The Gallant South- Part One

Chapter VII- October 8, 1912

        When Cora awoke the following morning, she noticed that the house felt quieter. But still, her bedroom was dark save for the small beam of light coming in through the windows, just in between the thick curtains. 
        Cora made herself get up despite her inner self yelling that it was too early. She drew open all of the curtains in her room, and watched the autumn-painted trees blowing around in the brisk October wind. It was a peaceful scene, and Cora wondered how much more the temperature would drop.

        When Cora went to check Eveline's bedroom, she found it to be empty. The bed was made neatly, and all of the clothes Eveline had borrowed were gone. The two windows were open, letting in a 65 degree morning breeze, and there was a small piece of paper sitting on the untouched desk. It read: Thanks for letting me stay. Gone back to my apartment.  It had been written on a sheet of stationery from Cora's bedroom.
        She just comes and goes as she pleases, Cora thought. But of course, it made her wonder where exactly Eveline lived. Now that Cora thought about it, she had yet to see the homes of any of the society people. She knew Bettirose and the Harrelson twins lived in mansions probably bigger than hers, Mama Elsie probably lived in an old farmhouse, Kit and Renee probably lived in city houses, and Mildred, Cora knew, did in fact live on Cherry Coral Road.
        Since it was indeed customary for a lady to call on friends in the morning hours, Cora, quickly making up her mind, hurried back upstairs and picked out a lovely pink morning dress with white trim and a circular hat with a big plumed feather. Three, actually. A large one and two smaller ones. Feathers were all the rage this decade. They'd always been in fashion, but now hats were getting larger and larger, with even more bows and feathers and flowers.

        Cora figured that all of the others were in the kitchen or outside, so she walked out to the carriage house and thought for a moment. She didn't want to be driven around, as she wanted some time alone, but she also didn't want to walk anywhere. Riding Artemis was out of the question. If she were to run into Magalee or Colby or one of the others, she'd be disgraced. So, relenting, she made her way back towards the house.
        Masteson was in the library as usual, this time reading an older-looking book. He looked up and removed his reading glasses when Cora came in.
        "I swear, do you read one book every single day?" Cora asked, looking at the pile next to the reading chair Masterson always sat in.
        "I suppose I do. Reading has always been a favorite pastime of mine, but your father never really allowed anyone time to sit down and read a spell," he explained, marking his page and setting the book down as he stood up. "Where to?"

        Cora decided to stop at Magalee's house first, but when she stepped out of the automobile and approached the door, she was greeted by Jacob Vega.
        "Cora, hello! Are you looking for Magalee?" he asked kindly.
        "I am, yes. I was wondering if she knows where a few new friends of mine live," Cora replied, sensing that Magalee wasn't home. And she was correct.
        "Unfortunately, Magalee is at Miss Alice Whitbaker's house. Would you like her address?" he asked helpfully, picking up a notepad and pencil from a table next to the door, in the coatroom. Cora nodded, and Jacob quickly wrote something down on the paper before handing it to Cora.
        "That's 1304 Lovelace Drive. It's just off Cherry Coral Road, near the front entrance. Her estate is quite hard to miss, in fact. There is a very large oak tree with Spanish moss just behind their front gate. You couldn't possibly miss it," he advised.
        "Thank you kindly, Jacob," Cora replied. Jacob smiled and closed the door, bidding farewell to Cora's now-dejected mood.

        "Dammit," Cora announced as she climbed into the carriage of the automobile and flounced out her thin skirt.
        "What?" Masterson asked from the driver's seat as he started the engine. Cora sighed and looked down at the paper Jacob had given her.
        "Take me to 1304 Lovelace Drive. But just drop me off near the house, I'll walk the rest of the way. And please, don't let yourself be seen."
        "Why? Whose house is it?" Masterson asked with a newfound concern as he drove along the road towards Lovelace Drive. Cora dreaded her arrival.
        "I'm going to Colby Whitbaker's house. I can only pray he won't be home," she announced, and Masterson almost stopped the car, but reigned himself in and kept along driving, this time a little faster.
        "Why in the hell would you want to go there?" he asked. "If it's your friend's houses you seek, why not go to the society and ask them?"
        "Because it's a Monday morning. In the eyes of the wealthy lady, this is social hour. This is the time when everyone goes to each other's houses. Tell me, have you heard of Pride and Prejudice? " 
        "Of course. Or have you forgotten I'm a colored man?" he asked. Cora almost laughed. She knew that he'd read that book close to a million times. The traits however, probably closer to a billion. But he was correct. Pride and prejudice were some of the main things Cora knew that Masterson was always experiencing, especially with the head of the household she had just arrived at.
        Jacob was correct, the house was impossible to miss. It was three stories of dark brick, with a tall brick and wrought-iron fence enclosing the property. Just inside the gate was a short oak tree with clusters of Spanish moss hanging from every limb. It was like the two oak trees at Cora's own house, though this one looked more scary than longing. But maybe it was all in the context of Cora's current dilemma that made her feel so strongly over a tree. She had barely even noticed the two trees at the front of her own property, and she made a mental note to pay more attention to them.
        Masterson stopped the automobile a few yards away, and Cora slowly stepped out, with a careful nod to Masterson, who looked a little nervous. Obviously, Cora didn't blame him. She herself was nervous, even though she knew Colby probably wouldn't even be home. Still, Alice would be there. And even though Cora did not necessarily hate her, and even felt bad for her, she was still uneasy around her.