MISS CORA LEE PRIMROSE

On page 141 of Vamps and the City, Darcy interviews each of the five harem ladies. The interviews were later edited into the reality show. Cora Lee’s interview was scheduled to appear in the third show when she judged the men on their dancing ability on the rooftop (page 208).

Darcy: Cora Lee, we would love to hear your story.

Cora Lee: Why, thank you kindly.

I was born in Sumter County, Alabama, in 1842. My daddy owned a lovely plantation along the Tombigbee River. Oh, the parties we used to have! Still, the heat would get unbearable in the summer, so whenever my daddy had business to attend to in Mobile, I would beg to accompany him, so I could enjoy the cooler breezes that came in from the Gulf. Mamma never came with us. She was always feeling a bit under the weather and took comfort with Dr. Hadley’s Tonic for Female Ailments. The tonic seemed especially beneficial when followed it with a mint julep.

One summer in 1860, before all that unpleasantness began between the States, I was in Mobile with my daddy and my brother. They went to business meetings all day while I went shopping with my maid, Hattie. We were supposed to meet them that evening at our hotel room close to the port. I put on a very lovely gown so we could go out to dinner. I remember it was sky blue silk, the same color as my eyes, with yards of white lace that came from Paris. I grew impatient waiting for my daddy and brother to return, so I decided I would take a walk and show off my pretty new dress. Poor Hattie was so tired from lugging around my purchases all day that I couldn’t persuade her to come with me. I still remember her words to this day, "Please, Miss Cora Lee, please don’t go out there alone. The port is a dangerous place where wicked men will snatch you up and do terrible things to you!"

Unfortunately, that just made me want to go even more. I was strolling along the pier, enjoying the admiring glances cast my way, when I saw the most delightful riverboat. I commented on its perfect lines and graceful design to the colored man by the gangplank. He introduced himself as André and invited me to come aboard. I laughed and said I had no money for gambling, and my daddy certainly wouldn’t approve of such activity. André just smiled, flashing the whitest teeth, and said he would be honored to take me on a quick tour.

I suppose I should have said no. But then, I wouldn’t be here today. André escorted me onto the riverboat and into the most gorgeous ballroom. Glittering chandeliers, hand-painted, gilded wallpaper, and people wearing the most beautiful clothes. I thought I was in heaven. I remember standing in the middle of the room, pivoting in a circle, taking it all in.

And then I saw him. The most handsome man I’ve ever seen. He walked toward me, bowed, and introduced himself--Beauregard Duprée from New Orleans. I said I was taking a small tour of the riverboat, but when I looked around, André had disappeared. Beauregard said he would be happy to give me the tour himself, and when I asked if he was familiar with the boat, he smiled and said he was the owner.

Of course I didn’t realize at the time that André was one of Beauregard’s mortal slaves, and his job was to bring Beauregard pretty mortal women. At the time, I was simply flattered by all the attention. And I must say, Beauregard was the most charming man. Even though he used mind control on me, I doubt it would have been entirely necessary. I fell for him the minute I laid eyes on him.

Oh dear, how shall I put this? Let’s just say I never left the boat that evening. And I never saw my daddy or brother again. Beauregard set sail for New Orleans. I was mildly aware, even in my enthralled state, that I had bite marks on my neck and I felt rather weary. I never saw Beauregard during the day, but André took good care of me. I was told Beauregard was conducting business below deck. He came to me every evening, and he was the most kind and romantic lover. Whenever we stopped in port, he would take me shopping. I realize now that those who came on board to gamble lost a heap of money since they fell under vampire mind control. It made Beauregard a very wealthy man.

Our first night in New Orleans, Beauregard kept me on the riverboat and asked me if I would stay with him forever. Naturally, I thought he meant sixty years or so. And I thought he was proposing marriage. I was so deeply in love that I agreed. He transformed me that night.

The next night, I was shocked to learn that I was supposed to go out and bite some poor unsuspecting person’s neck! And if that wasn’t bad enough, Beauregard took me to his mansion and introduced me to his harem! He was coven master of New Orleans with a harem of eight women, including me. Well, I can say I was a bit miffed. After all, I had thought I was special to him. Of course, he claimed we were all special. André assured me that I would soon adjust, and that I should be happy to be young and beautiful forever.

Beauregard continued to have trouble keeping his trousers on and made another vampire very angry when he tried to seduce his woman. It was a stupid thing for Beauregard to do. Everyone knew that Giselle was Colbert GrandPied’s woman. Colbert challenged Beauregard to a duel, and my poor Beauregard ended up a pile of dust. It was a terrible scandal. A new coven master had to be found, and I didn’t care for him at all. I just wanted to run away, but where could I go? And how?

I turned to André for help, and we came up with a dastardly plan. I wanted to leave, and André wanted his freedom. With Beauregard gone, no one had claimed ownership to his riverboat. So, André and I ran off with it! It was difficult traveling because of the unpleasantness between the States. And we didn’t have any help on the riverboat until André came up with another plan. We stopped at ports along the Gulf and absconded with runaway slaves. They helped us make the journey all the way up the coast to New York City. There, André and his merry gang of runaways sold the boat and divided up the money. I was sorry to see André go. He’d been a true friend. But he no longer wanted any part of the vampire world. During the voyage, he’d fallen in love with a lovely maid from Savannah, and they wanted to have a happy mortal life together.

I was all alone in a strange city, but luckily, I found the coven master of East Coast Vampires and he agreed to take me in as one of his harem. He was a kindly older gentleman who took good care of us. I’ve never had to take care of myself before, so I would like to find a new master on this reality show.