15. After Shelley’s death, Mary could have Mary married American songwriter Howard Payne.
In 1824, after her return to England, Mary was introduced to American songwriter and actor Howard Payne. Payne was the writer of the popular song “Home, Sweet Home.” Six years older than Mary, he was instantly smitten by her and attempted to woo her with books and theatre tickets. Mary enjoyed Payne’s company. However, she wasn’t interested in him romantically.
In 1825, Payne plucked up the courage to declare his feelings and propose. ” You are perpetually in my presence,” he told her, “If I close my eyes you are still there and if I cross my arms over them and try to wave you away, still you will not be gone.” Despite Payne’s poetic words, Mary declined. However, she let him down gently, by claiming that the woman he loved was nothing but an illusion. Payne accepted his rejection with good grace. The couple remained friends even after he returned to America in 1832.
Mary was however interested in another American, the American writer Washington Irving. Nothing came of this fancy, for in truth, Mary was not interested in marrying again. As she explained to her old friend from her days in Italy, Edward Trelawney: “Mary Shelley shall be written on my tomb- and why? I cannot tell, except that it is so pretty a name that though I were to preach to myself for years, I never should have the heart to get rid of it.”