Only the Thunder Knows_East End Girls (18 page)

Chapter

3

At breakfast, Lady Covington
was alone when Eliza came into the room. “Where’s Father?” she said.

“He told me he
had to leave early and speak to Professor Huxley this morning.”

“Oh.” Eliza
sat down. Mrs. Sutton appeared with a plate of toast with jam, and a cup of tea
with a bit of milk. “Thank you,” Eliza said.

“You’re
welcome, Miss Eliza. Did you sleep well? You look a bit pale this morning.”

“I slept
fine.”

“She’s right,”
Lady Covington said. “You don’t look so well. Maybe you should stay home
today.”

“I could have
Mr. Sutton send a note to Professor Huxley,” Mrs. Sutton said.

“You can rest
and I’ll show you what I’ve chosen for the silks, the flowers, and the—”

“I’ll be
leaving as soon as I finish my tea, Mother. I assure you, I am quite well.”

“You speak to
me the way your father does.”

Mrs. Sutton
quickly exited the room.

“Well, I am
his daughter.”

“I won’t have
it, Eliza. I’ve been burdened with the details of your wedding these past few
months and a bit of help now and then would go a long way. A young girl your
age should be happy to be marrying a man from a good family and with future prospects.”

“Yes, but—”

“Not running
around all over London attending university, laboring as if you were a man, and
God only knows what else. It’s not proper, don’t you understand? You’re
fortunate Henry tolerates it and loves you enough to allow you this whim, but
be sure that when the wedding is over you will be doing your duty as his wife,
not doctoring anyone but him.”

Eliza clenched
her fist and slammed the butter knife onto the table.

“It’s all such
a waste of time,” her mother continued. “Why can’t you see it? You are so much
like your father it’s hardly tolerable.”

“Well Mother,
you won’t have to take too much more. I’ll soon be married, away, and out of
your hair for good.”

“Don’t be that
way Eliza.”

Eliza knew
there was no point in arguing with her mother. After years of watching her
father lose battles it was obvious neither of them would ever win one. “I’m
sorry Mother, it’s just that exams are coming up and there’s so much to study
for. Regardless of whether or not Henry lets me practice doctoring, I’m
determined to finish my studies.”

“Yes dear. I
understand. It’s just that…”

“What is it
Mother?”

“It’s Ann
Williams, dear. She’s been out of sorts lately and I really wish you would see
her more often. You two used to get along so well. I worry for her health.”

“I’ve been a
little busy, and I’m sure she understands.”

“Please,
promise me you’ll call on her soon. The last time I saw her out, she seemed
dire.”

“I’ll visit
her in the next few days, I promise.” Eliza swallowed the last bit of her tea
and placed the delicate china cup on the table.

Mrs. Sutton
came back into the room. “Shall I have Mr. Sutton ready the carriage?”

“I’d much
rather take a hansom.”

“Now you’re
being ridiculous,” said Lady Covington. “These new ideas of yours are
preposterous. You can’t tell me every girl there doesn’t already know who you
are.”

“It makes no
difference. I’d still prefer a cab.”

“Be home early
today. Henry’s joining us for dinner. It’ll do you good to see him and maybe he
can talk some sense into you.”

Lady Covington
was ringing the bell for Mrs. Sutton again when Eliza rose from the table and
left the room. She put on a hat before stepping out of the house, and made sure
everything she needed was in her medical bag. Outside, Eliza looked up the
street and saw the Williams’s home at the crest of the hill. It had been a
while since she’d spoken to Ann. Eliza truly hoped she was all right, but it
would have to wait. The most important days of her life were coming, and
nothing would distract her from her studies. Too much depended on it.

*   *   *

“Miss
Covington, would you please point out the deceased’s fallopian tubes,”
Professor Huxley said with a sharp tone. His voice echoed and bounced off the
cold, stone walls until the words seemed to come from the cadaver itself. She
could feel his dark, beady eyes glaring at her through his wire-rimmed
spectacles. He was awkwardly tall and thin with a tendency to lean over and
watch her work, intimidating her whenever the opportunity arose, as now.

Eliza looked
down and saw a swirling puzzle of bluish-purple innards. “Here, sir.” Thinking
herself clever knowing there are two ovaries, she pointed to one thing and then
to another on the opposite side which looked similar.

“If we were to
have it your way Miss Covington, women would not be able to reproduce. Those
are arteries of the kidneys. Your knowledge, or rather, lack thereof, astounds
me. I suggest you study up on the subject,” he whispered over her.

“Yes,
Professor Huxley,” she said. The heat of embarrassment flushed her face. Before
she could retort, he’d moved on to the next student, taking away her
opportunity. Eliza hated her lack of a quick wit.

The classmate,
Jessica Blake, was always ready with her correct answers. They were all just
jealous, but being made a fool of wasn’t something she was familiar with or
would ever get used to. Between her parents, Professor Huxley, and even Henry,
it would be a feat if she ever accomplished anything other than marrying a good
man. But, like she’d told herself so many times before—one had to stay
determined in order to succeed.

After class,
she approached the professor when all the other girls had left. “Professor
Huxley, may I have a moment?”

“Yes. What is
it Miss Covington?”

“My father,
did he—”

“Yes, Lord
Covington paid me a visit this morning.”

“And you told
him…”

“I told him
you were excelling in all the facets of doctoring Miss Covington. I may be a
simple professor of medicine at a university for
females
, but I am no
ignoramus as to my position and rank in society.”

“Did he
mention London Hospital?”

“Yes, it seems
you are no longer permitted to go there in the evenings. I didn’t have the
courage to tell him that you were never assigned to volunteer there at those
hours. I do admire your determination Miss Covington, but you should take care
in your extracurricular means of study. I can promise you that you will
graduate from this university and then be married to Henry Osborne, after which
you can finally give up the notion of being a medical doctor. It will give me
great peace, and I will be able to sleep at night knowing you are not out there
practicing any kind of medicine, on any living person. Good day, Miss
Covington.” Professor Huxley turned around and walked away from Eliza.

She stood in
the center of the room unable to move for some time after hearing Huxley’s
harsh words. Eliza leaned against the wooden table where the cadaver was
earlier. It was the only thing keeping her upright for the moment. The sun
crossed a high window, moving a slow shadow across her face, and she finally
snapped out of the trance. It was time to get home and dress for dinner. Henry
would be there and if nothing else, perhaps he could cheer her up. Give her a
bit of good news after Professor Huxley’s extreme display of discontent. Eliza
knew she wasn’t the smartest girl at the school, but she didn’t think she was
the most ignorant either. It was imperative she get more practice in at the
East End. She would have to be very clever to keep it from her parents and
extremely sharp to stay away from a possible madman on the loose. It was a
challenge she felt up for.

Chapter

4

Eliza couldn’t sit still and
kept rearranging the silverware around her plate. During the meal, she
continuously sneaked glances at Henry, who looked dashing in a fashionable new
navy pinstripe jacket. She’d already told him several times since he’d arrived
how handsome he was, and her mother couldn’t have agreed more. Her father,
however, told him he looked quite ridiculous—but he’d always been more on the
conservative side of fashion.

The jacket
wasn’t the reason she was so excited. It was Henry announcing why he’d worn the
jacket. Right before dinner, he said he wore it to tell them about some
especially good news after the meal. Henry was a handsome young man with brown
hair he kept neatly slicked back and a thin moustache. Eliza didn’t like his
eyes, though. They were brown and narrow, making him look as though he were
always keeping something secret. Regardless, she could hardly wait to hear what
he had to say.

“Please Henry,
what news?” she whispered into his ear. Before moving away, she gently breathed
down his neck.

His smile grew
wicked. “Clever girl, are you trying to seduce me?”

“Is it
working?”

“Father’s
always told me I’m good at keeping secrets, and I’m not about to give this one
up.”

“Not even for
me?”

“You’ll be my
wife soon, and then there will be nothing kept hidden between us.” He raised
his glass and took a sip of wine while staring into her eyes.

Eliza knew
that what he’d said wasn’t true. Henry was a man’s man, all about business. His
father, Sir Osborne, was a banking magnate in London. It was well-known that
the patriarch of the Osborne fortune had numerous affairs with other women all
throughout England and even Paris. Henry was every bit like his father, and he’d
most likely behave in the same manner. A husband’s infidelity was almost
expected. But why, she’d never understand.

The world was
changing. Women wanted rights and were getting them. The poor wanted rights
now, too. Parliament was in an upheaval over it. The conditions at East End
were inhumane, and in these times of rapid modifications, it shouldn’t be fair
that men could still cheat. But some things Eliza knew would never change and
this made her angry.

She thought of
her good friend in the house on the hill, Ann Williams. The last time Eliza
spoke with her, Ann was still upset over her inability to have children. She
had also hinted that she thought her husband might be having an affair. Maybe
this was why Lady Covington wanted Eliza to visit with her so badly. Although
she seemed quiet and demure, and in her own way really did care, her mother had
an insatiable penchant for gossip.

Finally,
dinner had ended and everyone gathered in the parlor afterwards to hear Henry’s
announcement. Even Mr. and Mrs. Sutton found an excuse to come in and stay
longer, rearranging dessert plates around on the sideboard table. Henry sat
next to Eliza and then stood when Lord Covington entered the room. Beads of
sweat formed on Henry’s upper lip and he couldn’t stop rubbing his hands
together. Eliza couldn’t remember if she’d ever seen him like that before, not
even when he asked her father for her hand in marriage. The suspense was
astounding—and giving her a headache. She hoped he would say whatever it was
soon so that she could excuse herself and get some rest.

“Please,
Henry, sit,” Lord Covington said.

“I’d rather
stand if you don’t mind, sir. This is big news.”

“Well, get on
with it then lad, before you explode. Eliza looks as if she might faint.”

Eliza looked
up at Henry and rolled her eyes then smiled to give him some encouragement.

“As you all
know I’ll be taking over the business when my father retires, but…”

Eliza took
hold of his hand. He squeezed her fingers and continued. “He is sending me to
New York City, in America, to establish one of our banks—and there it is.”

The room went
quiet. Eliza pulled her hand from his grip and let it drop onto the chaise. Her
father was right; she might faint after all. Lady Covington let out a
high-pitched whimpering sound like a wounded cat. Mrs. Sutton gasped and
knocked over a crystal goblet of water. Mr. Sutton hurried over to help her
clean up the mess.

“Well,” Lord
Covington broke the silence, walked over to Henry and shook his hand.
“Congratulations, son. No doubt you’ll be off right after the wedding.”

Lady Covington
mewled again.

Eliza stared
straight ahead, and Henry, trying to catch her eye responded, “Yes, of course.
I wouldn’t think of leaving London without my wife, Eliza. I’ve waited long
enough to have her hand in marriage. Our engagement has been extended more than
most.”

The word
wife
suddenly triggered hatred within her. She wouldn’t be a good one. He deserved
someone better. She had to speak up. “But my education, Henry, it would all
have been for nothing there.”

Lady Covington
stopped squealing and glared across the room at Eliza. It was as if little pins
shot out of her eyes and pricked Eliza all over.

Henry sat down
and took Eliza’s hands into his. “Oh my dear, there will be so much for you to
see and experience in America, you may forget about wanting to be a doctor.”
She tried to pull her hands from his, but he held tight. This was an aggressive
side of Henry she hadn’t noticed before. “But there are universities there for
women, as well. If you really have your heart set, I’m sure there are places
where you can practice medicine.”

Eliza knew he
was lying, but there was nothing she could say. It was what her mother wanted
to hear, and Henry knew it.

“See Eliza,
there’s still hope after all,” her father said. There was a deceitful tone in
his voice, and for the first time in her 21 years, she saw the
man’s man
side of her father.  Eliza couldn’t believe what she was hearing and wanted to
run out of the room screaming.

“Yes,” she
said, her lie coming as quickly as his. “That would be wonderful Henry.” Then
she leaned up and gave him a peck on the cheek.

Mr. and Mrs.
Sutton left the room with the wet linens. Her father stood.

“Come on now,
Henry, let’s leave these women to their chatter.” The men left for Lord
Covington’s study to drink brandy and smoke cigars. Despite how angry she was
at the both of them, Eliza wished she were there—anywhere but alone in a room
with her mother.

“You truly
will be leaving me soon.” Lady Covington began to whimper. “What am I to do
with my only child gone? And so far away.”

“If you don’t
mind, Mother, I have a bit of a headache. I think I’ll go upstairs and retire
early this evening.”

“You do look
pale, dear. I don’t blame you for feeling ill with such news. I think I should
be happy, but I’m feeling quite sad. Will you let Mrs. Sutton know I’ll be
retiring early as well?”

Eliza rose
from the chaise, walked over and kissed her mother on the forehead. Lady
Covington grabbed Eliza’s hand and kissed it. “Oh, my little girl,” she cried.

For the third
time this evening, Eliza pulled her hand away from someone and walked out of
the room. A part of her was numb—another felt dark and enraged.