Tender Torment

by Jane Archer

  The conversation seemed to drift away, finally stopping completely as the occupants of the room discovered Alexandra. She stiffened, raising her chin slightly, while keeping a slight smile on her lips, and entered the room, her green gown softly flowing around her legs as she walked gracefully, elegantly into the room which contained perhaps fifteen beautiful girls in glittering, form-fitting gowns with several men standing and sitting around.

  "Alexandra," Madame LeBlanc said softly as she approached Alexandra. Madame LeBlanc looked beautiful in a shimmering white gown with a deep decolletage.

  Alexandra smiled as the madame took both her hands and said, "How nice of you to join us. Please come and meet our guests."

  Alexandra followed until she was in the center of the room, surrounded by the others. "I want you all to meet Mademoiselle Alexandra. She will be here for a while to play the piano and sing for us. She has lately arrived from the continent and is considering making New Orleans her home—so please make her stay a happy one and perhaps she will grace our home permanently."

  There was a general murmur of agreement, then one man said in a soft, Southern accent, "Please allow me to buy champagne for everyone in Mademoiselle Alexandra's honor."

  This suggestion was quickly accepted and soon a young Negro boy was passing around sparkling champagne in crystal glasses on a heavy silver tray. Alexandra accepted her glass, while wondering at Madame LeBlanc's lie that she was from the continent.

  The man who had bought the champagne came over to Alexandra and stood closely by her side as he raised his glass in a toast. "May the most beautiful woman in New Orleans stay with us long enough that we may know her better, much better," he said loudly for everyone to hear.

  Alexandra blushed, and the man smiled warmly at her, then said for her ears alone, "You are indeed a rare beauty, and such delicacy—a blush. I have not seen one in a long time. It is indeed a pleasure, Mademoiselle Alexandra."

  He clinked his glass with hers and the rest of the company raised their glasses in a salute to Alexandra. She drank quickly, covering her embarrassment, feeling as if she were the show before she even sat down at the piano.

  The man standing beside Alexandra was handsome, or rather beautiful. There was nothing rugged about him, yet there was a masculine sensuality in his perfectly carved features that a woman could not ignore. He was only a bit taller than Alexandra, and slender. Helplessly, she compared him to Jake. There was nothing similar between them. This man had luxurious black hair and unfathomable black eyes that now regarded her with a mixture of desire and curiosity. She became uncomfortable under his scrutiny and lowered her eyes.

  Madame LeBlanc approached them, a glass of champagne in her hand. "I would like you to meet Giles Beaumont, of the New Orleans Beau-monts. I see Mademoiselle Alexandra has gained your interest quickly, Giles." She patted his arm familiarly.

  "Enchanté, Mademoiselle Alexandra. Your beauty and elegance surpass any that I have had the pleasure of encountering before."

  His soft, low voice was tinged with a soft hint of the Creole accent that Alexandra remembered from Madame LeBlanc's voice. In fact, there was something vaguely familiar in his features, but she couldn't place it.

  "You are from Louisiana, Mr. Beaumont?" Alexandra asked.

  "Please call me Giles. I think we will be great friends."

  Alexandra blushed, afraid of his implication, and said, "Of course, thank you—Giles."

  "Yes, I am. I own a plantation near here."

  So not all of the South was destitute, Alexandra thought. "That must be very nice for you. It's lovely here."

  A look of pain flashed across his dark eyes, then was gone, quickly snuffed out. "Yes, I suppose, but you should have seen it before the war."

  "Please, don't mention the war," Madame LeBlanc interjected. "It brings back too many memories."

  "Would you be so kind as to play for us, Mademoiselle Alexandra?" Giles asked.

  "Indeed, I would be delighted. Madame LeBlanc?"

  "Please do, chérie."

  As Alexandra walked across the room, she noticed that there was a wide assortment of men in the room and all had the look of success and money—their clothes and stance bespoke this, but none of them had the air of the natural born aristocrat as Giles Beaumont had, Alexandra decided. It was something that could not be bought, although it could be acquired by a few special people. For the most part, it had to be inbred and these men simply did not have it and never would. She decided that these must be the Northern carpetbaggers that Madame LeBlanc had mentioned. What a difference in these men and the celebrated Southern gentlemen one had heard so much of before the war—a man like Jacob Jarmon's father, the man Olaf's daughter had fallen in love with, a real Southern aristocrat. She wondered if men like that would ever be seen again, except rarely.

  The women were all lovely, beautiful in every sense of the word and in every variety, also. A man could have his choice of any type of woman here and perhaps any nationality. There was no doubt that they were all dressed like ladies and in the drawing room acted as such. And for the first time Alexandra wondered about the word, lady. She had always thought it meant a woman of gentle birth and breeding, but these were harlots who acted and looked like ladies. She could not even tell herself what they really were. They all had beautiful carriage and manners. What did, indeed, make a lady?

  Two small men dressed in black bowed to Alexandra as one left the piano and the other put down his violin. They both disappeared into another room, leaving the music to her. It was an expensive, well-tuned piano, she realized, as she began playing a light, airy tune that had been popular in New York when she had left. Soon she added her own clear, sweet voice to the music of the piano, and when she finished the first number, she was surprised to see Giles standing by her side.

  "Beautiful, chérie," he said smiling at her. "Please, play more for us."

  Alexandra was happy to play since she felt more hidden behind the piano, but she wished that Giles had not chosen to stand beside her for he made her nervous and too aware of herself as a woman.

  As she sang and played a variety of numbers, she noticed that Madame LeBlanc was approached first by one man and then another. Madame and the man would leave, then presently return. She would then speak with one of the girls, who would smile coyly at the man and join him. Soon they would leave the drawing room and go upstairs. It was very delicately handled, Alexandra thought. The pattern repeated itself several times as she played, and she was only thankful that she was not a part of it all.

  After a while, Giles left her to join Madame LeBlanc, and she watched them apprehensively before they left the room. When they returned, Madame LeBlanc left Giles and came over to Alexandra.

  "You must be tired, chérie," she said. "Please join Giles and myself for a drink."

  Alexandra could not refuse and nodded agreement. As she left the safety of the piano, the musicians returned and began playing soft, slow, dreamy music. She and Madame LeBlanc walked over to Giles and he rose, helping Alexandra to sit down at a small table, then sitting down himself. Madame LeBlanc leaned over and smiled encouragingly at Alexandra.

  "Alexandra, Giles is a regular customer of mine and most impressed with you. I thought you two might like to become better acquainted," Madame LeBlanc said, then nodded before walking away as another guest was announced.

  "Ma chère, I do hope you won't consider me presumptuous or rude if I tell you that I was struck with your beauty and grace the moment you entered the drawing room. So much so that I have been unable to look at another woman since. Can you be so cold-hearted that you would deny me the pleasure of your company for at least one hour, or an entire night if you would be so kind?"

  Alexandra blushed furiously. No matter how delicately he put the words, his intentions were the same. It was much better than being thrown down and raped, but still, still it was the same thing in the end.

  "Ah, you have blushed for me again. How very charming. You needn't fear me.
I would be very gentle with you. I approached Madame LeBlanc and she told me that you were unavailable by your own request, but can you be so hard-hearted to a man who adores you as I do?"

  Giles' dark eyes softened, and he looked en-treatingly at Alexandra. She felt herself weakening. Could it mean so much to him? But no, she could not sell herself this way. She would not be used like this. Her green eyes, soft and dark in the muted light, turned harder as she said, "No, I'm sorry, sir. I appreciate your great compliment and interest, but I'm here tonight to play music and that is all."

  Watching her closely he said, "It would be worth a great deal to me, Miss Alexandra. Say, fifty for an hour." His black eyes watched her intensely.

  Alexandra's eyes opened wide, knowing what a great deal of money that was for a woman. Then she smiled, feeling a sudden power sweep through her. "You do me more honor than ever, but truly, I am not available tonight except in the drawing room."

  Surprisingly he appeared not the least perturbed. "Madame LeBlanc said you were a prize and a most unusual lady. I must have you, no doubt about it!"

  Alexandra could not keep herself from gasping. The man spoke with such determination and finality. "I, I-"

  "Never mind. Name your price, or your night, Mademoiselle Alexandra, for I am available to you at any time and for any amount."

  Alexandra realized that she could not say no to this man—he did not understand the word. So very carefully she said, "You honor me greatly, sir, with your suggestion and yourself, but tonight is not the night for us."

  He smiled broadly, then winked knowingly at her. "You want to make it special, yes? Good. I can wait. It will only be all the better when we're finally together," he said as he covered her hand with his own strong one.

  Alexandra steeled herself not to jerk back from his searing touch and smiled into his black, determined eyes. "You say, sir, an entire night at any price. That could be very expensive. Are you sure I would be worth it?"

  He laughed lightly. "Indeed, yes. You'd be worth any price, my beauty, but don't make me wait too long—I can become an impatient man and I shall touch no other woman until you, ma chère. But now, I must go because being with you without being able to hold you in my arms can not be long endured."

  Alexandra held her smile as he squeezed her hand, then got up, calling for a bottle of champagne to be served to Mademoiselle Alexandra. With a last penetrating look in her direction, he left the establishment.

  Alexandra breathed a sigh of relief and even took the glass of champagne that was offered her by the young Negro boy who expertly set the bucket of champagne down on her table. She took a long drink, hoping it would relax her after her experience with Giles. He was a disturbing man, a handsome man, a man obviously used to having his way with women, but he didn't touch Alexandra deeply, and she did not trust him—he was too smooth, too sure. She knew she would have to get out of the brothel and to the plantation before he became more demanding and insistent. She frankly didn't think she could keep him at arm's length for long—especially here.

  She smiled as she saw Madame LeBlanc coming toward her, graceful and beautiful in her gown. The madame sat down and poured a glass of champagne for herself. "You've certainly impressed Giles, and he's a hard man to please. Did you know that this champagne costs a customer fifteen dollars a bottle?"

  Alexandra's eyes opened wide. "So much?"

  Madame LeBlanc nodded. "It's part of the profit. They're expected to buy it for everyone in the room, but he really outdid himself tonight."

  "You know what he wanted?"

  She nodded. "I knew you would be an instant success, chérie. All of the men have asked for you, but accepted my word that you were not available. Now, Giles is a most determined man. He offered fifty an hour for you. That is quite extravagant and you can be sure that he would return frequently. You could make a lot of money this way, ma chère. Won't you reconsider?"

  Alexandra smiled, then said, "He offered that to me first, then offered any price I named for a night."

  Madame LeBlanc's eyebrows rose dramatically. "Really? He's more smitten than I realized. I've never heard a better offer than that. Did you turn him down flat?"

  "He doesn't seem to take no for an answer and seems to think that I'm just Waiting to make special plans of some kind."

  Madame LeBlanc laughed low in her throat. "That sounds like Giles. Ah well, perhaps you will yet change your mind. Why don't you come with me now, you might be more agreeable if you understood this better."

  Madame LeBlanc stood up quickly, as if making a decision, and Alexandra got up also, following her out of the drawing room and back up the stairs toward the bedrooms. They went back into Madame LeBlanc's bedroom, across it, through a sitting room, then stopped before a closed door.

  She turned to Alexandra, putting a finger across her lips, warning Alexandra to be silent. She led Alexandra into a dark, closet type area. Alexandra stood very still, feeling quite strange and uneasy while the madame sat down on a small stool and pulled back a tapestry on the wall. Then she put her eye up to the bare wall. She seemed satisfied and motioned for Alexandra to take her place. Reluctantly, she did.

  From the peephole, Alexandra could see directly into another bedroom in which one of the girls was entertaining. It was a plump blonde with pink white skin and huge, ponderous breasts that were now dangling down freely toward the face of a man who was lying on his back across her bed. Both were completely nude. Alexandra jerked back, suddenly aware of what she was doing. She looked up at the madame who frowned as she pushed Alexandra back to the wall. She had little choice except to obey or make enough noise to bring the lovers down on them. It was over as quickly as it had begun. The harlot got off him and casually moved away, throwing on a sheer negligee.

  Alexandra pulled back from the peephole and Madame LeBlanc looked closely at her face, then nodded approvingly. She led Alexandra out of the closet and back into her bedroom. Alexandra felt ashamed and embarrassed. Why had Madame LeBlanc insisted that she watch that? What did she really want of her?

  "Alexandra, it is time you learned more of life. There are many ways to please a man other than the traditional way of which you are probably aware, but we will not go into that at this time. I have chosen a room for you. A lovely room near my own suite so that you may contact me quickly if the need should arise."

  She led Alexandra out of her bedroom and down the hall until she opened a door. Alexandra entered, but Madame LeBlanc did not follow.

  "You needn't come back downstairs. Remember, what you saw tonight was quite normal and accepted. You must learn these things if you're to be a complete woman, Alexandra."

  And with those words Madame LeBlanc turned and walked back down the hall. Alexandra quickly shut the door, locked it, and looked wonderingly at her ornate, ostentatious bedroom with its overshadowing bed. Did Madame LeBlanc really plan to let her go in a few days, or did she plan to keep her here and make a fancy whore of her? Alexandra was worried and realized that she had better begin to make plans for escape, if she could. But first she was going to rest. She was exhausted mentally and physically.

  Chapter 12

  Almost a week had passed since that first night at Madame LeBlanc's brothel, and Alexandra was most anxious to leave. She had not been forced into any liaison with a man, but she did entertain every evening and speak with the men who came. Giles still continued to be a most persistent visitor and for the moment he seemed content to wait, but she didn't know how long that would last. Somehow she knew that he expected her to want him and that by being patient, he would gain her. But it would not be that way, Alexandra knew.

  Last night she had confronted Madame LeBlanc about leaving. She had spent enough time at the brothel and had told the madame she was anxious to go on to the Jarmon plantation. Surprisingly,

  Madame LaBlanc had told her that tonight would be her last night at the brothel, and that tomorrow she would see that Alexandra was at the Jarmon plantation. Madame LeBlanc had brough
t Alexandra a pretty, simple dress with lovely un-derthings, matching shoes, and a cape to take with her. There was also another gown more elegant for the evening. There was even a small valise in which to carry it all. It was ideal and Alexandra could have been much more pleased if she had understood the situation and Madame LeBlanc's motives. But she could learn nothing from Madame LeBlanc and there was no one else to ask so she planned to get through the evening as quickly as possible.

  The girls were down in the drawing room and the men had begun to arrive, Alexandra knew, but there was no reason for her to join them yet. She would have plenty of time to entertain them later. Leisurely, she took off her negligee and looked at her naked body critically before the mirror. The bruises and scratches she'd gotten on Gallatin Street were not as noticeable and she'd put on a little more weight. Still, she was thinner than usual. Yet she didn't think it unbecoming for her breasts were still round and full. The skin was stretched more tightly over her face, but she looked pretty in a more mature, refined way.

  Then, suddenly, Alexandra glanced hurriedly around the room. She felt that someone was with her—again. She had the same feeling almost every evening when she dressed or undressed—as if someone were watching her. Always the memory of the other peephole came to her mind, but Madame LeBlanc had assured her that her room had none. Alexandra had examined the room, but had found nothing. Still, the feeling persisted.

  She hurried over to her clothes and slipped into her underthings. This chemise was more revealing than any she'd worn before and it was in a sheer fiery orange to match the gown that Madame Le-Blance had given her. Alexandra slipped on the gown and walked over to the mirror. What she saw looked more like a harlot than anything she had yet seen. Her hair seemed almost on fire as it reflected the color of the gown—the shimmering, red-orange seemed almost to have a life of its own. And this dress was not modest in the least. It was of the sheerest silk, molded to her breasts and waist, then falling loosely to the floor in yards of the filmy material. And it was cut low, barely concealing the pink of her nipples, so that if she leaned over in the least one could see their points. Why had Madame LeBlanc chosen this dress? A man's first thought could only be to tear off the gown and take what it concealed, making it his own. But there was nothing else to wear. Madame LeBlanc would be furious if she wore either of the two country dresses, and she could not afford to anger the woman at this point. Well, she would go ahead and see the evening out.