Eliza Doolittle: The Life and Times of a Good Girl
Chapter Twenty: Pickering Worries
Hugh Pickering found himself grasping Eliza's hand in the taxi. Something about the defeated way she held herself made him want to give her every bit of strength he possessed. Eliza's gaze was fixed on the goings on outside the taxi, her lips pressed into a thin, pale line, unspeaking. She did not move her hand away from Pickering's grasp, but her eyes did close momentarily and she gave a pained sigh. The spasm of anguish that skipped across her features was enough to make Pickering want to cross the divide and call Higgins out, friends or not. He would thrash the blackguard the moment he had a chance. Abandoning Eliza and leaving her to travel by herself; of all the stupid, insensitive things!
Eliza's announcement that she was expecting frightened Pickering more than he ever thought possible. It had never occurred to him that Henry and Eliza might produce children! Pregnancy was a dangerous, bloody business, and women died in childbirth every single day. He gave Eliza's figure an uneasy once-over. She was so thin, so delicate, surely the pregnancy would not be an easy one. Her present spirits made it all the more likely. Pickering could not recall seeing her do more than pick at her dinner, and it was clear, due to her hollow cheeks and pinched face, that she had not been eating regularly for some time. Amita had such a hearty appetite throughout her pregnancy… No! he could not let his mind wander to such thoughts.
"I am so frightened, Colonel Pickering." Eliza's voice startled Pickering. She had not spoken since dinner.
"Don't be, my dear Mrs. Higgins, it will all work itself out in the end."
"I think I shall die, in the end." Pickering tightened his grip on her hand, heedless of the fine bones straining against tight skin. He released his hold when she winced in pain.
"Why would you say such a thing?" He inquired, ignoring the fact that it was a very real concern in his mind as well.
Eliza chewed nervously on her bottom lip, her eyes glistening. "I think it is what killed my mother. I remember her expecting my baby brother, and one day me being sent away to a neighbor's house. When I got back, there was a lot of blood-" Eliza paused, and blushed. "This isn't appropriate conversation, Colonel, forgive me."
Pickering shook his head. "I am your friend, Mrs. Higgins. You should not be afraid to confide in me."
"Please don't call me Mrs. Higgins!" Eliza cried, vehemently. She looked down at her gloved hands. "I am sorry… please call me, Eliza. We are friends, after all." Eliza paused with a sigh. "When I thought about my future with Henry, children never entered into the equation. Is that wicked?"
Pickering shook his head. "Nor is it surprising. I doubt Higgins would have encouraged talk of children had the thought ever entered your mind. It was hard enough for him to give up the bachelorhood, I think."
Eliza laughed bitterly. "Indeed. So hard that he married me and took it back up, it seems." She smirked. "At least for another year. Won't he be shocked to come home and find a baby in the house!"
Pickering blinked in astonishment. "Surely we will find Higgins before the baby is born and bring him home, Eliza."
Eliza shook her head. "Don't bother; Give him his precious work, his beloved solitude. He will need to get it while he can, won't he?" Her eyes narrowed. "Perhaps even a last hurrah with Jillian Webster," she added under her breath.
Pickering did not like this jaded, bitter creature before him. A life in poverty and six months of relentless bullying hadn't had quite this effect on her. He had rather thought she was made of stronger stuff. Perhaps Higgins' apparent abandonment had been the straw that broke the camel's back.
"Eliza, if you will permit me to prolong my stay at 27A, I should very much like to make sure you are under the utmost care." What Pickering wanted was to make sure she did not harm herself, or the child. He was bound and determined to ensure that another woman in his life would not die. Surely his affairs in India could wait.
"I do not need coddling, Colonel, but I will not throw you out of my home." Eliza smiled weakly. "I owe so much to you, that I could never deny you such a request."
Pickering sighed inwardly. He did not doubt that Mrs. Pearce would monitor Eliza like a hawk, but it reassured him that he would be given leave to ensure the woman did just that.
"Thank you, Mrs.- Thank you, Eliza."
Eliza went straight to her room when they arrived, undoubtedly fatigued. Pickering pulled Mrs. Pearce aside and informed her of the situation at hand, much to the old woman's shock and horror. Pickering blushed at the language Mrs. Pearce used in regards to Higgins, her Irish brogue coming out full force, now that the master of the house was not around to tease her about it.
"And what do you mean 'she doesn't want us to contact him'?" Mrs. Pearce inquired testily.
"Just that, Mrs. Pearce. I believe Eliza's pride and stubbornness won't allow for Higgins to come running back to her on the news that she is expecting."
Mrs. Pearce huffed. "I don't like it, Colonel, not one bit." She cast a glance up the stairs. "But Mrs. Higgins can be such a virago when crossed. I believe I will respect her wishes in this matter." Mrs. Pearce shuddered. "Especially if she's in a delicate state. You wouldn't know it, but women tend to be a bit on edge when there is a baby on the way."
Pickering smiled sadly. " Thank you for the warning, Mrs. Pearce, I shall be very delicate with Eliza."
Mrs. Pearce laughed. "I am not worried about you, Colonel, I know you are a mild sort of man." She huffed. "I suppose we can be grateful for Mr. Higgins' absence in that respect, can't we?"
Author's Note: So endeth mega update 2010.