My Lizzie (back / summary)
James Vetour is many things: handsome, gentlemanly, and, above all, an eligible bachelor in eighteenth-century England. After three years in London, he returns to his family’s home in the country (Hetfordshire?). Upon his return, he finds his best friend, Miss Elizabeth (Eliza) Tedrow, engaged to be married and must quell his long-standing feelings for her as she enters wedlock with an abusive husband, Mr. Samuel Crowe. He decides that, against his better judgment and the order of Mr. Crowe, which he will remain in correspondence with Miss Eliza through a pseudonym – Miss Henrietta Vetour.
When at the engagement party for Miss Eliza, he meets the charming but not beautiful Annabelle (Belle) Cliffe. Drawn to his growing sense of familiarity and friendship to Annabelle, he begins feeling guilty about his quickly-changing feelings, from Miss Eliza to Miss Belle. And, after becoming attached to Miss Belle, he finds that she is to marry a stable hand, John, in Scotland on her way to America. Devastated, James finds that not only is his heart broken, but Miss Belle’s is about to be – for John is a conspirator in a scheme to kidnap Miss Belle for her fortune. Miss Belle is devastated and snaps at James in her pain and anger. James goes into seclusion from women; he is afraid that the next time he puts his heart on the line it will end as it always has for him. At Miss Eliza’s wedding, he meets yet another fascinating woman, Miss Amari Letta, the daughter of an Indian merchant and a very handsome and rich woman. He becomes good friends with Miss Letta and never feels feelings that go above that of a friend. While traveling with other rich young people, including Miss Letta, James stops at the estate of his good friend from school, William Browning. James meets William’s little sister, Miss Elizabeth (Lizzie) Browning. Bonding with her deeply for her passion and energy, he begins to love her more deeply than anyone he has ever known. But, to James’s disappointment, it is not to last, for he must return to care for the estate while his father lies on his deathbed. James finds that his only companionship through life is that of Miss Lizzie Browning – through long and entertaining letters. Upon the death of his father, James invites William and Miss Lizzie to stay at his estate for his father’s funeral. Unable to ignore his growing love for Lizzie, he admits he loves her – and she admits the same. Miss Penelope Tedrow, Eliza’s younger sister, sees this and does everything in her power to quench this match – for herself. Miss Penelope has always loved James fiercely and this reckless girl will not tear her from him. After almost flinging herself to her death, Penelope begins a cat-fight with Miss Lizzie. This brings the Tedrows and Crowes to a feud with James. And when Eliza is beaten so far as to kill her child, she turns to James for help. With Lizzie’s encouragement, James goes to duel with Mr. Crowe while she cares for Eliza. James kills Crowe with many injuries and is raised back to health by Lizzie. Penelope becomes a nun and Eliza a common widow. Eliza falls in love and marries William. Happily ever after.
All my love,
Asiat
