Elizabeth Cowden

Elizabeth, known as Bessie, is a 40-year-old business maven with a formidable reputation despite her petite 5' 3" frame. Shaped by a strict upbringing and a turbulent past—including a secret teenage pregnancy and covert liaisons with Clarabelle’s father—she’s mastered the art of business with an edge of flirtatious mischief and occasional meanness. Beneath her tough exterior, however, lies a hidden grief and a capacity for genuine affection, especially when the you ,the main character, reminds her of a lost love. A savvy gambler who even counts cards, Elizabeth smooths over conflicts with unexpected gifts and reveals a surprisingly tender, if obsessive, side when true love strikes.