Chapter 45 Summary: Seeking Advice from Mr. Bunce
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Penelope uses a charmed key given by her mother to locate her father, Martin Bunce, without alerting the Coven. She and Shepard take a cab across London, tracking Mr. Bunce’s movements via the key over a map. They find him near the British Museum and persuade him to talk at a coffee shop.
At the café, Shepard removes his jacket to show the demonic markings on his arm. Mr. Bunce examines them and declares they are not a curse but a handfasting—a pattern common in ancient marriage rituals. Penelope is surprised he can read Demon; he explains he recognizes the patterns from his study of marriage and family magic. Shepard shows him the translated summoning contract. Mr. Bunce takes careful photos and notes that the situation is unprecedented.
When Penelope pushes for solutions, Mr. Bunce explains that demons are highly legalistic and honor contracts. He suggests appealing to the demon directly rather than trying to fight or find a substitute. Shepard refuses to let anyone else marry the demon. Penelope proposes more aggressive options, but her father warns against fighting a demon and promises to research the matter further. He cannot involve his wife, Penelope’s mother, because she is meeting with the Coven.
The conversation turns to Simon Snow. Penelope mentions he got his own flat. Mr. Bunce’s face falls; he says that doesn’t sound like Simon and asks if they had a disagreement. Penelope insists they are fine, but her father remains skeptical.
Key Events
- Penelope uses a charmed key to find her father’s location.
- Shepard and Penelope meet Mr. Bunce at a coffee shop.
- Mr. Bunce identifies Shepard’s markings as a handfasting, not a curse.
- He takes photos of the translated summoning contract.
- He advises that demons are lawful and suggests appealing to the demon.
- Penelope asks about fighting the demon or finding a substitute; Shepard rejects both.
- Mr. Bunce promises to research but cannot consult his wife.
- He reacts with concern when told Simon has moved into his own flat.
Character Development
- Shepard: Shows guilt over not paying for the cab and refuses to condemn another person to the demon. His insistence on ethical solutions deepens his characterization as a fundamentally decent person caught in a bad situation.
- Penelope Bunce: Demonstrates resourcefulness and determination, willing to consider extreme measures to help Shepard. Her relationship with her father reveals a mix of respect and rebellion; she tries to control information to keep her mother uninformed.
- Martin Bunce: Portrayed as knowledgeable, gentle, and cautious. His expertise in marriage magic provides a new lens for the contract. His worry over Simon shows his caring nature extends beyond his own family.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Handfasting and Marriage Rituals: The chapter redefines Shepard’s contract as a form of marriage rather than a curse, shifting the thematic focus from demonic threat to a binding legal agreement. This aligns with the novel’s recurring motif of magical bonds that mirror human relationships.
- Legalistic Demons: Mr. Bunce explains that demons value signatures and terms, framing magic as a system governed by rules. This suggests that the resolution may require working within the contract’s logic rather than breaking it by force.
- Family Secrets: Penelope’s desire to keep her actions hidden from her mother highlights the tension between family loyalty and personal autonomy. She trusts her father but must navigate his inability to fully support her without involving the Coven.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 45 provides essential exposition about the nature of Shepard’s bond with the demon. By identifying the markings as a handfasting, Mr. Bunce changes the characters’ understanding from a curse to a marriage contract, opening new paths for resolution. The chapter also deepens Penelope’s family background, showing her father’s scholarly insight and his affectionate but wary concern for Simon. It sets up a legalistic approach to the demon problem, hinting that the solution may require negotiation rather than combat. Finally, the brief mention of Simon’s new flat foreshadows ongoing changes in his relationship with Penelope.
Study Questions and Answers
-
What does Mr. Bunce identify on Shepard’s arm, and why is this significant?
He identifies the markings as a handfasting pattern from ancient marriage rituals, not a curse. This reinterprets the contract as a marriage bond, shifting the problem from a magical curse to a binding legal agreement that may be negotiable. -
What advice does Mr. Bunce give for breaking the contract?
He advises appealing to the demon directly, since demons are law-abiding and value contracts. He warns against fighting the demon or finding a substitute, and promises to research possible legal loopholes. -
How does Mr. Bunce react to the news that Simon has moved into his own flat?
He is visibly upset and says it doesn’t sound like Simon. He asks Penelope if they had a row, indicating his close concern for Simon’s well-being and his awareness of how unusual the separation is.