Poldark Novels 2

Elizabeths marriage to Francis becomes unhappy- they have a son but Francis drinks and gambles and they are short of money. She begins to regret her marriage and there is still a bond between her and Ross. He is however increasingly drawn to Demelza and when she is 17, they sleep together. He marries her, in spite of their class differences. Demelza is pretty and lively and is gradually accepted by some of the local gentry, but Ross is often at odds with the Warleggans and he is not doing too well financially. He and Demelza have a daughter Julia, but there is tension at times between them because of Ross's lingering feelings for Elizabeth. The early Poldark novels detail Ross's quarrels with George Warleggan and his jealousy when Francis dies and George begins to pay court to Elizabeth. Julia, the baby dies of diptheria and Ross is arrested for alleged wrecking of a ship in the bay.