Part I

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Thank-you to everyone who has reviewed. Buffelyn: Yes the thought of Rick/Meela makes me sick. That's why she's dead! And I needed a Molly. :)

MBooker: I'm so glad I've found someone else who's read her [Kathleen E. Woodiwiss] stuff as well. :)

Kat G, Allibabab, marrokinhas - Thank-you for the reviews! I am continuing this. I hope you enjoy!

Dani: You're from Texas? So am I! The Metroplex to be exact. I just wanted to know if you were kidding about the murder thing? Murder has never been legal unless you can prove you did so out of self defense, or it was a moment of insanity which is often what happens in those type of cases. So yes when they found Molly/Meela dead someone would have to pay for it. Normally solving crimes in the seventeenth century wasn't easy, but on occasion they did catch the killer. (And I think they had some 'help' in Rick's case)

And no I have no idea why someone would cheat on Rick. No idea at all. :)

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May; 1668

Evelyn Carnahan was not a happy woman. In fact if anyone looked at her they might be dead by her stare alone. If her father weren't dead she would kill him! How dare he make her marry someone! And to top it off it had to be to a reputable family. Evelyn had no desire to marry the simpering fops that graced the courts. They fawned over her and drooled on her skirts like little dogs, but all they were truly after was her money. And she wasn't about to marry anyone especially for money!

And she wouldn't be on her way to Newgate prison if it weren't for her guard, Ardeth Bey. In desperation to get his charge married he had found out that a man by the name O' Connell was in the prison. He suggested to her that she strike up a bargain with the man and Evelyn agreed. It wasn't the best of situations, but he didn't have a choice. If Evelyn wasn't married by the time she reached her first and twentieth birthday then her father's money fell to her brother Jonathan, who would squander it. And Ardeth had seen his former employer work to hard for that wealth to sit back and let Jonathan be in charge of it.

When they reached the prison, Evelyn's air of unflappable superiority was on an all time high. They were lead by the disgusting goaler into a dark, damp, and smelly cell that held O' Connell. "Up!" the goaler screamed. A form got to his feet, "You have a guest O' Connell." When Evelyn's eyes had adjusted to the light she saw the man. He was scruffy and his hair was unkempt with waves of it falling past his shoulders. Evelyn cringed on the inside, other than that though he looked fine. "What do you want?"

"I've come to make a bargain with you Mr. O' Connell." she stated. His eyes squinted as he looked at her, "What?" She let out a huff and rolled her eyes. "I am here to make a bargain with you." she repeated. "I got that lady. What kind of bargain?" Evelyn brought her cloak closer to her body, "I need your name." she explained. A crease in Rick's forehead formed. "My name?" Evelyn breathed for a moment regaining her composure. It truly was an odd request and so she forgave him for his slowness.

"Yes. I need your name. I want to marry you for your name."

"You want to marry me?"

"For your name."

"I understand that part, but why do you need my name?" She had really never had this problem with other men before. She looked at Ardeth but he was staring at the floor. If he wasn't so important to her she would fire him.

"Look I have to be married by the time I am twenty-one. I need a reputable name and your last name is O' Connell. If we get married than I satisfy the will, I get my money and I can continue to live my life." "And what do I get in return?" "What do you want?" "I want out of here lady."

"My name is Ms. Carnahan not 'lady' please address me appropriately."

"Fine, Ms. Carnahan what are the terms?"

"We marry. I get you out of this prison and then you disappear. Change your name and we never see each other again." she stated.

He looked her over, she was an impressive creature. Slender with brown hair woven in what must be the latest fashion. He had heard of the Carnahan's before especially Ethan Carnahan's only daughter, Evelyn. It would be a shame not to be able to brag that he was married to this woman that no man had been able to capture, but his freedom was far more important to him than bragging rights.

She too looked him over. If he cleaned up there might be some hope for him. She wondered if he was the Pirate Richard O' Connell or belonged to the O' Connell's in court. Either way it would be interesting to find out. However, she neither had time nor inclination to truly search and find out. She needed an answer and she needed it quickly. Before she could ask him what his choice was he answered her.

"I accept the terms." He then saw something he thought he would never see on this beautiful face, a smile. It was so enchanting it made him want to make it happen more often, but of course that was not going to happen. "Thank-you Mr. O'Connell." she replied sweetly and then left with the man that she had entered with.

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True to her word Evelyn Carnahan had gotten him out of prison. He was to meet her at the Chaucer Inn. From there they would be married and both parties would go their separate ways. He was even given money. Normally Rick wasn't one for charity, but he had no choice in this case. It was simply a matter of need and would soon be eradicated as soon as he was allowed to get back to his ship.

He quickly stepped onto the street looking very differently than he did when he first went in. It seemed his hair was so infested that it had to be cut. And very short at that. It was only okay because the advantage was his hair couldn't be used as a weapon against him. He was dressed in an outfit becoming of the day, dark tan breeches, a white vest, and a dark navy blue overcoat with gold embroidered on the collar. He looked exactly like the man he wasn't, a noble.

He was quick to the inn, and there he waited for Ardeth and Ms. Carnahan. His bride. This was truly just a business deal, but there was something about her that made him want start a relationship with her. She was so different from Meela. And that was good. He knew what Meela was, knew how she could be, but he had been enamored by her and the fact that she warmed his bed for nearly two years wasn't bad either. But compared to Evelyn she didn't hold a candle to the woman who was going to be his wife. He got so lost in thought in the dream he was creating in his mind that he didn't notice when Ardeth stood next to him trying to get his attention.

"Mr. O' Connell, we are ready to begin." he informed the former pirate. Rick nodded, "Of course." he muttered and followed the man to the small chapel a few blocks from the Inn. He walked to the front and met the minister, "Your name please." the minister said. "Richard O' Connell." "Thank-you sir." Rick just nodded his head and turned to where Evelyn was walking. It wasn't like any of the ceremonies that he had attended. Her steps were measured, but there was no pause and her steps were quicker than that of normal brides. And the most telling of all signs, she wasn't wearing a white bride gown. Instead she wore a dress made of ice blue that brought out flecks of blue in her eyes.

Ardeth was watching the pair, but his gaze stayed on Rick as he watched him watch Evelyn. And the reaction was exactly how he thought it was going to be. Rick had just fallen in love. Ardeth knew of men who fell in love with Evelyn. It was never a good thing. Evelyn who could be so sweet when she wasn't bored at court, who loved life and books, was oblivious to men in general. Yes there were those fools at court who wanted her money, but everywhere she went people stopped and stared. But of course Evelyn didn't notice. She was a puzzle that high English society couldn't figure out and to Ardeth's amusement Evelyn enjoyed it that way.

It was all too soon before Evelyn was standing next to Rick letting the minister marry the both of them. When the minister got to the end, "You may kiss the bride." Evelyn looked horror stricken. But Rick took it in stride and simply kissed her cheek. The minister didn't even sway and left the couple. All three of the conspirators walked out and went back to the Chaucer Inn. "This is where we say good-bye Mr. O' Connell. May God bless your life." And before he had a response she was gone. Ardeth didn't follow instead he stayed so that he could talk to Rick. "Mr. O' Connell, why don't we get something to eat." They were led to a table in the dinning area and given ale while they waited.

"I need to talk with you about the terms of the agreement." Ardeth started. "I thought I only had to marry her, change my name, and that was the end of it." Ardeth nodded his head, "This is correct sir, but I have a few more things on behalf of Ms. Carnahan." "Mrs. O' Connell." Rick corrected. Ardeth gave him a grim smile. "Yes, Mrs. O' Connell. First she does not wish to see you, ever. Second, if you go back to whatever life it was that you were leading before you may not under any circumstance reveal who you really are. For Rick O' Connell will die tomorrow. Third, because we realize you might not be able to return to your previous occupation you will be compensated for that loss." And with that Ardeth gave him a purse full of money.

"Is that all?" Rick asked. "Yes." Ardeth replied. "Before I leave, can you answer a few questions that I have?" "Of course." Rick then asked about Evelyn's childhood. Ardeth answered how as a child her father had been a merchant and went around the world. He fell in love and of that union two children were produced. Jonathan being the oldest. At the moment Jonathan was in London society. Her mother died during childbirth. Her father had raised her and she was very well educated. Her father wanted her taken care of and in misguidance claimed in his will that she had to be married by her first and twentieth birthday. They could have lied of course, but the lawyer to which Mr. Carnahan had hired would not allow that.

Rick left a few hours later and took with him the memory of a wife he would never get to really know and the feeling that his life with her wasn't truly over yet.

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End of Part I

Oh and if you are interested I am re-writing my 'Revolution' story. That will be a while, but I just wanted to let you know.

And remember reviews are like sex, it's not bad until you aren't getting any!

~ Dylan.