The Revolution, Part II
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"Sometimes I think that the surest sign that intelligent life exists somewhere is the fact that none of it had tried to contact us." - Calvin & Hobbes
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Philadelphia, PA
Sept. 6, 1774
When dawn struck it was very plain to see that the Inn had in fact been burnt to the ground. It also was quite clear that Evelyn thought it was Rick's fault and he thought it was hers. Whose fault it was made no difference to the owner, JT Helmuth. "What on earth happened here?" he demanded. Rick looked to Evie to explain, but she was giving him the same look. JT looked at both of them wondering what on earth he had done to make God punish him so.
"Well, I'm not really sure what happened sir. I was in my room getting ready for bed when someone burst through my room. I guess Mr. O'Connell heard that and came rushing to my rescue." she explained. "Hey wasn't she at the meeting today?" someone called out. Evie looked to Rick for help. "How do you know this woman?" JT asked. "Well, we met in Boston and I didn't even know she was here until this evening." he answered truthfully. "So how did you know where she was staying?" he asked. "Well she told me." Rick answered. JT turned to Evelyn, "Do you always tell men where you are staying?" he asked.
Evie's eyes got huge. "Just what are you implying?" she asked. "Maybe if you told this man where you were then the others were told as well." JT answered. "Now wait a minute, Evelyn is not that kind of woman." Rick defended. "How do you know sir? Are you close to this woman?" JT sneered. And in one split moment sealed his and Evelyn's fate, "Yes as a matter of fact I am. She is my betrothed." he answered. It was then all eyes were to Rick. Evelyn was shocked that he had said it and was trying to figure everything out in her mind. JT because he didn't know that that was the case and felt bad now and every other person there who knew Rick, because he never seemed like the marrying kind.
"My apologies sir. Do you know who these men are?" JT asked. Rick shook his head, "No, but I am going to find out." he answered. "I am truly sorry miss." "It is all right sir." she answered. She was stumped. Did this mean she really was engaged to Rick O'Connell? She tried to get an answer from Rick but he had left to tend to the bodies and figure out who the men were.
It was nearly sundown when Rick had found Evie again. The news of their engagement had spread and now everyone in Philadelphia knew of their engagement. "There you are I've been looking for you everywhere." Rick said. She was in a tavern just beyond the convention. "I've been here all day. There was no way I could go back to the Congress for everyone would have recognized me. So I stayed here." she answered. "Well I couldn't find out who the men were, but I did find out that there is someone who wants to kill you, but no one can seem to tell me who it is."
"Kill me? Why would anyone want to kill me?" she asked. "Yes, why would someone want to kill you? You didn't happen to burn anyone else's establishment down have you?" he teased. "Oh. This is serious Rick." "I know it is serious, but I will protect you. I mean we are engaged after all." She looked up at him, "About that, why did you say that?" she timidly asked. "Well, if I didn't your reputation would have been ruined. It was the only thing I could think at the moment." "Is that all?" "Well..." It wasn't all, but he wasn't going to confess his feeling so early. She stood up angrily, "I have becomes friends with the owner and she is giving me a room. I am leaving for Boston tomorrow, good-bye!" she shouted and left.
~*~*~*~
Boston, MA
Dec. 24, 1774
When Evie told Jonathan what had happened and the fact that she had burned many of his clothes he had the strangest reaction. Evie laughed at it now, but when she saw him squint his eyes with that bewildering look, it wasn't near as funny. That was really the only good memory she had of Philadelphia. She hadn't seen Rick since then and it had now been four months.
She was closing the tavern today because Angelica had decided that she was to help her with the Christmas Feast, and seeing as how her Uncle Oliver was still in Philadelphia finding a better place for his school and giving Evelyn the house in which the school was conducted. Still Evelyn found a little rejection because now she really couldn't teach at the school. If it hadn't been Christmas Evelyn wasn't sure what she would have done. Of course her attitude hadn't improved when she heard that Ira Teps was going to be there, but she really should have known. If it weren't for the fact that Ira had an ailing wife, she was sure that him and Angelica would be married by now. Of course if Angelica married Ira she would have to give up the inheritance that Evelyn's father had left for his family.
It wasn't until evening when Christmas festivities started that Jonathan finally brought himself home from the ship. It was almost a desperate act on Jonathan's part to work for the British and in the city of Boston, but they had little choice. Evie's debt to the JT Helmuth was monstrous and Jonathan being the brother he was took the job that an old friend gave to him.
"Good evening." he called out. Evelyn came into the parlor and threw her arms around him. "Merry Christmas Eve." she said, it was then she noticed the man behind him. "Hello." she said coolly. "Oh, yes, well, you see..." Jonathan wasn't really sure how to explain Rick's presence to his sis. "I asked Jonathan if I could come." he told her. "Why?" He wanted to tell her the truth, but he just couldn't. "I'll go." he said and turned around to walk out. "Wait!" she called out. He turned back. "I am glad you are here." she said. Scared, that was the word that she was feeling. Then he smiled. Jonathan looked back between the two, "I'm getting out of here." he said rolling his eyes and leaving.
"Why did you come here?" she asked softly. "Because, people here and Philadelphia wanted to know how my betrothed was doing and I couldn't give them an answer. I wanted to tell them it was all a joke, but I..." Rick wasn't one to give his feelings freely and this was hard for him. "It's okay I understand." she whispered. "No, I... I wanted it to be true." he sputtered out. He looked so cute that Evelyn had to bite her lip from laughing. "It still can be." she told him. He smiled at her, "Jonathan told me that we had a guest..." a woman's voice said. Both Evie and Rick's shoulder's slumped at the intrusion. Evelyn stood up, "Yes we do. Angelica I would like you to meet Richard O'Connell. Rick, this is my stepmother, Angelica Moon Carnahan." she introduced. Angelica bowed and so did Rick. "Well Mr. O'Connell please come and join us for dinner." she said and turned away.
"Why didn't you tell her?" Rick asked when Angelica left. "You never asked me." she smiled sweetly. "Are all women this much trouble?" he asked. "Only those of us with at least half a brain." she smirked. "Great. You are the smartest woman I know." he said. He laughed after he said it and they were both laughing when they entered into the dining room. Angelica looked perturbed with their laughter, "Care to share the joke with the rest of us?" she asked. Evelyn with the strength of Rick behind answered, "There is no joke Angelica, just an announcement, Rick and I are to be married." Angelica looked shocked. "Why wasn't I consulted of this? A young man is to ask for the girl's hand in marriage."
Jonathan gave Rick a nod of understanding because he had already told Jonathan of his plan, who had approved. Anything to make his baby sister happy. "Did you know of this?" Angelica demanded of Jonathan. "Know of what?" a calm voice asked. Angelica stood up, "Ira, it seems that Evelyn is now engaged to this man, Richard O'Connell." she explained. Everyone held their breath to see how Ira was going to take the news. "Did Rick ask you Jonathan?" he asked. Jonathan nodded his head slowly. "There you go Angelica. Now let us celebrate this engagement of this most wonderful holiday." There was a calm facade, it was wrong. Not Jonathan, Rick, or Evelyn could explain the feeling, but it wasn't right. Something was going to happen and that was all there was to it.
~*~*~*~
Boston, MA
The couple had a quick wedding. It took place at the Church where Reverend Samuels had done the ceremony. Jonathan stood up for Rick and after the wedding they had the reception at the tavern. As much as Rick would have loved for Evie to have had an English wedding it just wasn't possible, but they were able to move into her uncle's home and make it a proper home.
One of Rick many responsibilities was to head the Committee of Safety. The Committee of Safety had been formed to dispatch the militia or 'minute men' when the time came. He understood everyone's eagerness to kill as many redcoats as they could, but as of yet they still weren't to prepare to fight. He was slowly going mad, the British troops had begun to fortify Boston and seize any ammunition that belonged to Massachusetts. As long as they didn't realize they had storage in Lexington and Concord they would all be fine.
Still he had a few days with his bride and for that Rick would be forever grateful. It was wonderful being with her and she opened up to him. Telling him stories of her past and how she and Jonathan would get into trouble. She spoke of her father's death and how much she hated Angelica. He took her to his parents grave, Nathaniel and Gabriella O' Connell, went to be with the Lord on March 5, 1770. She had looked up at him with realization in her eyes, "They were among the ones who were..." "Murdered by the redcoats. Boston Massacre. It is just one of the many reasons that I take side with the rebels." he told her.
One night in the New Year Rick had woken up in a terrible sweat. All he could remember was sitting over Evelyn's body begging her not to go. She was in something black and he saw sand, but beyond that, just the pain of her death consuming him. He had looked over and saw her sound asleep and he reached for her. She had been a little different in his dream, but he knew her and he prayed that whatever the dream was about would not come true.
*~*~*~*
April 18, 1775
Committee of Safety Headquarters (O'Connell's house)
"Hurry!" the shout commanded. They were coming. Gabriel Scott came running to where Rick was at. "We have confirmation Rick. The British are coming tonight. I do not know if by land or by sea, but they are coming Rick." Rick looked at Gabriel, they were coming. He knew it for some time now that they had planned this, but they weren't sure as to when. "Who told you?" Rick asked. "Jonathan. He has just come from his ship and told us the news." Gabriel answered. "All right. Get everyone in here. We will meet this evening." Gabriel nodded his head and left.
That night they met with Evelyn fully present. There was no way this was going to happen without her knowledge of how dangerous a situation her husband was going into. "Okay, William Dawes and Paul Revere are to ride into Lexington and Concord and neighboring towns warning that the British are coming. All militia should know by now to meet at Lexington. We've all gone over the plan, is there anyone confused?" "One if by land, two if by sea, that is all I need to know for me." The men let out a nervous laughter, "Good luck men. I will see you at Lexington." Rick said and ushered the men out the back door.
Evelyn paced by the door. News was traveling fast. There had been a fight in Lexington and several men on both sides were dead. Who was dead, no one knew, but all women paced by waiting to see if their men would come home. Jonathan had stayed with her, but he couldn't do anything to help. He did finally get her to sit down in the chair in front of the door and when he checked on her a few minutes later she was fast asleep.
Rick, tired and hurt, after burying his men stumbled into the house. He looked around and could not find anyone. He went into the parlor and saw his wife sleeping in front of the window and smiled. "Hey sleepyhead." he said. He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He wasn't satisfied with that and kissed her eyelids and nose and moved to her lips, it was then that Evie woke up. She cried with relief and held him to her.
They spent the day together and when Jonathan joined them that night Rick told them what had happened. "The Second Continental Congress is to meet on May 10th of this year." he told Evie. "In Philadelphia?" she asked. "Yes and no you may not go. I don't even know where I will find shelter, but everyone down there remembers you quite well." Rick laughed. "I'll say, I got a nasty letter from 'ole JT who said thank-you for the final payment and he didn't want to see you again." Jonathan commented. "Fine, I know where I am not wanted." she said. Rick smiled at her, "As long as you know where you are wanted." he whispered. She smiled and they leaned in and kissed completely ignoring Jonathan's face. "That's it, I'm going back." he said, but was ignored, as always when they got that way and left the happy couple to themselves.
End of Part II.