The silence stretched on for seconds and then minutes. The cherry, sunlit room felt gloomy and oppressive. Catherine’s palms grew sweaty, and her mouth felt dry, but she didn’t dare say anything else.

Finally, Madison broke the silence, “What are you talking about? How did I encourage you to elope? As if I could make two people fall in love and want to run away together.”

Catherine squared her shoulders and said, “Did they hurt you out there, Madison? Did they hit your head? How can ...