Passing as Elias Read Online Free PDF Page B

are consumed with thoughts of themselves. They are unguarded, lack creativity, and crave nothing more than money, status, and social hierarchy. You, however, do not care for social status; in fact, you would have the status quo completely abolished if it were your way. I can see it in your eyes too, creativity, and a thirst to prove yourself. However, lastly, you are ever so guarded. It is as though you have built a giant wall around yourself and dare not let another soul inside.”
    Elizabeth had stopped walking, and was looking up at Captain Greenwood, anger flaring in her eyes.
    “Do you mean to insult me in every possible way?” she said in a shaky voice.
    “No, not at all.” The Captain looked genuinely worried at her expression, “I meant to compliment you on your uniqueness.”
    “Well, you got one thing wrong, Captain,” Elizabeth said, her heart thumping hard, “I am like everyone else in the respect that I think of no one but myself. I do not care for anyone, Captain, except myself. I am, as you put it, shallow.”
    “I do not think so,” he said with raised eyebrows.
    Elizabeth had had enough, “Why did you ask for me?” she demanded.
    “I – what?” He looked quite alarmed at the direction the conversation seemed to be taking.
    “Why did you ask for me?” Elizabeth repeated slowly and clearly.
    “I – well – I thought 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