Hede woke up, disorientated at first until she remembered she was at the villa. She prepared herself for breakfast, looking at the clock and sighing with relief; she would arrive on time. Georg had always been obsessed with timing. He always rose before dawn to do his exercises. An entire life in the Navy had shaped his habits.
After dressing, she went downstairs, finding the children and the governess already seated at the table. She sat down next to her brother's empty chair, greeting everyone. She smiled mischievously; she had the perfect opportunity to tease her brother. Georg arrived in the dining room shortly afterwards, perfectly dressed in his black suit. When he sat down, Hede cleared her throat, with eyes full of amusement, pointing at her wristwatch.
"I think you've arrived five minutes late," Hede said casually.
"I was swimming in the lake," he muttered.
"You're usually never late." She was going to continue teasing him when she noticed he was hollow-eyed. It seemed he hadn't slept well.
Georg shrugged and gave her a little smile, before adding pompously. "I was distracted. But, as I said once to the children, a Captain is never late, he arrives when he's needed."
He deliberately changed the subject. "Now, Fraulein Maria can you please say grace," He flashed a look in the governess' general direction.
Hede frowned when she realized there were two chairs missing. "Shouldn't we wait until Elsa and Max are here? Aren't they going to have breakfast with us?"
"Baroness Schraeder wakes up at noon, and Uncle Max has gone back to Salzburg again. He said he needed to find people for the festival," Liesl explained to Hede.
That was an interesting piece of information. It was usually only after an exhausting party, that people to slept until noon. However, it seemed it was a habit for the Baroness to skip breakfast. The children didn't seem to mind though; with her absence, they were chatting far more than last night. They seemed reserved around her, probably trying to behave like good children. It was such a contrast to the way they had been before; for Hede it was clear they were making this effort for their father.
Georg clasped his hands and nodded to Fraulein Maria. Hede joined the family while the governess said grace. She then focused on her breakfast, knowing she needed some food to stop the bad mood she was starting to feel. It was something she and her brother had inherited from their father. Kurt and the other children too, became grumpy if they didn't eat regularly.
Once her brain was functioning, she looked around the table as they were eating, relishing the fact that the children were so happy. The governess was concentrating on Gretl, helping her with her food and coaxing her to finish the sausage.
Georg was behind the newspaper, and each time he grunted, he gripped the newspaper harder until his knuckles were entirely white. His hands shook slightly, presumably from the rage he was feeling. He was reading something that displeased him though Hede was entirely at a loss about what was troubling him.
Hede looked across the table and she caught Fraulein Maria staring at Georg with a concerned look while he read. She was so distracted that Gretl tugged on her arm for several seconds before it broke her reverie. It appeared Hede wasn't the only one worried about what was happening to him, though Hede thought maybe Maria was preoccupied about how his bad mood could affect the children.
"Father, could you help me with the model boat? There's a part I don't know how to put together, " Friedrich asked suddenly.
Georg lowered the newspaper, showing his tormented face and his scowl, clearly bad-tempered. "No," he snapped, full of anger.
Friedrich's eyes were wide, as a flash of fear crossed his face. The children were taken aback by their father, and their governess was looking at him with a disapproving gaze. Hede was ready to say something, but her brother was faster.
"I'm very sorry, Friedrich," he said tenderly, giving him an apologetic smile, full of remorse. "I didn't mean to snap at you, it was out of place. I was thinking about unpleasant things." He folded the newspaper, leaving it on the corner of the table. Friedrich's face relaxed and he nodded, accepting his father's apologies.
"Today I can't, but I promise you, we will finish the boat together after the party."
Hede exhaled the breath she had been holding. He had almost thrown away all the improvements he had accomplished with the children, but Georg had known how to fix it before it was too late. The children resumed their chatting as if nothing had happened, and Fraulein Maria lost her disapproving look.
Georg sipped his coffee slowly, his attention drawn to the governess, seemingly unaware that he was transfixed, watching her as she giggled with Louisa. His lips twitched slightly like he was trying not to laugh too. When Fraulein Maria cocked her head to answer Liesl's question, Georg averted his eyes from her quickly to his plate before she could catch him.
Focusing on his coffee, he cleared his throat several times until the governess looked at him. He met her eyes briefly, before looking at the children, speaking in a casual voice.
"Fraulein, I think the children should take the day off from their studies. They've earned it, and I want them completely rested for tomorrow."
The children were thrilled with their father, exclaiming a multitude of thanks at the same time. The governess hushed them, smiling, after several squeals of Gretl.
"We'll practice the surprise for your guests, sir." Fraulein Maria replied, fidgeting with her napkin. Hede noticed that she too looked at the children rather than at Georg.
"I think that's a marvelous idea, Fraulein," he finished his coffee and put down the cup, winking at the children. He glanced at the governess while she dabbed her mouth with the napkin, but when she looked up he looked away again.
Hede couldn't comprehend why, when they talked to each other, they avoided each other's eyes, though, when no one was looking, they stole glances. She didn't know if they had been always behaving like this or if it was something new. Whatever it was, there was a story behind them. She decided to push away her thoughts and think about it when she could figure out what was going on.
"A surprise? What surprise?" Hede asked, curiously.
"We are going to sing at the party," Kurt said, smiling happier now that he had finished his breakfast.
"But we can't tell you anything. It's a surprise." Liesl gave Hede a knowing smile which reminded her of Agathe when she was younger.
How Liesl had grown up in a few years! She had matured beyond her years, forced by her situation to look after her siblings, but she was still a teenager. Hede wondered if her brother had acknowledged that piece of information in his mind or if he still thought of Liesl as his little girl.
"Won't you tell your own aunt what it's about? Only a glimpse?" she tried with Gretl, smiling charmingly.
Gretl giggled, shaking her head. "We can't, Auntie. Even Papa knows nothing."
"How outrageous!" she exclaimed, feigning anger, while the children were happy to keep their secret between them.
"I thought exactly the same," Georg added, narrowing his eyes. "It's not like my children to be secretive."
"We're being secretive because it's a surprise, even for you." Louisa flashed a mischievous smile at her father, clearly enjoying the situation.
"You already know we are going to sing, however, you don't need to know which song," Liesl said playfully.
Marta chuckled at the situation and Georg raised his eyebrows, smiling and pointing a finger at her. "Aha! Marta, you tell me!"
The children looked at poor Marta who was trying hard not to reveal anything about their song. "Liesl told you, Papa. It's a song." Marta grinned, proud at herself for replying cleverly.
"I forgot, I thought you were going to dance!" He said teasingly.
"Oh, but we're going to sing and dance!" Friedrich pointed out.
"Sing and dance?" Hede asked again.
"Yes, at the same time, just like the cuckoo clock in the parlour!" As soon as he said those words he closed his eyes, knowing he had made a mess of it.
Louisa put a hand to her face, Liesl cocked her head dangerously and Brigitta gave him a scowl. The governess was trying to hide her grin, biting her lip, and Georg looked immensely pleased. He started to chuckle until he was laughing out loud, in a way that Hede had not seen in years. He seemed years younger, with all the wrinkles from his forehead disappearing and showing his dimples.
The children were infected with his laugh and Fraulein Maria was smiling too. For a moment she seemed mesmerized by Georg's face. She started to blush, then she clasped her hands together.
"Children, we have to practice because the party is tomorrow. If we finish early, you will have time to play whatever you want."
As if under a spell, the children left the table, eager to have free time. Fraulein Maria followed them, and Georg and Hede were finally alone. It was the perfect opportunity to talk to him, but he stood up, saying he had work to do urgently because he had pushed it away.
Hede left the dining room after her brother and went to the library, thinking about what to do to keep herself occupied.
Engrossed in her book, the laughter of the children broke her concentration. They must have finished practicing the song. Through the windows, she could see them playing and running. She closed the book, leaving it on the table, and decided to join them, tired of being confined in the room alone.
She walked towards the veranda and approached the governess, who was catching her breath and watching them from afar. Her hair was dishevelled and her cheeks were flushed from the exercise. When she saw Hede she smiled but returned her attention to the children. Hede felt it was the perfect time to get to know something about the young Fraulein who had captivated her nephews and nieces.
"Hello, Fraulein von Trapp," the governess said politely.
"Hello. And, please, call me Hede. It must be exhausting for you to always address me like that. We're in private and no one is around. If you're uncomfortable you can call me Fraulein in public and no one will know. It will be our secret. May I call you Maria?" she said conspiratorially.
The governess smiled again."Yes, Fraulein...Hede."
Gretl greeted her from afar, moving her little hand before running away from Brigitta, who was walking in slow motion to avoid catching her too soon. Hede sighed happily, the children were being children again after four years of sadness.
"I'm amazed how they're back to their old selves. You've done something magical here." she murmured to the governess, without taking her eyes away from the beautiful scenery.
"Oh, they're treasures."
"Not every governess would have said that." Hede raised an eyebrow. "Did you know what the little rascals did to the previous governesses?"
"I have an idea, yes. But they were only trying to get their father's attention," Maria replied, and Hede noticed an edge of protectiveness in her voice.
Hede took a step backward and tilted her head. "Did they pull pranks on you too?"
Maria laughed briefly and nodded. "Oh, yes. But it only lasted two days."
"Tell me your secret."
"There's no secret, I only gave them an opportunity and a little push in the right direction. They've suffered too much with...their mother's death" she said, saying the last words like she didn't dare to mention Agathe in her presence.
Hede chewed her cheek, thinking about it before she asked. "And what about my brother?"
"The...The Captain?" Maria asked, a little bit surprised by her question.
"Yes. When you arrived - how was he? Had he changed already?"
Maria was speechless, and she ran a hand through her hair. She seemed a little doubtful about what to answer and Hede understood it was because she was speaking to his sister.
"I'm only asking you this because I care deeply about him, and I'm glad to see that he has reconnected his relationship with them. He is back to the old Georg, the way he was with the children." She spoke sincerely, hoping that with her words Maria would open up.
"Well…he was...cold with them at first. But, one day we had an argument about it and I yelled at him," Maria blurted out and stopped, hesitant to continue.
Hede could imagine that her brother would not have taken that well. She realised Maria was a bit outspoken, blunt, and probably a little impulsive. Maybe that was what Georg needed. She gave her a nod of encouragement, and Maria continued. "I just pointed out that they were growing up and were hungry for his affection."
Hede could not hide her surprise; she recalled perfectly well, a similar argument she and Georg had had, and how it had ended so badly. She pondered why Georg had finally listened to Maria. Perhaps it was because it was the right time and he was ready to heal, or because he had found Elsa - though Hede was sure there was something wrong between them – or, maybe there was something about the young Fraulein that made him listen to her despite being yelled at as if he were a cadet. Whatever it was, it worked.
"I'm glad. I know my brother and he can be very stubborn when he wants."
Maria seemed to have a faraway look in her eyes as she said quietly. "Your brother was only coping with the pain in the only way he knew. It was true he was aloof at first, though he was suffering deeply. But I knew he cared for his children."
"How did you know that?" Hede asked, curious about her observations.
"When I met him, he smiled when Gretl failed to say her name. Someone who doesn't love his children can't find anything amusing about them," Maria said matter-of-factly.
She was stunned by her observation. This governess had understood Georg better than most of the people around him. Even more; she had known how to break his shell as no one had been able to. She had been a miracle to this family.
"Thank you, Maria, for everything you've done," she said honestly, and her voice cracked slightly with emotion.
Maria smiled modestly and shook her head. "I was only here on God's errand."
Before they could continue their conversation, there were excited shouts as the children greeted Max, who was walking towards them.
"Hello Hede, Hello Fraulein. I've just arrived from Salzburg and it was simply ghastly. I'm glad to be back at the villa. I know just the thing to revive me though: a bottle of fine Bordeaux from Georg's cellar." He smiled slyly, rubbing his hands.
Realising she couldn't continue talking with Maria, Hede chuckled to Max. "Georg is busy, but I'm sure you'll be able to find the wine. Pour a little for me too, because I'll be exhausted after playing with the children."
After lunch, Hede was in the garden, enjoying the peace and serenity of the beautiful lake. The children were in Salzburg with Max and Fraulein Maria. Apparently, Louisa and Brigitta's dresses didn't fit and they had to return to the dressmaker. Also, Gretl was adamant about having ribbons on hers, so in the end, Max had to take the seven children back to the city.
She loved her nephews and nieces as if they were her own children, but Hede was used to being alone, and after several hours playing nonstop, she missed the quietness and silence. Better to enjoy the precious time she had alone, she thought with a smile.
The colours of the sun were inspiring her and her fingers itched to be near a canvas and brush to paint the landscape. Tilting her head, she tried to remember the little changes from the sky so she could paint it when she returned to Paris. Suddenly, her ear caught music from afar, floating gently on the breeze. The notes were haunting and beautiful, played with considerable skill.
Hede knew the only explanation was that Georg was playing the violin. She could barely remember the last time he had played the instrument; it must have been when Agathe was still alive. Entering the villa, she followed the music until she stopped near his study. The door was ajar, so Hede looked through the gap. Her brother was in the middle of the room, with his chin on the violin and the bow in his right hand. He was completely engrossed in the music, with his eyes half closed, a lopsided smile on his face and enjoying himself immensely.
Deciding it was best to not disturb his concentration, she put a hand on the knob. She was closing the door when her brother stopped playing.
"Hede?" He said in a surprised tone.
"Sorry Georg" She smiled, apologetically, opening the door again to see him better. "I didn't want to disturb you. You play very well, better than I remembered."
He seemed embarrassed about her compliment and he left the violin on the mahogany desk, wiggling his fingers. "That's not entirely true. I've lost a lot of ability after so many years without touching the violin. I'm slower, the tips of my fingers hurt and I'm struggling with pieces I knew by heart."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Georg. You're too much of a perfectionist"
"Hmph…" Georg ignored her answer, still wriggling his fingers. "I missed it. I only hope I can regain what I've lost."
"And you will, I'm sure. How are the preparations for the party going?" She closed the door and sat on the chair next to his desk.
"Horrible." He replied irritably. When she looked at him with a hard stare, he continued defensively, "Don't look at me in that way, Hede. You know I don't like parties. Furthermore, there are guests I really don't want to see."
He dropped himself into his chair, with his arms on the desk. He rested his forehead on his hands and sighed. Hede decided to take advantage of the fact that they were alone to finally speak openly with him.
"So…You told me on the phone that things with Elsa were complicated. What did you mean?" she asked inquiringly.
Georg groaned and closed his eyes, clearly reluctant to have this conversation. "Is this really necessary?"
"Of course it's necessary. It's obvious you need to talk to someone. I'm sure you won't do it with Max because he is close to Elsa."
Georg thought about it, rubbing his hand on his chin and scratching his incipient stubble. After a long pause he admitted, "I don't love her, Hede."
"I know." She replied to him, softly, smiling at his surprised face. "You're not the only one who notices things, Georg."
She was puzzled at his defensive reaction to her next words. "And I've realized how you look at her."
He fidgeted in his chair, frowning, and asked sharply. "What do you mean?"
"Georg," she rolled her eyes, exasperated about how blind he could be. "You don't look at Elsa with love and you don't act like you're in love with her."
He sighed, looking relieved at her words and she frowned. Was his brother hiding something? It would be difficult to find out because when she asked too many questions Georg always clammed up like an oyster.
"Are you happy with this arrangement, Georg? Does Elsa know how you feel?" she continued, putting her hands on the desk.
Georg stared at her and shook his head. Hede saw something shift in his eyes, and he said uncomfortably. "We've talked about it, and at first it seemed like a good decision. We both knew we were too old to fall in love again and ... after Agathe it seemed impossible. But I've realized I can't drag her into an unhappy marriage."
Hede nodded slowly, processing what he was telling her. "So what are you going to do?"
"Talk to her." He stood up and paced the room, taking a deep breath. "I'll talk to Elsa, but after the party. I have no option, even if I feel as if I have a rope around my neck with this situation. I must wait."
"Be gentle with her. Even if there's no love between you, she deserves an explanation," she added, though she knew Georg was an honorable man and she was sure he would end things properly.
He nodded, sighing, but he still seemed restless and troubled. Hede sensed his relationship with Elsa wasn't the only thing on his mind.
Recalling his reaction at breakfast when he read the newspaper she asked quietly, "Is it only your situation with Elsa that worries you, Georg?"
"No." He stopped walking next to the fireplace, sighing. "I worry about my future in this country, Hede. I tell you this because I trust you, but I fear that Germany wants me in the Kriegsmarine, and I can't accept it. I'll never work for the Nazis. But if I decline their offer..."
"But surely you can say no?" She approached her brother, resting a hand in his shoulder, concerned about him.
"They have no principles, Hede. And they may use my children...if necessary," his voice was tense with anger.
He continued, frustrated. "What makes it infuriating is that I've seen the guest list for the party and there are some men who support the Nazis. I left all the preparations to Elsa and it was a mistake. Now I can't take it back. I can't stand the thought of those people in my home."
Georg took her hand and squeezed it, smiling softly. "Don't worry, Hede. I'm working out how to deal with all this," he reassured her.
"Of course I worry, Georg!" she exclaimed.
"Hede, you'll just have to trust me on this." He replied firmly, leaving no room for discussion, and kissed her hand before releasing it.
She sighed, knowing there was nothing to do. She decided to ask him about Maria. "Only one more thing, Georg - do you have any kind of problem with the governess?"
"What?" he asked abruptly. "Why on earth would you ask me that?" he was appalled by her question.
Hede bit her cheek. She wasn't going to reveal what she had heard the night before or tell him how she had observed how awkward they acted towards each other at breakfast.
Instead, she said, "Because you don't look at her when you speak, and if you exchange words with her you behave like a snob."
"A snob?" Georg sounded offended, and he snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "You know me better than that Hede. How did you reach such a ridiculous conclusion?"
"It's the way, you behave towards her, in such a formal, off-hand way. You don't even look at her when you speak to her. Be nicer to her, Georg. She has helped you so much with the children, yet, you seem quite arrogant with her," she said matter-of-factly.
Hede could see the tell-tale wiggle of his fingers which she knew was a sign of his agitation. "I've never been a snob with Fraulein Maria..." he muttered more to himself, frowning.
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Elsa appeared holding a list.
"Hello Hede. Georg, I need your help. Are you busy?" she put a hand on her hip, giving him a look. Georg nodded, knowing there was no escape.
"I should leave," Hede said, deciding to go back to the lake and wait until her nephews and nieces returned from Salzburg.
Before leaving the study, her brother called her again, and he looked at her for some seconds as if he was struggling with something, in silence, before he spoke again. He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, Hede."
Hede didn't need to ask him about what he was apologizing for, even if Elsa was puzzled. She knew he was sorry, for the way he behaved towards her when he had been overwhelmed with grief and anger. He was sorry for pushing her away when she tried to approach him. He was sorry for not calling back, for shouting at her, for making her leave the villa when she wanted to stay, for not being her little brother but a complete stranger to her. He was sorry for everything. She could see the remorse in his eyes, and again, as she did on the phone, she could only say one thing.
"Forget it, Georg," she said, giving him a full smile. She was just glad to have her brother back. Everything else could be forgiven.
Hede couldn't stop thinking about her conversation with Georg. His words kept turning around in her head. She could see why he was so troubled about many things. While the situation with the Nazis was very worrying, she knew he was a master strategist – and he had several medals to prove it. She completely trusted her brother to find a way to deal with his Nazi problem. Although she was fearful for him she reminded herself that as yet, the Anschluss had not happened.
His more immediate problem was dealing with Elsa. That was a real mess, with expectations high that he would be announcing their engagement at the party. She agreed with Georg; he had to talk with Elsa soon. Hede only hoped Elsa would understand and that they could part on friendly terms.
During dinner she was distracted from Georg's troubles when she overheard a conversation between Max and the children about their father when he was younger, and she laughed.
"Max, you know nothing. I had to deal with a little Georg and believe me, that's heroism. He always seemed to be in trouble." She gave her nephews and nieces a knowing smile, with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Aunt Hede, could you tell us a story about when he was little?" Louisa asked mischievously. The other children chorused their approval, overriding their father who was rolling his eyes and shaking his head in protest.
Hede thought about it until she remembered an anecdote. "When your father was about six years old he used to go exploring in the garden alone, searching for "treasures", as he said. Once we found him with his head stuck between two thin iron bars from an old gate. His ears were too big so he couldn't take his head out. Eventually, Frau Schmidt had to spread butter all over his face so that we could release him."
The children burst out laughing, picturing the scene and delighted to think of their very dignified father being full of mischief. Even the governess was chewing her lower lip, suppressing her laughter.
Though he tried to look defiantly at his sister, his ears were red with embarrassment.
"It was only one time," he grunted.
"Well..." Hede tilted her head, teasing her brother further. "And what about when you took my paints? You used it on the dog and he spread green tracks all over the villa. Mother was horrified."
"That was an accident." The flush was extending from his ears to his cheeks.
"Was it also only an accident when you climbed a tree with Werner and you couldn't get down?" she added casually, looking at her nails.
"Hede, I really don't think the children need to hear all this," he warned.
"Or when you changed the flour with..." she continued, raising an eyebrow.
"Hede!" Georg repeated in a clipped tone, with his face a shade of red she had never seen on him.
The children were laughing harder, imaging their father pulling pranks and getting into trouble. Max too, was entertained with her tales, probably storing the information for use later when he needed to persuade Georg about something. Fraulein Maria was muffling her laughter with her hand, and even the Baroness was smiling. Only Georg was uncomfortable.
Hede relented, finally taking pity on him, "Alright, my lips are sealed."
Georg looked relieved, although it only was for a second before she added, "Giorgio," using his old nickname.
Giggling from the end of the table, the governess couldn't stifle her laughs.
"Fraulein!" he growled, hoping to stop the laughter, though it sounded more like a plea.
"Sorry, Captain, I...ah...only found it amusing. I had imagined you were a very disciplined little boy who never got in trouble," Maria said, trying to be serious.
"I'm glad you find it so funny," he said dryly. "But tell me Fraulein, were you the perfect example of quietness and decorum?" he asked pointedly.
"No, I wasn't. I used to be restless, wanting to explore everything everywhere. But I never had my face stuck between iron bars."
"As I said, it was only once! Have you never done embarrassing things?" he smiled dangerously.
"Not that I can recall," the governess replied, evasively, starting to blush as he turned the tables on her.
"Liar! Of course, you have," Georg said mercilessly, though he was tantalizingly her and there was no trace of anger in his voice. He pretended to ponder a random thought. "For example, you've never danced with imaginary partners?"
Hede felt like she was in a tennis match, with the rest of the table in silence, watching their interaction. It was as if the two of them had forgotten there were others present.
"Maybe, but as I said, I never had my face stuck and of course I never had problems going down from a tree," she fired back. Now her cheeks were fully flushed.
"O-ho, but I suspect your childhood was full of scraped knees and torn dresses, not to mention sliding down banisters and prying into forbidden rooms. And I am sure you were always late for everything," he speculated, amused at her rosy cheeks.
He continued his teasing. "And not just your childhood, I wonder what tales the good Sisters at Nonnberg could tell us?" he asked slyly, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't you yourself tell me when you arrived, how much trouble you were at the Abbey?" He looked inordinately pleased at her red cheeks, though she remained silent.
Finally, Georg smiled tenderly at her and the governess returned the smile. Hede deduced they had talked and sorted their differences because the tension she felt yesterday was gone.
There was a change in the air, with them still staring at each other and suddenly everything made sense; Hede realised, stunned, that they were attracted towards each other. That's why they behaved so awkwardly with each other, they were both obviously fighting their inappropriate feelings. Things were far more complicated than Hede had initially realised. She didn't know what to make of the situation.
All of sudden, there was silence. Hede noticed that the children looked fascinated and amused, Max looked intrigued, and the Baroness appeared uncomfortable. As if realising they had gotten carried away with their taunting of each other and had given away something best kept hidden, Maria looked embarrassed and uneasy, while Georg's austere mask slipped back over his face. He fixed his eyes on his plate, focusing on eating again.
In order to ease the tension, Hede started talking with the children and acting as if nothing had occurred, until everyone was engaged in the conversation about the party. Georg didn't steal more glances at Maria, and Maria made herself busy with the children, never looking at her brother. But Hede's thoughts were in churning.
Later, she went with the little ones to the nursery, after their request of a story. She read their favourite tale and tucked them in with Maria's help. She decided to retire to her bedroom and rest, tomorrow was the party and she wanted to be alone and think about the discoveries she made that day.
For Hede it was crystal clear that Georg and Maria were bewildered by their feelings for each other. It was awkward and inappropriate, especially since Georg was supposed to be courting Elsa. But all the hidden looks, the tense conversations, and most of all, the teasing had revealed their mutual attraction. Hede had been slower noticing it because she thought at first that Georg's wish was to marry Elsa.
She sighed uneasily. Georg was certainly correct when he had said on the phone that it was complicated.
If Hede only needed one day to recognise what was happening between them, she wondered if Elsa and Max had noticed too. Analyzing Elsa's behaviour this evening and the way she clutched his sleeve when Maria was in the parlour, she concluded that Elsa suspected the attraction. The sparkles and fire that ignited whenever Georg and Maria looked at each other certainly didn't appear between Elsa and Georg.
Hede felt a pang in her chest; as her brother had said it was a mess. Considering the situation, with Georg courting the Baroness and intending to marry her - even if love wasn't part of the equation - she felt bad for Elsa. People assumed that tomorrow they were going to meet the future Baroness von Trapp, the sophisticated woman whom the Naval hero wanted to propose marriage to. But now the three of them were entangled in a love triangle.
And what about Maria? The postulant had arrived at the villa with the objective of being the temporary governess for the children until she took her vows. But now she was probably confused about her emotions and in turmoil about her future. Hede didn't know if they had accepted their attraction, or if were intent on denying their feelings. Whatever it was, Hede knew she had to wait patiently to answer her endless questions.
Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.
Thank you every much to everyone who has read, reviewed, favourited and followed this story. Your kind words mean the world to me!
This chapter was an interlude before the party. Next station, the grand and glorious party!
Special thanks to bloomandgrow. Thank you very much, again!
I don't own TSOM.