It was the morning of the 17th of July 1888, and a young Cora Levinson was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her mother, Martha, in her cabin on the ferry. They were going on a trip of sorts, to London. You see, this trip was important; it was Cora's first season tomorrow and she nervously thinking of what everyone in London would make of her, especially with her being American. She stood alone in her cabin, it was all decked out with the finest furniture and candles lit the room it was almost like her home away from home, or that is what it seem to her anyway. Cora started to pace the room, up and down, up and down; she was nervous and quite rightly so. She was becoming more and more apprehensive by the minute, and being alone wasn't helping, she stepped outside her cabin to catch her breath. She grasped the golden handle on the dark wooden door and flung it open, and was immediately flooded with light and the sound of the rustle and bustle of people. This was a sound she was glad to hear, sounds she was used to back in her home town of Cincinnati. Her eyes adjusted to the harsh light that was thrust upon her, Cora saw her mother appear from around the corner and was walking towards her with a smile on her face, something Cora hadn't seen since she was a small girl.
"Sorry I've taken so long, there was a problem with our luggage" Martha said apologetically, walking into their cabin and sitting down in the chesterfield chair in the corner of the room.
"Nothing you couldn't have sorted I'm sure" Cora replied with a hint of sarcasm in her voice, something she was doing more these past few years.
Martha took out a book from her small black handbag and started reading, it would be a long trip to England and she had made this journey before so knew to be prepared. Cora on the other hand was not so prepared so sat in silence contemplating what lay ahead for her in London. The crossing was long and tiring on both of the women, so they were relieved to reach their accommodation for the night; they were to stay with a family friend in Belgrave Square. To Cora's delight Belgrave Square was quite a spectacular place, beautiful buildings and wonderful views of Belgravia. The rest for the evening would be welcomed, especially because of everything that was to happen tomorrow.