“You really have been indulged. Some of the Jews marry their daughters off at twelve and a half years old if they have shown signs of womanhood. You are almost fifteen and protest that you didn’t think you would be betrothed so quickly!”
“Well...”
“Deborah, daughters aren’t always consulted about marriage plans,” Hannah said stiffly, remembering her hasty betrothal and marriage after her parents were murdered by a pagan mob. Hannah looked at her daughter steadily, saying firmly, “All your father wants you to do is to drink the betrothal cup when Alexios comes with the bride price.”
This brought a fresh bout of weeping from her heartbroken daughter. “Oh Aima, I just want to stay here with you and Abba. I don’t want to go somewhere I don’t know... I don’t want to marry someone I don’t kno
