Background
Brussels gossip had it that despite her many good qualities she would probably never marry, due to her having a small dowry, and her mother an appalling temper.
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Charlotte d'Argenteau
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Career
Within a short time of meeting her Ailesbury fell in love, and it seems his feelings were returned. Friends however warned that Charlotte's mother would probably make difficulties. The Countess duly did so, and perhaps on this occasion not unreasonably.
Ailesbury was after more than 20 years older than Charlotte. More importantly he had fled England to avoid being condemned to death as a traitor. Though the British Crown made no effort to extradite him, and had not seized his estates, he was only able to draw part of the revenue from them.
The marriage was very happy. Charlotte was described as "a noble and virtuous lady, born to make anyone happy". Charlotte's stepchildren, Charles and Elizabeth Bruce, became deeply attached to her and she had one daughter of her own: Lady Marie Thérèse Charlotte Bruce, born in 1704.
Ailesbury settled in Brussels so happily that when in time the English government made it clear that he could return home, he no longer had any wish to do so. After ten years of marriage, Charlotte died of a fever in July 1710, aged 31, and was buried in the Church of the Brigittines, Brussels. Ailesbury was deeply grieved, and though he outlived her by 30 years he never remarried.
Their daughter Marie Thérèse became the wife of Maximilian, Prince of Hornes, and among Charlotte's great-grandchildren was Princess Louise of Stolberg-Gedern (the Jacobite consort from 1772–88).
