Page 46 of Potions & Prejudice
“Thank you,” Prue replied drily. “I am looking up spells that Mama could do. We have so much going on, we can’t stay on top of cleaning the cottage too. We need brooms that will sweep for us, rags that will do our dusting, a cleaner that will actually get rid of the grime on these windows.” She looked at the window next to her, covered in the thick grime she referenced.
“I’m not sure if that’s the best use of your time,” I said. “Spelling inanimate objects is notoriously difficult. So much can go wrong.”
One wrong word or ingredient could make a rag try and suffocate you instead of clean or a broom try to impale its owner. I shuddered at the thought.
“Well, if anyone can do it, it’s our Prue,” Mama said. “Besides, I’m tired of cleaning. All I do is cook and clean. I’d like to enjoy myself a little, you know.” She pushed some of the curls from her sweat-soaked forehead. “I’m not getting any younger. It would be so nice if I could see any of my daughters married before I die.” She sniffled.
Prue and I shot each other looks. Here it came: the guilt trip. Mama was an expert at them.
“Well, good thing you’re not dying any time soon. You’ll probably live to be a hundred.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “And you think I want to wait until I’m ancient to see you get married? I don’t understand why none of you can find a nice man.” Mama started pacing. “It’s not that hard. I did it!”
“You weren’t cursed,” I pointed out.
“There are men everywhere!” Mama stalked over to Prue and snatched a book sitting by her on the bench. “Not just in your books. Out in the real world.”
“Elspeth did find a man,” Prue reminded her, looking unimpressed by Mama’s rant. “It didn’t go well, if you remember.”
I winced.
Mama set the book down. “Yes, well. Johanes was unfortunate. But not every man is like him.” She threw an arm over her eyes. “Where did I go wrong with all of you?”
“You didn’t,” I said, exasperated.
It was the same argument again and again.
“We’re doing the best we can,” I said finally.
Mama dropped her arm from over her eyes. “Well, your best isn’t good enough. Just admit that there is no breaking this curse. I wish there was. I wish you didn’t have to marry to access your magic, but it’s just the way it is.” She rushed forward, grabbing my hands. “We’re finally stuck in a town for an extended period of time. So find a witch. Any witch. You don’t need to fall in love or get butterflies. You just need to marry and get your magic, then you can do whatever you want.”
I slipped my hands from hers and turned my back to her. “We’ve talked about this,” I said over my shoulder. “I refuse to marry to get my magic. It’s not right. There has to be a way to break the curse.”
Mama scoffed.
Prue sat up. “I agree. It’s an incredibly demeaning curse. I shouldn’t have to submit myself to someone to use what should be my birthright.”
Mama sniffled. “Are you happy, Elspeth? You’ve corrupted your sister,” she said through tears.
Prue rolled her eyes before sliding her book up to hide her face. “I do have thoughts of my own, you know.”
“I haven’t corrupted anyone. I’m just refusing to settle. We all are.”
I couldn’t break it to Mama that I had no interest in getting married. Not ever. Not after Johanes so thoroughly broke my heart.
Mama wiped her eyes. “Thank goodness for Adelaide. I see the way Elm looks at her. He’s completely besotted. I bet she will be married in no time.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I said.
Mama shook her finger at me. “Don’t you get in her head.”
“I won’t.”
She shot me a pointed stare.
I held up my hands. “I promise.”
That seemed to at least stop her tears.
