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 I have become quite withdrawn.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