Her brother Edward, youngest of the family (ten years her junior), became the famously wealthy dandy and gambler known as "The Golden Ball".
Her 1843 book Prism of Imagination is dedicated to "E. H. Ball Hughes, Esq., by his much-attached and affectionate sister, (the Baroness) E. C. De Calabrella".
Her mother had previously rejected the marriage, but the couple published banns in a local church and were married, with a servant of Rev.
In 1814–5, Lee attempted to obtain a divorce by means of a bill in Parliament; this was apparently opposed by Catherine and never passed, although testimony was taken on the circumstances.
At some point she acquired property in southern Italy and starting using the title "Baroness de Calabrella".
She must have been decidedly handsome in her youth; care, and a certain sense of dignity, had imparted a severe and melacholy expression to her features; but her manners were gentle and ladylike.
She wrote novels and short stories, and published a book on etiquette that went through a number of American editions.