On one hand, I do understand your point of view. Ian is so perfect and she made him miserable. I was inconsolable for him. I really was. He did have every right to make Elizabeth miserable, too.
On the other hand, I also understand Elizabeth. She thought that if he did serve the divorce papers to her, he wouldn't back down. She waited for months, true. There were every chance for Ian to have other women in that time. But she thought it was what she deserved. She did know her mistake. She regretted it. She did the only thing she could think of. As I get it, the moment Elizabeth gets the divorce papers in her hands, he could go through with it. But since he couldn't serve her the papers, he couldn't finish the divorce process. She left so that he couldn't do that. Did I get it wrong? I thought that is the reason why she didn't let them hand her those papers at the very beginning, making the butler say that she wasn't home, and left immediately. If she went to Ian to beg before he was at a place where he was ready to listen, she didn't stand a slightest chance to make him listen to herself before he divorced him. Then it would be much much worse. At least that's what thought it was all about.
And Jessica, stop saying they could have hanged him, she didn't even think that they could thought Ian would kill her. Do you honestly believe that if she thought there was a slightest chance of it happening she would leave without a trail? Elizabeth is like the other JM heroines, kind, sweet, good natured. She wouldn't do that to anyone, let alone to Ian, to the man she loved.
You are saying you wouldn't wait around for months. I wouldn't do it, too. Actually, I would be too coward to trust again even when I realize I was the mistaken one and just let him divorce me. I would be livid when I realize that he didn't tell me the truth about my brother, I would never let them hang him but I wouldn't go back to him either. Not because he isn't worthy but because those lies would eat me alive however good intentioned they might be. I would prefer to be alone. Unfortunately, I am not a "forgive and forget" person, so I cannot honestly relate to any of the JM heroines or heroes. Any of the heroes or heroines I would have left them
They are the brave ones, that's why I love them so very much.