Summary

Consuelo marries George Montagu the following spring and prepares to be presented to the English court. Alva confides in her friend that she does not enjoy sleeping with William and Consuelo encourages her to talk to him about her feelings.

Alva suspects she is pregnant a few weeks later and a doctor confirms the news. William is overjoyed and buys her jewelry to celebrate. William’s grandfather falls ill and he and Alva go to his bedside. Alva is uncomfortable in the stuffy room due to her advanced pregnancy. The Commodore passes peacefully surrounded by his extended family.

William receives two million dollars from his father’s will and Alva is shocked. At the Commodore’s funeral, Alva worries about what the news stories will say about the amount of money the family estate is worth.

Alva joins the Society of the...