Well, this is my attempt at a "Pirates of the Caribbean" fan fiction story. To my readers that are taking the adventure with me, let me know what you think and to those that are just finding my stories I hope you enjoy my writing. I haven't given up on my LOTR stories (I've got a couple of stories I'm working through). When I finish this story, I think I'm going to post the Oliver WoodOC (Harry Potter) story just for a change before I start posting my LOTR stories again. Let me know if this is any good!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Priates of the Caribbean.

Chapter 1

"Miranda, try to understand my position," Esquire Raymond Knox told the woman that sat on the other side of his desk. He took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose as the proud brunette woman sat politely merely looking at him with cool green eyes. "Your father left a wealthy estate, and yes it is more than enough to keep you well established; however, the law clearly dictates that I must hold the estate until you are wed." The woman showed no emotion as she stared at the old man and made no movement save for her hands that tightly twisted the handkerchief she held onto.

"I understand your position, Mr. Knox, but is not a fair one," Miranda Andrews said after a moment. "With the loss of my father and without the benefit of having access to what is rightfully mine, how am I to live? How am I to ensure that my father's promises to our servants are met?"

"Perhaps you could find a gentleman of agreement that will take your hand," he said and Miranda bristled slightly.

She was not the fairest of the women in Port Royal that she knew, and since her coming out party when she was sixteen, she had few suitors. One had been ten years her father's senior and had wanted a young wife to enjoy in his latter years. Thankfully, her father had refused his offer. At nearly twenty-one, she stood to lose everything if she did not wed within two weeks time.

"It can be a marriage of convenience, Miranda. As your guardian, I could interview each prospective gentleman. Of course, know that I will allow no merchant or vagabonds, I swear to find a fine gentleman for you."

"Very well," she whispered as she stood. "All I ask is that you not broadcast my position."

"Never, Miranda," he said as he bowed his head. "Your father was my friend and I will ensure that his daughter is well matched." Miranda nodded and turned, her black skirts rustling as she did so. She walked from her father's attorney's office, her head held high despite her broken spirit.

"Good afternoon, Miss. Andrews," a voice said as she stepped from the building and she looked to her right to see James Norrington stopping to let her pass.

"Good afternoon, Commodore," she said forcing a smile.

"I am sorry to hear of your father's passing," he said honestly and Miranda nodded her head. "He was a good man."

"He was," she managed feeling her emotions of the last few days swirling. "If you'll excuse me, Commodore, I am afraid the heat is too much for me. Good day," she said as she walked towards her carriage.

"Good day, Miss. Andrews," he said with a frown as he watched her walk away. As her coachman helped her into her carriage and closed the door, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she willed her tears away.

"Home, Miss. Andrews?" the coachman, Gerald, asked and Miranda opened her eyes and forced a smile as she looked at the elder man.

"Yes, Gerald, please," she said and the man nodded before he took his station. Miranda sighed and looked out the window. "Oh, father, why did you have to leave me?" she asked in a whisper before she closed her eyes and allowed her tears to fall.

The evening of the third day since she left Raymond's office was fast approaching and Miranda sat in her study, reading one of the many books that had become her only friends in recent weeks when a soft knock sounded at the door. "Come," she called, marking her place and closing the book before setting in her lap. Her butler, Marcus, bowed his head to her.

"Miss. Andrews, Esquire Knox has requested to see you," Marcus said and Miranda frowned as she sat the book down upon the sateen she sat upon.

"Did he say the reason for his call?" she asked and Marcus shook his head.

"Nay, my lady," he said and Miranda stood.

"Very well, Marcus," she said quietly. "Please tell him I'll be but a moment." Marcus nodded before he left the room and Miranda sighed before she moved to the mirror near the window.

The setting sun shined in the room and she quickly made sure her face was presentable. Round green eyes stared back at her as she took in her faintly tanned complexion thanks to her mother's half Spaniard heritage. Her narrow nose and full lips made her appearance different then the regal brows of the fair English women of Port Royal. Her dark brown hair was piled on her head while several of her natural curls fell from the many pins that held up her handmaiden, Millie's, fine work. Most that met her called her look unique, but she knew it was their polite way of telling her that she lacked what many considered beautiful. However, she did not mind that she was not beautiful like the daughters of the aristocrats of Port Royal. She was happy with her mind, and the knowledge her father let her acquire.

Smoothing the tight corset bodice of her dark blue dress, she took a deep breath and walked from the room hoping whatever news he had was positive. Making her way down the stairs, she was surprised to find that Mr. Knox was not alone as he stood in the foyer, but another man dressed in naval officer garb stood with him. The second man's back was to her, so, she could not see his face.

"He has already found a suitable man already?" she thought as her heel clicked on the marble floor drawing the two men's attention to her. Miranda held her indifference expression when the face of Commodore James Norrington stared back at her. "Commodore," she said hoping her voice did not share her surprise. "Marcus did not tell me you were with Mr. Knox this evening," she said slightly calmer.

"I'm afraid the Commodore was slightly tardy in joining me, Miranda," Raymond said and Miranda Looked at him. "However, I have excellent news for you," he said and Miranda felt her heart race.

So, he had found a suitable man, but it could not have been the Commodore, the man was at least fifteen years her senior. The age difference did not bother her, but he was often very cold and distant; but she did know that he was a respectable gentleman on all accounts. She knew that if their marriage was one of convenience for both of them, that he would not expect nor would he take her against her will to bed.

"Really?" Miranda asked keeping her voice even and Raymond nodded. "Perhaps your news would be better shared in the sitting room?" she asked and Raymond and the Commodore nodded. However, before she could step away, the Commodore walked over to her and held out his arm. Blushing slightly, she took his offered arm and guided him to the sitting room with Raymond following. The Commodore did not leave her side until he had settled her into a chair. "Please, sit," she said kindly as she gestured to the sofa before her and the two men did as he requested. "What is your news Mr. Knox?" she dared to ask.

"After our discussion the other day, I immediately started the process for you as time is not on our side," he said and Miranda nodded. "I spoke with a few men, and many were willing to discuss the options with me, that is until I spoke the Commodore." Miranda looked to James to see him staring into the flames of the fire she assumed Marcus had started.

"What changed?" she asked as she looked to Raymond once more who smiled kindly at her.

"The Commodore has agreed, for a dowry of course, to take you as his wife," he said and Miranda flushed slightly. Of course he would take a dowry for her, why else would he wish to wed her? "Isn't that wonderful news?" Raymond asked and Miranda nodded as she once again looked to James, who, to her surprise, was looking at her. "I'll leave you two, but I will not stray far. May I trouble for a spot to eat? I'm afraid I haven't eaten since this morning."

"Certainly, Mr. Knox," Miranda said as she looked to him once more. "Grace should still be in the kitchen."

"Thank you, my dear," he said and he was gone. Miranda sighed and looked to James as he sighed and stood.

"I do not wish for you to think ill of me, Miss. Andrews," he said softly as he looked down at her.

"Nor do I wish for you to think ill of me, Commodore," she said as she looked away from him and down at her hands she held clasped in her lap. "It is not my desire to marry, but I have little choice in the matter." She heard him sigh heavily and she once again looked at him. "And I do not believe that it is your desire sir," she added. He gave her a small smile before he once again sat down.

"No, but I will not see George Andrews's daughter at the mercy of naval officers," he said and Miranda blushed slightly before she looked at her hands again and then she slowly settled her eyes on the Commodore.

"Are you not a naval officer?" she asked quietly earning herself another smile from the normally distant man.

"I am, but unlike many of my men, I am a gentleman," he said and Miranda shared her first true smile in many days remembering the parties her father had thrown and the propriety James had always held. "Miss. Andrews," he started and then paused as Miranda settled her eyes with his. "I want you to know, I did not ask for the dowry, but Mr. Knox insisted."

"I would not expect you to not ask for a dowry," she told him, the smile leaving her face. The good natured conversation that had started between them was gone and now her apprehension, sadness, and worry returned. "I have been out for five years with few proposals. I know your heart still lies with the governor's daughter, with Elizabeth, but her heart lies with the blacksmith." Miranda sighed quietly and looked away from him.

"That does not matter, they are set to be wed this Saturday," he said and Miranda nodded her head. "I hold no bitterness, and I wish them all the best."

"Commodore, you are giving up your life for a woman you know very little of," Miranda said slowly. "I would say you hold no bitterness, but you do hold a broken heart."

"I give up nothing that wasn't already mine to give, Miss. Andrews, and I know all that I need to know of you," he said and Miranda laughed quietly. "I do not mock your situation; I would expect the same courtesy from you."

"I am not mocking you, Commodore, far from it," she said as she stood making James stand as well.

"Then why do you laugh?" he asked her and she sighed and looked down at her skirts and then back at him.

"Because you know nothing of me, and yet you've agreed to marry me," she said before she fought back her tears and he regarded her with a slightly surprised face. "I would never mock you, not after what you are doing for me; but know that I have no choice in the matter." Miranda cleared her throat as Raymond came back into the room and she looked down. "Make the arrangements with Commodore Norrington, Mr. Knox," she said, her eyes focused on the rug at her feet. "Please show yourselves out when you wish." With that Miranda left the sitting room in a hurry and went upstairs as the tears once again fell from her eyes.

"Did I miss something?" Raymond asked as he looked to James who sighed and looked down.

"No, nothing," he said tightly. "Let's travel to my home and make the arrangements there, I do not think I am a welcome sight in the Andrews home at the moment." James walked towards the door with a very confused Raymond following. However, as he neared the door he looked up the stairs, where Miranda had rushed off to and frowned.

He understood how she felt, for he felt the same way. They were both marrying a person they did not love, but he was doing so out of respect for her father and she was doing so to live. Their plights were different but their paths were now intertwined.