Maria gave a soft sigh later that evening as she sat on the armchair near the window of the bedroom that she would be allowed to sleep in for the next few days, cradling Annaliese protectively in her arms as she sucked urgently on her nipple and her tiny hand rested upon the soft swell of her breast. As soon as she and the Captain had gotten inside he had ordered the housekeeper, Frau Schmidt, to run her a bath and to see that a cot was brought to her bedroom for Annaliese as quickly as possible. The warm water had felt heavenly against her skin as it soothed the aching in her muscles and had allowed her to relax for the first time in half a year, the beautiful fragrance of the soap invading her senses as she had been able to wash her hair and body. Now that she was content with her daughter in her arms and they were both dressed in clean nightgowns, she couldn't take her eyes off of her daughter. For the first time in her life she was able to look down at her daughter and enjoy watching her relaxed at her breast as she took her feed, not worrying about the dangers around every corner as she huddled close to the wall and prayed for her to fill her stomach as quickly as possible so she could move somewhere out of sight. When she felt Annaliese pull away from her breast sleepily, she lifted the strap of her nightgown back over her shoulder before bringing her daughter up to rest upon it, patting her upper back gently to bring up her wind. A soft knocking upon her door drew her attention, and she softly called out for the person to enter. 'I'm sorry to disturb you, Maria,' The Captain smiled kindly as he stepped inside and closed the bedroom door gently behind him, making his way over to the bed before sitting on the edge of it and facing her. 'I trust that Frau Schmidt made you feel comfortable and drew you the bath that I requested,' She nodded with a smile as she brought Annaliese to lay in her arms, cradling her against her chest as she began to rock her slowly.
'She did, and I'm so grateful for everything that's been done for me this evening. It may seem a little impertinent for me to say, but I feel that if you continue to treat me so kindly I may never want to leave again,' She giggled softly as he smirked over at her, and she stroked her fingers gently through her daughter's soft curls. 'You must let me know if there's a way that I can pay my way for you allowing me to stay here, Sir,'
'Well,' He cleared his throat gently and clasped his hands in his lap as he looked away from her momentarily, her gaze remaining fixed upon him.
'Yes?' Her voice was soft and gentle, nothing like the timid and shy tone she had had when they had encountered one another just an hour earlier.
'I was wondering if you've ever had any experience with children before now?' He raised his eyebrow. 'Experience along the lines of teaching them simple maths and literacy skills?' She thought back to her past for a moment as her brow furrowed, and the Captain's gaze was fixed upon how naturally beautiful she was without the smut and dirt over her face and in her hair. Considering how long she had been on the streets for, her skin was beautiful and her eyes sparkled in the light. Her lips were rosy and full and her figure wasn't half bad either. Stop this, Georg! He chided himself. She's a vulnerable woman who needs support and comfort, not a woman for you to think inappropriately about! He snapped himself out of it and regained composure just before she began to speak.
'When I was younger I had to school my younger brother and sister since my mother was too sick to take them to school and my father...he...he wasn't the kindest man towards all of us if you understand where I'm heading with this. He wasn't too fond of the three of us and so he wouldn't pay for us to have an education of our own, so I had to learn everything by myself from books and taught them that way. So I guess you could say that I've had some experience with teaching children, yes,' Flaming hell, she was adorable. He couldn't keep the smile off of his face when she looked over at him and their eyes met once more, the corners of her lips turning up into a shy smile as a blush rose in her cheeks. 'What is it?' She giggled as she looked down at the carpet and heard his gentle chuckle.
'Nothing,' He replied softly as she met his gaze once again and he cleared his throat, controlling himself. 'Since you asked if there was a way for you to pay your way, and since I couldn't bear to think about you going back out and back to that life on the streets, I was wondering if you'd consider being a Governess for my children. They lost their mother several years ago to scarlet fever and it's been extremely hard on the seven of them. They used to be so passionate about their studies when she was around because she made it entertaining for them, and they loved her company, but the Governesses that followed her death haven't really been very compassionate towards them. I mean, the last one wasn't very hospitable or polite as it was, considering she slammed doors and got infuriated at the slightest thing. She left earlier this morning and I put an advertisement in the papers, but wasn't very optimistic. I'd offer to teach them myself, but I don't know the first thing about schooling them. Times have changed since I was at school, and I don't believe my tactics would be very beneficial for them. I was wondering if you might give it a chance and see how you feel about it after a week or so. If you feel as though it's weighing you down since you've got this little one and all,' He reached out to gently stroke Annaliese's warm cheek. 'Then you can come and speak to me on Friday morning. However, if you feel that you are up to the task, then you may stay in this house free of charge and serve as their Governess for as long as you like. Do you feel like that's a thing you would enjoy, Maria?' She thought for a moment as she turned her gaze towards the little girl nestled against her breast as she slept.
'I never like to say no to an offer before I've at least given it a chance, so yes, I would like that very much,' She smiled as her eyes sparkled and she turned back to him. 'If the children don't warm up to me after some time then I'll try and find more exciting ways of teaching them basic skills, and I'll try and make them feel comfortable around me. I know it may seem a little odd in the beginning for them, but I hope that might change after a little while and once they get to know me. When would you like me to start?' She raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at him.
'I'll give you the weekend off so that you can get to know the children and the house, and then you may start on Monday morning if you feel comfortable enough to. I don't want to rush you, Maria, not when you've already been through so much,' His compassionate words struck her and she felt her heart begin to speed as she felt the bond strengthening between the two of them, her hand coming up to brush her fringe from her face.
'I think that will be quite manageable, Captain,' She reassured him. 'It may give me the time needed to settle in also and feel a little more at home,' He stood up slowly and made his way over to her, taking her fingertips in his hand as he got down to her level.
'I want you to view this as your home from now on, Maria,' His voice was gentle and kind towards her as their gazes locked and he brushed his thumb across her knuckles. 'You'll never be made to leave if you don't wish to, and you'll never be cast out into the darkness, I promise. If you are made to feel uncomfortable by any member of this household, even the children, I want you to come and talk to me so that I can address them about it. I won't have you feeling dishonoured any longer, not if I can help it,' A soft tear trickled down her cheek before he wiped it away slowly and sighed. 'No more tears now, there's no need, alright?' She nodded with a tearful smile as he continued to gently caress the back of her palm with her thumb. 'Now, I'll let you and this little one get some rest. You seem like you need it,' They both laughed softly together. 'Rise whenever you want tomorrow, and then I'll introduce you to the children. Don't get up until you feel as though you're fully rested,' She nodded in agreement with him as he began to stand. 'Goodnight,' He risked brushing his lips against the back of her hand which sent shivers of pleasure down her spine. Then he was gone.
Maria's head fell back against the armchair with a gentle sigh and she allowed her eyes to flutter closed. He's such a gentleman! And his eyes, oh! His smile's so perfect and his eyes sparkle when he looks at me, I wonder if...No, Maria, stop this nonsense! She told herself. You've only just left your husband behind, you aren't ready to have such feelings yet! You need to focus on Annaliese and doing the best you can with these children before you can even consider your own feelings. She gave a gentle sigh as she stood from the chair and carried Annaliese over to the cot by the side of the bed, laying her down gently in it until her back came into contact with the soft mattress. She gave a soft whimper at being moved, and Maria brushed her hand through her soft blonde curls. 'Shh, now my darling,' She leaned down to leave a lingering kiss to her tiny forehead. 'We're safe now, and I promise I'll never let things get so bad for us again,' Then, with a final kiss to the softness of her cheek she pulled the small blanket over her tiny body and got into bed herself. She gave a soft hum of contentment as she sank into her own mattress, her eyes falling closed at the softness of the pillow beneath her head. For so long she had only known concrete beneath her as Annaliese had slept upon her chest through the long nights and into the early morning, bin bags being Maria's pillows as she tried to catch as much sleep as she could. However, she needn't dwell on the past any longer. She had seemed to have made a friend in the Captain, and by the looks of things, it seemed as though he'd be there to protect her from now on. As Maria drifted off to sleep that evening, her finger held tightly in her daughter's grip, she knew that she had never felt so blessed with her lot.
