Chapter Four
Later…
"Keep your voice a little higher than that, Lizzy. You need to make sure the vocal cords aren't too tight." Fitzwilliam spoke. He was seated at the piano and he was helping her with the warm up.
Lizzy nodded but couldn't shake away the feeling that something wasn't right. Remembering how it was their wedding day, she couldn't push something off. When the Opera Ghost seemed to feel this, he paused and turning to her, asked.
"Is something wrong?"
"Yes." She answered and she lowered her eyes a bit. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the Opera Ghost seemed to soften his eyes. But she remembered the skull features and she hid a shudder. Instead, she waited to answer him. When she lifted her eyes, their eyes met as she continued.
"You mentioned my sister, Lydia, and her husband, Wickham."
He nodded but gestured for her to continue.
"I don't like knowing that they could be up to something."
"Does it relate to the theater or something else?" Fitzwilliam asked.
Then Lizzy felt something vibrate from him and feeling a little bolder, she stepped forward as she asked.
"Do you know something about him I don't?"
When the Opera Ghost rose, his eyes were soft but firm as he replied.
"Yes. I know something about him. Which is another reason why I want you to replace Lydia as Prima Dona. She croaks like a toad."
He turned and made his way into the music room. Lizzy could hear him sort through some papers but then suddenly…
"My music! Don Juan Triumphant's gone!"
The Opera Ghost soon re-appeared in the living room and his eyes were flashing. So much, Lizzy was startled and she took a step back. Keeping herself calm, she waited to watch what her husband would do. Then something from above sounded and Lizzy covered her ears when a crashing sound entered.
"Wickham!" The Opera Ghost shouted and before she realized it, the Opera Ghost sped out of the house and disappeared. But Lizzy wasn't in the mood to be left alone. Regardless that they were married, she knew she didn't want to miss out on the excitement. As she rushed forward, she soon found her husband untying the boat before he leapt in. But she stopped him by calling out.
"Fitzwilliam! Wait!"
He turned and meeting her eyes, he asked.
"You want to follow?"
She was in the boat with him as she replied.
"Yes. When you shouted Wickham and I heard that sound, I have a feeling that my suspicions of Lydia could be correct."
He took the oar and she seated herself. Using it, he pushed them away and started to row fast. Lizzy could hear the water against the boat as her husband suddenly asked.
"Lizzy? What do you know about Wickham?"
"He persuaded my sister to run away with him. It damaged our family's reputation and my other sisters and I were not inclined to find suitable men after. Lydia was more than pleased to announce that she was Mrs. Wickham but we never saw her again after their brief visit to our family afterwards." She felt her throat twist when she remembered Papa as she continued.
"Then Lydia and Wickham vanished without a trace. Charlotte and Mr. Collins, who were at our wedding, were kind enough to ask me to visit them and that's how I…"
"Became my wife." Fitzwilliam replied.
Lizzy nodded as the two neared the opposite shore. Once there, he stepped out and taking her hand, helped her out before the two made their way up a small flight of stairs. Here, Fitzwilliam explained that this would lead to the Prima Dona's room. He also informed her when she received the leading lady, she would reside there. But that was of little importance. As he guided her up, Lizzy heard the Opera Ghost speak.
"Wickham is deceitful, Lizzy. The two of us know that. I need to inform you I know him because we grew up together."
Here, she nearly toppled backwards but he gently caught her. When this took place, he had her in his arms, (he turned around because the steps were steep) and when she felt how tender he was, her heart leap. For a brief moment, she remembered how he'd kissed her earlier and he spoken she didn't need to fear him. But the image of his skull features haunted her and she found she couldn't quite bare to gaze into them. Not yet. Seeming to read her thoughts, he gently helped her up as he finished.
"We need to inspect what took place above. And I'm sure it doesn't involve another dummy hanging."
Then he turned and still gently holding her hand, the Opera Ghost led her up the stairs and entered a passage way. From there, torches lit the walls, and despite the sounds of the rats, Lizzy felt a little protected when her husband brought the two to a mirror and there… she blinked at the sight she saw.
"Mighty fine of you to saw that chandelier, my dear." Lydia spoke as she wrapped her arms around her husband.
Behind the mirror, Lizzy watched as her husband narrowed his eyes. She felt her heart beat when she realized he placed his hand along his belt. The two occupants of the Prima Donna's room where none other than Lydia and Wickham. As she took a step closer, Lizzy heard the Opera Ghost softly hiss.
"They have my Don Juan Triumphant!"
As if in response, Wickham turned and snickered at his wife as he held the papers up. Lizzy felt her husband tense when Wickham replied.
"Yes, my dear. And that Opera Ghost Fitzwilliam doesn't know who stole his music! Once the mangers learn that the Opera Ghost was responsible for causing the chandelier to crash, then we can make our escape and become rich! I know his masterpiece will bring us riches beyond measure!"
"Step back, Lizzy." The Opera Ghost suddenly ordered.
As she watched, Lizzy's heart beat when the Opera Ghost raised his hand and pulled a lever to his left. As she turned, she watched as the lights started to dim in the Prima Donna's room. As she took a step away, Lizzy heard her husband speak in a soft tone.
"Watch the show, Lizzy. Dimming the lights."
As Lizzy watched, she became amused when Lydia's eyes widened and she clutched onto Wickham harder. Even he paused when this took place. The lever her husband was pulling paused and Fitzwilliam turned to her and smiled when he raised his hand. He pulled another as he whispered.
"Watch."
Inside the Prima Dona's room, a strange green-like mist appeared and the Opera Ghost whispered.
"Knock out gas."
Folding her arms, Lizzy smiled when the cries of Lydia could be heard as her sister exclaimed.
"George! Whatever is happening?!"
Wickham coughed a bit but when Lizzy felt a hand on her shoulder, she nearly let out a shriek when her husband spoke.
"Stay here. I'm going in."
Then he pulled another level and this opened the glass doors and stepped in.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be used against you in court."
Lydia was shoved to the back of the carriage and Wickham too. The Opera Ghost signed the papers and thanked the Daroga. He was chief of police of Paris and after shaking his hand, Fitzwilliam turned and was satisfied when he heard Lydia shout.
"This is outrageous! I thought you had a plan, George!"
But the carriage drove away after the coachman slammed the door. When he turned and nodded to Fitzwilliam, the Opera Ghost smiled when he watched the pair leave. The event which led to their capture and trial for court would occurring but Fitzwilliam was informed he wouldn't be needed unless he was called for. He remembered how his own tricks and knowledge of the Opera House helped with capturing his enemy as well as his wife. When he turned, he realized he was standing before the grand theater. The angels above stared at him and they smiled. The managers were already taken care of and now all Fitzwilliam needed to do was return to his wife. He remembered how she still was hesitant to sleep with him and this was understandable. Thankful those two were gone, he made his way back into the theater and vanished. The morning of Sunday was approaching but all the Opera Ghost thought about was how… for some reason… a miracle took place. Remembering Lizzy and how she'd spoken with him about Wickham…
"Maybe there's hope for her to love me after all." He thought as he entered Box 5. After pulling the secret passage open, he was surprised when she stood there and when their eyes met, he heard her say.
"I was waiting for you. Are they?"
"Yes. Word should be in the papers when the judge will look at their case."
As the doors closed, he watched as his wife nodded but didn't say anything else. Instead, he watched as she took a step back. She was waiting for him to lead and when he held his arm out to her, she took it but avoided eye contact. Then he escorted the two down another flight of stairs and soon the house on the lake appeared before them. After the two embarked on shoe, Fitzwilliam followed his wife's figure as she entered his house. He wondered but hoped that she would grow to love him as their lives began. Pressing his lips together, as he tied the boat, he prayed.
"Dear Lord in Heaven! Open her heart to love me as I'm starting to feel a chemistry for her! Open her heart to me so trust can appear! Thank you! And in Your Son's Name I pray… Amen!"
Then he followed her inside and the doors closed behind them. But when he entered the living room, he gasped and stood frozen.
"I wanted to surprise you while you were away." He heard his wife speak.
Turning to her, he was amazed to see a simple dinner before them. Candles light and two place settings, Fitzwilliam turned and stared at his wife. She was a little timid and he remembered his features but he pushed this away. He wanted to hear more what she had to say. After the capture of Wickham and his wife, Fitzwilliam informed Lizzy he would be some time and this was earlier.
"I… learned some things before I arrived here, Fitzwilliam. I hope you will enjoy it."
"Smells grand. Thank you, Lizzy." He spoke softly. As he started to take his cloak off, he felt his heart beat when his wife, noticing he was struggling a little, approach his side before she helped him take the cloak off. Their fingers briefly touched and when Fitzwilliam turned, he saw that his wife seemed to…
"Was that a blush?" he softly asked.
His wife lowered her eyes and the blush increased but she spoke not a word. He was suddenly tempted to take her hand and kiss it but instead… he turned and made his way to head of the table. As she returned his cloak to its place, he seated himself and noticed a picture of Our Blessed Mother in the center. He smiled when he reached out and held the picture up. Her gaze was always loving and comforting. When he heard his wife return, he reverently placed the picture down as he waited for her to seat herself but to his amazement… she sat beside him… not across where he thought she would originally have. When their eyes met, she smiled but then paused when she asked.
"Would… you… like to remove your mask?"
"You couldn't handle watching if I did." He replied but he found his hands making their way up to the strings. He felt his heart beat when he prayed… harder than he'd ever done in his life… he hoped she wouldn't react the way she'd done not too long ago… but he didn't pause when he closed his eyes when he removed the mask. When he thought he would hear her cry, a hand gently touched his face.
"Fitzwilliam. Open your eyes." He heard his wife speak.
Slowly, he opened them and when he met Elizabeth's eyes, he realized tears glistened on them. He felt his heart beat when he heard her speak.
"I've never known a man who stood up to Wickham like you have."
He watched her blink several times before she swallowed. He wondered if she was trying to find the right words so he remained silent. She continued.
"You may show me your face without fear. After what you've done, I was touched by the heroicness of your actions. In time… as we start to know each other… I believe I will grow to love you as you've wished."
Upon hearing this, his heart gave a soar to the sky and he longed to take her hand and kiss it. Remembering how he'd already kissed her, he pushed the temptation down as her hand left but he took it in his as he whispered.
"Thank you, Lizzy." Then he raised it to his lips and kissed her palm.
The trial for Lydia and Wickham became known and Paris was relieved. Elizabeth became the Prima Dona and performed perfectly and under the instructions of the Opera Ghost, she humbly accepted the roles presented to her and even Andre and Firmin liked her. Though the Opera Ghost never showed himself to the public, he always watched them from Box 5. He was thankful that Lizzy and his relationship was beginning to grow and time indeed was allowing them to know each other more. In due course, as the year 1905 passed, Lizzy became to realize that the Opera Ghost was a man who'd been misunderstood. Midway through the year, something wonderful would happen and it would be the miracle of the Opera Ghost of the Paris Opera. Let's proceed into what took place after the New Year, 1906, dawned!