separated after she bore an illegitimate child, (Eliza Courtney), to her lover, Charles, Earl Grey. She went to the continent, only returning in late 1793. The Duchess had not seen her children for two years, and observed upon her return that "Georgiana is very handsome" while Harriet was "still fat" and William "very cruel to me". The Duchess was also saddened to find that Little G, then ten-years old, lacked self-confidence. The young girl would not let her mother out of her sight, and had developed strong religious sensibilities centring on her own perceived sins. The two shared a love of books and other interests; the Duchess's biographer, Amanda Foreman, writes "Georgiana treasured Little G's company so greatly that she could never bear to say a harsh word towards her". In 1800, the Duchess prepared Little G for her presentation at court. The task was difficult; débutantes were expected to display grace and dignity or face the ruin of their first London season. However, young Georgiana had not inherited her mother's poise and ease of movement, and tended to keep her head down. Her court dress, complemented with the Cavendish diamonds, was considered a dramatic success. Soon after, she came out in society during a ball held in her honour. Lady Holland observed Georgiana and described her as "a most charming girl–sensible, pleasing, full of information and totally without a particle of affectation, and if she bestows herself upon a man equal to her situation, I have no doubt she will make a most delightful wife". Marriage Potential suitors in marriage included Lord John Russell and George Howard, Viscount Morpeth. Russell was nearly twenty years older than Georgiana, while Howard was approximately eleven years her senior. The Duchess of Devonshire favoured Morpeth, who was the eldest son of the 5th Earl of Carlisle. Morpeth met Georgiana for the first time at the coming out ball, and he was invited back to a house party at Chatsworth House later that year. No engagement occurred, however; to convince his daughter to agree to the match, the Duke of Devonshire offered Georgiana a £30,000 dowry and the use of their London residence Londesborough House. She did not agree until Christmas later that year, marrying Morpeth on 21 March 1801 when she was seventeen. Lady Holland characterised it as "a suitable match in every respect. Without possessing great beauty she has many charms". The