She was still upset and angry about her encounter with Charles Smith.
    Captain Greenwood continued, “I was away at sea for months at a time, and not prepared to put my career on hold for a woman,” he admitted, “but I feel differently now.”
    Elizabeth avoided his gaze. A sudden thought occurred to her. If Captain Greenwood wished to become her husband, then she would be able to fulfil Professor de Bard’s last wishes, and continue running the apothecary on his behalf. However, since Elizabeth had already confessed her dilemma to him, he was sure to be suspicious if her attitude towards marriage suddenly changed. Never mind the fact that she would not be very comfortable with deceiving Captain Greenwood, for he was a good and honest man. Though, might she allow herself to fall for him? Could affection be forced in desperate situations? Elizabeth was not sure, but all of a sudden she found herself desperately wishing for Captain Greenwood’s courtship to be successful. She did not know if it was the right thing to do, but she would do whatever it took to take possession of the Professor’s properties, for it was what he had wished.
    “Would you like to come inside for a cup of tea?” Elizabeth said suddenly, hardly believing her own ears.
    Captain Greenwood looked as though he would like nothing more than to spend more time alone together, however, “Would you not find it inappropriate to be together within your dwellings without a parent?” 
    Elizabeth considered this for a moment, frowning, “Captain … you are a gentleman. I am just a common girl. You may find my ways and habits different to yours. I see no problem with you entering my home.”
    “Do you not worry what the neighbours might