Sarah to the rescue

When Jess got to Sarah's house, she realized Mia had tricked her. James was nowhere in sight, nor was anyone home.

She saw the carriage driving by at full speed and tried chasing after it, but she was too late to catch up with them.

Betrayed by her sister, she sat at the doorstep of her house. She would have to make the journey to the castle on foot, which was what Mia wanted.

Jess, what are you doing sitting down at my doorstep, looking downcast?

Is everything all right? Sarah asked.

Sarah had visited the next village and was returning when she saw a carriage driving away.

Seeing Jess looking dejected at their doorpost made her worry. She hoped that scumbag of a man, Mr. Edmud, had not invited the local authorities to arrest her father. Sarah wondered why her brother was hesitating about getting married.

Women in this part of town married early because of the war. Men could claim a lady they liked even if she did not reciprocate the feelings and make her his wife.

Being a lady in this part of town, especially after the war, was difficult, as having a daughter was not desirable because it was expensive.

If a woman was pregnant with a girl, the first thing her father wanted to do was get rid of her.

As girls, their biggest concern was getting married, and to get a good marriage, you have to be very well behaved, and you have to be compassionate and submissive because you will get cheated on and pretend you did not see it.

Her friend was compassionate but not as submissive as their men would want. She could never turn her eye from being cheated on and pretend everything was fine.

She is outspoken in the face of injustice and would go the extra mile to ensure justice.

Sarah, being a timid and introverted person, often time had fallen prey to the hands of men who wanted her to satiate their lusts.

Jess had shown up when she least expected and had stood for her, unfazed by the size and height of her assailants.

Jess lifted her head to see her friend in worn-out clothes and messy hair. She was probably tired, and here she was, blocking her path.

Why am I this gullible? She asked no one in particular.

Sarah, confused by her words, sat down beside her. She had never seen Jess in this state.

She always puts on a smile and bravely faces any challenges head-on.

What happened to make you this dejected?

Where are you planning on going somewhere? Sarah asked.

I thought that James had returned, but it turned out that Mia had tricked me out of spite.

Sarah nodded, understanding the situation. Mia must have lied to Jess about James coming home for her to get revenge for something Jess must have said or done.

You are not gullible, even if I fall prey to the schemes of your evil genius sister. I only wished she could give you a break and not make a joke out of everything, commented Sarah.

But why are you putting on makeup, which is quite unusual? Sarah asked.

It was then that Jess remembered why she was angry in the first place. Her sister deceived her as a way of getting revenge.

The sound of a lightning strike caught her attention as she lifted her hands to gaze at the once clear sky that had turned foggy.

Hope-hope is not what I am thinking, she shuttered with her mouth hung open, praying to God that it is not about to rain now.

The cloud had moved in quickly, and as the rain began to fall. Jess sensed a dreary feeling that soured the day.

Ahhhh!! I never imagined the day would turn out like this. She screamed and banged her head on the door.

Calm down, will you? Do not go about banging your head on the door because you might end up having a concussion.

Unless you want to end up in a hospital and spend the little money you received from that diner that overworks you on medical bills, Sarah scolded her friend.

What is going on? I have never seen you this emotional. Sarah asked with concern as she joined her friend on the couch. Jess rarely allows her emotions to get the best of her. So, she was a bit surprised by her outburst.

Nothing, Jess said

But the watery eyes and trembling lips say otherwise. Talk to me, Jess, Sarah pleaded.
I have a lot on my plate, Jess said.

Mr. Edmund informed me when I ran into him that I have only two months to pay the local council tax or lose forfeiting our property. He also threatened to make sure my father rot in jail unless I crawled to his bed and begged for mercy.

That is ridiculous, commented Sarah.

How shameless is that man to be ruining the lives of innocent girls? Has he not done enough, and now he was to ruin your life too? She asked, seething in anger.

If only James could put his dream on hold for a while so that we could get married, but he does not seem to understand. Jess cried.

Have you told him? Sarah asked.

I have wanted to, but after the fight, we had over me working at the local tavern without his knowledge. We have not spoken since then.

I cannot report Mr. Edmud because my father borrowed money from some loan sharks who are his friends, and now, they are threatening his life. He practically has me on a leash, and he knows it.

On the condition that my father cannot pay off the loan and the local council tax, I would have to marry him, she said, as tears streamed down her face.

She wanted to be strong, but she was crumbling instead. Mia was not helping matters as she thought only of herself, ruining her chances of getting a better job with Walker Lane.

Sarah comforted her until her tears subsided. Jess saw that the rain had stopped and the sky had become dark. She could still make it if run fast enough.

She would beg if she had to and beg for forgiveness for being late.

I hope it is not too late, she thought.

Sarah helped Jess put on her gown, her hair cascading down her shoulders as there was no time to style it.

I better start running now, stated Jess.

Wait. Sarah said.

My fiancé is around, and his friend has a horse we can borrow. I have told him to drop you off at the ball as it is already nightfall.

Jess hugged Sarah for her thoughtfulness.

Just then, Richard came riding a brown horse.

Hop on, my lady. I will bring you safely to your prince charming at the ball. Richard said cockily.

Jess chuckled as Sarah helped her onto the horse so she did not step on her gown.

Forget about Mr. Edmud and enjoy the ball, her friend said, waving at her as they galloped away.