April 1815 – July 1815
Unfortunately, in April, Lizzy's hopes of being pregnant were dashed. She missed her husband more with each passing day and was anxious to hear from him. Unfortunately, due to the war, the letters took several months to reach their destination and there was no certainty that would even arrive. In May she received the first letter from Patrick; it was an optimistic, loving, and sweet letter. Lizzy immediately answered a long letter and hoped that it would reach his hands someday.
Lizzy's relationship with Mrs. Barton and Mrs. Shaw was getting better every day. Mrs. Barton was an excellent mother-in-law, and Mrs. Shaw, in addition to being Rose's wet nurse, was a good friend.
Undoubtedly the joy of the house was little Rose who continued to grow healthy and strong. By the eighth month, she was crawling around the house and beginning to try to stand up. Lizzy and to a lesser extent the other two ladies celebrated each of the girl's achievements and encouraged her to try walking.
August 1815
One afternoon in August, while Lizzy was changing little Rose's clothes, she received an express with the terrible news that her beloved Patrick had been badly wounded at Waterloo, and two weeks later had died of an infection. The messenger, who was a young soldier, also gave her a letter that Patrick wrote to her a few days before he died...
10th June 1815
Brussels
My beloved Lizzy,
Today I received your beautiful letter and my mother´s letter. I am glad you are well, and little Lizzy-Rose is growing healthy and strong.
You cannot imagine how much I want to have you in my arms again. I miss you much more than I can express with words, as you already know I am not a good poet.
Every night before going to sleep I look at the little portrait you gave me with the lock of your beautiful hair and I dream of you. I dream that we live in a beautiful house in the country with a beautiful garden with roses and daffodils, and little Lizzy-Rose is playing with a beautiful girl with your eyes and smile. Those dreams are so beautiful that I don't want to wake up because unfortunately, I don't know when I will be able to see you again.
The first thing I am going to do when I return to England is to insist that I be allowed to rescind my commission and move to the country with you. I don't want to spend another minute of my life without you.
Although my life has been calm since I arrived in Brussels almost two months ago, every day there are more rumors that in a few days, there will be a great battle. We are prepared to go out and fight at any time.
There are more and more rumors that in a few days, there will be a big battle. We are prepared to go out and fight at any time.
I love you very much.
Patrick Barton
Lizzy collapsed; Patrick not only was her beloved husband, but also her best friend, confidante, and support. Her mother-in-law took the news sadly, but with more poise than Lizzy, for she had made up her mind for years that her son was likely to die in battle.
In the following weeks, Lizzy was deeply depressed and even considered taking her own life, but she had a dream one night that made her think again…
She was walking down a path and in the distance were Jane and Patrick. She called out to them, but they seemed not to hear her. She hurried and when she was close to them, Jane turned to look at her with a very sad expression on her face. She tried to hug her, but Jane stepped back and shook her head. She tried to take Patrick's hand, but at that moment he vanished. She looked at Jane again and with a clear and sad voice Jane said, "You promised me that you would take care of Lizzy-Rose..."
Lizzy woke up with a start, she still had reasons to live, and the obligation to take care of her niece. She was not going to let Jane down….
End Part 1