Five
May 12, 1799
Natchez

De Villanee arrived in Natchez with Contesse late in the evening, and he took her to his stylish home on top of the bluff for the night.

This rapidly growing city was the last port on the Mississippi River before New Orleans. The United States had acquired it from Spain in 1798 and had made it the capital of the newly created Mississippi Territory.

The fashionable homes and respectable businesses of the city were built on the bluff about two hundred feet above the river. The harbor, the racetrack, and the vice district, known as Natchez-under-the-Hill, lay on the narrow clay shelf below.

Natchez-under-the-Hill had grown over the years to accommodate the increasing number of boatmen coming down the Mississippi River. It was the mecca of those who desired liquor, women, and song. Its barrooms, dance halls, gambling dens, and brothels easily outnumbered the more reputable businesses on top of the bluff. Robbery, violence, and murder were daily occurrences there.

Known as Satans Place, de Villanees gentlemans house of pleasure was the most elegant of the evil establishments under the hill. Brick and timber in construction, it had narrow, second-floor balconies trimmed in wrought iron. Inside, its floors were covered with fine rugs, and its front windows were curtained with satin. It had first-class prices and was reputed to have the best girls on the strip.

The following morning, de Villanees housemaids bathed Contessee and dressed her in a fashionable calico frock. Her left eye was bruised and swollen. Her ankles and wrists were shackled to prevent her from trying to run away. They loaded her into de Villanees carriage, and he took her to Satans Place.

Madam de LaRonde managed the daily operations of de Villanees business. Light-brown, she was seductively dressed in a low-cut gown with half-length sleeves trimmed with lace and a wide belt high up under her bust. She was an expert in selecting the right girl for each customer. She had a dark bouncer named Napoleon to maintain order and discipline. He was over six feet tall and was very strong.

Madame de LaRonde and her twelve-year-old daughter Nicci were in the front room when de Villanee entered with Contesse.

Good morning, de Villanee said with pride. I bring you a prize. Shes still a virgin. Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh.

Master, shes a beauty, said Madame de LaRonde. Her breasts are so full and her skin so fair. Shes lovely.

She smiled as she put her hands on Contesses dress over her breasts. She noticed Contesses bruised eye but said nothing about it. She lifted Contesses dress and admired her legs.

Pantalettes, I wondered what they looked like; theyre the new fashion in France now. Dont worry, my dear. Youll be famous within a month. Theyll pay high prices to have you. Youll please many men.

I have a gentleman in mind, said de Villanee. A younger man, he was a sailor on my last ship. He has an eye for the ladies. Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh. Ive sent word for him to come. Hell pay dearly for this young virgin, and hell break her in right. Hes in Natchez now, and you must expect him to call tonight.

How will I know him? Madame de LaRonde asked.

Hell tell you hes here for the virgin. Hell carry a jug of rum. He lives on rum. Without it he gets mean. Dont try to take it away from him.

De Villanee ran his hands up and down Contesses arms and legs as he removed the shackles from her wrists and ankles. Then he put his hands on her dress over her breasts, squeezed them, and smiled wickedly.

Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh. I should have broken you in myself, you lovely creature.

De Villanee turned to Madame de LaRonde. I must talk to you about your daughter. Her tits are budding now. Theyre small, but it wont be long until theyre grabbing size. Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh.

He scares me, momma, the girl said after de Villanee had gone.

Well talk about that later in private.

Madame de LaRonde was angry. She took Contesses wrist and led her to a first-floor room in the back of the building.

This, my dear, is where youll entertain your gentlemen.

Madame de LaRonde set her candle on a small table in the back corner. Using both hands, she pushed the bed aside, revealing a trap door in the floor. Then she opened it.

Look at the river, she said, pointing to the swirling brown water below. This is where we dispose of GARBAGE. Sometimes we have customers with more money than good sense. We relieve them of their money and drop their bodies into the river. Theyre GARBAGE. We once had a girl who wouldnt please her gentlemen. We disposed of her in the same way. She was GARBAGE. You wouldnt want to be GARBAGE, would you? You wouldnt want that to happen to you, my dear!

Terrified, Contesse said nothing.

You must rest and be sweet tonight. Your gentleman is paying a top price for an all-night session with a young, beautiful virgin. Hell break you in right. YOU MUST GIVE HIM MUCH PLEASURE!

She closed the trap door and pulled the bed back over it. With nothing else to say, she took her candle from the table and left the room. Contesse heard the key turn as Madame de LaRonde locked the door from the outside.

Contesse was alone. The room was dark, and there was only a single window to admit light. It was small and was covered with greased paper. The only pieces of furniture were the bed and the small table in the back corner. It seemed so hopeless. There was no escape. Exhausted, she lay down on the bed, her eyes closed, and she drifted off into a light sleep.

She awoke suddenly. Someone was unlocking the door. Was it time? Was he here?