Passing as Elias - By Kate Bloomfield Page 0,22

stop?’ He whispered. Elizabeth could feel his swollen crotch throbbing against her inner thigh.

‘I … I do not know.’ Elizabeth did not feel in the right state of mind to be making important decisions right now, ‘May-Mayhap we should … slow things down.’

Captain Greenwood rolled off of her, and embraced her once again. Her mind was racing and she wondered how ashamed she would be of herself if she tricked the Captain into signing the deeds.

They lay in each other’s arms for an hour without talking, slowly drifting to sleep. Elizabeth was on the brink of slumber when Captain Greenwood whispered into the silence.

‘Elizabeth?’

‘Mmmh?’ she responded.

‘I have been meaning to tell you something.’ He said awkwardly.

Elizabeth’s heart dropped. No, she thought, do not say it. It is too soon.

‘What is it, Captain?’ She said hesitantly. She did not think she could handle it if he confessed his love for her.

‘I fear I may have chosen an inappropriate time to fall for you.’

‘What do you mean?’ She said slowly.

‘I have avoided telling you.’ He breathed deeply, ‘But I shall be leaving in a weeks time.’

Elizabeth raised her head from his chest and stared at him, ‘Leaving?’

‘Duty calls, my love. We are forming an alliance with the Dutch against the navies of France and Spain. Of course, I am not meant to tell you that, but I do trust you thoroughly.’

‘The aspects of war do not thrill me, Captain.’ Elizabeth said, sitting up. Captain Greenwood seldom spoke of his duties as a Royal Navy officer for which Elizabeth was glad for she was greatly opposed to violence.

‘The Spanish Navy is attempting to regain Sicily from Austria. We must meet their fleet before it reaches Cape Passaro. I hope you understand that I must go.’

Elizabeth looked away, ‘How long will you be gone?’ she asked, dreading the response.

‘I cannot be sure.’ He said quietly, ‘Five … six months.’

Elizabeth snapped her attention back to Captain Greenwood, ‘Six months?’ She said exasperatedly.

‘I have been meaning to tell you.’ He sat up too, and looked imploringly at her, ‘I just could not find the right moment.’

‘I am a fool.’ Elizabeth avoided his eyes, ‘I allow you … here … into my very bed, yet this whole time you have planned to abandon me. I thought you wished to make me yours, Captain.’

‘I do.’ He said hurriedly, ‘Please do not think that I have used you for your company whilst on land. You could not be more wrong.’

‘What shall happen when you return in six months time, Captain? Must I be forced to wait for your return without a hint of commitment?’

Captain Greenwood closed his eyes for a moment. He seemed to be praying for patience, ‘I would commit to you, Elizabeth.’ He said through clenched teeth, ‘If I did not fear your response.’

Elizabeth cursed at her self internally. He was remembering what she had said regarding her position on marriage. I do not plan to wed at all had been her words to him only a fortnight ago.

‘I could not bare it if you were to decline.’ He continued.

Would he be suspicious if her attitude towards wedlock had changed within the last two weeks? Mayhap he might believe himself successful in courtship, and not think twice as to why she might marry him.

Elizabeth licked her lips, ‘I might not decline.’ She fixed him with a hard look.

The Captain raised his eyebrows, but he did not interrogate her regarding her change of views, ‘I might die if you were to refuse me.’

‘Do not be so dramatic.’ Elizabeth scolded.

He smiled at her remark, ‘you might marry me before the week is out, Elizabeth. We could be husband and wife by the time I leave for sea.’

Elizabeth’s heart leapt. Married within a week. She could be opening up the apothecary in a few days time.

‘We might.’ She nodded, ‘Though would your parents approve?’

‘We could be wed at night. No one would need to know. We can pay someone to witness our union.’

A secret wedding? So, it seemed that Captain Greenwood did not think his parents would approve of him marrying a common girl such as Elizabeth. To their knowledge there was nothing to be gained from marrying someone of her station. Little did they know, however, that Elizabeth would inherit two properties upon marriage. No one was to know this, for people would talk and assume that Elizabeth was using Captain Greenwood for personal gain, which she was indeed doing, though no one needed to know that.

Elizabeth nodded vigorously,