We were certainly disappointed to learn that Stuart Martin wouldn’t return to Miss Scarlet and The Duke after season 4. It led to a lot of questions about how William, Duke of Wellington, would be written out of the series.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS from the Miss Scarlet season 5 premiere
The premiere episode brought us all the answers that we needed. Renamed just Miss Scarlet with the departure of The Duke, we learned that William had remained in New York. Everything was done through a letter.
William got an opportunity he couldn’t pass in Miss Scarlet
We learn that the letter shared that William had been given a permanent job opportunity with the New York Police Department. This opportunity came with a potential promotion to superintendent, something that he wouldn’t get in London.
Of course, Eliza understood why he made that decision. Part of her was happy for him to be able to get such a promotion, but that didn’t mean she was happy overall. He had left, and now her heart was broken.
Eliza had the opportunity to go with him in the Miss Scarlet season 5 premiere
However, William didn’t just leave Eliza behind without a thought. He wanted her to come with him. He wanted to marry her, but Eliza knew what this would mean.
If Eliza became his wife, she couldn’t continue her practice as a private detective. While this wasn’t initially a career she saw herself having, she enjoyed the work, and she couldn’t leave it behind. There was a purpose to her life, and she couldn’t go to another country and be a superintendent’s wife. William would understand that, as well.
So, we’re left with Eliza and William being separated by an ocean, with neither of them willing to give up their careers for the other. And as Alexander Blake made it clear that he didn’t need the use of a private detective, Eliza was left wondering what was next. If she was going to live life as a spinster, she needed her career to be a success. She needed it all to be worth it.
Miss Scarlet season 5 airs on Sundays at 9/8c on PBS.
Stay up to date with the latest historical fiction news and more with Claire and Jamie.