Torn Hearts, Lost History

Chapter Five: The Dress

Cora knew it would only be a week before she'd see Thomas again, yet she dreamt of his every night. After a couple of days, Benjamin ordered Alice to take Cora out to the city, if she was to live there she'd need to get used to it. He also has a fitting booked for her to be measured for her wedding dress.

Cora wasn't excited that her wedding day drew closer, but she was excited to leave the house and go to the city once more. The maid and the lady was an odd friendship mixture, but Benjamin recognized the friendship they had formed and knew Cora had not been accepted into the social circles of the local ladies.

Due to this, Alice wore one of Cora's dresses. They giggled a lot, knowing neither of them was cut out to be a lady. It was a comical thought to see them looking so posh. As they walked out of one store to move to the next, Cora froze on the sidewalk.

"What's wrong miss- er Cora?" Alice asked looking at Cora whose eyes were glued to something on the other side of the street.

"That man, Alice," Alice looked across the street. "He was there when we entered the store and when we left the last store. He seems familiar to me."

"How can that be Miss?" Alice asked shocked. "You know no one here."

"I don't know, but I don't feel good about it." Cora's voice dropped as she spoke. "We should keep moving." And they walked to the next store together.

Alice couldn't help but look behind them as they walked away. She saw the man drop his cigarette and step on it on the sidewalk and head down following them. She tried to be discrete, but she got a good look at him. He had short ash blonde curly hair. He wasn't thin, but he wasn't plump either. His face was very round and he wore thin glasses. His eye brows were thin and there was a small scar on the left side of his bottom lip. He had the appearance of a poor man, but the suit of a man with wealth from years ago.

The man caught Alice's gaze and turned away. Alice turned around quickly, scared of what the man might have been planning, but happy that he had decided to leave. "Well I hope that's the last you have to see of him Miss. I get a bad feeling around him."

"I'm sure he's harmless Alice," Cora said to her. "I don't think I'm welcome in the social circles around here, but you know something? I'm happier in your company anyway." They both laughed and looked for a cab to head home.

Benjamin was there to greet them, standing on the staircase, as the two young ladies entered the house. "I see you've enjoyed your visit to the town Cora?" He said with a smile.

"Oh yes, it was quite lovely. And the dresses the tailor was working on, I can hardly imagine myself in something quite like it." Cora responded with enthusiasm despite the idea of marriage being an upsetting topic. Alice and Cora agreed not to mention the man they saw in town.

"Well," Benjamin said. "I'm glad you had fun. Shall we eat?" Cora went with Benjamin to the dining room. As they sat down waiting for the food to be brought in, Cora decided to ask Benjamin stories of his travels. She hoped they would give her inspiration. Benjamin was excited at the idea of sharing his stories with someone.