AN: It only took me like a month but I finally finished the second chapter! YES! Okay moment of celebration over. There's not really much for me to say about this chapter. It's pretty self explanatory. I kind of always wondered how Cora felt about having to go to London to marry a man and knowing that she would probably never see her friends again. Also, I know that Cora was from Cincinnati not New York but just go with it. I hope you enjoy! Please review!

Cora was angry. Angry at her mother for coming up with such a ridiculous plan and angry at her father for going along with it.

She didn't want to get married. She was only nineteen. She wanted to go to parties and dance and flirt. She wasn't ready to give up her youth. If she had to get married why couldn't it be one of the boys she had known for years. Cora did not want to get married and she absolutely did not want to go to London.

Cora's mother had come up with the idea during her first season. Cora had debuted in New York and had been a great favorite with all of the men. Their mothers however were not so enthusiastic. Her family's fortune had been created within the last several generations and as far as the old families of New York were concerned they might as well still be poor.

After watching her daughter repeatedly being insulted by the mother's of her suitors, Martha decided on a new plan. She didn't want her only daughter to spend her life being mocked for being new money. The only solution was for her to marry into a family that was old and respected. That would be very difficult to accomplish in New York where girls with money could be found in every ballroom. They needed to go to Europe.

Martha had heard many stories about girls going to Europe and marrying bankrupt aristocrats. If a girl had enough money she could pick whatever title she wanted to have. The women in New York could eat their family names for all she cared. If her plan worked Cora was going to be a noblewoman.

Everything happened rather quickly after she made her decision. Martha was stunned when her husband agreed with very little argument. He saw what his daughter was going through and he would do anything to help better her or their family. The arrangements were made easily. They would spend several weeks in Paris while Cora had a new wardrobe made and then they would go to London where, hopefully, Cora would meet her future husband.

Martha knew that Cora would not want to go along with her plan. She wouldn't want to leave her friends or her family and she had no problem marrying a boy from a family whose money was as new as hers. However, Martha also knew that it would not be long before Cora began to notice the way the other women looked down on her and she knew from personal experience that there was nothing worse than constantly trying to fit in with people who would never consider her an equal.

When Martha finally got up the nerve to inform her daughter of the plan, Cora was livid. She knew that if her mother's plan worked she would never come back to New York. She would never see any of her friends again and she would be thousands of miles away from everyone she knew. She argued with her parents. She refused to tell her maid what she wanted to pack. She would not say goodbye to anyone. The night before they left she finally realized that she had lost and what she wanted for her future didn't matter. That was when she realized she needed to see her best friend.

Phoebe Brennan had been Cora's closest friend since they were children. They were both new money and had bonded over their lower status. Cora couldn't help but be a little bit jealous of Phoebe. Her parents were not very concerned about status and she was engaged to a new money boy that she had been in love with since she was fifteen. Despite any jealousy she might feel towards her friend she knew that if she did not see her before she left she would always regret it.

Phoebe had a flair for dramatics and Cora was not surprised when the door opened violently to reveal her friend with a look on her face that might have been more appropriate to seeing someone on their death bed. "Cora, darling!" Phoebe cried grabbing Cora's hand "I can't believe you are going to be leaving us! Please tell me that there is something I can do to change this! I can't get married without you at my wedding!"

Cora sighed "Pheebs, if you can get my parents to let me stay here than you will be my hero. I don't think it's going to happen though. My mother is determined."

"I don't think my asking on your behalf is going to help you much darling. Martha hates me."

"Maybe it's because you insist on calling her Martha."

"I've known the woman my entire life. She's a second mother. I refuse to call her Mrs. Levinson."

"I always call your mother Mrs. Brennan."

"Cora, my dear, that is because you are nowhere near as bold as I am."

Cora laughed knowing her friend was right but then she became upset again. This was what she was going to miss. Having someone she could talk to this easily and knew absolutely everything about her.

Phoebe watched her for a moment and then said carefully "So there is no way they're going to let you stay?"

"Absolutely none." replied Cora glumly.

"Then don't you think it's kind of exciting." Cora looked up quickly, surprised at her friend's sudden change.

"What do you mean?"

"Darling, you get to go to Paris to have dresses made by the best dressmakers in the world. Then your going to London and you have to try and seduce a dashing duke or an earl or a prince! Queen Victoria had about a hundred children, there has to be an extra son or grandson around there somewhere!"

Cora laughed at her friends excitement for her but then softly replied "But I won't have you. Or any of my other friends. I'm not going to know anyone my age."

"Maybe that's a good thing. You'll be forced to talk to people. Who knows Cora. Maybe you could meet a man and fall in love and live happily ever after in a castle!"

"I don't think it's going to be nearly that romantic. From what I can tell my parents are planning on giving me and all my money to the man with the highest title who will have me. It's going to be awful."

Phoebe could see that Cora was about to become upset so she quickly changed the subject and the pair spent the rest of the night laughing and gossiping until they fell asleep.

The next morning Cora stood on the deck of the ship as it pulled away from the dock. Her mother stood beside her and they waved to her father and Phoebe on the dock.

Martha turned to look at her daughter. Cora seemed to be in much better spirits after spending time with Phoebe the night before. "Cora?"

"Yes mother."

"You know that I love you right? And that I'm not doing this to be cruel. I really believe that this will be the best thing for you."

Cora sighed "I know you think that mother but I'm not sure that you're right."

The stood together in silence then until the city became merely a dot in the distance. Cora couldn't help but wonder if this would be the last time she would see it.