Let´s see- forget about the wicked childhood and the social differences and about the abbey- all problems solved? You wish... Please read and review because it´s rather experimental and I´d love to know what you all think- thanks in advance, I hope you´ll enjoy it :D
"Oh, you are looking wonderful."
Maria Rainer turned around at the sound of her cousin´s excited voice.
"Thank you, Klara- you are looking so pretty, too- are we ready to go?"
"Yes, the car is here- I´m so excited, can you believe it? Our first ball- you really should have gone before, you shouldn´t have waited for me."
Maria shook her head.
"It will be so much more fun with you by my side."
Maria had been meant to be a debutant two years earlier but had decided to wait until her cousin was old enough to go as well.
Now the two young women were hurrying down the stairs of the Rainer´s house, holding their long white ball gowns up as they went.
The butler helped them into their coats and Maria let the way outside where Klara´s parents were already waiting for them.
"You are both looking perfect" Maria´s aunt gushed at the sight of them, her eyes tearful.
"My two little girls, all grown up and beautiful."
Klara blushed while Maria laughed out loud.
"Don´t cry aunt Katharina, we´ll always be your little girls."
Her uncle winked at her as he helped her into the car and Maria smiled back.
She was starting to feel very nervous but in a good thought of way, it was the kind of nervousness she had felt as a child on Christmas or her birthdays.
She felt as if she had walked into a dream as they entered the grand ballroom, everything seemed to sparkle and gleam like a Christmas tree.
"Oh, isn´t it all amazing?"
Klara whispered next to her, sounding breathless and Maria reached for the younger woman´s hand and squeezed it briefly.
"Yes, it is."
"I´m glad you´ve waited for me" her cousin told her warmly, "I don´t think I would have dared to go here alone."
Maria felt a wave of tenderness towards her cousin who had been like a sister to her ever since she had come to live at her uncle´s house after her parent´s death.
Georg von Trapp was asking himself for the hundredth time what on earth had made him listening to Elsa Schräder and agree to attend the Vienna Opera Ball with her.
The ball might have seemed like a grand event when his wife had still been alive, now it simply felt dull and he caught himself looking at his watch for the fifth time in ten minutes.
Elsa was having the time of her life, clutching his arm and stirring him through his paces as though he was as how dog.
He somehow couldn´t help but wonder what she saw in him, if she actually had feelings for him or if he was nothing more than a trophy, the highly decorated navy captain, old name, old money and, at least according to the female members of his social circle, remarkable good looks.
He didn´t know what he was seeing in the baroness either- granted, she was a good looking woman, a respected member of Vienna´s society, charming, witty and their relationship was being watched fondly, yet Georg couldn´t say that he actually loved Elsa, he simply didn´t want to be alone anymore.
"Darling, what´s the matter with you?"
Elsa´s voice interrupted his thoughts and he turned to her, attempting to smile.
"I beg your pardon?"
"You are looking as though you were miles and miles away, Georg- what were you thinking about?"
"Oh, nothing in particular- are you enjoying yourself?"
"Oh yes, I am- do try and look a bit happier, Dear, I don´t want my friends to think that you are always so grumpy."
"I´m not grumpy, Elsa, I´m a serious person, that is an entirely different matter."
"Oh whatever, won´t you ask me to dance, Darling?"
Georg sighed, then nodded gravely.
"But of course, Elsa."
