Unfamiliar Innocence

Charles and Elsa should have been uncomfortable breaking southern social tradition. Charles was Irish and Elsa had the beautiful features of a Quadroon. Charles knew it was acceptable for him, as a plantation owner’s son, to take a Quadroon as a mistress. But Elsa wanted marriage and all of her man. And she had her sights set on Charles. Elsa lived on the docks, by the Mississippi River. In the 1850’s i New Orleans, the docks were not safe for white people. And particularly not safe for white men encroaching on their women. The first Shanghai attempt on Charles was stopped by Elsa’s brother, even though he secretly led the local Shanghai gang. Charles’ need for revenge, and his suspicions of Elsa’s brother, put a wedge between Charles and Elsa that grew bigger with each accusation and threat. Charles had started to pursue Elsa as a potential mistress, but Elsa balked at every turn. She refused to accept anything less than a true public partnership. Charles tried to walk away, but the draw his heart felt for Elsa just grew with time. Rumors flew, and sides were chosen. Charles’ innocence as to what he wanted, and Elsa’s dreams, seemed to be stopped at every turn.