February 1817

Due to the war, many women lost their fathers and husbands and the family income was considerably reduced since the widow's pensions were low. The most unfortunate women had to resort to unimaginable tasks and jobs in order to survive and feed their respective families.

Elizabeth and her mother-in-law were aware of the difficulties many women went through, and for this reason, twice a week together with other ladies - mostly wives of high-ranking officials - they helped in a charitable institution whose mission was to help to these women. Elizabeth and her mother-in-law taught women and children to read and write, made clothes for the children, and even donated small sums of money.

The institution also received donations from various wealthy families and money from the Government. Every morning three Cooks baked bread and prepared a simple meal for about twenty poor women and their families.

One day in late February, Elizabeth was sewing clothes with her mother-in-law and six other women, when she overheard a conversation between two of them – the daughter of a general and the wife of a colonel – that caught her attention.

"... Sally Toner, Mary Johns and Margareth Smith have not been here for a few months."

"Mrs. Tilkins told me that last month Sally married a man several years her senior who has two daughters. She is working at her husband's small business and apparently, she is happy. I do not know anything about Mary Johns, but I met Margareth a few days ago at the market. She was happy because she got a new patron."

"Another lover?" The other woman's eyes widened, "I thought she had left that life behind."

"Yes, I also thought the same. But I got the impression that she is happy with her situation."

"Did she tell you who her lover is?"

The woman shook her head, "She did not tell me his name. She only told me that he is a wealthy, handsome gentleman, he is a widower and is a little over thirty years old. He is very considerate of her, and according to her, it is a pleasure to 'serve' him. She told me the first night they were together he gave her money to pay her daughter's doctor and even to pay the lease of her house for more than a year."

"I am happy for her. I had forgotten her daughter was born prematurely and has health problems… Do you know if the girl is better?"

"She told me that she is much better and the treatment the doctor recommended was expensive, but effective."

"I am glad... You know that my youngest son was also born premature, and for several months we feared for his life..."

Elizabeth was superficially acquainted with Mrs. Smith as Captain Smith was under her husband's command and also died at Waterloo. She knew that she worked for a dressmaker in Cheapside, she had a baby girl who was born prematurely and had health problems… but she did not know she had had to resort to being a mistress to a wealthy man. It was not her business either, nor was she in a position to censure her since she knew very well that many women barely managed to survive on their husbands' pensions.

She was fortunate that despite the death of her husband, her financial situation was very good and she would never be in a situation like Margareth Smith's.

She missed living in the country, but she was aware that London had the advantage that the house where they lived was hers, and also the Gardiners lived nearby, who in addition to Mrs. Barton were a great emotional support.

Mrs. Maxwell - she maintained a fluent correspondence with her - often invited her to Ramsgate, and even visited her the few times the good lady was in London. But Rose was too young to travel, and besides, if she was honest with herself, Ramsgate brought back too many memories of Jane, Frederick, and even her husband.

It is not that she wanted to forget them, far from it, but she knew that her heart was still too fragile to relive those memories.