Chapter 11 "Jackson"

The carriage bumped down the country road towards the De Chany estate. The smile was till evident on Lizzie's face as they pulled up to the mansion. Charles helped her out of the carriage and on to the ground. She walked to her front door and stepped inside. The noon sun came through the large bay windows and warmed the elegant navy rugs.

"Papa?" Lizzie called.

"Yes Dear, I'm in the parlor." She walked into the near by sitting room and sure enough her father was standing by the window, admiring the yard below.

"Papa? Are you alright?" Lizzie asked with concern.

"Yes, yes I'm fine. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"Nothing it's not important. But I was hoping you would come riding with me. Some of the horses need exercising."

"Certainly." Raoul smiled and the two walked out of the room, out of the house and down to the stable.

The familiar smell of manure and dust filled Lizzie's senses. A young stable hand was busy cleaning a stall, but the moment he noticed Raoul he asked:

"Is there anything I can help you with Vicomte?"

"Yes actually there is. Could you fetch two horses, and saddle them?" Raoul said kindly.

"I'd be honored." The boy said as he ran off in the direction of the pastures.

Lizzie and her father stood in silence until the stable hand came back with two horses one horse was a red Morgan named Rouge with a side saddle on it and the other was a black thourbred named Knight. The young stable hand helped Lizzie on to Rouge and Raoul got on Knight. Lizzie got in front of her father and lead them to the woods. The sun shown through the sycamore leaves and let off a golden haze. Deer scattered as the gorses entered a field. Lizzie walked her horse over to a large oak tree with a grave marker beneath that read:

Vicomtess Christine De Chany

1852-1873

Loving Wife and Mother

Like the dove to the ark you have flown to your rest, from the wild sea of strife, to the home of the blessed, sleep on in your beauty you sweet angel child, by sorrow unlighted by sin undefiled

Raoul looked at the abandoned head stone and sighed, as Lizzie jumped off her horse. She bent down next to her mother gravestone and wiped away the weeds and vines that had gathered. The picture on the stone showed Christine at her peak and she looked absolutely lovely.

"She was beautiful Papa."

"Yes."

"I'm sorry she's gone. You must have loved her greatly." Raoul rubbed his hand passed his brow and said:

"Yes, now Lizzie lets go."

"Alright." Lizzie said as she stood up and got back on Rouge. She walked her horse back towards the woods but before Raoul could follow something caught his eye. He looked back down at the stone, and to his horror and surprise a fresh red rose lay neatly to the side of it. And this was no ordinary rose mind you it was tied with a black ribbon. His heart began to race faster, and his palms became sweaty. 'The Opera Ghost is still alive? But Andre assured me he was dead. But then again they would say anything to get me to invest in their Opera house once more.'

Raoul caught up to Lizzie and in a harsh voice said:

"Lizzie I forbid you to go to the Opera Populaire."

"But Papa why?"

"Because that Opera Ghost is still alive and I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." His tone had softened.

"But my voice lessons." Lizzie could feel tears begin to prickle in her eyes.

"We can find someone else to do them." Lizzie shook her head then kicked Rouge into a gallop, and she kept kicking him until he could go no faster. She rode him up to the stable and stopped, handed the reins to the young stable boy that had helped them before then ran to the house.

She ran through the kitchen, up the stairs and in to her room. She sunk to the pillows and finally let a sob escape her lips. But no matter how much she hated to admit it, she understood her father's actions. He was afraid of Erik and of Erik's power. But Lizzie knew completely that Erik would never harm her, and she would find a way to see him again.

okay well this song has absoulutly nothing to do with the story I just could not think of a song to go with this chapter so here are the lyrics to my favorite song, R&R!...please:)

Jackson

By: Johnny Cash and June Carter

We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout,
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
I'm goin' to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around,
Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson,
Look out Jackson town.

Well, go on down to Jackson; go ahead and wreck your health.
Go play your hand you big-talkin' man, make a big fool of yourself,
Yeah, go to Jackson; go comb your hair!
Honey, I'm gonna snowball Jackson.
See if I care.

When I breeze into that city, people gonna stoop and bow. (Hah!)
All them women gonna make me, teach 'em what they don't know how,
I'm goin' to Jackson, you turn-a loose-a my coat.
'Cos I'm goin' to Jackson.
"Goodbye," that's all she wrote.

But they'll laugh at you in Jackson, and I'll be dancin' on a Pony Keg.
They'll lead you 'round town like a scalded hound,
With your tail tucked between your legs,
Yeah, go to Jackson, you big-talkin' man.
And I'll be waitin' in Jackson, behind my Jaypan Fan,

Well now, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper Sprout,
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went.
I'm goin' to Jackson, and that's a fact.
Yeah, we're goin' to Jackson, ain't never comin' back.

Well, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout'
And we've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went...