I originally wrote this for a Halloween contest a couple years ago. But I published a different story, Movie Night instead. This is kind of surreal in a way, and I have been tweaking it now ever since. I thought I should just freaking publish it, so here it is.
It is a single effort and I hope you all like it.
*****
I arrived at #1 Rue de Reves, the street of dreams. This was where my life would change forever though I didn't know it at the time. It was late May 1743 in New Orleans, New France. I remember that Jean-Baptiste was succeeded by the Marquis de Vaudreuil as the Governor of the territory. I was a young man, but had been making my name known about town as a shrewd businessman and dalliant. It seemed the women could not resist the more rustic ways I presented, passing on the powdered wigs and excessive makeup. To be clear, I was a rogue, a scoundrel, and I took advantage of the ladies without mercy. Women, in those days, had no defense against a man such as myself, who contrived to be alone with them.
The address was given to me by an associate and he had assured me that the welcome I received would be unworldly. A strange but exciting turn of phrase to be sure. I wore a russet colored outfit, the standard three piece style of the day, justacorp, vest and breeches all reaching to the knee with stockings, and boots that reached almost to the knee, my personal affectation. I also carried my sword cane and a two shot derringer in my right sleeve.
The door opened and a servant stood waiting, "I am Sir Haughton, Ralph de Haughton." I said and he bowed me in. He took me to the drawing room, but along the way I saw a young woman being led up the stairs. She looked of age, but was dressed in just a night shift and bare legs, attractive bare legs, her buttocks pressing against the fabric as she climbed the stairs. It was quite enticing and I stopped to observe until she was out of sight. As we reached the drawing room, he indicated a coat and cane rack just inside the door. I slid my cane in but kept my justacorps for now, though the heat would probably force it off me soon.
The style of the room was very modern, with the delicate appearing furniture legs and small occasional tables holding lamps and other things. Persian rugs, a bowl of candies, a box with an lovely hunting scene carved onto the wood of the top. The fire was burning lightly but it was plenty warm in the room.
A side door, hitherto undiscovered, opened and three ladies entered the room followed by one who was a bit older, perhaps their mother or aunt. The ladies wore dress in an older style without the annoying hoops and with corsets not quite as rigid as the current style. They did, however, have bare decollete showing attractive cleavage. The three went to different points in the room, one sitting, another pouring an aperitif while the third poked the fire, increasing it's warmth. The matron came to me and offered her hand. I pressed it to my lips and handed her to a seat.
"You will have to excuse the warmth," she said, "I find I must needs keep it warm for health reasons."
"Of course madame," I said and indicated my justacorps, "If you would not mind..."
She nodded and I removed it then hung it. Her three companions were interesting, one a redhead, stoking the fire, the one sitting was a sable beauty, while the blond brought forward a tray with the glasses of aperitif, one of which she gave the matron, another to me and then the other girls. Then she said, "Sir, may I introduce Madame Charice Beauvier. We are her daughters, Firenza," she indicated the redhead, "Demetria and I am Normanti. Might I say that your reputation precedes you."
"Please, sit down, Sir Ralph," said the matron, "May I call you that?"
"Certainement, madame," I replied as I sat. I tasted the aperitif, it was very good, though of a strange taste.
"Let us be familiar, please, call us by our given names," she said.
"You are most kind, Charice," I replied.
"We are given to understand that you have extensive holdings and business ventures in the area and have grown quite adept at acquiring more," said Demetria as she shifted to sit next to me on the settee. I could smell the aroma of her perfume, light, airy and reminiscent of midnight beneath the stars. I turned to look at her and her lips seemed to glisten in the light, her skin alabaster, her eyes brown beneath the long lashes and well defined eyebrows.
"This is true," I said, still wondering why I was called here.
Firenza sat upon a chair nearby and said, "We also heard that you have quite the reputation as a ladies man," she said, her full breasts moving with every word. Her red lips were bright in my eyes as she talked and her green eyes were warm and inviting. The scent of cinnamon wafted into my nose and senses as she spoke.
"Well, I have had some success in that area, though a gentleman doesn't like to brag," I said.