Claire de Cintré Timeline and Summary

Before the book begins, Claire is forced by her family to marry the hateful and wealthy Count de Cintré.
The Count dies soon after their marriage, leaving Claire with his ill-gotten wealth.
Claire refuses to take the fortune because of the Count's shady business dealings.
In doing so, she makes a promise to her mom: she'll do anything the de Bellegarde family wants her to do for ten years, with the exception of marrying again.
Claire visits her pal Mrs. Tristram and ends up meeting an earnest young man named Christopher Newman.
She invites Newman to visit her at home the following week.
After getting to know the whole family, Newman pulls a surprise proposal on Claire.
She doesn't say no…but she doesn't say yes, either. Instead, she asks Newman not to mention the word "marriage" for six months while she gets to know him better.
At the end of six months, Claire accepts a proposal from Newman. Guess that worked, after all.
Claire starts to get some pressure from her family to consider another suitor: her wealthy cousin, Lord Deepmere.
At Claire and Newman's engagement party, Lord Deepmere reveals to Claire what her family has been plotting.
For reasons not entirely known, Claire calls off her engagement to Newman.
Newman shows up at Claire's doorstep after Valentin's funeral, begging for another shot.
Claire tells Newman that she's planning to go into a convent.
Claire becomes Sister Veronica and spends the rest of her life chilling in a convent.