"Georg, please don't tell anyone this," Maria started in a hushed voice, "but I like this food better than our cook's."

            The Captain laughed and nodded, putting some butter on the last piece of his roll. "Your secret is safe with me, Fräulein," he said and grinned at her. "If I paid the cook what the chef here makes, I think you would like her food just as much."

            Maria looked around at the fancy décor and the other diners.  Everything was so elegant and posh, and Maria suddenly felt isolated.  Being raised humbly, she didn't know if she could adjust to the refined life her fiancé led, and whether or not the people he considered his peers would accept her.

            "Some of them are rather nice, Maria," Georg said, watching her.

            She snapped her head back to meet his gaze, and smiled a little at his observation. "It's not that," she said quietly, again returning her attention to her surroundings. "It's just that this is such a different world than what I'm used to.

            "I grew up on a farm and then went straight into the convent. This," she gestured to the opulence around them, "is something I never thought I'd be a part of."

            Georg nodded, taking her hand in his. "Do you think you won't fit in?" he asked, rubbing his thumb along the back of her hand.

            Maria pursed her lips together, unsure if she should be happy that he could read her so well.  She cast a glance over at a table whose two occupants, an elderly couple, had been stealing quick glances over at them throughout the evening.  She smiled at them, and they, embarrassed at being caught, flushed and resumed their meal.

            "You'd fit in anywhere, Maria," Georg said.

            She sighed. "Isn't it a matter of whether or not I'm let in?"  She looked over at the elderly couple again, a feeling of apprehension threatening to overcome her.

            Georg followed her gaze and studied the couple for a moment before lingering too long.  He, too, had noticed several acute stares cast in his and Maria's direction from various patrons throughout the evening.  He looked at Maria again and smiled.

            "Since when do the rules of decorum interfere with your way of thinking, Maria?"

            She shook her head. "This is different."

            "How?"

            "Your world expands beyond the grounds of the villa," she started. "You're a man of importance in this city, in this region.  There are rules to this class; rules I'm not accustomed to, and I don't want to hinder any relationship that you might -"

            "Maria," Georg interrupted and reached over with his other hand to capture both of hers, "you have nothing to worry about.  Yes, there are certain 'guidelines' to the upper class, and you will have to make some minor adjustments.  But please believe me when I say that you are never to change who you are for my or anyone else's sake. 

"If I know you, and I'd like to think that I do, I'd say that this stuffy class is about to get a much-needed breath of fresh air when you join it."

            Maria's smile felt more genuine as she looked down at their entwined hands. Glancing back up to meet his gaze, her smile widened at the earnest look in his eyes.  She looked around the restaurant again, feeling more confident.

            "And you needn't fear," Georg continued. "I happen to know for a fact that my friends will love you."

            "I can't wait to meet them," she said. "Are they all like Herr Det- I mean, Max?"

            Georg laughed. "Good heavens, no!" he answered, withdrawing his hands. "Most of them are my former comrades in the Navy."

            "Oh?" Maria asked, her interest piqued. "Are they're all captains?"

            Georg nodded. "Most of them are either captains or lieutenant commanders."

            He sipped his wine and thought of his small circle of friends. "And none of them really fit the mold you have in your mind about those 'rules' of the aforementioned upper class."

            Maria's eyes widened. "Do any of them have wives?"

            He nodded. "All of them.  And they'll adore you," he assured her, not expecting her to feel so self-conscious.  "All of my friends and their wives.  How can they not?  You're the answer to so many prayers, and they'll realize that as soon as they meet you."

            He laughed softly. "The women are just happy that I'm no longer the brooding, depressing bore they have to invite to outings for their husbands' sakes."

            Maria smiled. After a moment, she found herself staring at her wine glass. "Your friends don't think it's odd that you're marrying your children's governess?"

            He shook his head. "No, they don't.  Actually, they're annoyed that they haven't met you yet."

"Weren't any of them at the ball?"

"Most of them were," he answered. "But you kept hiding from us."

            Maria's mouth dropped a little. "It wasn't my place to interact with your guests, Georg."

            "Well, if you'd like, we can have a little party before the wedding, so you can get to know them better," he suggested.

            She rolled her eyes. "As long as someone else plans it!" she exclaimed, and they laughed louder, causing many of the patrons to cast glances in their direction.

            Maria glanced up and caught the elderly couple looking over at them again.  To her surprised relief, she saw that they were smiling at them.  The man lifted his glass at her and nodded.  Maria felt a weight lift from her shoulders, and her smile brightened as she nodded back.

            "Maybe you're right, Georg," she said, picking up her glass.

            "I wondered when you'd finally say that," he mused and they exchanged a playful grin.

            "Seriously," she said, "maybe I will fit in."

            "You can fit in anywhere, Maria," Georg said again with admiration.

            She shook her head. "I didn't fit in at the convent," she said.

            Georg laughed. "Your spirituality was a little more extroverted than what they were used to," he offered.

            She nodded. "I would love to meet your friends, Georg," she said. "I'd love to hear all of their stories of your youths together."

            He coughed in feigned apprehension. "Well, maybe it would be best if we wait until after the wedding."

***

            "To think," Maria started as she and Georg exited their private box and started to walk towards the main lobby, "that I have lived in Salzburg my entire life, have walked by this theater countless times, and have never set foot inside!"

            Georg chuckled as he shifted her shawl to cover her shoulders better.  She looked up at him, and he smiled at how her eyes sparkled in enthusiasm. "Well, it was my honor and pleasure to introduce you to it."

            "Have you been here often?" she asked. "Have you gone to many operas?"

            He nodded as they paused so Maria could observe the grandeur of the theater's lobby.  He looked around too, memories of his previous visits coming into his mind. "Agathe dragged me to one when we were first married, but I was surprised that I liked it. We used to go often."

            She nodded, pleased that her fiancé and she shared such a strong love of music.  "I loved this production," she said, smiling as she remembered various scenes.

            "Really?" Georg asked in feigned surprised and laughing. "I hadn't noticed."

            She joined in his laughter and looked back in the direction of the auditorium.  "It was so fantastic, Georg!" she exclaimed, feeling her smile broaden. "All of the-"

            "Hello, Georg!" a voice from behind them called out. They turned to see a couple of Georg's age approach them. "I thought that was you!"

            "Jakob, Marlene, it's nice to see you again," Georg said and shook the man's hand.

            "Jakob kept whispering in my ear, 'That's him, that's Georg'!" Marlene said and leaned over to kiss Georg's cheek.

            Georg stepped back and placed his hand on the small of Maria's back, gazing down at her. "Maria, this is Jakob Richter and his wife, Marlene.  Jakob and I were friends in school."

            "Hello," Maria said, noting the genuine smiles on their faces.

            "Please don't say when we were in school together, Georg," Jakob pleaded and laughed. "The poor girl was probably not even born yet!"

            He reached over and took Maria's hand in his, bringing it up to his lips. "It's so wonderful to finally meet the woman who has made Georg smile again."

            Maria's cheeks reddened.

            "Oh, now, Jakob, you've gone and embarrassed her," Marlene said before stepping closer to Maria and kissing her cheek.  "It's lovely to make your acquaintance, Maria."

            "Thank you," Maria said, unsure how to properly return the salutation. "It's nice to meet you too."

            "Did you enjoy the opera?" Jakob asked after a moment.

            Maria's smile widened again. "It was wonderful!" she said, her eyes bright. "I loved everything about it: the costumes, the sets, the music! It was beautiful! Everyone was so talented! And their voices! How they can hit those notes so strongly is amazing!"

            Marlene and Jakob smiled at her blatant enthusiasm.  Marlene looked over at Georg, whose face bore an expression she hadn't seen on him in years.

            "When Rosalinde showed Eisenstein the watch, I nearly fell out of my seat!" Maria continued. "How could they keep straight faces during all those scenes? I could not stop laughing; the whole show was just excellent!"

            "Was this the first opera you've been to?" Marlene asked.

            Maria nodded. "I can't wait to go to another one!"

Georg put his arm around her. "We'll have to see what's playing in Paris," he told her. "You're going to love the Paris opera house, Maria."

Her face lit up more. "I can't imagine anyone being more talented than those performers we just saw."

Georg narrowed his eyes at her.  "Maybe I'm a little biased, but I think you're a better soprano."

            Jakob raised his eyebrows. "You sing, Maria?"

            Her cheeks reddened. "I like to, but I could never do that," she said, gesturing her hand behind her to the auditorium.

            "You're too modest, my dear," the Captain said and she turned to stare into his eyes. "Your flair with the Mother puppet still leaves me in wonderment."

            She laughed. "Next time we put on a show, you're joining us, Captain."

            "I have no intention of being relegated to play the part of a sheep, thank you."

            "We'll just have to buy a more sophisticated puppet for you, then," she retorted.

            The pair laughed at the memory of the puppet show, lost in happiness that filled their lives.  They turned to Jakob and Marlene, who were smiling at them.

            "I'm so pleased you liked the opera," Marlene said.

            Maria nodded again. "I'd like to go to all the operas that come to Salzburg," she said, looking pointedly at Georg.

            He winked at her and took her hand in his, looking at his friends. "I had wanted to distract her from all the wedding plans that have been driving her crazy at the moment."

            "So you took her to an opera that has infidelity!?" Jakob exclaimed, and the group laughed aloud.

            "Well, The Magic Flute would have been too overwhelming," Georg explained.

            "You were very wise to take her to a comedy, Georg," Marlene said. "Jakob can attest to the fact that I wept for days after seeing La Traviata."

            "That wonderful music makes me forgive those over-dramatic plots," Jakob muttered, and Maria smiled.

            "So," Marlene said, smiling at the couple, "how are the wedding plans going?"

            The Captain looked at his fiancée. "Well, darling?"

            Maria rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I had completely forgotten them!" she exclaimed, and they all laughed. "It just seems like so much for just one day.  I'd be just as happy with a simple ceremony with only a few family and friends. It's turning into quite the social event!"

            "It's the biggest event of the season," Marlene said.  "Bigger than the ball Georg threw a few weeks ago."

            "I didn't want it to be like that," Maria admitted. "I want the focus to be on the marriage, but -"

            "It never is, my dear," Marlene said.  "I remember somewhere during planning my wedding, I had written a letter to Jakob detailing a plan to elope."

            Her husband frowned. "You did?" he asked, and the group started to laugh again. "Well, why didn't you send it? Think of all the money we could have saved!"

            A group of women exited the auditorium, and their conversation filled the nearly empty lobby.

            "I heard she left a few days after the ball, because of the governess," one woman said.  The two women to her left whispered to each other and their derisive sniggering echoed in the room.

            "A postulant!" another woman said. "I thought they were supposed to be virtuous!"

            The first woman laughed lowly. "I can hardly blame that little nun for being unable to resist the Captain's advances."

            Maria's eyes widened as she realized it was she they were conversing about.

            Another woman nodded her head. "Poor Elsa, to be cast aside because the Captain is too noble to let any child of his be born a bastard."

            Maria's mouth dropped open.  She stepped forward, hurt and anger flushing her cheeks, fully prepared to confront the women.  She felt a hand on her arm, and she whirled around to see the angry glare of Georg staring at the group of retreating women. 

Their eyes met, and she could see the precise reflection of her own emotions on Georg's face.  He shook his head and pursed his lips in an attempt to control his fury.  Maria turned to Jakob and Marlene, both of whom looked uncomfortable, to say the least.

            "So that's why everyone keeps staring at us?" she whispered, trying to steady her breathing.  "They think we. they think we're getting married."

            ".because we have to," Georg finished for her.  He, too, looked over at his friends. "I admit I've been a little preoccupied since Elsa's departure, but the extent of these preposterous tales amazes me.  What else are people saying?"

            Jakob looked over at Marlene, who tried to smile comfortingly.  "What else do they need to say, Georg?" she asked, shaking her head.

            "How can they think like that?!" Maria exclaimed, feeling her eyes sting.   Angrily, she blinked, determined to keep her emotions in check. "Why would they say."

            Georg took her hand in his and looked at her, furious that she was the subject of such cruel gossip.  "Welcome to the upper class, Maria," he said thinly.  He looked at his friends again, trying to think of something appropriate to say.

            After a moment, Marlene smiled. "Georg, darling," she started, "think about it. You have been seeing Elsa for months. You bring her to Salzburg with you. You throw a grand ball for her, introducing her to your circle of friends here.  Then, a few days later, she leaves, and you announce your engagement to your children's governess, who is a postulant. All without any explanation."

            Maria's eyes stung again as she looked up at Georg.

            "What are people to think?" Marlene asked, taking Maria's hands and squeezing them.  Their eyes met, and the older woman smiled in understanding as she studied Maria's troubled expression.

            "It's none of their damn business," Georg said, his tone low.

            "In this small city, everything is their business," Marlene offered.  She looked at Maria again. "I see their stories are unfounded."

            Georg looked down at Maria, his anger melting as he saw the pain in her eyes. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

            Maria leaned into his embrace and steadied her breathing, but she was still shocked at the viciousness she had been thrown into. "They don't even know me," she started, shaking her head. "And they think I'm some sort of."

            "I'm so sorry, my dear," Marlene said, her voice filled with compassion.

            Maria looked up at her fiancé. "You've never done anything to provoke such stories!  And yet their opinion of you is rather low, if they think you're the type of man who would." 

"Maria," Jakob said, offering a small smile. "Remember that they are just a bunch of silly old people. They have nothing better to do than to stir up crazy rumors and convince themselves that they're true."

"Well, this rumor is not true," Georg confirmed. "We love each other. Surely that must still exist as a reason to get married these days."

            "In some circles," Marlene said.  "I must admit I am relieved beyond words to know that those stories are false, and it warms my heart to see the two of you so happy together."

            She stepped forward to kiss Maria's cheek again. "I know it's hard, Maria, but pay them no mind.  These silly rumors will be cast aside as soon as they get to know you, and more importantly: when a better story comes their way," she said and Maria smiled at her kindness. "I am looking forward to really getting to know you better. I believe everyone is going to love you."

            "Even after they realize that I'm not some sort of jezebel?" Maria asked, and the two women laughed.

            "I suspect you're going to open their eyes to many things," Marlene said.  She looked up at her husband. "We should be going."

            The Captain nodded. "It was nice seeing you again," he said and shook Jakob's hand. "We shall see you at the wedding."

            "I wouldn't miss it!" Jakob laughed.

            Marlene hugged Maria. "If you need any help with those pesky wedding plans, please contact me," she offered. "I would love to help you."

            Maira's eyes brightened. "Thank you," she whispered.

            They watched the couple go and stood in silence.  After a moment, Georg looked down at Maria and smiled.

            "Do you still want to be part of the upper class, Maria?" he asked.

            She laughed. "Well, at least now I know what I'm up against," she said. Resentment flashed in her eyes. "They really think that you and I."

            "As I said before, it's none of their business," he said as they started to descend the grand staircase.

            Now that Maria knew what people thought of her, of them, she became acutely aware of all the stares cast in their direction, no matter how discreet they were.  Anger filled her again as she thought how shallow people were.

            As if sensing her thoughts, Georg reached down and patted her hand that was clasped in his. "You're better than they think you are," he whispered to her. "I know that, and you know that. That's all that matters."

            Maria shook her head, looking each person she passed by straight in the eye.  "It still isn't easy to be gossiped about."

            "No, but when you know the truth, you know the stories won't last for long," he said. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, he stopped and looked around at the dwindling crowd. Many of Salzburg's most elite and prosperous citizens were scattered about the opera house lobby, all looking considerably haughty and dull.

            He pulled Maria close to him. "On the other hand," he murmured into her ear. "We could have a field day with this."

            She whipped her head up to stare at him, confused. "Georg?"

            "How about I take you in my arms and kiss you until neither of us can breathe properly? Right here?" he suggested, keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead, careful not to attract too much attention. "That would really get the stories going."

            Maria coughed to cover her outburst of laughter. "As tempting as that sounds, Captain, I would rather not make a spectacle of myself," she said.  She looked up into his fake wounded face. "But I wouldn't mind being kissed with abandon elsewhere.  In a more private setting, perhaps?"

            Georg's eyes flashed. "Let's get out of here," he said, taking her hand again in his and guiding her out of the opera house.

To be concluded.

A/N: I looked all over the web for a specific opera house or theater in Salzburg. Aside from the Rock Riding School, which wasn't what I wanted for this, I couldn't find one. So, I'm making it up. Thanks for your kind reviews ~ imnotacommittee