The Indomitable Lady

8. The Marriage

The next day was the eve of the wedding and there was a lot of preparation. Early in the morning, his presence in the chapel was awaited by Father Simões in the chapel. When she saw herself there, she realized that he was waiting for her confession before the wedding ceremony.

Teresa was a non-practicing Catholic and had not confessed since she had made her communions as a child. She told the priest about her difficulty in accepting the authority of a husband, heard a speech about the role of a woman according to the bible and was later forgiven for a few prayers.

When she was freed from her religious obligation, she sat on the porch looking at the entrance square and thinking what it would be like if she couldn't find a way to return to her time. The truth is, she had no idea if there was any way to do it, and for the first time, she had the frightening possibility of staying there forever, trapped by an arrogant husband and a patriarchal, slave-owning family.

He considered going to help with the preparations, and in the kitchen he found all the women with Nina.

ꟷThe big day is coming, Teresa. How do you feel? ꟷasked Luísa, the sweet blonde sister-in-law, always pleasant

ꟷ Scared! ꟷConfessed

ꟷNow that you've spent some time with my brother, what do you think of him? ꟷ asked Francesca

ꟷ He's the most arrogant, arrogant and authoritarian man I know ꟷ He replied without thinking

D. Isabel watched her.

ꟷI think you're falling in love with my son.

ꟷI don't think so ...It 's hard to feel in love with a man who is always threatening to beat me up

ꟷJust try not to confront him ꟷasked D. Isabel -ꟷAnd he will be a good husband, you'll see!

That day she didn't see Carlos or any of the men in the family. Presumably they had gone to town, which made her realize the jealousy and impotence of her women. Surely they would be at Madame Carmen's on a lewd bachelor party and she couldn't help it. It was something that everyone knew and no one judged. Even if they felt uncomfortable, no woman dared to express her disagreement with this attitude common to all men.

The next day, preparations continued for the wedding, which would take place in the late afternoon and end with a ball.

Ruth helped her with a long bubble bath, her sisters-in-law helped her get dressed and tied her brown hair in curls that fell behind her veil.

ꟷWonderful! ꟷ Her sisters-in-law told her when they considered her ready for marriage

Teresa looked at herself in the mirror and felt really beautiful. It was her wedding day, it was happening like she had never imagined and she was feeling like a true fairy tale princess. I just didn't know if I was going to marry the prince or the monster.

Rute came to warn that the Bernardes family had arrived and that Dulce would like to see her before the ceremony.

ꟷAsk her to go upstairs, please- Teresa said right away, anxious to see her new friend

ꟷWe're going to help the mother with the last preparations and send everyone to the chapel - said Luísa who took the lead in the task that was that wedding-ꟷ Come down when you're ready. Our father-in-law will wait for you to enter through the main door of the church

They kissed her, admired her once more and left when Dulce entered.

ꟷ My God! How beautiful you are! You don't even look like the one who arrived at our house last week

Teresa laughed and hugged her friend

ꟷ Glad you're here! I really wanted to talk to you...

ꟷYou'll always get married...What do you think of Carlos?