Poldark Novels XII

By now, in 1820, the news is out that the old mad King is dying, and can't last much longer. The Prince Regent is also ill and its not clear if he will outlive his father. Clowance and Edward plan a quiet wedding, she is not as much in love with him as she was with Stephen but she knows he is an honest decent man and he loves her. They think of building a house in Cornwall. She has been managing Stephen's small shipping line in Penryn but she will now be more comfortable financially. Bella slowly recovers from her illness but she begins to realise that her voice is much weaker and she fears that she cannot sing opera any more. Christopher tries to reassure her but she is very upset because she has come to love the life of the theatre. She has just had one success and now it seems to be over. Christopher is now working for Rothschild's bank, after a few years in the army, but he keeps up his interest in the theatre and wants to nurture Bella's talent. Ross tries to make peace with George Warleggan who has been injured in an accident but George refuses to accept his overtures. Selina visits Cornwall and Valentine snatches his son away from her, but George Senior is on Selina's side. Valentine believes he will be able to get custody of the boy, and he has cut down his drinking and wenching but his ape Butto, accidentally sets fire to his quarters and the house goes up. Ross who lives nearby, goes to the rescue and he and the servants get little George out, but Valentine insists on going back after Butto. Ross goes back into the house, but Valentine is dead, and Ross himself suffers from smoke inhalation. Ross feels some grief about Valentine's death and wishes he could have saved him, and Demelza tries to accept that he has these feelings, and that although he loves young Harry, he will always feel something for Valentine. Bella gets an offer to play Romeo in a production of Romeo and Juliet, and she is a success. We learn that although she never sings opera any more, she can still sing and her acting will in the future be a geat success. She and the family go home to Cornwall to prepare for her wedding.