"Good Morning," Liesl said cheerfully as she sat down at her place at the table.
"Good Morning Darling," replied her father. "Where are the rest of you siblings?" Liesl shrugged, she and her parents were the only ones at the table so far.
"They'll be down I'm sure. I heard them all arguing over the bathroom," Liesl smiled and took a sip of her tea. "Oh Mother, I almost forgot." She reached into the pocket of her apron, "Rolfe asked me to give this to you before he left, he heard us talking about it and saw it when he was in town. I'm sorry I kept forgetting to give it to you," she handed her Mother a small leather-bound book with gold letters on the front.
"He didn't have to do that," she turned the book around in her hands with a smile on her face, "It's very hard to find. He gets home from Italy today? Is he coming over, I want to thank him?"
"Thank who?" Liesl's younger siblings had just come into the dining room. Gretl, always the curious one, asked again, "Thank who Mother? For what?" The children all took their places at the table and began to eat.
"I want to thank Rolfe for the thoughtful gift I was given," Maria smiled and held up the book for the children to see. Her eyes shifted to Liesl, "Is he coming over today?
"He has some things to finish up with his father at home, but he's sending a note over this morning, letting me know." The family finished their breakfast and headed out side, the children playing while Maria and Liesl sat and chatted on the veranda. Frau Schmitt came out after lunch and handed Liesl a telegram. Liesl smiled her thanks and opened it:
Liesl-
'An
hundred years should go to praise
Thine eyes, and on thy forehead
gaze;
Two hundred to adore each breast,
But thirty thousand to
the rest;
An
age at least to every part,
And the last age should show your
heart.
For, lady, you deserve this state,
Nor would I love at
lower rate.'
I miss you. I'll be over after dinner to see you.
I think a drive later would be nice. Yes?
-RNG
Maria smiled at her daughter. Liesl was blushing as she folded up the note and slid it into her pocket, "Is he coming over? I think the children would like to see him and I know you would."
Liesl's blush darkened, "Yes, he'll be over after dinner," she paused and their eyes met, "I can't wait to see him. He had to go with his father, I know that, but it doesn't make me miss him any less."
"Well let's keep your mind off him for a little more and join that exciting game of tag," Maria pointed towards the children, smiled and pulled Liesl off into the game.
--somsomsom--
"Heidi," Captain Georg Von Trapp stepped out of his study and called to the young maid. She turned at his voice and dipped her head, "Is dinner almost ready?"
"Yes, Captain. Dinner will be served in 15 minutes," she bobbed her head once more and scurried out of the foyer. The Captain was turning to go back into his study when the door bell was rung. He paused and watched as Franz opened the door.
"Rolfe," The captain walked towards the door. "I wasn't expecting you." Rolfe handed is hat to Franz and came down to the Captain.
"Sir," they shook hands. "My parents and I returned home early this morning. I sent Liesl a note but I guess she didn't let you know I was coming."
"I believe that she and the Baroness are busy entertaining the children. Heidi," the girl was again startled to a stop, "Set another place at dinner for Colonial Gruber, please." The Captain turned to Rolfe, "let's go round up the children for dinner."
"How are things here, sir?" Rolfe followed Georg to the Veranda.
"Good, everything is great. How are your parents, and Italy?" They stepped outside and watched the children, Maria and Liesl sitting around the garden. When Georg received no answer, he looked over and saw Rolfe smiling out towards Liesl, paying the Captain no mind. Georg smiled, "Liesl, someone is here to see you. The flowers she was weaving into Marta and Gretl hair fell to the ground. Liesl ran toward her fiancé and wrapped her arms around him. He placed his hand on her cheek and looked down into her eyes.
"Children, I think that dinner is close to being done. Let's go in and wash up. You can talk to Rolfe at the table," Maria herded the children and her husband into the house amidst complaints, "You two can come in when you're done." Neither Rolfe nor Liesl acknowledged her.
"I missed you so much," Liesl burrowed farther into Rolfe's arms. He bent his head down for a kiss.
"So did you get my note?" Rolfe asked when the kiss was broken. He led her by the hand to the railing, leaning against it and pulling her to him, he kissed her again.
"Yes, I did, and I was with my Mother when I read it Rolfe," she reprimanded half-heartedly, he smirked. "I couldn't stop blushing."
He rubbed her cheeks, "You're not blushing now. So, are we going on that drive?" Liesl smiled, nodded and buried her head in Rolfe's neck. His hands dropped from her cheeks to her shoulders. He reached down and lightly ran a finger along the modest neckline of her dress, "I don't have two hundred years to
adore each…" his speech was stopped by a hard stare form Liesl. He cleared his throat, "But we might have two hours."
"Come on," Liesl pulled away from Rolfe's embrace and grabbed his hand. "Let's get some dinner."
--somsomsom--
"I promised your father that I would have you back by 10:30 but I don't know if that's going to happen," Rolfe panted against Liesl's neck. His right hand slid up her side, lightly cupping her breast, "God, I missed you." Liesl arched into his hand, moving as close to him as possible in the confined area of his car. She reached for the buckle of his trousers and kissed him. "No," he pushed her hands away, "not here Liesl."
"Rolfe, please," she reached again for him and again he stopped her. "We've made love before," she blushed at her own words despite their past together, "We don't have time to get a hotel room like usual and I need you."
Rolfe gulped, searching her face. He was extremely turned on, yet hesitant. Yes, they had made love before but it had always been gentle and he had always been a gentleman. Could he take the woman he loved on the front seat of his car? It went completely against his upbringing. He was an Earl, a Colonial in the Austrian Air force, for god sakes he was the son of a Duke. But he loved and wanted her. She obviously wanted him, too. His decision was made.
"Come here," Rolfe growled. Liesl smiled and watched as he hurriedly undid his trousers. Rolfe licked his lips and grabbed Liesl onto his lap; he moved her skirt out of the way, helping her straddle him. He smiled at her and pulled her down, joining them. Rolfe groaned, rumbling both their chests. Liesl sighed contently; it had been a long 2 weeks apart.
--somsomsom--
Liesl was woken by the sounds of the car engine starting. "What time is it?" she mumbled, her face still pushed into the side of Rolfe's neck. "Do we have to go now?" Liesl picked up her head and lightly kissed his cheek.
Rolfe laughed, "Unfortunately yes darling." He ran his hand through his short, military cut hair. "I wish you could just stay the night with me at home but I don't think your father would like that very much." He gentle pushed her bare feet from his lap and tucked in his shirt. Rolfe put the car in gear and began a slow descent of the old dirt road. They had been coming here since their first date, when Rolfe drove Liesl up the hill, through the trees and to the clear opening at the top. They had watched the stars, and Rolfe had given Liesl her first kiss. It had become their place, private and filled with memories.
"So Italy really was good? You weren't just saying that in front of my parents?"asked Liesl as she pulled on her shoes and tried to remove the wrinkles from her dress.
"Yeah, it was fine," he glanced at her as she tried to straighten her hair. "I think my father is starting to hand the company over to me…or at least get me ready for when the war is over. I mean, I know the basics, but running a shipping company as large as that takes experience. He's trying to give me that before I have to do it alone."
"That seems smart," she seemed satisfied with her appearance and leaned her head on his shoulder. "So after the war, whenever that is, you're leaving the air force and taking over Grubber Shipping Company? Leaving the air force and stopping my worries?"
He smiled, "I didn't say I was leaving the air force. I'll stay in for as long as they'll keep me. I love it too much. Besides, what would I do all day? I can run GSC from home, and that's only maybe two days a week. You want me to get fat? Eat and drink and smoke expensive cigars? Make love to my wife twice a day and drown her in diamonds?" He laughed, "It's sounds very enticing but I'm afraid I'll decline. Anyway, I can do most of that and remain in the air force."
Liesl sighed and kissed his cheek, "Alright, I know it makes you happy." They pulled into the Von Trapp drive way, "Do I look ok?" The car pulled up to the front door and stopped. Rolfe opened his door, got out and turned back to the car and pulled Liesl to her feet.
"You look beautiful as usual." Rolfe closed the car door and they walked to the front door of the villa. "I'm leading a training session tomorrow so I won't see you."
"Ok, Emily and I were planning on going shopping in town anyway." Rolfe leaned against the door jamb as Liesl played with his tie.
"That sounds nice, tell Em I say 'hi'. Sign for whatever you want on my account. Did I tell you that I put your name on at the bank?"
"You didn't have to do that Rolfe." She looked down at her hands, "I'm not spending your money."
"Why, we're getting married soon, it'll be our money. I want you to have what you want…" he sighed "just, know that it's there. Ok?"
"Ok," Liesl smiled up at him. "I have to go in now. I love you, good night." She reached up and kissed him. "I'm glad your home."
"Night, love you too." He smiled, winked and left. Liesl entered the house and closed the door behind her.
--somsomsom--
Excerpt from the poem 'To His Coy Mistress' written by Andrew Marvell
