Notes: Happy new year.
March 1815
Little Rose and Patrick were a balm to Elizabeth's sadness and depression. Fortunately, the girl was growing up healthy and strong, mainly through the care of Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. Barton, and Elizabeth who looked after her.
Elizabeth was fascinated with her goddaughter, whom she considered the nicest and most beautiful child in the world. The baby rarely cried and was a happy girl. Mrs. Shaw fed her several times a day, and she slept for much of the day.
Mrs. Barton had suffered so much in her life, understood Elizabeth's sadness very well, and treated her as if she were her own daughter. She conversed with her for several hours a day and before long she had a very important place in Elizabeth's heart.
At the pleas of Lizzy and his mother, Patrick submitted a letter to resign his commission. They didn't want him to risk his life any longer, since with the money he had saved, Lizzy's and Mrs. Barton's dowry, plus a portion of the interest on Lizzy-Rose's dowry, they could pay Mrs. Shaw and live comfortably.
One cold afternoon in mid-March, Patrick came home dejected. When Lizzy saw him, she realized that something was not right...
"My love, you are pale, are you feeling well?"
Patrick hugged her tightly and sadly said, "Unfortunately the General did not accept my resignation, and I must leave next week for the continent." He sighed, "I don't know how long I am going to be there, and it is too dangerous for you and Lizzy-Rose to come with me. I am so sorry, Lizzy"
Lizzy hugged him even tighter; she knew that this could happen since in times of war it was very difficult to resign from the army if you did not have powerful friends. Patrick had requested his resignation only two weeks ago, and already there were rumors that the war would escalate on the Continent.
"Is there anything that can be done to allow you to stay in London training the young soldiers instead of going to the Continent?"
Patrick shook his head sadly, "Not Lizzy. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do." He sighed, "The General told me he can't make exceptions and gave me a week's leave before leaving as he does not know when I will be able to return to London."
Lizzy understood very well what was not said; Patrick didn't know if he was going to make it back to London alive...
Lizzy nodded, kissed him, and said, "I love you, Patrick."
During that week Patrick made some changes to his will, to ensure that if he died or something bad happened to him, all his possessions would be inherited by Lizzy.
Even though they were in mourning, they went to Hyde Park twice, visited the British Museum, had ice at Gunter's, and Patrick even got tickets to the theater. They made love desperately every day and were constantly hugging and kissing, as they both knew they would not see each other for a long time...
The sad day came when Patrick sailed with his regiment to the Continent. Lizzy and Mrs. Barton accompanied him to the port as they wanted to be with him until the last moment.
"I love you so much, Lizzy. I want you to know that marrying you was the best thing that happened to me in life."
Lizzy smiled through her tears, "I love you, Patrick. Although I lost faith in God a long time ago, I will be praying for you. Please, my love, take good care of yourself."
"I promise you, Lizzy. What I want most in the world is to come back to be with you." He kissed her tenderly and added, "But promise me that if I do not come back, you will be happy."
"Do not say that, please, you are coming back."
"Please, Lizzy. Promise me."
She hugged him one last time, "I promise you…"
After the ship set sail, Lizzy stood in the harbor looking at the horizon until the ship completely disappeared. She was so afraid of never seeing him again... fate was very cruel to her; so many people she had loved had died.