Take Me Forever Read online

  Take Me Forever

  By Julie Sellers

  Copyright 2013

  All content is original and owned by the author.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 1

  It was a cold rainy night when Mercedes McMillan decided to flee her home. She just could not be forced into marrying that awful man. Her parents had arranged it, but she wanted nothing to do with it. So, she fled.

  She had waited until her parents had fallen asleep when she quickly gathered some of her belongings and stuffed them into a large burlap bag. She had written a note to her mother asking for forgiveness for leaving and hoped she would understand why she had chosen to run away from all she had ever known and left it on her pink satin pillow on her bed. She quietly went downstairs and into her father’s study.

  As she entered the room she took in the lingering smell of brandy and cigars that her father had partaken in earlier in the evening. She loved her family dearly but she could not stay here after the day’s events. She went over to the desk and inside one of the secret drawers she took out a small bag of silver coins that was stashed away for emergencies. She hated taking it, but she was left with no other choice.

  Quietly Mercy, as she was called for short, left the two story mansion she had called home for eighteen years except for the four she was away at private school. A tear slid down her cheek as she rounded the side of the house and headed for the stables. Luckily, all the servants were asleep as well and she managed her escape without anyone catching her. She saddled a black mare and tied her belongings on before climbing on the large beast that would carry her away from her old life and into a new one.

  Mercy rode for a few hours until she came to the port where she decided would be her best option for fleeing France and going anywhere else. She could see from the hustle and bustle of crew loading ships that some were getting ready for departure. It was the wee hours of the morning and she should not be out alone but she had no other choice. She had to be careful of her surroundings because there was danger lurking in every dark corner.

  Taking her chances, she ditched her horse and began searching which ship she should try to board. She saw one ship full of fish and decided she could not fathom the smell it would bring. She saw one ship being loaded with shrimp and again decided against it for the smell. That left her with one last ship that looked like it was getting ready to leave. It did not look like a reputable ship which could work to her advantage because perhaps she could bribe her way onto it. This ship, in fact, looked like it did not belong at this port and she thought for certain that you would never see a ship like this in the daylight anywhere near a port like this. Gathering every ounce of courage she could muster, Mercy walked towards the gangplank. In a matter of seconds a strong arm was grabbing her shoulders and she was hauled up over a man’s shoulders. She began to scream but a hand was quickly covering her mouth to muffle her screams. The man went up the gangplank with her and not one of the others about tried to help her.

  Moments later she was taken into a dark cabin and thrown onto the bed. Before she could try to move, a large muscular man jumped on top of her and began pawing at her breasts through her blue and ivory laced dress. The scent of rum filled the air as the man tried to kiss her. Mercy shoved at the brute on top of her until she got his attention.

  “Settle down. I just want to taste your goods,” slurred the man.

  “I am not that kind of girl,” Mercy stated as she slapped the man.

  “What the hell was that for?” the man slurred as he rubbed his cheek.

  “Release me at once,” Mercy demanded.

  “Release you. Woman what are you talking about? I picked you up from the docks. I know exactly what kind of woman you are. Now stop talking and start undressing,” the man said as he fumbled with his trousers.

  “You are drunk and I demand to see the captain at once,” Mercy stated boldly even though she was scared out of her mind.

  “Yes, I am a bit intoxicated and I am the captain. We don’t have much time before my ship sails and you have to be off of it or I will drop you at the next port.”

  Next port, Mercy thought. If she could keep this brute off her tonight then the ship would sail with her aboard and surely once the captain sobered up and realized his grave mistake he would leave her alone and drop her off when they stopped again. I can play along and hope he passes out and if not, I can hit him on the head with something, Mercy thought as she tried to scan the room for something heavy to hit him with if need be.

  “Can we have a drink first?” Mercy asked in hopes that by getting him to drink more he would pass out on his own accord.

  “There’s a bottle of rum on the table there,” the man slurred as he pointed to a table in the center of the room.

  Mercy grabbed the bottle and took a small swig. She had never tasted the stuff before and it was awful. It was all she could do to keep it down. The man grabbed the bottle and downed about half of it before handing it back to her. She was keeping another small swig down as he grabbed the bottle again and downed another big gulp of it before putting the bottle back on the table. He grabbed her and led her back to the bed.

  “Remove your clothes,” the man ordered as he fell onto the bed fumbling with the rest of his clothing.

  Mercy pretended to be having trouble with her laces on her dress when she heard loud snoring. In the nick of time, Mercy thought as she felt relieved. She sat down at the table and watched the man sleep. It was too dark to see much of anything but she kept her hand on the bottle just in case she was to need it.

  It seemed like an eternity later when she felt the ship began to move. Once they were under way she began to relax a little. Her old life was over and she was headed on a new journey even though she was currently in quite a predicament. She began to nod off and soon her mind was filled with days of her youth as she dreamt about her life up until now.

  Chapter 2

  Mercedes Alexandra McMillan was born to Michael and Melany McMillan in a small town in France in a time when the nation was at peace except on the seas where pirates plundered everything in sight. There were stories that circulated the towns of how pirates stole family heirlooms, killed men, raped women, and threw children into the sea. Luckily for Mercy, her family was rich compared to many and she was sheltered from hearing about the goings on in the outside world.

  As a baby, Mercy was cuddled by her mother and her father adored her. She was very smart and beautiful. She grew into her preteen years as an only child and she was very spoiled. She had the very best of everything. She was planning her coming out party when her mother came in with exciting news.

  “Darling, guess what? You have been accepted at Laflorette. Isn’t that wonderful news?”

  “Yes, mother it is. When do I have to go? Can I still have my ball?” Mercy asked almost as excited as her mother.

  “I’m sorry darling. Your ball will have to wait. They want you to come immediately. You will learn everything there. It is the best school after all. I am just sad that you will be so far away. I promise when you return we will have the biggest ball this town has ever seen in your honor,” Melany said as she hugged her daughter.

  For the next four years, Mercy attended the very well known private school where she loved every minute
of it. She was taught sewing, art, music, and all the fine skills a young lady should know. She made many friends even though they were a bit younger than she was. Most girls started this school when they were ten or eleven so they could still be considered the right age to catch a husband in their first season as debutants. Mercy was almost thirteen when she started. The wait list had been so long that her family had given up hope that she was ever going to get to attend.

  As Mercy grew into a beautiful young woman she knew her chances of marrying was getting slimmer since she was now at the ripe old age of seventeen as she graduated from school. She was about to leave school when she got word that one of the former headmistresses, Sister Catherine, had taken gravely ill and needed someone to care for her since she had no family of her own. Mercy had always been fond of the woman and offered to help. She stayed and cared for the elderly woman until she passed almost a year later.

  It was the eve of her eighteenth birthday when Mercy was riding in a carriage on her way home to see her parents. She could not believe how long she had been gone from her childhood home. She watched from the window as the hills rolled from one to the next and the grass became thicker and greener. She loved the countryside. It was breathtaking. She watched as her family home came into view. She was so excited she could hardly sit still as the carriage pulled into the winding drive that led to her home.

  As the carriage pulled up alongside the house, Mercy’s parents were anxiously waiting. As she exited the carriage her mother grabbed her and hugged her.

  “Oh let me look at you! I can’t believe what a beautiful woman you have become. When you left you were nothing more than a straight stick of a girl. Now, you are a very lovely woman,” Melany McMillan exclaimed.

  “Mother, it so good to see you. I have so much to tell you and show you that I couldn’t do in letters,” Mercy said as she let go of her mother and greeted her father.

  “Father, you look handsome as ever. I’ve missed you so much,” Mercy said as she hugged him.

  “Wow! I can’t believe how stunning you look. You can’t possibly be my little girl,” Michael McMillan said as he spun Mercy around like he used to do when she was little.

  Mercy was now all grown up. She was a day away from eighteen years old. Her blond hair was now long and had beautiful curls. Her child-like face had developed into the face of a beautiful young woman. Her blue eyes matched the sky and her stick-like figure had developed into womanly curves.

  She had been well educated and was well trained in the skills that it took to run a household. She was especially adept in sewing and in art. She may have been considered a little old to be in the hunt for a husband, but her parents had hoped that her formal years of education would make up for her age. Now that they saw her they knew she would be a catch for any man.

  Chapter 3

  A month after finally settling back in at home, Mercy got to go shopping for her dresses for the upcoming season. It was the happiest time of the year for so many young ladies. It was time to find husbands. Mercy was excited about attending her first formal ball. She picked out several different dresses and matching shoes. The seamstress told her that her new wardrobe would be ready in time for the first party and Mercy could not wait.

  “Mother, what color dress do you think I should wear to the opening ball,” Mercy asked as they left the shop and walked down the street toward the park.

  “I think the light blue. It will bring out your eyes.”

  “That sounds like a good choice and I will wear my hair up with the sapphire pins,” Mercy said as they climbed into the carriage to take them home.

  Later that evening Michael McMillan summoned his daughter to his study. Mercy walked into the study and found both her mother and father seated on the brown leather sofa.

  “Have a seat. We would like to talk to you about your future,” Michael said as he poured himself another scotch.

  “What is it father? This sounds serious.”

  “As you know, this will be your first season and it is time to find you a suitable husband. I am ashamed to admit, but I have had some financial troubles while you were away and I only have a small dowry for you,” Michael said as his eyes looked at the floor.

  “We hope your age will not be a factor but we do not want you to be disappointed if you do not catch a husband right away,” Melany said as she patted her daughter’s hand.

  “You make it sound like I’m an old maid,” Mercy exclaimed.

  “We do not think that, but we wanted to warn you about what others may think,” replied Melany.

  “I don’t care if I find a husband at all. I can take care of myself,” Mercy cried.

  “Don’t be silly. It is your obligation to find a husband and hopefully one that has money,” Michael stated.

  “Honey, your father and I will do all we can to help find you one, but you have to be extra charming. Can you do that for us?”

  “Of course Mother,” Mercy stated politely hoping this was the end of the conversation.

  As the day of the ball finally came, Mercy was anxious and excited as she put on her light blue satin dress and fixed her hair up in loose curls with the sapphire pins. She could hardly breathe. The new style dresses fit so tight and exposed more flesh than she would have liked. Her perky breasts were slightly exposed and she felt self conscious about it.

  Her mother had discussed the issues of men and informed her of the types of behavior that should be avoided. She had heard talk from the girls at school who had older sisters so she pretty much already knew about what to expect and what to look out for. She had promised her mother that she would be extra charming tonight in hopes of finding a suitable husband, but frankly she did not care a thing about that. She wanted to dance and be merry all evening. She did not want to have to smile and pretend to be interested in suitable men.

  When she got ready to find a husband, she hoped he would find her and they would fall instantly in love and that would be that. Her mother and father were fortunate and were infatuated with one another when their marriage was arranged. Mercy hoped it would be the case with her no matter how old she was. She certainly didn’t consider herself to be a spinster.

  Mercy descended the staircase into the ballroom at the home of Monsieur Edward Dubois. His home was always the opening place for the season to begin. His wife had outdone herself this year with the festivities. The marble columns had greenery draped all around them and there were candles everywhere. The musicians were warming up and it was time to take her place beside all the other first time girls.

  These girls look like they are babies let alone be ready to have them, Mercy thought as she stood beside a girl that was three years her younger. They were announced by Monsieur Dubois as parents stared in delight and men stared like they were looking at a prized horse. Mercy almost tripped over her own feet as her name was called. She made it through the introduction and not a moment too soon as she realized that she felt faint. Mercy went in search of a drink and some air when a gentleman walked up to her.

  “Hello, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I would like to fill a spot on your dance card tonight,” the man said as he bowed to Mercy.

  “Alright,” Mercy answered timidly suddenly regaining her composure, “You may have the first dance if you like.”

  Mercy’s parents were thrilled that so many men were asking her to dance. They thought for sure that she would find a husband until they heard later through gossip that men were feeling sorry for her since she was so old. They could not tell Mercy because it would crush her. This was just the first ball and she was already being cast as an old maid unsuitable for marriage. Michael was determined to help find Mercy a husband. He began networking the room and talked to every man in the place.

  “How did it go?” Melany asked when Michael returned to her side later in the evening.

  “Not well I’m afraid,” he answered.

  “Whatever shall we do?” Melany asked.

  “Let’s hope
the next ball will bring in some eligible men that were not here tonight. I did hear that there were three newcomers to the city that were not able to be here tonight.”

  They watched as their daughter danced and danced as if she did not have a care in the world. She must have danced with every man there and not one of them led on that they were interested in anything other than dancing. She found one or two of them to be handsome but she did not see them as potential husband material.

  Later, in the powder room Mercy overheard something unsettling.

  “Did you see how she was flaunting herself at all the men,” Caroline said.

  “I know. How pitiful someone her age has not married yet,” replied Rebecca.

  “I sure hope I don’t end up like her,” said Charlotte as the three young girls left the room.

  Mercy began to cry. She didn’t think she deserved to be pitied. She didn’t think she was throwing herself at the men she was dancing with. She was ready for this night to be over. Quickly, she found her mother and told her she had developed a dreadful headache and wanted to go home.

  Once safely home, Mercy told her mother what she had overheard.

  “Don’t let it upset you honey,” Melany stated as she comforted her daughter. “Your father will find you a match. Just wait and see.”

  Sobbing, Mercy lay down and tried to sleep. She had not set out to find a husband but after the way she was being talked about, she was determined to not let her family reputation become tarnished by her. It seemed it did not matter what her circumstances were that prevented her from entering the husband hunt when she should have. The crowd had labeled her as a spinster. She should have realized by the conversations she had with some of the women at the ball that they pitied her.

  During the next week, Michael McMillan was doing his best to correspond and visit all potential suitors for his daughter. He was about to run out of luck when he rang the last doorbell.

  “Hello Mr. McMillan,” Cole Massey greeted him with a handshake.