Passing as Elias - By Kate Bloomfield Page 0,16

lawyer. Two weeks before Professor de Bard’s death he sought me out in order to make a few unusual changes to his will. Were you aware that Bernard de Bard had recently changed his will?’

‘Of course not. I do not think he would have shared such personal matters with me.’

‘Are you saying that you and Professor de Bard were not close then?’ Charles enquired.

‘We were close.’ Elizabeth frowned, ‘He was my employer, my teacher, and my friend.’

‘You were his assistant, were you not?’ Charles pulled out a folded sheet of parchment from a drawer in his desk.

Elizabeth cleared her throat nervously, ‘Apprentice.’ She corrected.

‘Professor de Bard has had many apprentices over the years.’ The lawyer noted, ‘Were you aware of that?’

‘Yes, Sir, of course.’

‘Forgive me for the questions, Miss Searson, but I am having some difficulty in understanding the changes Professor de Bard made to his will.’

Elizabeth did not speak, but waited for Charles Smith to continue.

‘Professor de Bard does not mention any former apprentices in his will. You are the only person he names specifically.’

‘He … he named me in his will?’ Elizabeth said, wide eyed.

‘You were unaware of this?’

‘Of course.’

Charles Smith cleared his throat and shook open the piece of parchment in his hand. He began to read aloud; ‘In the name of God, I Bernard Fredrik de Bard do acknowledge and establish that this is my Last Will and Testament.’ His eyes scanned down the page as he searched for Elizabeth’s name, ‘Aha, here we go. To my dearest friend, and brightest apprentice, Elizabeth Mary Searson I do bequeath my home in its entirety, including all possessions within, in addition to the apothecary located at 7 Eastmoreland place in the hope that she finds the independence she so desires.’

Elizabeth gaped at Charles Smith, ‘He … he left me everything?’ She gasped.

‘Almost.’ Charles held up a finger to silence her, ‘Professor de Bard owned a small plot of land to the north, which he has donated to the church. He has also donated his monetary savings in their entirety to medical research. However, Miss Searson, there is one small problem we face in regards to your inheritance.’

Elizabeth knew exactly what Charles Smith would say before the words had even left his mouth.

‘You are under the age of twenty-one, are you not?’

‘Yes, Sir, I am.’ Elizabeth clenched her teeth together.

‘You are not married, are you Miss Searson?’ Charles said.

‘No.’

‘Your father is deceased, am I correct?’

‘Yes.’

‘You do not have any brothers, do you Miss Searson?’

‘Well … a half brother from my father’s first marriage, but I have never met him, and we do not know where he is. I do not even know his name.’

‘Well then, this makes things quite simple.’ Charles said folding the parchment in his hands, and pocketing it, ‘as a woman you have no rights to land ownership. The two properties that Professor de Bard has mentioned in his will shall not become yours until you have married, and your husband can sign for them.’

Elizabeth stood quickly, the chair falling to the floor with a clatter, ‘That is … that is …’ She could not find the words to describe her outrage.

‘That is the law, Miss Searson. Your husband must be the one to sign the deeds.’

Elizabeth was breathing hard through her nostrils, anger coursing through her veins like fire.

‘Good day, Mister Smith.’ Elizabeth said in a shaking voice, before turning on her heel and sweeping from the room.

Elizabeth marched angrily through marble building. The people in the corridor stared at her as she passed. Her mind reeled with horrible thoughts as she stepped through the courthouse doors and into the sunlight. She did not even notice as she passed Captain Greenwood at the doors.

‘Miss Searson!’ He did a double take, ‘Elizabeth!’ He jogged up to her and caught her in only a few strides.

‘Leave me be, Captain.’ Elizabeth said through gritted teeth, ‘I am going home.’

She did not care that George Greenwood had followed her all the way into the middle of the town, or that he had waited for her to emerge from her meeting with Charles Smith. 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