Take Me Forever Read online

  “Good day Mr. Massey,” Michael replied as they walked toward the library.

  “What can I do for you today?” asked Cole as he offered a shot of whiskey to Michael.

  “Well,” Michael said as he cleared his throat. “As you may have heard I have a daughter that debuted this season. She just turned 18.”

  “18,” said Cole astounded.

  “That is correct but you have to understand her circumstances,” Michael said as he told Cole all about Mercy.

  “She does sound fascinating, but 18. I don’t know if I would want a wife that old or not. I want plenty of heirs for my estate.”

  “Just come for a visit before you make your mind up. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by my daughter.”

  “Alright. How about 6 o’clock tomorrow evening? I can come by for dinner and we will discuss things further if she is to my liking,” stated Cole as he showed Mr. McMillan to the door.

  Chapter 4

  The following day Melany McMillan was in a tizzy trying to get the house ready for their guest. She ordered the servants to polish the best china and the cook to prepare a feast fit for a king. Mercy’s parents told her that this could be her only chance to get a husband and she had better show off her abilities to catch him. Her mother laid out an ivory colored dress and instructed the servant girl how to do Mercy’s hair for the evening.

  “Mother, I don’t think we should be going to so much trouble for this man. If he likes me, he likes me and if he doesn’t who cares?” Mercy argued while she was being helped into her evening dress.

  “Mercy, you don’t want to end up with no husband do you. I remember when you were a little girl how you used to dream of a big wedding and all you talked about was getting married one day.”

  “That was when I was a child. I am no longer a child. I can take care of myself.”

  “Oh Mercy, be sensible,” Melany stated as she hurried off to get herself ready for the evening’s festivities.

  An hour later the doorbell rang and Cole Massey was escorted into the parlor. Michael McMillan stood at the foot of the long stairway and called to his wife and daughter to come down. Melany came down first and greeted Cole as he took her hand and kissed it. His eyes averted quickly to the top of the stairs as Mercy began her descent. She was a vision. She gracefully came down and curtsied before Cole.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you sir,” Mercy stated.

  “The pleasure is all mine,” Cole said as he took her hand and kissed it a little too long.

  Cole offered Mercy his arm as they went to the dining room for dinner. All throughout dinner the McMillan family drilled Cole about his business and his likes and dislikes. Mercy was getting dizzy from all the badgering her parents were giving him. Finally, dinner was over and her parents urged her to show Cole their small garden for an evening stroll.

  Mercy escorted Cole to the garden and they stopped at a concrete bench in the center and sat down. Without warning, Cole put his arms around her and kissed her.

  “My, aren’t you a bit forward,” Mercy stated as she was stunned by his actions.

  “I just want to sample the goods before I commit to anything,” Cole said as he dipped his hand down her dress to touch her bosom.

  Shocked, Mercy slapped him.

  “What was that for?” Cole said angrily.

  “I am not that kind of girl,” Mercy stated coldly.

  “You are 18 and you expect me to believe you have not had the pleasure of a gentleman.”

  “You sir are no gentleman and for your information I have not,” Mercy stated hotly.

  “I don’t believe you,” Cole said as he stood up. “I don’t know why I would consider marrying someone of your age even if you are extremely beautiful.”

  “I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on earth,” Mercy yelled as she ran back toward the house leaving Cole alone in the garden.

  Well now, she is spunky, thought Cole as he casually strolled back to the house after enjoying a cigar.

  “Michael, I have come to a decision,” Cole said as he rejoined Mr. McMillan in the library.

  “And,” stated Michael anxiously.

  “I think I would like to accept your dowry and marry your daughter. I think she could be a wonderful wife,” Cole said as he thought about how much this would upset Mercy and how much fun it would be to toy with her.

  “That is wonderful news. I will start arrangements right away. We can announce at the next ball,” Michael proclaimed as he called for Melany and Mercy to join them.

  “Mercy, Cole has graciously announced that he would like to offer his hand in marriage to you. Isn’t that wonderful news?”

  Mercy almost fainted. How could this pompous ass want to marry her after she clearly let him know she had no interest in him at all?

  “Mr. Massey I do not see how you could possibly want to marry me after only one brief meeting,” Mercy exclaimed.

  “Oh my dear, you are just what I have been looking for,” Cole said. As much spunk as you have in public, I can only imagine how wild you will become in the bedroom, thought Cole as he smirked.

  “But….,” Mercy pleaded.

  “With your age, I see no reason for a long engagement. We need to get started on heirs as soon as the wedding takes place.” Cole stated before whispering in Mercy’s ear, “You look like you are built to birth many children and I look forward to making each and every one of them.”

  Mercy shuttered as her future husband stood so close to her. She despised him. There was no way she was going to be forced into marrying him. She claimed she had too much excitement for one day and excused herself from her company. She slammed the door to her room and moments later her mother entered.

  “What is the matter with you? Cole seems like a fine catch and he is willing to marry you,” her mother accused.

  “Mother, he is a crass man. I want nothing to do with him. He tried to take advantage of me in the garden and thought I was well experienced when it came to men.”

  “Oh honey, is that all? He was just trying to see if the two of you were going to be compatible. He was probably just judging your reaction to see for himself that you were inexperienced. I wouldn’t worry about it since he came in and asked for your hand. You will make such a beautiful bride.”

  “You are not listening. I do not want to marry that awful man!” Mercy practically screamed.

  “Calm down dear. Your father would not have arranged it if he thought it would not be a good match. I’m afraid what’s done is done and there is no backing out now. If you break your commitment no other man will chance courting you. Cole is your only chance. Sleep on it and I’m sure you will come to your senses by morning,” Melany said as she kissed her daughter on the forehead and wished her good night.

  Mercy was furious as she lay on her bed. No, no, no! She thought over and over again until she finally gave in to slumber. When she awoke the following morning, she thought perhaps it had all been a bad dream. She was disturbed by the knocking at the front door and went down to see who it was that was calling on them so early this morning. It was a messenger.

  “That was fast,” Michael said as he opened the envelope.

  “What is it dear?” Melany asked.

  “It is the special license for Mercy and Cole to get an expedited marriage and a letter from Cole saying that he wishes to forego an announcement at the next ball and get married tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow,” both Melany and Mercy said at the same time.

  This can’t be happening to me, thought Mercy as her mother could not control her excitement.

  “Oh Mercy, we have so much to do today. We have to get my wedding dress altered to fit you, pick out the reception food, ….” Melany went on and on while Mercy tuned her out and willed it to all be a nightmare.

  Moments later another knock came at the door. Cole greeted her parents then turned to find Mercy glaring at him. “My dear, I hope this is not too sudden for you. I have pressing busi
ness to attend to later in the week at my country estate and I will not be available to attend the next ball so I thought I would it would be in our best interest to tie the knot as soon as possible. We do not have to have a big affair since it is such short notice. All we need are a couple of witnesses and an officiator.”

  “We will manage it in such short notice. We can use the garden for the ceremony and have the reception right here if that pleases you,” Melany stated.

  “Wonderful,” Cole said as he was still receiving an icy stare from Mercy. “Will that be alright with you?” he asked Mercy while he tried desperately to keep from smiling at her misery.

  Mercy could only nod before she passed out. When she came to she was in her room. Melany was calling her name and bathing her forehead with a cold cloth.

  “I’m fine Mother. You can stop now,” Mercy said as he sat up.

  “Cole left to find an officiator for tomorrow. We set the time for noon. We need to get you fitted for my old dress as soon as you are ready.”

  “I can’t do this,” Mercy pleaded.

  “Yes you can and you will. Now let’s get busy,” Melany said as she whisked Mercy out of bed and practically dragged her to the sewing room and rushed off to get the dress.

  For the remainder of the day everyone was busy preparing for the next day’s festivities. The entire household was a buzz. Mercy had stood for alterations, listened to the menu being planned, saw most of her belongings being packed up so they could be ready to go to her new home, and not one person in the house seemed to see how much grief she was going through. Over dinner that evening she made one final plea to her father to stop this madness.

  “Mercy, every young woman has pre-wedding jitters. I think you would still be feeling the same way no matter who you were marrying. Trust me, it will work out just fine,” her father stated and resumed silently eating his meal.

  Seeing no other way out of this ridiculous situation, Mercy decided to take matters into her own hands. She would go see Cole and try to talk some sense into him. After dinner, Mercy told her parents she wanted to take a stroll into town for some last minute things she was going to need and took the youngest servant girl along with her as her chaperone. She could easily get her to keep quiet about where she was really going.

  An hour later Mercy was knocking on the door at Cole’s townhouse.

  “What do I owe this pleasure?” Cole asked.

  “I want you to call off this ridiculous engagement. You don’t want to marry me and you know I will not marry you,” Mercy said as she fidgeted with her gloves.

  “Nonsense. I think you will be a very high spirited wife and I look forward to our nuptials and breaking that spirit as I see you squirm on our wedding night,” Cole retorted.

  “Why? Why are you doing this to me? How can you be so cruel to someone you just met?” Mercy asked almost in tears.

  “For the game of it. I will marry you but make no mistake, once I tire of you I will leave you at the smallest house I own and forget all about you once you have given me an heir.”

  “You’re despicable!” Mercy yelled as she stormed out of the house.

  With her mind made up, Mercy walked into her home and acted as if nothing had happened and bid her parents good night. Once in her room, she hatched out her plan of escape. This was how she came to run away and how she found herself in her current predicament.

  Chapter 5

  Mercy was started awake by a man’s voice.

  “Why are you still on my ship?” The man demanded.

  “I…, I…,” Mercy stuttered.

  “I said, why are you still on my ship? I thought I made it clear last night that you were to get off when we were finished,” the man said gruffly.

  Finding her courage Mercy answered, “It’s not what you think. You brought me aboard last night by mistake and you passed out before I could explain.”

  “What are you talking about woman?” the man asked impatiently.

  “I was merely on the docks last night seeking passage out of France when you abducted me and brought me here. I am not the kind of woman you think I am.”

  “Oh, what kind of woman are you then?”

  “I need to leave France and I have this to offer you if you will help me,” Mercy said as she tossed her bag of coins to him.

  The man got a glimmer in his eyes when he saw the fancy insignia on the bag holding the coins. “Fancy bag you got here. I bet whoever you are running from will pay much more than this to have you back.”

  “I can’t go back,” Mercy gasped.

  “It seems to me like I just stumbled across an opportunity. My dear, you have found yourself captive aboard a pirate ship,” the man said.

  “What are you going to do to me?” Mercy whispered as she realized the danger of her situation.

  “It depends. Tell me who you are and why you are running and I will determine what to do to you.”

  “Please…,” Mercy pleaded as the man grabbed her hands and towered over her.

  “Start talking,” he demanded.

  “My name is Mercedes McMillan. I was being forced into a marriage to an awful man and I ran away from my parents’ home before the ceremony could take place. My father will disown me after they discover how I have disgraced the family name so if it’s money you are after, you won’t be getting any,” Mercy stammered until she told the pirate everything that brought her to the docks.

  Laughing the pirate said, “Silly girl. You run away on the eve of your wedding and you do not think someone would pay handsomely for your safe return. I bet they are scouring the streets as we speak searching for you. I could get quite the ransom for you.”

  Scared, Mercy remained perfectly still as the pirate gave her body a once over. He leaned down to her ear and whispered, “Are you still a virgin” as he nipped her ear with his teeth. She jumped at his action and started trembling.

  “You are aren’t you? I remember touching breasts last night but then I guess the rum took over and I passed out. I didn’t hurt you did I? I want you perfectly untouched when I deliver you back to your betrothed.”

  “I have never known the company of a man and yes you did touch me inappropriately last night but I was spared since you passed out. I was hoping you would come to your senses today and simply drop me off at the next port. I did not know this was a pirate ship,” Mercy said quietly.

  “My lady, you have found yourself aboard the Devil’s Dilemma and I am notorious pirate, Cain Corbin. I must admit it was brave of you to venture down to the docks in the middle of the night, but extremely stupid. I do not rescue damsels in distress, I cause them to need rescuing. Before I decide what your fate will be, I will send word back to France and find out what the reward for your safe return will be. In the mean time, you will be a captive aboard my ship and you will be locked in here. I cannot guarantee that my crew will not try to have you, they are pirates after all.”

  “No, you mustn’t,” Mercy begged.

  “As for now, I need to see to my ship. I will bring you some food in a little while,” Cain said as he left her locked in his cabin and went out about his business.

  As soon as he left, Mercy ran to the door and tried to open it. He had locked it from the outside and she could see from the small round window that there were many crewmen lurking about. They looked like very seedy characters. She was sure she would find no help here. She waited impatiently for Cain to return so she could plead her case again. When Cain brought her food, he was in a hurry so he forgot to lock the door when he left.

  Mercy crept out of the cabin and walked about ten steps when a large smelly pirate found her.

  “Well now, what do we have here? Captain usually leaves his whores ashore. You must have been a great lay for him to sail with you onboard. I don’t mind leftovers,” the vile man said as he ripped Mercy’s dress and shoved her up against the wall.

  “No,” Mercy screamed as a large hand covered her mouth and another hand ripped her dress almost comple
tely off her.

  Cain heard a woman’s scream and quickly realized what was happening. He raced to his cabin to find the door open and Mercy gone. He heard a commotion and turned to find one of his crewmen about to defile Mercy. Quickly, Cain intervened. He grabbed the man by the shoulders and threw him aside. He scooped up Mercy and took her back to his cabin and locked the door behind him.

  Then, he went back to the man who attacked her and showed him the wrath of the Captain. Cain drew his sword and ran it into the man’s stomach before shoving the remains into the sea.

  “Let this be a warning to the rest of you. I have a woman aboard and she is not to be touched. She could be worth a fortune to us. She will be ransomed back to her family and so no one is to help her try to escape or there will be dire consequences,” Cain bellowed to his crew.

  After his speech Cain went to his cabin to check on Mercy. She was still crying when he entered. “I’m sorry that man attacked you. You must be so scared. Did he hurt you?” Cain asked as he came to her side.

  Mercy sobbed as Cain took a blanket from the bed and covered her exposed creamy flesh. Her dress was completely ruined. He went over to his sea chest and took out one of his white shirts and tossed it to her.

  “You can wear this if you want. I do not have any lady’s clothing aboard. I am glad I stopped him before he could defile you. If that is going to be done, I want the pleasure of that for myself. I will post a guard outside your door from now on when I am not in here with you. There is a basin over there if you want to wash yourself. I will give you some privacy and check on you later,” Cain said as he quickly left the room before his own sexual urges overtook his senses.

  Chapter 6

  For the next few days, Cain kept his distance form Mercedes. He would bring her a food tray and return later in the evening to see if she needed anything. She could tell by looking into his eyes that he was becoming more lustful for her with every passing day. She was grateful that he was keeping his word, but she didn’t know how much longer he could keep away from her. She knew that once he came for her, there would be no stopping him.