What would have happened if Maria had not run away to the Abbey? This story explores the Captain & Maria's denial of attraction with circumstances beyond imaginable.

What If?

Chapter One

It was a wonderful night. The sky was full of stars & the air was so warm for an October night. Maria, with cheeks still rosey from her dance with the Captain sat down on the bench which overlooked the lake, admiring the view as the moon beamed over the water. Despite such a lovely view, Maria looked saddened. She knew her days here were numbered, afterall she wouldn't be needed once the Captain married the Baroness. She was thinking how much she'd miss the children & the house, but most of all, the Captain.

"There you are!" A familiar voice spoke. It was Max who had come looking for her. "It's time for the meal, would you care to join me?" He said with a cheeky grin on his face.

Maria instantly plastered a smile on her face as she had got used to doing & took hold of Max's hand, got up & walked back into the house.

"Such lovely wine" the Baroness said as she took a large sip upon seeing Maria arrive. She couldn't quite work out why she took a disliking to Maria. There was something about her which she couldn't pinpoint. Maybe it was her innocence she'd often wonder to herself.

Like the true gentleman that he was, Max pulled out a chair for Maria on the main table opposite the Captain & the Baroness. A waiter came to the table & poured Maria a glass of wine & Maria smiled nervously. At this point, she was too conscience that she didn't fit in than her feelings towards the Captain. Maria had never been to such a formal dinner in her entire life & as such, had found nothing suitable to wear. She looked around her at all the glamorous dresses & how gorgeous all the women looked in them. She'd thought of making herself one, but all she had left was the material left over from the curtains which would have looked hideous!

"Maria, how nice of you to join us." The Captain smiled as the first course was being served. His tone sounded very much the same as when she turned up late for her first meal. He hadn't used this voice in a few months & she was disheartened to hear it again. She didn't like it, it affirmed her role in the house as the nanny.

"Sorry Captain, I went for a walk to build up my appetite." She glanced down at the tomato soup to avoid eye contact with him. "Oooh, this looks delicious!"

The Captain rolled his eyes & smiled. It's what he loved about Maria, she was so carefree. Not at all like the Baroness who seemed so prim & proper.

"Darling, would you call the waiter? I require more wine." The Baroness smiled as she passed her wineglass to the Captain. Immediately a waiter came over & filled her glass up.

"That's for fifth glass of wine she's had tonight!" Max whispered to Maria. "I think Georg is getting a little embarrased." Maria giggled.

Once the starters had all been ate, the main followed, drink was guzzled by all & was finished off by creamy chocolate gateaux. The Baroness, now on her 8th glass got up & grabbed hold of the Captains hand. "We must dance!" She announced. It seemed the Captain knew he had no choice in the matter as he was guided to the dancefloor, very concience of the fact that no one else was dancing & all eyes were on them. The Baroness, quite obviously giddy from the wine led the dance, placing her arms around his waist & his arm on her shoulder. "Darling, I can lead better than you." She giggled as he looked flushed with embarrasment.

"Shall we dance?" Max suggested as partners started accompanying the pair on the dancefloor.

"Oh no, I can't!" Maria stuttered.

"Why ever not Maria? Come on, lets show them how its done!"

Maria cringed. She thought to herself what she would look like amongst all the beautiful women in expensive dresses. "I only know the Laendler & a few other songs, I don't know how to dance to this one."

"But you did so well earlier. You're a natural born dancer!" He laughed taking the last sip of his wine. "I'm not taking no for an answer." He got up, took Maria's hand & unwillingly led her to the dance floor.

Although Maria was dancing with Max, her eyes were on the Captain who was all away across the dance floor now talking to a young couple. The Baroness was stood by his side, still with a glass in her hand. After one song, Maria broke up the dancing. "I'm going to check on the children." She said as she started to walk off.

"Oh, I was just getting into that!" Max frowned as he turned around to look for another dancing partner.

"Sorry" She winced as she made her way out of the room.

Maria slowly peeked into the children's bedrooms, each one of them fat asleep. She was suprised- they'd seemed so excited earlier in the evening, she thought they'd never sleep. Smiling to herself, she shut the door quietly & turned around to see the Captain coming up the stairs.

"Hello!" The Captain chirped obviously also slightly drunk & merry.

"Shhh! You'll wake the children." Maria stuttered, glad the Captain was no longer treating her like the nanny.

The Captain smiled & leaned against the banister which overlooked the large reception area where the children had done their song earlier. "They were great wern't they?" He grinned turning round to look at Maria who was now also leaning on the banister.

"Yes, they were." Maria smiled. She really was very proud of them. It had taken days to perfect & even little Gretyl had remembered her lines.

"They love you, you know that don't you?" The Captain whispered, now aware he was talking to loudly.

Maria blushed. "I love them too."

The Captain smiled & looked at Maria who was staring straight ahead. He thought in his head how much he loved her, although he couldn't say it. She didn't feel the same way & he knew he should love the Baroness but he just couldn't. Not the same way at least.

"I'm going to head to bed now." Maria announced quietly. "The children will be up at dawn & I was planning on taking them up to the meadows tomorrow morning".

"How fantastic!" The Captain smiled, relieved the awkward silence had passed. "I better head downstairs & finish this night off in style." He kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight".

Maria's heart fluttered as she felt her cheek which was heating up again. Walking towards her bedroom, she knew she had to tell the Captain how she felt. It's what the Mother had told her she must always do, never hide your feelings but she was convinced he didn't feel the same way & even if he did it would be completely immoral. She couldn't do it. The best thing she could do is treasure her time here & dream about how it could be.

As the Captain walked down the stairs, he stopped, looked up & looked lost. He very nearly said how much he loved her. Why didn't he? He knew he needed to do it. He knew he needed to tell the Baroness how he felt. He felt rotten stringing her along. "Tomorrow" he muttered to himself continuing down the stairs.