Changed the timing a little bit to coincide with the holiday. Storyline also has been changed. Enjoy and Happy Holidays to all.
Walking up the stairs Maria was stunned. The Captain invited her to stay for dinner. Max had asked him and he said yes. Shaking her head she was still in a state of shock. Opening the door to her room she went inside. She opened the door to the armoire and tried to figure out what dress she had that could possibly be appropriate. Taking out the blue one she wore the other night she laid it on the bed
She hears a faint knock on her door and asks them to enter.
"Leisl what are you still doing up?" she asks while still looking at the dress on her bed.
" I couldn't sleep. The party was so exciting . Fathers guests really liked our singing didn't they", Leisl says smiling at Maria.
While Maria and Leisl continue their conversation the Baroness makes her way to Marias room, determined to talk to this now apparent rival for Georgs affection. Before she knocks she hears voices coming from the room. Realizing that Maria already has company she decides to wait for a more opportune time to talk to her. She heads back down to the party.
" Yes they did. I received so many compliments about you and the other children" Maria says as she stares at the dress.
"Leisl do you think this dress would be appropriate to wear to dinner? Your Uncle Max has invited me to be his dinner partner tonight. Your father agreed. They are waiting dinner for me" Maria says picking up her dress.
Looking at the dress Leisl smiles "Fraulien I think I have something more appropriate. I will be right back. Leisl runs out of the room . Maria looks at the dress and shakes her head.
"Who am I kidding, I have no business at this party. The Captain was only being nice" Then she remembered the dance they shared on the terrace. She felt as if she were floating. And when he looked at her she felt as if his eyes could see into the depth of her soul. She hears Leisl open the door. Maria gasps at the dress she holds in her hands.
" Try this on Fraulein" Leisl says handing the dress to Maria.
" Where did you get this? She asks as she takes the dress. It is pale blue. The material satin. The sleeves are long and the neckline not too revealing.
"This dress was bought a long time ago. My mother bought it. She was to wear it in Vienna at the ball they hold there. Sadly she became ill and never wore it. Frau Schmidt gave it to me just recently. She found it when she was cleaning out one of the storage closets" Leisl says as she helps Maria on with the dress.
" Leisl this is very kind of you but don't you want to wear this someday? Maria asks.
"Please Fraulein I want you to wear it. You have given us so much since you have been here. It would be an early Christmas present from myself and the other children" Leisl says as she buttons up the back of the dress.
Maria looks in the mirror. The dress is beautiful. She looks beautiful in it. Taking a deep breath she puts on the shoes Leisl also gave her. Turning towards Leisl she smiles.
" Oh my, Fraulein your breathtaking" Leisl says as she looks at Maria.
"Well I better go downstairs before they think I have changed my mind" Maria says nervously. Leisl opens her door and follows her to the stairs.
Leisl gives her a hug. " Have a good time" she says as Maria slowly descends the stairs.
The Captain is talking to a old Navy friend when movement on the stairs catches his eyes. Looking up he doesn't recognize her at first. When he does he can hardly believe it is her. She is amazing. She no longer looks like his young governess. A woman is what he sees now. He feels the heat rush to his face as he begins to sweat. He finds himself drawn to the bottom of the stairs. He watches her reach the bottom step.
" I'm sorry for taking so long but Leisl helped me find a dress. Is this dress appropriate?" she asks searching his eyes for a response.
" Appropriate I dare say Fraulein, I may have to give you a larger dance card for all the requests you are surely to get" he says stepping closer to her. Taking her hand he helps her down the last step. She falter a bit and he catches her holding on to her elbows. Dangerously close they stare into each others eyes.
" Georg there you are. I … Fraulein I hardly recognized you. May I say Fraulein you are stunning. I am going to be the envy of every man at the party" Max says as he hold his arm out for Maria.
"Shall we go to dinner. Oh Georg Elsa is looking for you" Max says as he escorts Maria to the dining room.
Georg watches as Maria and Max head to dinner. He smiles to himself thinking of their earlier dance and the possibly of dancing with her again.
" Georg, darling I have been waiting for as have your guests" Elsa says as she takes his arm. They head to the dining room. As they enter the room Elsa stops dead in her tracks. She looks at Maria. She cleans up well she thinks to herself. This may be harder than she thought it would be. Georg looks at her wondering why she has stopped. He realizes she is staring at Maria.
" She is amazing isn't she, she looks totally different, more mature" he says as they begin to move again. Georg pulls Elsa's chair out for her and pushes it in as she sits. Georg watches as he goes to his chair at the head of the table. Maria is at his left two chairs down. The first course is served. He watches as she tries to figure out which utensil to use. Georg looks over at her to catch her attention. He picks up the soup spoon as if to show her. She nods and picks up the same. Dinner is over and after dinner drinks are served.
She listens as the men start to discuss different topics. She notices Georgs mood change as the topic turns to politics. She knows too well his view of Germany and the Nazi party. Zeller and him begin a heated discussion.
"Captain you might as well face facts that the Aunchluss is going to happen. You might as well join us. It will be in your best interest. After all you do have your family to think about" Zeller says as he stares coldly at Georg.
"Herr Zeller if I didn't know any better I would say that was a threat" Georg says as he looks at Zeller.
Maria knows she should be quiet but her anger gets the better of her. Before she realizes it she addresses Zeller.
" Herr Zeller, while I claim not to know much about politics I do know that the Nazis are dangerous and that they have done horrible things to people who do not follow their views. I have friends in Germany that I still keep in touch with. They have told me of the raids on Jewish homes, how anyone with Jewish blood can no longer have their own businesses or teach in the schools. They have told me of the burning of books and that priests and nuns have also been rounded up and never heard from again. I believe the Captain will do what is necessary to keep his family safe." Maria looks over at the Captain who is staring at her.
"Captain I should be offended but I have to say such loyalty in a servant is admirable. You both must have a special relationship" Zeller says with a smirk on his face.
" Just what are you implying" Georg says as he clenches his fist.
Elsa who is sitting next to Zeller tries to diffuse the situation " Darling must we discuss this now. Politics is best left to the politicians. What ever happens Austria will survive. Now lets go back to the ballroom"
Georg looks at Elsa, what is wrong with her, she could care less about Austria that is obvious. Why didn't he ever see this before. All she cares about is herself and the social scene. He would have to rethink his plan to marry her. His eyes move to Maria. She is looking at him. She smiles at him and all thoughts of Elsa leave his mind. He decides to escort Elsa to the ballroom. The orchestra starts a waltz as he dances with her. Elsa senses the coldness within him. He watches as man after man ask Maria to dance. Someone taps his shoulder to cut in on his dancing with Elsa. Glad for the interruption he now has his chance to dance with her.
He approaches her and gently taps the young officer who is dancing with her. He takes her hand and places his other one around her waist. She breathes in as she feels his hand on her waist. They smile at one another as they begin to dance.
" Maria I never knew you knew so much about politics. I was very impressed with the way you defended Austria" He says as they continue their dance.
" Captain I was only speaking my mind which you know I do quite often. I do not like that man I think he is as evil as the party he represents. He frightens me. The thought of him hurting the children or…. well it frightens me" Maria says as she looks up at him. Their eyes locking with each other. The music stops and he reluctantly lets her go.
"Georg, Baron Eberfield would like to talk to you. He is in your study" Max says. Georg excuses himself and goes to his study.
Maria, her mind feeling a bit muddled, heads for the terrace to get some fresh air. Her mind goes to earlier in the evening when the Captain had danced with her. Lost in her thoughts she doesn't hear the Baroness come out.
" My dear you really surprised me tonight. I never knew a governess had such clothes as these" the Baroness says gesturing toward her gown.
" I assure you Baroness this dress does not belong to me. Leisl let me borrow it for the night. It is hers" Maria says suddenly feeling rather uncomfortable.
" Well my dear the Captain could scarcely keep his eyes off you" she says smiling cattishly at Maria.
" Baroness I hope your joking. I've never done a thing to….
" Maria there is nothing more irresistible to a man than a woman who is in love with him" the Baroness says as she comes nearer to Maria.
" In love with him? I am to be a nun. I assure you I am…
The Baroness interrupts her " I know love when I see it. And what makes it even better is that the Captain thinks that he is in love with you. Surely you have seen the way he looks at you and you blushed earlier when you were dancing"
Maria places her palms on her cheeks remembering that she did blush when they were dancing.
" I assure you though the Captain will get over you, men usually do."
" Then I will leave, tonight. Maria says as she runs out of the terrace.
The Baroness starts to go back into the ballroom. Unknown to her Herr Zeller witnesses the whole conversation between Maria and her. He heads out to where Maria has just gone.