66 pages • 2 hours read
T. KingfisherA Sorceress Comes to Call
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2024A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 13-18Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 13 Summary
Evangeline scolds Cordelia for falling in love with Jacob but laughs when Cordelia admits that she was only distracted by his pimple. Cordelia reluctantly accepts a hug from her mother, unsettled by the scent of wormwood. A small part of her hopes for change, but she knows it won’t happen. Evangeline urges Cordelia to charm Richard, saying that it will be good practice. Cordelia mentions her commitment to helping Hester with the embroidery, and Evangeline approves, encouraging her to keep Hester distracted.
On her way to find Hester, Cordelia worries about unwittingly aiding her mother’s schemes and imagines what life would be like if Evangeline married the Squire. While she would love to stay at the Squire’s home, she fears her mother’s potential to harm others. Unsure if Hester would believe her, Cordelia considers revealing Evangeline’s sorcery but decides to start small by asking about magic. As she calms herself in the hallway, she notices a bubble in the wallpaper and reflects that the Chathams can afford flaws that poorer people cannot.
In the solar, Cordelia joins Imogene and Hester, who ask about her background. Cordelia says that she is expected to marry a wealthy man. Penelope Green arrives, captivating Cordelia, who freezes while picking up spilled sugar. Penelope jokes about “spilled mice” and introduces herself. She is Cordelia’s height, pretty, and marked with smallpox scars.
As the women talk, Cordelia resumes her embroidery. The conversation turns to sorcerers, and Penelope recounts rumors of Lady Ryhope’s husband using sorcery to appear younger. Cordelia seizes the chance to ask about magic, and the women assure her that sorcery isn’t very powerful. Hester recalls a man who bought ewes that turned into rams, and Imogene mentions sorcerers cheating at cards.
They discuss rare, expensive wards that detect sorcery, reminding Cordelia of the green flash and burning hair smell when Evangeline sold the cabriolet. Imogene then muses that holy ground is made sacred by collective belief, like snow building up over time. Cordelia reflects on this, momentarily forgetting her mother’s presence.
Chapter 14 Summary
Richard arrives, and Cordelia notes his age, wondering how her mother could expect her to marry him. After Evangeline introduces them, she pinches Cordelia, who nervously tries to charm Richard but stumbles over her words. Hester asks about the geese she gave him, and when Evangeline compliments her work, Hester downplays it, saying the geese did most of it; she only ate the ones with bad traits. The Squire agrees, comparing it to horse breeding, and Cordelia makes a well-received joke about geese being easier to eat than horses.
During dinner, Evangeline comments on Penelope’s style, prompting Richard to recount how women began carrying snuffboxes after Penelope took snuff from Lord Stanville. Evangeline insists that Cordelia would never carry one, frowning when Hester points out that young women do it for fun. Dinner is stressful for Cordelia, who senses her mother’s growing frustration with Penelope. The conversation turns to Penelope’s late husband, Silas, who once jumped his horse into a pen with a bull.
Later, on the balcony, Hester contemplates her difficulty moving around the house. Richard joins her, holds her, and kisses her head, sensing that something is wrong. Hester decides to confide in him about Evangeline and Cordelia. Richard offers to thwart Evangeline by telling the Squire stories of failed marriages, but Hester says that she can’t abandon Cordelia. When Richard asks about her knee, Hester explains that doctors can offer laudanum, but it makes her “fuzzy-headed.”
As they head inside, Richard invites her to stay with him if the Squire remarries. Alone, Hester reflects on why she won’t marry Richard, fearing that he would regret it as she ages. She knows that he must marry someday and resents the future woman who will take her place.
Chapter 15 Summary
Two days pass, and Evangeline repeatedly complains to Cordelia about Penelope, calling her a “hussy” and expressing her hatred for her. Cordelia, seeing her mother this upset for the first time, sits quietly, hoping to be overlooked. Evangeline throws barbed comments at Penelope, but she deflects them with humor, making the Squire laugh and deepening Evangeline’s rage. Cordelia feels embarrassed watching her mother’s behavior.
During a group ride, Cordelia is given a gentle pony, Minnow, the first horse she’s ridden other than Falada. She realizes that she doesn’t actually know how to ride, and Falada, walking beside her, winks at her, irritating her further. As the Squire, Evangeline, and Richard gallop ahead, Penelope and Cordelia ride at a slower pace. Cordelia confides that her mother wants her to flirt with Richard, but Penelope reassures her that Richard loves Hester. They amuse themselves by naming the birds they hear, and Penelope invites Cordelia to ride again, calling her “good company,” which surprises and warms Cordelia.
Afterward, Evangeline questions Cordelia about Penelope, but Cordelia can only offer that Penelope rinses her hair with lemon water. Evangeline claims that Penelope is an untrained sorcerer, possibly unaware of her own abilities, and urges Cordelia to find out more.
Later, in the solar, Cordelia joins the other women for cards. Penelope talks about style being more enduring than beauty, as beauty can vanish quickly. She also mentions her benefactors, which distracts Cordelia as she debates whether to share this with her mother.
Chapter 16 Summary
Penelope arrives late to breakfast, complaining about a storm the night before. The others, confused, insist that there was no wind. Penelope assumes that it was a nightmare and describes how a strong wind blew open her balcony doors. As she went to close them, she saw a large, glowing creature in the trees. Cordelia suspects that Evangeline created the wind and that it was Falada watching Penelope.
Imogene invites Hester to her room for a drink. Hester, exhausted from hiding her pain around Richard, reflects on the peaceful evening they shared—“a silence so companionable that Hester wanted to drink it down like wine” (142). Imogene, who played cards with Evangeline, believes that she will soon marry the Squire. She admits that she let Evangeline win, knowing that it would be risky to let her lose, and warns that it would be dangerous for Penelope to come between Evangeline and the Squire.
Their conversation is interrupted by a scream. They rush to the source with the Squire and Richard and find Penelope holding a knife and her maid, Ruth, stabbed. Evangeline is huddled in the corner. Penelope tries to speak, muttering, “Did…nnn,” but Richard struggles to take the knife from her. She moves toward the balcony, and Hester, noticing something unnatural in Penelope’s eyes, hurts her knees trying to stop her. Despite their efforts, Penelope falls.
Chapter 17 Summary
Evangeline claims that the maid was already stabbed when she arrived in the room and becomes emotional as the Squire tries to comfort her. Richard notices blood on Evangeline’s hands, which she explains is from trying to help Ruth. She says that Penelope invited her to the room to share a brooch. Hester questions the authenticity of Evangeline’s fear—“Even Doom might be upset, having someone brandish a knife at her” (148). Hester hasn’t yet processed Penelope’s death and knows that the grief will be overwhelming when it hits. She imagines a goose to calm herself.
Evangeline claims that Penelope intended to kill her to claim the Squire. Richard comments that it seemed like a strong wind blew Penelope off the balcony. Evangeline starts crying dramatically, and the Squire says that the constables have been called. Everyone retires for the night, and Richard helps Hester to her room. He tries to hug her, but Hester, knowing that she will break down if he does, gently refuses.
In the morning, Hester refuses to see a doctor despite her knee pain, wanting to keep a clear head. Her maid, Mary, applies goose grease to her knee. The Squire visits, and they discuss the shock of Penelope’s behavior. When the constables arrive, Hester shares what she knows, including her observation that Penelope seemed to be fighting a strong wind when she fell, and mentions that no one saw Penelope stab Ruth. She also questions why Penelope would attack her maid. Feeling guilty, Hester blames herself for inviting Penelope to the house.
Later, Cordelia visits and tells Hester that Evangeline is responsible for Penelope’s death.
Chapter 18 Summary
After Alice tells Cordelia about Penelope, Cordelia feels an unsettling calm, knowing that it won’t last. She blames herself for not warning Hester earlier about Evangeline’s sorcery, though she doubts that Hester would have believed her. Determined to speak before the calmness fades, Cordelia goes to Hester and reveals that Evangeline is a sorceress who can force people to obey her.
Hester struggles to accept this, doubting that sorcery could be so powerful. Cordelia insists, citing the Parker family as evidence. Hester recalls Penelope’s wild eyes and her struggle against an invisible force, and Cordelia is impressed, having never seen anyone resist her mother’s spells. Cordelia admits that she will never be free from Evangeline’s control.
Hester finds it hard to believe that sorcery is the answer without proof. Cordelia suggests revealing Falada’s enchantment, but Hester argues that that would only confirm the horse’s magic, not Evangeline’s powers. Cordelia then recommends contacting Mr. Parker, who was previously under Evangeline’s influence. Hester decides to have Richard speak to him.
Chapters 13-18 Analysis
In these chapters, A Sorceress Comes to Call intensifies the conflict by exploring the growing tension between Evangeline and Penelope while simultaneously deepening Cordelia’s internal struggles with Finding Agency in Abusive Situations. Penelope’s arrival marks a turning point, positioning her as a foil to Evangeline and serving to further expose the antagonist’s manipulative tendencies.
The dynamic between Evangeline and Penelope is key in this section. Where Evangeline relies on her powers and intimidation, Penelope embodies resilience and confidence. She effortlessly deflects Evangeline’s barbs, turning insults into jokes that make the Squire laugh, intensifying Evangeline’s frustration. This contrast between the two women highlights Evangeline’s insecurity and her fear of losing influence over the Squire. Penelope’s humor and independence unsettle Evangeline, exposing Evangeline as a manipulative force who sees everyone as either a tool or a threat. As Hester notes, “She’s decided that marrying my brother matters” (143), underscoring Evangeline’s dangerous resolve.
Cordelia’s view of Penelope is one of admiration and yearning. Drawn to Penelope’s warmth and openness, Cordelia is fascinated by her smallpox scars, which signify both vulnerability and strength. When Penelope calls Cordelia “good company,” Cordelia is deeply affected by this small act of kindness: “It wrapped around her anyway, a bit of praise that she had won for herself, by herself” (131). This moment stands in contrast to Cordelia’s interactions with Evangeline, where praise is always conditional and manipulation is ever present. Penelope’s presence offers Cordelia a glimpse of the acceptance and genuine connection she craves, making her loss all the more impactful.
Significantly, it is also the loss of Penelope that gives Cordelia the courage to defy her mother by warning Hester about her sorcery—a huge turning point for her character arc, which demonstrates that Cordelia is now choosing to consciously resist her mother’s influence, even if she does not yet realize the full extent of her own agency. In choosing to tell the truth, Cordelia shifts her loyalties away from her mother and toward her new, loving friends. In these ways, Cordelia is now learning how to define herself and her values despite her mother’s abusive control.
The progression of the plot deepens the themes of power and vulnerability, as well as the consequences of challenging or resisting traditional roles. The tension between Evangeline and Penelope highlights the novel’s exploration of Challenging Traditional Roles and Expectations. While Evangeline leverages traditional expectations to manipulate and control those around her, Penelope subtly defies societal norms in different ways. Her humor, resilience, and willingness to acknowledge her flaws contrast with Evangeline’s reliance on deceit and power. Penelope’s unapologetic confidence and scars symbolize a rejection of superficial standards of beauty and propriety, challenging expectations of how women should present themselves.
Moreover, Penelope’s candidness about her benefactors disrupts conventional views of women’s independence and financial dependence. Although she, like Evangeline, has relied on others for support, Penelope’s openness suggests a different approach to navigating her position. Rather than hiding her connections or manipulating them, Penelope presents her situation with honesty, contrasting Evangeline’s secretive and exploitative behavior. This parallel between the two women complicates the narrative’s portrayal of traditional roles, suggesting that subverting expectations can manifest in both constructive and destructive ways.
The imagery of Penelope battling the wind, which Cordelia believes was created by Evangeline’s magic, is a powerful metaphor for the invisible yet pervasive nature of Evangeline’s control. Such figurative language plays a significant role in the story, enriching the portrayal of the characters’ emotions and the narrative’s tone. The simile of a burned house—“It was the calm of a burned-out house or a ravaged field, the calm that comes when there is no longer anything to lose” (157)—conveys an image of Cordelia’s emotional state. The references to wind and fire mirror the characters’ internal conflicts and the destructive force of Evangeline’s manipulations. By employing these devices, Kingfisher deepens the portrayal of the characters’ internal landscapes and the ominous atmosphere surrounding the Chatham estate.
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