I enlist Mr. Thornton's help

Dear Diary, (May 21st, late in the evening)

I have enlisted the young Mr. Thornton to my cause. I used, I'm a little embarrassed to admit, my feminine charms to entice the young man. I would not have seduced him had I not genuinely found the young lawyer attractive, but I knew exactly what I was doing when I asked him to accompany to my room.

Most of today has been a blur. A series of meetings and more tours; what free time I had, I spent trying to make sense out of the plantation ledger. The large ledger is a series of dated notes detailing receipts and expenditures with no real order or structure. For example, the purchase of a 50-cent bag of sugar might be followed by the sale of a $200 horse, it is maddeningly tedious. If I am reading the entries correctly, the single largest source of income comes from the yearly sale of tobacco, much more than what is received from the rice, pork and beef combined. In fact, the second largest source of revenue after the tobacco appeared to be from the sale of young slaves.

When I expressed my discomfort at profiting from the sale of other humans to Mr. Thornton. I was reminded again that despite his Ivy League education and sophisticated manner that this young man was a true son of the South.

“Don't be too hasty to make changes, Miss DiFlorentini.” Mr. Thornton advised me over tea when I expressed my concerns over this most troubling practice. “Just about every family of note in Charleston is going to be watching you for signs that you are going to bring your disruptive Yankee values to this Eden of ours.”

“I just don't think it's right.” I held my tongue when I saw him shake his head carefully. “Well then, Mr. Thornton,” I fear that I may have been a little short with the man. “What do you think I should do?” If my tone offended the young man, he gave no indication of his irritation.

“I think you should throw a party.” Mr. Thornton must have seen my skeptical reaction because he set his teacup down deliberately and paused to be sure he had my attention. “Leave the running of the plantation to that irritable Irishman; your charms are far better suited for setting your neighbor's fears to rest.”

An hour later, guided by Mr. Thornton, I decided on six area couples to invite for a dinner gathering a fortnight hence. Shortly thereafter, we met with the cook and selected a menu and Mr. Thornton assured me that he knew of a calligrapher who would write and send out invitations by the next day.

“Do you have anything to wear?” Mr. Thornton asked suddenly, “I wonder if my mother's dressmaker could do a rush -”

“I have dresses, Mr. Thornton.” I could tell Mr. Thornton was skeptical so I invited him to my room to see for himself. The dress I had in mind was one I had made specifically for meeting my father. The young lawyer did not say so, but I know Mr. Thornton was impressed. Until now, he had seen me in only my travel dresses and the dark blue velvet dress that I wore for the reading of the will. I don't think he expected me to have a dress like this packed away in my trunks. It was of green silk in the latest fashion from London and I knew that it fit my figure perfectly.

“Would you like to see the dress on me, Mr. Thornton?” The poor man spluttered awkwardly and turned for the door, but I stop him with a firm command.

“Wait, Mr. Thornton.” He stops and turns back to meet my smile as I explain. “I'm going to need someone to help me with the buttons.” The poor man stammers awkwardly, but I'm already pulling my day dress over my head. Wearing my lacy bodice and petticoats I was covered almost as much as I had been before, but there is something about being in your underwear in front of a man for the first time. I felt at the same time both **** and powerful. It had been several months since my last encounter with a lover, and I could feel my insides start to moisten in anticipation.

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“Miss DiFlorentini.” I could feel his eyes taking in my body as I stood before him. He wanted me, I was sure of it. He just needed a little encouragement.

“It's OK, Mr. Thornton.” I bring the silk dress and press it into his hands, “I've had other men help me dress.” I wait for a full second before I finish the thought. “- and undress.”