As Long as He was Happy
Elsa
Disclaimer: I don't own The Sound of Music
Thanks goes out to Bloomandgrow for helping me with the background for this story.
Vanda Ebberfeld smiled as she climbed into the automobile next to Luis. "It's so exciting that we're attending a party at von Trapp Villa again. Don't you agree, Luis?"
"Of course, dear," her husband replied automatically.
"Of course, I think that all parties are exciting, but I just never thought that Captain von Trapp would host another one after his Baroness died. I could barely contain myself when the invitation arrived in the mail! This Elsa von Schraeder must be something special. Don't you think so, Luis?"
"Of course dear," her husband replied again as he looked straight ahead. Vanda sometimes wished he paid more attention to her, but after forty – five years of marriage, she had to accept that this was the way Luis Ebberfeld was. She'd speak to him about something, her voice bubbling over with excitement. And he'd pretend to listen.
Still, Luis was a good man. Like a typical aristocrat, his kept up his appearance, and Luis looked quite nice tonight in his black tuxedo and neatly combed grey beard. When the automobile arrived at von Trapp Villa, he climbed out himself, and then opened the door for Vanda. Then he carefully helped her out, knowing that she could easily trip over her long green gown.
After that, they carefully walked to the front door. Vanda bubbled with excitement on the inside as she saw how many people were had already arrived, but externally she showed calm dignity. Captain von Trapp was throwing quite a gala tonight. Vanda couldn't wait to meet the woman that made this all possible. There was a time she'd believed that her good friend, Hedwig von Trapp's son would never be happy again. But somehow Elsa Schraeder had made it happen.
OOOOOOOOOO
"Baron Ebberfeld," Captain von Trapp greeted Luis politely as they shook hands. Captain von Trapp wore his black tuxedo just as he always had at a party. Even more importantly, his Maria Theresa Cross Metal hung around his neck. He appeared just as Vanda remembered him, except the blond standing next to him wasn't Baroness von Trapp. "Baroness Ebberfeld," he nodded as he greeted Vanda in the same polite manner. "This is Elsa Schraeder."
Vanda looked at the woman she'd been so anxious to meet closely. She was dressed very well, in a thin, sleeveless evening gown that accented her figure. Baroness Schraeder smiled as their eyes met, and Vanda thought she could tell how much these introductions meant to the other woman. Vanda smiled back.
Music came from the direction of the ballroom, so she immediately headed in that direction. Many couples already danced and Vanda smiled at how much fun the young people had dancing. Her arthritis bothered her too much to dance more than a couple of times, but Vanda never tired of watching others enjoy themselves. She sipped a glass of champagne as the musicians played and the other guests twirled around. Luis wandered off and began speaking to some old Navy comrades.
"Vanda!" her good friend, Adele greeted her with a smile. Adele's hair appeared whiter than the last time Vanda had seen her, but it didn't seem to bother her at all. "I haven't seen you in over a month! You need to get out more, you know. Especially with those new pearls I see you wearing tonight. Those deserve to be seen often."
Vanda gave her friend a small smile as she examined her friend's ice blue gown that was made of silk. It seemed to glisten in the light. She thought Adele's gown was just as impressive as her own pearls, and Vanda knew her eyes said as much to Adele. Then she took another sip of the champagne. "I wish I could leave the house more often, but you know how it is with my arthritis and Luis's heart problems."
"Excuses, excuses," Adele waved her own wrinkled hand. "All you both need is some aspirin."
"Perhaps," she agreed politely. "Truly, I knew we had to attend the party tonight in order to meet Baroness Schraeder. Can you believe Captain von Trapp is actually hosting another gala?"
"No, I can't," Adele shook her head. "But apparently he's been courting her for quite some time now. I hear he's been all over Vienna with her over the last few months. I definitely hear wedding bells for them soon, and I think he's made a fine choice."
"As long as he's happy again, that's what's important to me," Vanda said firmly. "It broke my heart to see Hedwig's son so grief – struck for so long." She sipped the champagne again.
Adele nodded. "Speaking of sons, why haven't I seen Louie or Jakob? I thought they would have come tonight, especially Louie. Didn't he serve with Captain von Trapp in the Great War?"
Vanda sighed as she thought of her two sons. "I don't know how to keep track of those boys anymore. They're always in Germany these days."
Adele nodded. "I hear that's pretty common, actually."
Vanda finished her champagne and decided now was the perfect time to convince Luis to dance with her. It was early enough so that her arthritis wasn't a problem and his heart wouldn't bother him until the men took out the cigars.
They had a lovely dance, like they usually did, and when they were finished, Vanda noticed Baroness Schraeder had finally come into the ballroom and seemed eager to chat with as many people as possible. Vanda smiled. The woman obviously loved parties, so she assumed they would become fast friends. "It's a lovely gala, Baroness Schraeder," Vanda commented as soon as the hostess walked over to her and Luis.
Baroness Schraeder's eyes lit up, as if that compliment meant everything to her. "Well, it's all right, I suppose," she replied, her words contradicting the emotion in her eyes.
Vanda was used to people trying to conceal emotions, but she really hopped Baroness Schraeder might open up to her a bit more. Hedwig had been one of her best friends, and she considered all the von Trapps to be extended family. "This party is more than 'all right,'" Vanda told the other young woman firmly. "It's marvelous. I never thought I'd see the von Trapp home light up again. Doesn't it look wonderful, Luis?" she asked her husband, encouraging him to speak to the hostess as well.
"Of course dear," her husband replied automatically, as he always did.
Vanda sighed inwardly. Some things never changed. She returned her attention to Baroness Schraeder. "Did you plan this all by yourself?"
Baroness Schraeder smiled. "I had a bit of help from the housekeeper, but yes I planned most of it myself. I throw a number of parties in Vienna as well, you know."
"It appears you may be a great match for Captain von Trapp. Why you're even playing an old – fashioned landler," she commented as heard the next song begin. "I seem to recall that was his favorite dance when he was a boy."
Baroness Schraeder nodded, although her expression seemed to change a little. "I wasn't aware that you knew Georg when he was a boy."
Vanda nodded happily, her pearls jiggling around her neck slightly. "Yes, his mother and I were very close friends. I'm just so pleased that he's found someone to make him smile again."
Baroness Schraeder's eyes glowed warmly at that. "Yes, I did make him smile again, didn't I? As a matter of fact, I'm going to go find Georg right now. I've never been fond of the landler, but for him…perhaps I would do it."
About ten minutes later, a very young woman wearing a traditional dress peeked her head into the ballroom. "The children of Captain von Trapp wish to say goodnight to you," she announced.
So everyone stood in the hall while Hedwig's grandchildren sang an adorable little tune. Each child even had their own little solo which they performed perfectly. They had obviously inherited their parents' musical talent, although they apparently leaned more towards vocal music. And could that really be Liesl, asking to drink champagne? Vanda couldn't believe how grown – up the girl appeared. The last time she'd seen Liesl, the girl had only been eleven years old. Now she was almost ready to come out. Vanda was certain that Hedwig would be very proud of them if she could see this.
Out of the corner of her eye, Vanda noticed the young woman in the traditional dress watching the children with pride and love in her eyes. She must be the governess, Vanda realized. It delighted her that Hedgwig's grandchildren were being well cared. Especially considering she'd heard rumors that Captain von Trapp had some trouble with governesses in the past.
"… Goodbye!" the children finished singing, waving their hands as they walked up the stairs to their bedrooms.
Almost immediately Herr Detweiler grabbed the governess. "Georg you can't let this girl get away! She has to join the party!" he announced, in front of all the guests.
Captain von Trapp smiled, like it didn't matter either way. "You can if you want to, Fraulein," he responded.
The young woman looked visibly shaken. "I'm not suitably dressed," she protested weakly. Vanda stared hard at the exchange, as did many of the other guests. Why should the governess join their party, especially considering her charges had already retired? And considering the young woman obviously didn't want to do so, why didn't she just say, "No, thank you?" Granted, servants weren't supposed to say no to their employers, but this seemed a little different than a normal boss's request.
"You can change," the Captain replied, as Vanda kept watching in confusion. "We'll wait for you." It seemed that the governess would be almost forced to join them. Vanda felt sorry for her. But then, the woman still didn't say "no thank you," either. Instead she nodded and disappeared upstairs, presumably to change.
"You must be very proud of your children, Captain," Vanda commented as the guests wandered around, talking and gossiping. She looked him directly in the eyes, trying to make him understand what she really meant. Hedwig would be pleased as well.
The Captain met her eyes in return. He understood. "I am, thank you," he replied.
"Is there a more beautiful expression of what is good in our country than the innocent voices of our children?" Luis added, showing how pleased he was as well. Vanda couldn't believe her husband was actually speaking. Usually all he seemed to say anymore was "of course, dear." Perhaps the man was actually more comfortable with speaking with people other than her. Inwardly she sighed, but on the outside, Vanda still had a smile on her face.
"Oh come now Baron," Herr Zeller said, interrupting their conversation. "Would you believe that Austria holds the monopoly on virtue?" Captain von Trapp proceeded to argue with Herr Zeller after that, one saying that the Anschluss would come and be a good thing, and the other wanted nothing to do with it.
Vanda and Luis backed off after that. Luis sighed. "I wish so many Austrians didn't support the Anschluss, but it seems inevitable no matter what Captain von Trapp wishes to believe. Austria hasn't been the same since we lost the empire, so what difference does it make? And Louie and Jakob seem to think it's a good idea so…" he sighed as his voice faded. "What does an old man like me know anyway? I'll probably have a heart attack in the next few months and that will be the end of me."
Vanda couldn't remember the last time Luis had been so passionate about something. She kind of wished she could comfort him a little, as he was obviously upset. But didn't he know she knew nothing about politics? "Of course, dear," she replied to him, just as he always did with her. "I wish you wouldn't speak about your own death so causally," she added after that. She knew they were both older, but she didn't like to think what might happen after Luis died.
"Of course dear," Luis replied again.
Soon after that, all the guests stopped what they were doing, as they heard the Blue Danube Waltz begin. It was time for the host's First Dance.
Baroness Schraeder glided across the floor to take Captain von Trapp's hand. Then the couple waltzed perfectly, and everyone watched with interest. It was still so difficult to believe that he would waltz with someone other than Baroness von Trapp. Yet, Vanda decided they looked as if they were enjoying themselves. She smiled at that. Granted, their dance was nothing compared to the dignified passion of Captain and Baroness von Trapp. But that was to be expected. Many older couples didn't have that kind of passion, but friendship and caring made them a good match. Like Vanda and Luis, for example.
All the guests clapped dutifully when they finished and Baroness Schraeder's eyes seemed to light up at that.
Vanda paused and realized that Luis had disappeared. Probably to converse with another old navy friend. At least no one had brought out the cigars yet.
All at once her hips snapped, and Vanda discretely found a chair. That darn arthritis again. She just hoped they didn't have to leave the party early. She hoped to speak more with the hostess.
The next chapter will focus on what Vanda Ebberfeld thinks of Maria after she hears about M & G's engagement.
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