Passing as Elias - By Kate Bloomfield Page 0,46

wore on, and Merrill was unusually silent. She was not her usual chatty self, and Elizabeth worried that she had hurt Merrill’s feelings permanently.

Elizabeth wanted, more than anything, to spend time alone with Merrill. Elizabeth had been so pleased to have a friend that she had not noticed the way Merrill behaved around Elias. However, now that Elizabeth was aware of her affections for Elias, she wondered how she could ever have missed it.

Strangely, Elizabeth was jealous of her alternate identity. Why did he get to gain the affections of Merrill? Why could Elizabeth not? She thought about revealing herself, but knew that it would only cause more problems. Perhaps Elizabeth could spend time with Merrill as herself. Would Merrill fall for Elizabeth the same way she had fallen for Elias? Ultimately, they had the same personality. Elizabeth did not act too different when she posed as a man. Perhaps Merrill would like Elizabeth more if she were female.

Who was she kidding? Merrill would be disgusted at the thought of kissing another woman. No, this way is better. Unconsciously, Elizabeth had decided to pursue Merrill’s affections. She did not have a plan, nor did she have a goal. She knew that when her husband returned from sea, she would be forced to abandon her double life. Elias would vanish off the face of the earth.

~

Elizabeth waited patiently for Merrill to become comfortable in her company once again. Within two weeks she was perfectly happy, and her usual talkative self. Elizabeth did not want to rush and scare Merrill away. This was the first time Elizabeth had ever been romantically interested in another human being. It was funny how it had all happened. One kiss from Merrill and she had been hooked.

Elizabeth thought about Merrill every night. In some of her fantasies she was Elias – a proper man. In others, she was her regular self. Elizabeth enjoyed these fantasies much more. In the two weeks since that kiss, as Elizabeth thought of it now, she had come to terms with her attraction to someone of the same gender. It felt natural, and was on her mind most of the day. Elizabeth did not see the point in pretending any more. She wanted to kiss Merrill again, and she would make sure that happened.

It was a Saturday afternoon at the apothecary when Elizabeth put her plan into action.

Merrill was closing the shop, and Elizabeth had been working in the laboratory for the past several hours on a new concoction that would cure boils.

‘I think you need a break, Sir.’ Merrill called to Elizabeth as she bustled about, putting various jars away onto the appropriate shelves. She had become much more efficient within the last week.

‘Mmmh.’ Elizabeth agreed noncommittally, ‘In a moment.’ She did not look up from her work.

‘Really, Mister Searson.’ Merrill said walking over to Elizabeth’s desk and putting her hands on her hips, ‘You have dark circles under your eyes.’

‘Perhaps I am a little tired.’ Elizabeth agreed, stretching and yawning, ‘Mayhap I shall continue the work at home on Sunday.’

Merrill bit her lip, but did not scold Elizabeth for overworking. Adorable, Elizabeth found herself thinking fondly.

‘Sunday? Do you not plan to rest at all?’ She asked timidly.

‘Of course.’ Elizabeth said standing, and reaching for her coat, ‘When I find the time.’

‘Do you need help on Sunday, Sir?’ She enquired.

‘Oh.’ Elizabeth said with raised eyebrows, ‘I suppose the work would go faster with assistance, but I would not ask you to give up your only day off.’

‘I do not mind.’ Merrill said quickly, ‘Honest.’

Elizabeth frowned, ‘You can come by the house if you like.’ She shrugged, ‘But I shall not expect you to. Of course, I cannot stop you.’

Merrill nodded frantically, ‘Yes, Sir.’

It had gone better than planned. Elizabeth had thought she would have to ask Merrill to help on Sunday, but she had offered immediately. Elizabeth did not plan to do any work on Sunday at all, but Merrill did not need to know that.

~

When Elizabeth heard the knock upon her front door, her heart leapt and she had to stop herself from running down the stairs. She adjusted her wig before opening the door. Merrill stood on the threshold, looking very pretty indeed in a dress of periwinkle blue.

Elizabeth showed her inside and sat her down in the sitting room.

‘Have you been working long today?’ Merrill asked.

‘I was up all night working.’ Elizabeth lied, ‘you are out of luck. I have completed the cure.’

‘Oh, good.’ Merrill said with