New Orleans – 1845

Diana poured a glass of wine as the man walked into the room. She turned and motioned him to sit on the bed. She walked over with two glasses of wine and handed one to him. Alone, she was able to fully take in his appearance. He was about fifty from what she could tell and was quite tall. He had brown skin, a bit darker than the others and dark eyes. He wore well cut black suit and overcoat. Typical of the gens de couleur of the city.

"Tell me Mr. Ephraim, what brought you to my place this evening?" Diana asked.

"I've been told you have a fine establishment for distinguished gentlemen. And I also have been told of your fine beauty. I had to see it for myself." Ephraim began sipping his wine.

"I see, but I'm not really special. I'm just a business woman. I have plenty of younger and prettier girls around to entertain you. You know, I don't normally entertain guests personally."

"Yet here we are" Ephraim replied. "I must have caught your curiosity."

The man did. Diana could feel something strange about him, but could not put her finger on it. "You have an unusual name. Ephraim. I assume it's from the bible."

"You read the bible?" Ephraim asked.

"Surprised?" Diana asked.

"Given your occupation, perhaps."

Diana huffed and replied, "I wasn't raised a heathen, sir."

"Neither was I. I thought you may be one of those followers of the "old" faith."

"If you're implying if I worship with those who practice voudoun, the answer is no. Do you?"

The man laughed softly. "No, not really. I do believe in God though."

Diana smiled.

"But allow me to change the subject" Ephraim said. "Is Diana your real name? It doesn't sound very, well French."

Diana laughed. "It is."

Ephraim smiled. "Diana. The huntress. I'm sure the name suits you well." Ephraim took another sip of his wine. "Such a lovely name for a lovely face."

Diana smiled back. He spoke to her like so many others have done in the past. They would tell her how beautiful she was. How they wanted to touch her, kiss her, and woo her off her feet. She would gladly let them – for a price of course.

"Are you going to woo with me words all evening?" Diana asked.

"Would you like that?" Ephraim asked.

"We might get bored after a while. And I'm certain that is not what you really came here for."

"You rather we get physical?"

"Isn't that what you paid me for?"

Ephraim touched her face, so gently Diana almost didn't feel it. "What kind of man would I be if I only took what I wanted from such a fine jewel? A jewel that should be treasured, not toss aside or sold like a piece of wood."

Diana closed her eyes and turned her head away. "I do what I have to do to survive. There's not a lot choices for a mulatto woman, even a free one. I have to eat."

"Don't we all, my dear." Ephraim replied.

"You're not going to lecture me on the perils of my occupation are you?"

Ephraim laughed. "No. But something tells me there is more to your story."

"There is always more to a story, but it's one I rather not talk," Diana replied.

Ephraim nodded his head. "Fair enough."

"So what shall we do then, Ephraim? I do have a business to run."

"Yes, I'm certain you do. How about a kiss?"

"A kiss?" Diana asked.

When Ephraim nodded, Diana leaned over and kissed Ephraim gently on the lips. She then felt his hand grab the back of her head, crushing her lips against his. Diana moaned and Ephraim slipped his tongue into her mouth. She felt his other arm wrap around her waist as he pressed her breasts against his chest. As he explored her mouth, Diana tasted something strange. A sweet elixir like wine. She tried to pull away to find out what Ephraim was doing, but he would not break the kiss. Yet the liquid tasted good and made Diana's insides feel warm. Diana allowed herself to give into the kiss. She felt Ephraim's hands explore her body, rubbing across her thigh. His touch causing her skin to burn, despite the layers of clothing separating his hands from her skin. When Ephraim finally broke away from Diana, she saw his lips were bruised red. She imagined her lips looked the same.

"That was one fine kiss" Ephraim whispered.

Diana was still trying to catch her breath. Breathing heavily she replied, "Yes it was. And what was that liquid you were putting in my mouth? It didn't taste like the wine I gave you."

Ephraim just smiled and said, "That is my little secret. One I only indulge to those I find worthy of it."

"Am I not worthy of your secret?" Diana purred.

Ephraim looked deep into Diana's eyes, which made her heart beat faster. "I'm not sure yet, but I did have a lovely evening."

"Was that all you wanted from me? A kiss? " Diana asked.

Ephraim smiled and stood up. "It will suffice for tonight."

"Well I can certainly say you're not like other men." Diana replied.

Ephraim smiled. "No. Next time perhaps we will share more."

Diana smiled. "Next time? So you're planning on returning Monsieur Ephraim?"

"Oh yes, and I promise you will definitely like it." He leaned over and gently kissed Diana on her cheek before exiting the room.

After he left, Diane sat on the bed for a moment. She touched her lips, which were still warm and swollen from the kiss. She stood up and walked over to the mirror. She retouched her lips with rouge and patted down her curls, with the image of Ephraim still stuck in her mind. With everything in place, Diana exited the room to greet more customers.