At the start of the fifth season, James is still grieving over Hazel's death. Richard has married a young widow named Virginia Hamilton, whose character was introduced in the fourth season when she asked Richard, along with his solicitor Sir Geoffrey Dillon (Raymond Huntley), to defend her son Michael, aged 17, who was facing a court martial charge for cowardice in the war. Michael was acquitted of the charges but was killed in the war shortly after. During this time, Richard and Virginia fell in love and became engaged to be married. In the first instalment of the fifth season, "On With The Dance", Richard and Virginia are just returning to London from their honeymoon. James is in a quandary because with only himself and Georgina living at Eaton Place, there is not enough for the servants to do and therefore, James feels he will have to dismiss them from their jobs and ultimately, sell the house. He tries to persuade Richard and Virginia to move in with him and Georgina, but Virginia is stubborn and adamant about finding a house of her own. Collaborating with Georgina, James invites Richard, Virginia, and her two children, Alice, aged 10 and William, aged 6, to tea. The house suddenly comes alive with their visit. James, Georgina, and the servants welcome them wholeheartedly to the point where Virginia is finally convinced that 165 Eaton Place is the perfect home for her family. As a result, she, Richard, and the children become residents of the house. Alice becomes very attached to Rose, who is soon given duties that keep her upstairs with the children and the new Lady Bellamy. Richard is elevated to the House of Lords as "Viscount Bellamy of Haversham" in the New Year Honours List of 1917.