Elizabeth was very young when her mother died. She was an only child, and raised by her father, who was rather rich. When she was about 10, her father was made sherriff. He was really wrapped up in his job, and left her to the care of nurses and governesses. By the time she was 16, he decided she didn’t need a governess or nurse anymore. She spent a lot of time reading, and caring for her horse. When she was 18, her father tried to force her into a marriage with a wealthy man that she couldn’t stand, so she ran away.