The ladies left behind in Brussels when the regiment marches off are in the care of Jos Sedley, Amelia's brother. Unfortunately he is a coward and when rumours abound that Napoleon has defeated Wellington and is on the march to Brussels, he flees the capital. Back in London while Amelia grieves for her dead husband, Becky enjoys life and travels around Europe, seducing the men with whom she comes into contact. Eventually everything is sorted out satisfactorily.