His long-standing hatred of the Poldarks wasn’t helped by Geoffrey Charles carelessly pointing out how much young Valentine looked like Ross, stoking his (correct) suspicion that he wasn’t the boy’s biological father.

George and Elizabethĭespite his promise to Elizabeth that he was a changed man and would no longer pursue petty rivalries with Ross and co., George stayed true to form in series four. Ongoing hostility with Ross led to Adderley challenging him to an illegal duel, which Ross won, killing Adderley in the process. He eventually invited Demelza to join him for a steamy minibreak in the capital, where she aroused the interest of villainous cad and friend of George Warleggan, MP Captain Monk Adderley.Īdderley arrogantly made a wager with George that he would bed the comely Mrs Poldark within a week, a bet he lost when Demelza refused him. Ross resisted the temptation London put in his way, spending his days in the House of Parliament making impassioned speeches about protecting the poor, and his evenings bumping into nephew Geoffrey Charles (who’d fallen in with a boozing, gambling, womanising crowd at Harrow) and Caroline Enys. Elected MP for Truro (taking the seat from George Warleggan), Ross spent much of the series in London trying “to mend this sad, sorry, broken world.” Demelza was left behind to keep the home fires burning and do what she could to stop George Warleggan from putting Pascoe’s Bank (containing the Poldark nest egg) out of business. While Demelza grieved for Hugh, Ross was distracted by his political career. Hugh didn’t make matters easier by telling Demelza that he’d die without her, and then making good on that promise.

Demelza’s tryst with Hugh had left Ross jealous and Demelza uneasy. The Poldarks started series four wondering if it was too late to repair their ailing marriage, and for much of last year, the verdict was still out. “Strangers who know every inch of one another’s skin”

Warleggan book