"Unless their mother makes me little better than an outlaw," she pointed out darkly, "as punishment for crimes not my own."

Harriet Prewett was a formidable society matron, and Bellona was given to believe the witch was quite formidable within her own family as well. This new tie formed between the families would only benefit Bellona if, by some miracle, it cast her in a favourable light, and she was not about to hold out much hope in that regard.