Here is what really happened to Ashton
For those who did not read the books and are puzzled by the plotholes (like: how did Ashton suddenly was in that brothel in "Heaven & Hell"), inconsistencies and other ridiculous changes from the books, here is what REALLY happened to Ashton and Huntoon, and other characters:
First, Ashton and Bent were NEVER lovers, though those monsters would have made perfect couple in cruelty.
After Ashton's scheme to murder Billy was foiled, Orry kicked her and Huntoon out of Mont Royal and the family. Ashton thought that in Richmond she would gain power, but her dreams were ruined at the social party when Huntoon refused to fawn upon Jeff Davis, and as a result his political career was over, even before it began. Later he got some lousi job at the Treasury, with no power or influence. At the same party, after Ashton told Huntoon exactly what she thought of him, he was approached by handsome and unscrupulous profiteer named Lamar Powell.
As the author comments, by introducing Powell to Ashton - Huntoon made one of the worst mistakes in his life. His former mistake was marrying the most despicable, heartless and sociopath bitch in South Carolina. Luckily for Billy, he discovered in time Ashton's true wicked nature and broke with her. Huntoon was not as lucky.
Powell offered Huntoon to invest in ship called "Water Witch" that would carry luxuries via the siege. Huntoon refused, partially because he noticed Ashton adoring Powell, and because he was against such profiteering and also due to Powell's questionable background. However, behind his back Ashton paid Powell the money he needed, and became his lover (she was NOT Bent's lover). Huntoon suspected that, and he was furious that Ashton invested their money in the ship, but spineless wimp as he was - Ashton gave him a lesson in humiliation.
The ship brought fortune to the Huntoons, but cost terrible price - the life of Judah, Cooper's son. When Cooper confronted Ashton about this, do you think she had any regret? Yeah, right. She was stunned momentarily, but was far more concerned about the ornaments which Cooper broke in his rage!
That alone should teach all of you who adore Ashton, for reasons I can't figure, how corrupt and pervert she was. Some priorities she had: when some whore scratched her face, Ashton felt as if worldwide catastrophe occurred. She had wept for hours over the bloody nail marks because "her body and her face were her chief assets, the weapons she used to get whatever she wanted" - that was much, much more than she wept when Billy dumped her. And when it comes to other people's lives, including those who never did Ashton any ill, she wouldn't shed even one single tear.
Powell proceeded to his next scheme: assassination of Davis and his government, and foundation of new confederation. Among the people he recruited were Bent and Huntoon.
Now, why would Huntoon join the schemes of the man with whom Ashton had an affair, as Huntoon suspected (correctly)? Because the poor fool believed that would gain Ashton's love and admiration. He should have known better.
Meanwhile, Bent met Ashton, and showed her the portrait of Madeline's mother, giving her secret she could use - and did use - against Orry.
Orry discovered the assassination scheme from Burdetta Halloran (Powell's ex-lover) and when he confronted Ashton about this in social party, she revealed in public that Madeline was octoroon and daughter of whore (no, she did NOT do it secretly without Orry's knowldge to force Madeline out of town). And to think Madeline helped Ashton to make an abortion in Book I, and in Book II persuaded Orry not to hand over Ashton and Huntoon to the authorities... yes, this is how wicked people repay kindness. What did Ashton gain from that? Nothing, except sadistic pleasure.
After Madeline's background was exposed, Orry got order from Davis to get Madeline out of Richmond. He considered ignoring the order, but realized Madeline would be treated as pariah, so reluctantly he persuade her to leave for Lehigh Station, and reluctantly she agreed. So she left to Lehigh Station - NOT to Charleston - without their child, presumably because they NEVER had any children (in chapter 84 of Book II it is implied that either or both of them are barren). That was the last time they saw each other.
BTW, Madeline never had any encounter with Bent (how lucky), and there never were any Rose Sinclair or that Rafe Beaudeen, in any of the books. From where the producers brought that... beyond me.
Orry foiled again the scheme when he confronted Ashton, Huntoon, Bent and Quincy at the warehouse: he beat Bent severely, and Bent fell out of window into the James River and disappeared. Orry assumed he was dead, but unfortunately he was not, as we find out in Book III. Instead of delivering Ashton and Huntoon to the authorities, as they deserved - Orry foolishly gave them opportunity to leave Richmond, and they did. Pity. Ashton deserved to be hanged. Later, due to Madeline's absence and his growing disgust of the government, Orry decided to leave his safe office and join the staff of George Pickett, and subsequently was killed in Petersburg lines by injured Union soldier to whom he wanted to help (Orry was NOT killed by Bent, and NOT in Book III).
Thus Ashton was indirectly responsible not only for her nephew's death, but to her brother's as well: if she had not revealed Madeline's background in public, Madeline would not have left Richmond, and perhaps she would have dissuade Orry from joining Pickett's staff.
Ashton and Huntoon reunited with Powell, and he proceeded with his plan of new confederation. He and Huntoon were going to Santa Fe, delivering large amount of gold (from gold mine in Virginia City, which Powell acquired after murdering the previous owner - his brother) through dangerous territory, while Ashton would travel to there in convenient way and wait for them. Before the journey, Ashton and Powell decided to dispose of Huntoon. Huntoon, aware of Ashton's cheating but unaware to his planned murder, gave Ashton a letter to be read only if something happened to him. On the way to Santa Fe, Powell murdered Huntoon. Only then Huntoon realized what a fool he was, believing that he could gain Ashton's love. He had better chance of becoming the king of England.
That was the miserable end of James Huntoon. As much as I loathed him in Book I, I felt sorry for him reading the second book: he was the battered husband in almost every aspect. Ashton did everything she could to abuse, insult and humiliate him (including viciously scorning him for his "performance" in bed), except beating him physically. If he hadn't been such a wimp, he would have divorced her long ago. Ashton never loved him, but just using him to gain power and influence.
Rest assure that Ashton NEVER asked for Huntoon's forgiveness, nor did he ever said something 'machoist' like "It's too late for that, Ashton".
However, justice was served very quickly: while Powell was overjoyed at his great "victory", indians attacked the caravan, and killed Powell and the waggoners. Only the guide Collins escaped. Ashton waited several weeks in vain for Powell, her money running out, and then she heard about the attack. She mourned for Powell, whom she loved (as if she was capable of something resembling love) more than any other man in her life, but thinking about the gold, she got over her grief very quickly. For Huntoon she felt no sorrow - then she remembered the letter he had given her. Very unpleasant surprise waited for her: Huntoon wrote that he knew about her affair with Powell. He chided her for mistreating him despite his love. To ensure she would not be rewarded for her adultery, he disinherited of all their money, including the goddamned money she gained from the "Water Witch" venture, which according to law was solely Huntoon's - a small retribution for all the wrongs she did to him.
Ashton was devastated when she realized her predicament: she was stuck in Santa Fe with very little money. Of course, she could write to Brett, Cooper or Madeline, asking for help, but she was too proud. She tried to find rich patron to support her, but there were none in Santa Fe. Since Ashton never bothered to learn to do anything useful or productive - unlike Brett, Madeline, Constance, Augusta and Willa - so used to get others to do things for her, she wound up in lousi brothel.
I hope this explains, for those who did not read the books, that plothole in the TV series "Heaven & Hell", how suddenly Ashton was in that brothel, right after she pushed Bent into the river, after he killed Orry (which was not at all what happened).
Ashton spent quite long time - but not long enough - in that brothel, calling herself "Brett", thinking it is a fine joke. Ha-ha-ha. That was not funny at all - it was infantile and pathetic. "It would have been an even better one if her sweet, prissy sister knew about it". When the guide Collins arrived at the brothel, Ashton tried to persuade him take her away from Santa Fe, but she failed.
What a pity that, with the help of Willard Fenway, Ashton escaped the brothel. She deserved to stay there for the rest of her life. During escape, she murdered Luis, the owner's brother-in-law. As Fenway said, it was completely unnecessary: Luis could not stop them. Ashton did it as retribution for "large and small slurs, insults and unkindnesses".
That foul murder appalled Fenway, and made him realize what kind of monster was his angel-faced companion. "He knew the little Carolina tart was stone-hearted, but he'd never imagine she would go so far as to slay a helpless man". Later, he firmly warned Ashton that "If you ever do something that low again, we're quits". That made Ashton realize that Fenway was no weakling, unlike Huntoon.
It took Ashton 8 months and lot of scheming to obtain the money Fenway needed for his piano company: she slept with a banker for a loan, then slept with a records clerk for obtaining forged marriage certificate showing that she was Powell's wife, then married to Ezra Leaming - chief of claim office in Virginia City, who assisted her establishing her title to Powell's mine. After emptying the mine of the silver-bearing ore, she left Leaming, without bothering to divorce him. Then she invested the whole money in the piano company. It was sensational success, and they grew to be extremely wealthy.
Ashton could have been satisfied with her current life: she lived in luxury, had lovers (Fenway knew but did not mind). But the filthy bitch, wicked as ever, intended to take over Mont Royal and kick Madeline out. She was never the sentimental type - the only reason she wanted Mont Royal was to revenge herself on her family. Of course she never blamed herself for being kicked out of Mont Royal. Wicked people never take responsibility on their foul deeds and the results.
All those years, after Orry's death, Madeline has been through total hell, struggling to maintain Mont Royal, on the verge of bankruptcy, while being the prime target of the local KKK gang who murdered some of her friends. Neither Cooper nor George helped her. Despite everything, she managed to renovate the estate and turn it profitable. BTW, there was NEVER any "glorious" battle in Mont Royal against the KKK: Medaline and the others simply fled to the swamps.
Shortly after Ashton arrived at Charleston, she found Orry's death. How do you think she reacted? "She felt neither sorrow nor remorse, only more anger at her gaunt one-armed brother. His death cheated her of an important opportunity for reprisal, and she didn't like it".
Ashton nearly succeeded in her scheme: she purchased the land from Cooper anonymously, because she knew her brother would never sell her the land. Then she drove to Mont Royal, and delivered Madeline the eviction order, viciously taunting her for failing to behave like respectable while woman and opening school for black people. Madeline begged, but for no avail. As for the black people who worked and lived at Mont Royal: Ashton intended to kick them out too, or let them stay under conditions resembling slavery "they'll work all day for a cup and a crust".
Fortunately, Virgilia (no, she was NOT executed. In fact she became better person in Book III) foiled Ashton's scheme by forcing her to sign a deed which transfered the ownership of Month Royal to Hazard's of Pennsylvania, for a dollar and other considerations - under threat of throwing acid (actually, that was harmless well water) in her face. Ashton, fearing for her beauty - her ultimate weapon she used successfully for so many years to get whatever she wanted - reluctantly complied, ran away shamefully like beaten dog, and never showed her face again in Mont Royal.
Sure, as Ashton said, such signature under duress is invalid. But Virgilia assured her that George would hire the best lawyers, if she ever challenges them in court.
The stupid "heartbreaking" scene in the TV series of Ashton bursting into tears when she saw her home ruined - was not at all what happened: On the contrary, when Ashton first entered Mont Royal in Book III, she was pleased to find it prosperous - for Madeline struggled for years to rebuild the estate, turning it to complex business of sawmill and phosphate fields. She liked the new house which was under construction, Madeline worked so hard to renovate it. When Ashton left, she was screaming in rage and frustration, not sobbing. The only tears she had during the scene were of fear, when she thought Virgilia was going to disfigure her.
BTW, there was no physical fight between Madeline and Ashton.
After Fenway found out about Ashton's scheme, he was furious for her meanness, that she nearly took Mont Royal from her own family. This time, Ashton could NOT get away like she usually did. All her tricks failed, for Fenway, as old and scooped as he was, was by no means spineless worm like Huntoon. He forced the whole ugly truth out of her. Though he loved Ashton, he could not condone such cruelty. Keeping his earlier promise, he kicked her out of his life and house - permanently.
The last paragraph about Ashton: she became owner of luxurious brothel in Chicago named "The Carolina Club" - again, calling herself Brett. Ha-ha-ha, so funny. Some people never grow up. She did not know if Fenway divorced her or not, and strangely she missed him. "She was a strong woman, and a successful one, but there was nothing for her except decay, the slow ruin of her beauty, death. And every once in a while she was forced to confront that... wishing that she were a child playing with Brett at Mont Royal once again".
Interesting point: except Leaming and her occasional lovers, all the men who were married or seriously involved with Ashton either broke up with her (Billy and Fenway) or died (Forbes, Huntoon, Powell). She never had children - in Book I it is implied that the abortion damaged her body thus. She grieved very little about that.
Somehow, I don't think Ashton got what she deserved. She deserved to remain at that sleazy brothel in Santa Fe, or the same fate of Des LaMotte. Many of the other N & S villains got what they deserved: Bent, Scar, Lamar Powell, the guard who tortured Billy in Libby prison (it was not George but Billy), Jack Jolly, the LaMottes (all four them - Forbes, Justin, Francis and Des). All those are made of the same stuff: wicked, sociopath people, who maliciously destroy other people in order to get what they want, even when there is no profit for them except sadistic pleasure. That incident right in the beginning of the series, with Brett and the egg, accurately describes Ashton's evil nature throughout her entire life. She committed so many crimes and other foul deeds, at the top of them are:
1) Conspiracy to murder Billy. What did she hope to gain from that? Nothing, except "if I don't have, then you don't have it either".
2) Conspiracy to assassinate Jeff Davis.
3) Humiliating Medaline in public, regardless of the time Madeline helped her.
4) Indirectly responsible for the death of Judah and Orry.
5) Murder of Luis. He was hardly innocent person, but still it was murder.
6) Scheme to take over Mont Royal and evacuate Madeline.
So what if Ashton is slowly decaying, that she has no one to love her, no children? She still has money and power. Evil people like Ashton never stop destroying others till their last day. That was the case with Bent and Scar (no, Scar never made peace with Charles). Who knows what evil deeds will Ashton do, and how many innocent people will be harmed as result? I was very disappointed with the last mentioning of her.
The bottom line: Ashton was sadistic sociopath, wicked angel-faced monster, despicable whore and egoistic-egocentric bitch. She never did even one honest thing in her life.
Terri Garber definitely played remarkably the role of Ashton, but seems that some people confuse between the actress and the character. The actress is adorable, but not the character. I read some ridiculous posts about Ashton, like that she was "funny" and "comedic", or that she should have married Billy and then she might have eventually turned out alright... yeah, and pigs could fly. Scumbags like Ashton and Bent NEVER change. There was nothing funny or comical about her.