Marked and Unmarried

Maude, a young noblewoman, is cursed with a dark birthmark that her family believes will ruin her marriage prospects. As her wedding to Lord Edward Beckett approaches, her mother and servants try desperately to conceal the mark, but Maude feels shame and alienation. Her family's obsession with appearances and producing sons leaves her isolated, and her only comfort is her black cat, Jimmy. The mark becomes a symbol of her difference and the impossibility of fitting into her family's expectations. Maude's internal struggle is palpable as she faces the prospect of a marriage built on deception and fear, setting the stage for her journey of self-discovery and rebellion.

A Wedding of Dread

The day of Maude's wedding arrives, and she is paraded through the rituals with a sense of dread. Her family's focus is on appearances and alliances, not her happiness. The ceremony is a blur, overshadowed by Maude's fear that her secret will be discovered. Her new husband, Edward, is distant and more interested in the spectacle than in her. The wedding feast is a display of wealth and power, but Maude feels like an object, not a bride. The looming threat of the wedding night and the exposure of her mark hangs over her, intensifying her sense of vulnerability and foreboding.

Consummation and Catastrophe

Maude's wedding night is a humiliating ordeal. Her mother and maid slather her with paste to hide her mark, but the deception fails. Edward, pressured by his friends and his own insecurities, reacts with horror when he discovers the truth. He accuses Maude of witchcraft, and the marriage is effectively destroyed before it begins. The family's worst fears are realized, and Maude is left alone, shamed and isolated. The event cements her status as an outcast and sets her on a path away from the life she was raised to expect, forcing her to confront the reality of her difference and the limits of her family's love.

Isolation and Scheming

Confined to her room, Maude is left to stew in her shame and anger. She is cut off from her family, who are more concerned with their reputation than her well-being. As she waits to see if she is pregnant, Maude contemplates her limited options: submission, deception, or rebellion. The arrival of her monthly bleeding seals her fate—she is not pregnant, and her marriage is doomed. Desperate, she decides to seek help from the local wisewomen, rumored to have powers that might save her from disgrace. This decision marks the beginning of her journey into the world of women's magic and self-determination.

Witches' Counsel

Under cover of night, Maude escapes her family's home and finds the apothecary run by Hildy and Zita, two wisewomen with a reputation for discretion and power. They listen to her story and offer her a potion to inflame her husband's desire, hoping that pregnancy might secure her position. The encounter is both comforting and unsettling—Maude is drawn to the women's strength but fears the consequences of dabbling in forbidden arts. The witches' pragmatic approach to survival and their refusal to judge her mark give Maude a glimpse of a different kind of womanhood, one rooted in solidarity and resilience.

The Brothel and the Potion

Maude's plan to win back her husband leads her to a brothel, where she enlists the help of Annie, a sex worker who has been seeing Edward. Together, they conspire to slip him the witches' potion. The encounter is both farcical and tragic—Edward, under the influence, becomes obsessed with Maude, but the affection is artificial and fleeting. Maude realizes that love and acceptance cannot be forced, and she rejects the false intimacy. The episode marks a turning point, as Maude abandons the pursuit of her husband's approval and begins to seek her own path, embracing her outsider status.

Annulment and Exile

With her marriage in ruins, Maude's family decides to send her away, either to a nunnery or to marry a farmer far beneath her station. Maude resists, refusing to accept a life of humiliation and servitude. She bribes a servant to help her escape and returns to the apothecary, seeking refuge with the witches. The experience of being cast out by her family is both devastating and liberating—Maude is forced to confront the reality of her powerlessness, but she also begins to imagine a life beyond the constraints of her birth. The stage is set for her transformation from victim to agent.

Escape to the Wisewomen

Welcomed by Hildy and Zita, Maude becomes an apprentice in the apothecary. She learns the arts of healing, divination, and survival among women who have also been cast out or marginalized. The work is hard and the status low, but Maude finds a sense of belonging and purpose. She struggles with her pride and her longing for her old life, but the witches' acceptance of her mark and her difference begins to heal her wounds. The apothecary becomes a haven, a place where Maude can begin to redefine herself on her own terms.

Apothecary Apprenticeship

As Maude settles into her role at the apothecary, she confronts the realities of village life and the prejudices of the townspeople. She learns to dispense remedies, read signs, and navigate the delicate politics of being a "witch" in a suspicious world. The arrival of Rufus, a mysterious black man rumored to be a fairy, adds complexity to the household. Maude's relationship with Rufus is marked by mutual curiosity and growing affection. Through her work and her new connections, Maude discovers the power of women's knowledge and the importance of community in the face of adversity.

The Fairy and the Witch

Rufus, a former court trumpeter and outsider like Maude, becomes her confidant and eventual lover. Their relationship is built on shared experience of exclusion and the search for belonging. As Maude learns more about Rufus's past and his ties to the royal court, she is drawn into a wider world of intrigue and danger. The witches' household becomes a microcosm of resistance, where difference is not just tolerated but celebrated. Maude's mark, once a source of shame, becomes a symbol of her unique power and her connection to others on the margins.

Ghosts and Charms

The witches are called to deal with a haunting at a local manor, and Maude is forced to confront her fears and her growing abilities. Through a combination of intuition, empathy, and learned ritual, she helps lay the ghost to rest, earning respect and a sense of accomplishment. The experience cements her role as a "charmer" and a mediator between worlds. Maude's confidence grows, and she begins to see her mark as a source of strength rather than weakness. The episode also deepens her bond with Rufus and the witches, as they face danger and uncertainty together.

The Sotherby Haunting

Called to exorcise a ghost at Lord Sotherby's house, Maude uses her empathy and wit to uncover the truth: the haunting is rooted in grief and loss, not evil. She writes a letter "from the dead" to bring closure to the lord, blending compassion with cunning. The act is both magical and deeply human, marking Maude's emergence as a true witch—one who heals wounds of the heart as well as the body. The experience is transformative, teaching Maude the value of her gifts and the importance of using them for good.

Becoming Maude

As Maude grows into her role at the apothecary, she sheds the last vestiges of her old life. She buries her noble clothes, lets her hair down, and embraces her new name—no longer Magdalen, but simply Maude. Her relationship with Rufus deepens, and she finds acceptance among the witches and the village misfits. The arrival of a summons to court marks a new chapter, as Maude is called to use her powers in the service of the king. The journey from outcast to wise woman is complete, but new challenges await in the world of power and intrigue.

Court Summons

The witches and Rufus are called to serve at the royal court during Yuletide, bringing Maude face-to-face with her past and her future. The court is a world of spectacle, danger, and opportunity. Maude must navigate the treacherous waters of royal favor, family politics, and her own desires. Her mark, once a liability, becomes a source of fascination and power. The court's misfits—fools, dwarfs, and outcasts—become her allies, and Maude learns to wield her charm and intuition in new ways. The stage is set for her greatest test.

Christmas at Hampton Court

At court, Maude's abilities as a charmer and reader of hearts attract the interest of King Henry and Queen Anne. She is drawn into the inner circle, tasked with entertaining and advising the royals. Her relationship with Rufus is both a source of strength and a potential liability, as court intrigue threatens to expose their secrets. Maude's empathy and wit win her allies among the court's outsiders, but her position is precarious. The Yuletide festivities are a whirlwind of excess, desire, and danger, culminating in a fateful encounter with the king.

The Queen's Secret

Maude is drawn into the Queen's inner circle, where she discovers Anne's fears about her pregnancy and her precarious position. As Anne's health declines, Maude and Hildy are called to help, but their efforts are thwarted by court politics and suspicion. The loss of Anne's child is a turning point, unleashing a wave of blame and retribution. Maude is forced to choose between loyalty to her kind and survival, making a bargain with the king that will have far-reaching consequences. The episode exposes the limits of women's power and the dangers of being different.

Betrayal and Bargain

In a desperate bid to save Hildy, Maude betrays Anne, confirming the king's suspicions of witchcraft. The bargain secures Hildy's release but seals Anne's fate. Maude is wracked with guilt, haunted by the prophecy that she will "kill another of her kind." The episode is a crucible, testing Maude's loyalty, courage, and sense of self. The cost of survival is high, and Maude is forced to confront the reality that power, even in the hands of women, is always precarious. The aftermath leaves her changed, both stronger and more burdened.

Witch for a Witch

The fallout from Maude's bargain is swift and brutal. Anne is accused of witchcraft, adultery, and treason, and the court turns against her. Maude and the witches are exiled, and Rufus is forced to remain at court. The sense of loss and betrayal is overwhelming, but Maude finds solace in her chosen family and the knowledge that she did what she could to save those she loved. The episode is a meditation on the costs of survival and the limits of agency in a world ruled by men and fear.

Aftermath and Return

Exiled from court, Maude and the witches rebuild their lives at the apothecary. Rufus and his mother eventually join them, and the household becomes a haven once more. The trauma of court lingers, but Maude finds strength in her community and her work. The news of Anne's impending execution brings a sense of inevitability and sorrow. Maude is forced to reckon with the consequences of her actions and the reality of living in a world that punishes difference. The journey from outcast to wise woman is complete, but the scars remain.

Anne's Fall

Maude and Zita travel to London to witness Anne's beheading. The event is both public spectacle and private tragedy, a reminder of the dangers faced by women who wield power or defy convention. Maude whispers a spell to ease Anne's passing, honoring their bond and the sacrifices made. The execution is a moment of reckoning, forcing Maude to confront the limits of her power and the costs of survival. In the aftermath, Maude finds solace in her chosen family and the knowledge that, despite everything, she has claimed her own life and identity.

Characters

Maude (Magdalen) Shaftsberry

Maude is the protagonist, a young noblewoman whose life is defined by a dark birthmark that marks her as different. Raised in a family obsessed with status and appearances, Maude is intelligent, sensitive, and fiercely independent. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she moves from shame and isolation to acceptance and empowerment. Maude's relationships—with her family, the witches, Rufus, and the court—are shaped by her longing for love and her refusal to be defined by others' expectations. Psychologically, Maude is both vulnerable and resilient, her mark a symbol of the pain and power of difference. Her development is marked by increasing agency, empathy, and a willingness to embrace her own magic.

Rufus (Reasonable Blackman)

Rufus is a black man of Spanish origin, brought to England as a child and raised at court. He is both a literal and figurative outsider—rumored to be a fairy, he is marked by his difference and his history of displacement. Rufus is gentle, wise, and deeply loyal, forming a bond with Maude based on shared experience of exclusion. His relationship with his mother, his past as a court trumpeter, and his forced marriage all shape his sense of self. Psychologically, Rufus is both guarded and open, his humor and warmth masking deep wounds. His development is tied to his ability to claim his own desires and to find belonging in chosen family.

Hildy

Hildy is a deaf wisewoman and healer, co-owner of the apothecary. She is nurturing, intuitive, and fiercely protective of those she loves. Hildy's deafness is both a vulnerability and a source of strength, shaping her unique perspective and her methods of communication. Her relationship with Zita is a model of queer love and partnership, and her mentorship of Maude is marked by patience and empathy. Psychologically, Hildy is resilient, having survived loss, persecution, and exile. Her development is marked by her ability to balance care for others with self-preservation, and her unwavering commitment to women's knowledge and power.

Zita

Zita is the apothecary's astrologer and Hildy's partner, as well as Maude's estranged aunt. She is sharp-tongued, pragmatic, and deeply wounded by her family's rejection. Zita's skepticism and caution are rooted in her experience of betrayal and survival in a hostile world. Her relationship with Maude is fraught, marked by both kinship and rivalry, but ultimately becomes one of mutual respect and solidarity. Psychologically, Zita is both brittle and strong, her defenses masking a deep need for connection. Her development is tied to her ability to trust and to accept love, both from Hildy and from Maude.

Edward Beckett

Edward is Maude's husband, a nobleman more concerned with appearances and reputation than with love or understanding. His horror at Maude's mark and his subsequent accusations of witchcraft set the plot in motion, forcing Maude into exile. Psychologically, Edward is insecure, conformist, and easily swayed by others. His inability to accept difference or to act with compassion marks him as both victim and perpetrator of the system's cruelty. He serves as a foil to Maude, embodying the dangers of conformity and the costs of cowardice.

Mary (Maude's Mother)

Mary is Maude's mother, a woman defined by her role as wife and mother in a patriarchal society. She is both victim and enforcer of the system, obsessed with producing sons and maintaining status. Her relationship with Maude is fraught, marked by both love and resentment. Psychologically, Mary is deeply conflicted, her own history of loss and compromise shaping her inability to accept Maude's difference. Her development is limited, as she remains trapped by her own fears and ambitions, ultimately sacrificing her daughter to preserve her own position.

Agnes

Agnes is Mary's maid, a minor but significant character who embodies the class dynamics of the household. She is both complicit in and critical of the family's treatment of Maude, serving as a mirror for Maude's own struggles with power and powerlessness. Psychologically, Agnes is pragmatic, self-interested, and occasionally sympathetic. Her development is limited, but she serves as a reminder of the ways in which women are both victims and enforcers of the system.

Annie (the Tawny Moor)

Annie is a sex worker of color who helps Maude in her attempt to win back Edward. She is pragmatic, compassionate, and deeply aware of the dangers faced by women on the margins. Her relationship with Maude is marked by solidarity and mutual respect, and her presence highlights the intersections of race, class, and gender in the world of the novel. Psychologically, Annie is resilient, her humor and warmth masking the hardships of her life. Her development is limited, but she serves as a model of survival and agency.

William Sommers

William is the King's fool, a figure who moves between worlds and speaks truth to power. He is both comic and wise, his role as outsider giving him unique insight into the workings of the court. His friendship with Rufus and Maude is marked by loyalty and mischief. Psychologically, William is both playful and perceptive, his humor masking a deep understanding of human nature. His development is tied to his ability to use his position to protect and support those on the margins.

Queen Anne Boleyn

Anne is the Queen of England, a woman whose intelligence, ambition, and difference make her both powerful and vulnerable. Her relationship with Maude is marked by mutual recognition and empathy, as both women are marked as "witches" by a patriarchal society. Anne's struggles with pregnancy, court politics, and her own desires mirror Maude's journey, and her ultimate fall serves as a warning and a catalyst for Maude's final transformation. Psychologically, Anne is both strong and fragile, her power always under threat. Her development is marked by her ability to claim her own desires, even in the face of death.

Plot Devices

The Witch's Mark

Maude's birthmark is the central symbol and plot device, representing both her exclusion and her unique power. It drives the plot by making her marriage impossible, forcing her into exile, and marking her as a witch in the eyes of others. The mark is both a source of shame and, ultimately, a badge of identity and agency. Its visibility and the reactions it provokes serve as a constant reminder of the dangers and possibilities of difference, and its transformation from curse to power mirrors Maude's own journey.

Exile and Found Family

Maude's exile from her family and her subsequent adoption by the witches is a key plot device, enabling her to shed her old identity and embrace a new one. The apothecary becomes a space of resistance and healing, where women's knowledge and solidarity offer an alternative to patriarchal power. The found family—Hildy, Zita, Rufus, and the other misfits—serves as both refuge and crucible, testing Maude's loyalty and shaping her development. The theme of chosen family is central, highlighting the importance of community in the face of exclusion.

Court Intrigue and Betrayal

The move to court introduces a new set of plot devices: intrigue, betrayal, and the constant threat of exposure. Maude's abilities as a charmer and reader of hearts make her both valuable and vulnerable, and her relationships with the king, queen, and other courtiers are fraught with danger. The bargain to save Hildy at the cost of Anne's life is the ultimate test of loyalty and agency, forcing Maude to confront the limits of her power and the costs of survival. The court becomes a microcosm of the larger world, where difference is both weapon and liability.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

The prophecy that Maude will "kill another of her kind" hangs over the narrative, shaping her actions and her sense of guilt. The use of foreshadowing—through dreams, omens, and the words of other characters—creates a sense of inevitability and tragedy. The tension between fate and free will is central, as Maude struggles to claim agency in a world that seems determined to punish her for her difference. The resolution of the prophecy, with Anne's execution, is both devastating and cathartic, forcing Maude to reckon with the consequences of her choices.

Narrative Structure and Voice

The novel's structure—told in Maude's voice, with a blend of immediacy, humor, and vulnerability—creates a sense of intimacy and urgency. The use of present-tense narration, direct address, and internal monologue draws the reader into Maude's experience, making her journey both personal and universal. The episodic structure, moving from crisis to crisis, mirrors the unpredictability of Maude's life and the constant threat of exposure. The voice is both engaging and raw, capturing the emotional arc of the story and the complexity of Maude's character.

Analysis

Amie McNee's Regrettably, I am About to Cause Trouble is a fiercely modern historical novel that interrogates the boundaries of gender, power, and belonging. Through Maude's journey from marked outcast to wise woman, the book explores the costs and possibilities of difference in a world that punishes those who do not conform. The witch's mark is both literal and metaphorical, a symbol of the ways in which women's bodies and desires are policed and pathologized. The novel's focus on found family, queer love, and women's knowledge offers a radical alternative to patriarchal power, while never shying away from the dangers and compromises required for survival. The court, with its spectacle and cruelty, becomes a stage for both empowerment and betrayal, and Maude's ultimate act—sacrificing one witch for another—forces a reckoning with the limits of agency and the costs of complicity. The book's voice is sharp, witty, and deeply empathetic, inviting readers to question the stories we tell about power, difference, and what it means to belong. In the end, Maude's journey is both a cautionary tale and a celebration of resilience, reminding us that trouble, though regrettable, is often the only path to freedom.

Last updated: August 27, 2025