August 1815 – March 1817

Due to the death of her husband, Elizabeth inherited the house where they lived in London and invited Mrs. Barton - whom she loved as her mother - to live with her and little Rose. Mrs. Barton was delighted to accept as she loved her daughter-in-law as if she was her own daughter and adored little Lizzy-Rose. Mrs. Shaw, as her husband also died in Waterloo, stayed with them and helped look after little Rose.

During the first year of mourning, the ladies spent most of their time in the house. They had no desire to make or receive visits. The only exception was her Aunt Gardiner as Lizzy still had a close relationship with her.

Two months after the year of mourning ended, at the suggestion of the Gardiners and even Mrs. Barton, Elizabeth began attending gatherings at the home of the Gardiners and other acquaintances. At least once a week she would have tea with her Aunt Gardiner, and even from time to time she would invite the Gardiners and other acquaintances to her house for dinner.

Although Lizzy no longer had the same gleam in her eyes as before, and her appearance was serious and even melancholic, she was still a very pretty young lady who easily aroused the interest of the gentlemen. One of the most insistent who was genuinely interested in her, and even in love with her, was Mr. Thorne.

Mr. Thorne was the eldest son of a friend of her Aunt Gardiner's. He was five years older than Lizzy; he was a lawyer and worked very hard for one of the major London firms. He had an income of £400 a year and had inherited £5,000 when his mother died. He was an intelligent and kind man. He showed great interest in Elizabeth but to his misfortune that interest was not reciprocated.

April 1817

"Elizabeth, Mr. Thorne is a very good man, and I am sure he would be a good father to Rose… I know you loved my son very much, but it has been almost two years since he died. It is time to leave the past behind."

"Marianne, I know Mr. Thorne is a good man and I know you are right, but honestly at the moment I have no interest in remarrying." She sighed, "Besides, what if I get married again, and die during childbirth? What would happen to Rose? I promised Jane on her deathbed that I would take care of her, and I cannot take that risk."

Mrs. Barton nodded slightly, "I am not going to deny that there are women who do not survive childbirth, you already know that well, but in most cases, there are no complications and the woman recovers in a very short time. I had three children and I recovered without any problem, your mother had five daughters and survived." She gently squeezed her hand, "Your sister's death was unfortunate, but you have to keep in mind that she was not in good health. Your situation is different from hers."

"I know it is different, Jane never fully recovered from the fire..." she took a deep breath since despite the years that had passed, she still had a hard time talking about her sister without crying, "But I do not want to take that risk, the idea of leaving Rose alone terrifies me."

Mrs. Barton nodded slightly "Is that the only reason you turned down Mr. Thorne? Or is there another reason?

"It was partly because of that reason and partly because I do not feel for him what I felt for Patrick… In the past, I refused to marry for financial reasons, and after having a love match I am even less willing to marry for convenience. Fortunately, I have money to lead a comfortable life, and Rose has a large dowry, which increases every year." With a smile, she added, "If we continue to save as we have in recent years, by the time Rose turns twenty-one, she will have a dowry of at least £30,000!"

Both ladies laughed, though they expected Lizzy-Rose's dowry to be at least £20,000 in about ten years.

On this particular day, Elizabeth was going with her mother-in-law to the anniversary party for Colonel Spencer and his wife whom she had known since she married Patrick. She became fast friends with Mrs. Spencer as the two had many things in common: they were both similar in age, the daughters of minor gentlemen, they had married colonels, and sadly both were orphans.

Besides, Patrick Barton, several years ago had saved Colonel Spencer's life, when they were both captains and lived in America. Those debts of gratitude are difficult to forget and repay, so when Colonel Spencer returned from the Continent he promised to see lo Mrs. Barton's well-being. The task was easier than he thought since Elizabeth was sensible, she did not need financial support, and she was also a friend of his wife.

At 6:30 PM, Elizabeth and her mother-in-law arrived at the Spencers' house. She had no way of knowing, and maybe if someone had told her the consequences of going to that party, she would not have gone; That night was the beginning of a new stage in Elizabeth's life...