Passing as Elias - By Kate Bloomfield Page 0,19

imagined it before now?’ Elizabeth wondered aloud.

‘Many times.’ He smiled slyly.

‘Tell me.’

‘Oh, I do not think that is such a good idea.’

‘Why not?’

‘It … it is not something you tell a lady.’ His brow furrowed.

‘Are you embarrassed?’

‘You ask extremely awkward questions, Miss Searson.’ They looked at each other for a long while.

‘Will you kiss me, Captain?’ Elizabeth asked.

George Greenwood’s eyes blazed with determination and concentration. It was extremely clear to Elizabeth that he did not want to make a single mistake in this most important of situations. As the Captain put one hand in her hair, and the other to her waist, Elizabeth wondered vaguely if she was thinking too logically about the process of courting. As if it were an automatic reaction, her eyes closed as Captain Greenwood leaned towards her, his lips slightly parted as he pressed them to hers. He was warm, and moist. His breath washed over her as he pulled away by a fraction, only to bring his mouth crashing down upon hers once again. Elizabeth put her fingertips to his cheek, and allowed him to kiss her fully and unashamedly. His tongue swirled through her mouth, hot and wet. As quickly as it had begun, it was over.

Captain Greenwood seemed to be having some kind of internal struggle. His hands were shaking with what appeared to be immense effort and self-restraint. He was breathing very heavily, and when he spoke, his voice was ragged and husky.

‘Please tell me you felt something.’ He breathed.

Elizabeth straightened herself and considered this for a moment. She was not repulsed, nor was she aroused. However, she had found it quite nice.

‘It was … pleasant.’ She smiled, straightening her dress.

‘I should not have done it.’

‘Did you not enjoy it?’ She asked, feigning an expression on deepest hurt.

Captain Greenwood stared at her, flabbergasted, ‘Of course I enjoyed it! You do not know how long I have waited to do that.’

‘So what is the problem, Captain?’ Elizabeth stood and attempted to flatten her hair.

‘I had hoped to be a gentleman, and show restraint to some extent.’

‘You stopped, did you not?’ She asked with raised eyebrows.

Elizabeth was not sure if she was ashamed of herself for wanting Captain Greenwood to propose so he could sign the deed to Professor de Bard’s properties. She did like him, of course, though when he had kissed her she had not felt anything remotely like the feelings often described in books. There was no arousing passion, no butterflies in her stomach, and no pounding of her heart. She had not lied when she had said that it was pleasant though. She found it very enjoyable and wondered if the literature she had read about love had simply exaggerated the sensations felt during kissing. However, Elizabeth was not opposed to trying it again some time. Marriage might have little to do with the emotional entanglement of two young people, for emotions were fickle and not to be trusted. Romantic love was not necessary in most people’s eyes. After their brief intimacy Captain Greenwood bade Elizabeth farewell and she watched him walk down the street, a slight spring in his step.

~

As Elizabeth had no job to go to she made herself useful around the house, and helped her mother by running errands. The work of a homemaker did not thrill Elizabeth, but she was a hard worker and was always seeking things to do.

Elizabeth’s mother was absolutely delighted that she had taken to Captain Greenwood’s courtship. Mary Searson would tell anyone who would listen that George Greenwood of the Royal Navy was courting her daughter, and so it seemed, was Captain Greenwood. One evening whilst visiting Elizabeth in her home, he told her how he could not help but boast about their courtship to his colleagues.

Two weeks after Professor de Bard’s funeral, Elizabeth’s mother suggested something that took her by surprise.

‘I was thinking about asking Captain Greenwood his opinion on bundling.’

‘I beg your pardon, Mother?’ Elizabeth had said thunderstruck.

Bundling was a term used to describe the act of bed courting, something that took place more commonly among the middle-class, and poorer families. Bundling couples were expected to talk to one another through the night with a plank of foot-high wood placed between them, to ensure that no sexual conduct would take place. The couple would remain mostly clothed, though Elizabeth was not sure suggesting bundling to Captain Greenwood was a very wise idea for Elizabeth knew that he was no stranger to the company of a woman.

‘Your father and