Sarah was missing.
Then, suddenly, Isidora spoke.
“Papa… I have something to say.”
Everyone looked at her.
“A few days ago, Sarah told me she did not love her suitor. Maybe… maybe she ran away.”
“What?” Jon shouted. “She never said that!”
Matilda interrupted at once. “She was happy about the marriage!”
“Be quiet!” Agnes screamed at her.
Then Agnes collapsed dramatically and began to cry.
“Why would Sarah disgrace us like this?” she wailed. “On her wedding day! What will we tell the suitors?”
Isidora slowly lifted her head.
“I have an idea,” she said.
Everyone stared.
“We should not allow Sarah to disgrace this family. I will disguise myself as the bride. I will marry the suitor in her place.”
Matilda gasped. “That is not fair! It is Sarah’s marriage!”
“Shut up!” Agnes screamed again.
Jon was horrified.
“How can you even suggest such a thing?”
But Agnes snapped back, “Do you want the whole village to mock us? Do you want shame to follow this family forever?”
Jon’s shoulders fell.
By noon, Sarah’s suitors arrived.
Only two chariots.
Agnes froze. She had expected a grand procession. They had been told the groom was a prince from a powerful kingdom far away. She expected warriors, drummers, a royal entourage.
Instead, only three men stepped down.
“Where is the king?” Agnes asked quickly.
“He could not come,” one man answered. “There is serious trouble in the kingdom.”
Agnes forced a smile and asked no more questions.
Inside the hut, Isidora was dressed in Sarah’s bridal cloth—coral beads, wrapper, veil. The rites were rushed. Gifts were exchanged quickly. No one examined the bride too closely. Before sunset, Isidora had been married off in Sarah’s place.
As the chariot left, Agnes smiled proudly and waved.
Matilda did not come out.
