NEW CHAPTER AFTER SO LONG! PEASE ENJOY IT

I KNOW ITS BEEN A LONG TIME BUT IV BEEN REALLY BUSY AND SO I HAVENT HAD TIME, LIFE'S BEEN A LITTLE HETIC RECENTLY AND I WILL TRY TO WRITE MORE BUT PLEASE BE PATIENT, I WONT GIVE UP ON THIS STORY. THE SECOND CHAPTER AFTER THIS WILL BE THE MASCURADE BALL AND I HAVE A LITTLE SURPRISE FOR YOU IN THIS CHAPTER.

I DON'T OWN THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Chapter twenty eight

A day passed and she saw nothing of Anthony or Hermione, they spent most of their time together. Herminie did not join them for breakfast that morning and instead took it in her own room but she returned for lunch. Elizabeth was a little sad that she was unable to see her sister but did not take heart to it as she decided to spend the day reading. Even if she had wanted to she knew she would never get away with singing as Hermione's room was quite close to Elizabeth's practise room. So reading was really the only option.

Elizabeth was sitting in the garden, as it was a warm day and she read her newest novel that had finally arrived to her home. It was a tragic story of a two twin brothers who were separated at birth and then reunited at a party and switched placed for a bet but one brother feel in love with the other's wife and then their mother died. Elizabeth was at the part when one of the twins, Sebastian was trying to seduce his brother's wife, Manion, when a shadow suddenly cast itself on her page. She huffed in annoyance "Verity, I've told you so many times, do not bother me while im reading. I'm at a good part!"

"Lizzy?" a deep baritone voice that certainly did not belong to Elizabeth's sister, said softly. Elizabeth looked up and almost fell of the swing she was seated upon. "Anthony!" she cried as she closed her book and stood "What is it?"

Antony stood a little awkwardly with that same cheeky smile she was so used to seeing as he grinned "What is it? Can't I spend time with my favourite sister-in-law?"

Oh how cruel could he be? But never mind. She smiled brightly and nodded "I see, and what can this sister-in-law do for you on this fine day?" after all, he didn't know how much she hated him calling her his sister in law. But strangely it didn't hurt as much as it used to.

"I thought the two of us could take a little walk around the gardens, it's been so long since I've last seen you?"

"Where's Hermione?" Elizabeth said, her heart speeding, but she had to ask.

"She's in our room, sleeping. She wasn't feeling up to breakfasts today."

"I…see…" Elizabeth said softly before standing up and offering him her arm "Well then, gallant sir, I suggest you take my arm and be quick about it, I haven't got all day."

Anthony laughed and Elizabeth smiled. She could always be herself around Anthony, oh why did she fall in love with a man like Erik. Not that she was in love with him of course.

Anthony took her arm and they began to stroll at a leisurely pace around the Ashwin garden. Elizabeth was just admiring some of Abigail's roses when Anthony sniggered to himself.

"What?"

He shook his head "Oh nothing, it's just you haven't changed a bit, you're still so quiet. Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Elizabeth rose an eyebrow "Umm, you're getting taller?"

"No! I mean why haven't you been to see me in so long Lizzy? We don't talk anymore, I've missed you."

At his words Elizabeth felt herself blush and her heart speed up "You've…missed me? B-but why?"

He gave her with a confused expression "Well can't I miss my best friend?"

Her heart plummeted, he was so cruel. "Oh really Anthony, you shouldn't let your male friends hear that, they would think you quite unmanly to befriend a little woman such as myself"

"Balderdash" he pouted in that adorable way of his "Their opinion means nothing to me and you and I both know that you're no 'little woman', you're probably smarter than all of them put together."

Elizabeth blushed at his prise "You constant compliments are going to give me a big head Tony." Inwardly she smiled. Who was she kidding, why was she feeling sad. He obviously meant it as a friend. That didn't surprise her, but again, his words…didn't hurt as much as it used to. How peculiar.

"I know, but I like given them to you, you don't receive enough" he said and Elizabeth forcefully fought off the hurt form her face. She knew that a lot of the compliments he gave her were out of pity and she had learned to ignore those ones and only focus on the actual compliments but it still stung her pride a little. Unlike Erik who only complimented her when she deserved it…NO! She was not thinking about Erik! She was going to leave him!

"That's kind of you" she said "Thank you, but you should be paying these compliments to your wife."

"I can't talk to Hermione like you, she doesn't understand science and philosophy the same. Please" he have her his big pleading eyes complete with pout "Let's talk like we used to, what do you think about Sir Lewis's newest collection, have you read it?"

And with a smile Elizabeth settled herself into a long discussion on science and poetry. This was one of the things she had loved about Anthony. How he would treat her like an equal and talk to her intelligently. He didn't treat her badly for being smart, in face he liked it and she loved their long talks. In actual fact, Elizabeth had missed him too.

She hadn't seen him in a while because she had always avoided going to his and Hermione's house, she didn't want to see them acting all loving and romantic and know they had what she could only dream off. And she didn't want to hate her sister for it. It was her biggest fear; she didn't want to become a selfish kind of person who didn't care about anyone else. It was another reason that she had to leave Erik. Her loving Erik was too selfish, he loved Christine and she had no right to indulge on such feelings. Who was she when compared to that brunette beauty? Absolutely nothing. It was almost embarrassing to think that she and her little feelings could ever compare to the passion he must feel for Miss Christine. Looking at Anthony now, Elizabeth still couldn't tell if she had given up on him and fallen in love with Erik, or if her feelings for Erik were all in her head and she still loved Anthony but she hoped it was the latter.

Elizabeth was seated in the drawing room as she carefully bit into a after dinner shortbread, bearing weary of any stray crumbs. She wanted to show Anthony that she had become a little more ladylike and the last thing she needed was her mother berating her for being a messy eater.

Hermione had finally joined them and was seated on the joint sofa with Anthony as she leaned into his embrace, since they were with family, and Sofia loved Herminie the best, there was no need for formalities.

Dinner had just been served and now the family were now enjoying an after dinner coffee and a glass of port for Anthony while they listened to Abigail's Violin concerto. She was playing 'Moonlight Sonata' beautifully that Elizabeth couldn't help but close her eyes in appreciation. Sharply Sofia pinched Elizabeth on the soft underbelly of her arm with her little pointy nails "Elizabeth" she hissed "Sit up straight and don't close your eyes, you look asleep!"

Really! Elizabeth thought, for one who claimed to love music, Mother really does not know how to simply appreciate it, does she have to put on such a show?' but of curse Elizabeth kept her train of thoughts to herself because she know her input would do more harm than good.

Finally Abigail finished and everyone clapped politely. "Oh Abby!" Hermione gasped "I have missed you violin so much, really! Nothing can compare"

Abigail gave a bashful smile "You overwhelm me with your compliments Sister, when you know I do not deserve them."

"Nonsense, you were wonderful my dear" Sofia exclaimed

"Wonderful perhaps" Abigail still murmured "But still room for improvement. Much improvement"

At her words everyone fell into an awkward silence, until Sofia clapped her hands together and exclaimed "Well, as wonderful as it was, I think we should move on. So who will play for us next? Verity?" she cast her eyes on one of her younger daughters, who choked on her tea and shook her head "Oh no mother, I really can't. I hurt my fingers yesterday and I need to give them time to heal before the masquerade ball."

"Oh that's such a shame dear" Sofia frowned "Really, a pianist needs to take better care of her fingers, you are such a clumsy girl, all of you. What will your future husband say" she shook her head "well, putting that aside for now, Hermione" she turned to her second eldest "since it had been so long since I last saw you why don't you play something for us, I'm sure it will be divine."

"Mother, I haven played in a long time since I married, I'm afraid I'm a little out of practice. But…" she trailed off and glanced at Elizabeth "Why not Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth's heart plummeted 'Hermione! What are you doing?"

"Elizabeth!" sofa exclaimed "Don't be silly Hermione dear, Elizabeth is terrible at the piano!"

'For once I'm grateful for mothers insults' Elizabeth thought to herself, she didn't want anyone to know about her lessons with Erik, Hermione had once happened upon Elizabeth practicing her piano, but she never thought this would come of it. Shaking her head wildly she cried "No Hermione, I just couldn't!"

"Oh but you must" Hermione smiled innocently "I've heard you practice you really have improved so much. Please pay is something."

Sofia still looked unconvinced but as she was about to voice her complained Anthony added "Really Lizzy, you've been practicing? Won't you play something, I would love to hear it."

Sofia could really never refuse a Lord's request as she sighed "Elizabeth"

Elizabeth sighed also, resigned "If I must, only for my brother-in-law." She sat and the piano and rubbed her fingered nervously. 'Relax' she thought a little panicked 'remember what Erik said. Just calm down and find a place in your mind where you are most happy, you can do this, you can do this!'

With a big overdramatic sigh she stretched her fingers and began to play one of Mozart's compositions. Somewhere along the way her playing got smoother as she relaxed into the song, in her mind she couldn't help but drift away an suddenly she was in that little practice room with Erik strictly criticizing her. Smiling she could almost hear him.

When she finished Elizabeth was shocked. Without even realizing it she had mentally drifted back to Erik's side. What was wrong with her?

But the rest of the room didn't notice her troubled face as they broke out clapping "That was wonderful Lizzy!" Verity exclaimed "You've improved so much, you're so good now!"

"Ah, Elizabeth, that really was well played, well-done!" Abigail smiled gently. Sofia on the other hand just nodded "Hm, it was certainly better than the usual nonsense. Well done Elizabeth."

For Elizabeth, that was the highest praise she had ever received from her mother and Elizabeth smiled widely "Thank you everyone"

"Well done lizzy, that was great" Anthony laughed "Hermione, you knew Elizabeth would be good didn't you"

Hermione nodded "As expected from my big sister. But now…I have something I must tell you all." Suddenly her face when serious and Anthony stiffened. Elizabeth turned round on the piano stool "Hermione?"

Hermione looked directly at Elizabeth with such intensity it almost surprised her, Elizabeth had never seen such an expression in her sisters eyes, and then as quickly as it came was gone and replaced with a cheerful smile, as I that tense look never happened, Elizabeth almost believed she had seen it in her head.

Hermione put her hand on her stomach "I came so early because I had an announcement for you all, after many months, Anthony and I…well…we…" she laughed "We're going to have a baby!"

Elizabeth froze. A baby, Anthony's baby?"

At Sofia's squeal and Verity's laugh Anthony only grinned nervously "We wanted to tell you today, Hermione's pregnant."

"Hermione that's wonderful" Sofia exclaimed "And Anthony, you must be so pleased, I'm so happy for you. Elizabeth, wish your sister and her husband happiness."

So Elizabeth looked Anthony in the eyes and said "congratulations Anthony, Hermione. I'm so happy for you" she felt shocked.

But Elizabeth wasn't shocked because of her suddenly finding out about Anthony and Hermione's child, she was shocked because she felt no pain in her chest. Nothing!

Elizabeth had once dreamed of loving and having Anthony's children, a stupid unattainable dream and usually this news should devastate her. Instead she felt nothing, she felt to him what she would feel towards an old lover, a little nostalgia and sadness. But not the pains of love.

She really didn't love Anthony anymore.

So did that mean…

She really loved Erik?

Closing her eyes Elizabeth released that she couldn't lie to herself anymore. In her heart were strong stormy feelings so powerful they overwhelmed her and made her want to scream just to release the pressure. If these feeling weren't for Anthony then they could only be for Erik. Elizabeth felt numb.

She was on love with Erik.

The next day Elizabeth spent thee all her time in the library. She always read when her mind was troubled, reading was her coping mechanism and Elizabeth felt her mind was very troubled. He heart hurt, now that she had realised Christine had been wrong.

Her feelings for Erik were not in her head, they weren't some little crush, she knew it now.

She loved Erik, she really loved him.

And it hurt!

Now what was she going to do? Loving Erik was very different from loving Anthony. For one, Elizabeth could already tell that her feeling for Erik was much stronger than her feelings for Anthony ever were. And also, it would hurt more with Erik. At least Anthony's heart was with Hermione and hers with his. But Erik loved Christine even though she didn't love him back. Erik was so close and yet so far from her. And Elizabeth knew she would never measure up.

So even with her knowledge of her new feelings, she knew that she still had to do it. She had to leave Erik, it would be too painful if she stayed and Elizabeth didn't know if she was strong enough.

Closing the book she sighed. It was late and everyone was asleep. Looking out at the moon she closed her eyes. Her heart throbbed so painfully she clenched her fist.

She needed to see Erik. She just needed to see him.

Elizabeth knew that he said not to come for any of her lessons so even if she went to the music room he would probably not be there. But just going there and lying on the mattress there would be enough to calm her. She felt so pathetic for needing such a thing but right now what was most important was making the painful feeling go away.

Sneaking out turned out to a lot easier than what she had originally expected since all the servants were asleep. Elizabeth left a note for the maids to find in case they came to wake her before Elizabeth should return, telling them that she had woken before them and gone out riding as she sometimes did. Because waking early and going riding was such a usual occurrence for Elizabeth, the servants won't see fit to make a big case of it unless her mother made a point to do so, and Elizabeth knew that her mother would be too concerned over her own affairs to worry about her spinster daughter's.

She quietly woke Moonlight who gave a little trouble before finally calming down "Hush" Elizabeth crooned as she saddled her and when the mare was prepared Elizabeth robed herself in a long dark cloak with a hood to hide her face and rook of out the back gates.

Even though it was dark, she had come this was so many times that she knew it by heart. She could have ridden there with her eyes closed.

She reached the tunnel and dismounted quickly, swiftly rushing down the pipes. As she reached the end she began to falter and slow down

What was she doing? He told her not to come today, he would be furious to see her disobeying his direct order, no matter how kind he was before. And coming here in the middle of the night he probably wasn't eve here, what was she doing!

But…

Clutching her dress near her heart, Elizabeth knew she couldn't turn back, she had come all this way, she needed to see him, if only to cure the confusion in her mind. And even if he wasn't here, being there in that room would be enough.

So with a deep breath she continued. She could always tell him she forgot his order if she found him.

As she travelled down the pipes, she realised something strange. There was a light at the end of the tunnel, signifying that he was here, but there was no music. Whenever Elizabeth had come to her lessons he would always play the organ. Music was his primary focus.

As she pushed he door opened a little her foot hit against something, a whiskey bottle. She bent and picked it up and realised that not only was it empty but there were so many.

Looking up, Elizabeth gasped.

The room was a mess, everything was either ripped apart or broken, whisky bottles were scattered here and there and there were a few newly written music scores on the floor and lying at the feet of the organ was Erik. He looked asleep.

"Erik?" she whispered, when he didn't answer she approached him and looked over his shoulder. He was asleep…no…he was drunk!

Erik never drank, he was so strict, what could possibly be so bad as to make him drunk?

The side of his face uncovered by his mask was red and a tearstain streaked down his face from his eyes. Had he been crying? About what?

Bending down Elizabeth couldn't help but stare at him. Without thinking her hand came out and wiped his face and then she caressed his cheek, cupping it as her feelings for him filled her heart fit to bursting she loved him so much, she had probably loved him for the past two years of knowing him, ever since he allowed her to call him by his name, she only now realised it. How she wished he could stop loving him.

He was so handsome, defined cheekbones, a strong nose when deep brown eyes. But Christine's words rang out in her mind, about his face.

"He wears the mask because he is scared on one side, completely disfigured"

"I will never forget it; the sight of his face still haunts me to this day"

She said his face was disfigured. Without thinking, Elizabeth knew what she had to do. She had no right to claim to love him until she had seen it, his face. Her hand reached out, and faltered. She still remembered what had happened last time she mentioned his mask; she didn't want that to ever happen again. But…she had to see it.

So with one breath she gently took the sides and yanked it off.

IM GOING TO LEAVE IT THERE

THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE DONE SOON

AND AGAIN, IM SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW, REVEIWS ARE WHAT ENCOURAGE ME TO WRITE