I wrapped you inside my coat...

I didn't feel pain

Because no one can touch me

Now that I'm held in your spell

"Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong", Radiohead, My Iron Lung EP (1994)

Georg looked across at the seat beside him and smiled. It hadn't been until the fourth stop that he'd finally found what he was looking for. But it had been well worth the effort. It was perfect. He knew it was Maria's favourite.

He wanted to let her know that she didn't have to face today alone. She'd done so much for him and his family, they were all so grateful. It was just a simple gesture on behalf of his family. A small way his family could pay their respects to the mother of the extraordinary woman who had arrived at the villa as the most unlikely of governesses.

Georg knew very little of Maria's past, but one thing he'd learned over the weeks was that her favourite things seemed to stem from happy childhood memories. He just knew that there had to be happier times, despite her mother passing away when she was so young.

He knew gestures wouldn't ease Maria's pain today. Nothing would. He knew how he himself felt when it came to anniversaries and days held dear – the anniversary of Agathe's passing, her birthday, the day he proposed, their wedding anniversary, one of the children's birthdays, Christmas and the many more random dates that held recollections of precious moments. He would never have imagined a year could be potholed with so many memories that had to be carefully negotiated.

For Maria, it would be a day of reflection and reliving memories. Many memories would be joyful and wonderful, but no doubt there would be others filled with pain. Regardless, it was his small way of showing that he and his family were there for her. That she was in their thoughts. He hoped he could lift her spirits, even just a little.

He'd dropped Maria off in front of St Sebastian's over two hours ago. Despite his appointment, he'd offered to stay with her. To be there for her. He had to admit to himself that he was rather relieved when she'd smiled grimly at him on the footpath outside the church, thanked him, then told him that she needed to spend this time alone. He didn't press her. This was a special anniversary for her and he didn't want to intrude. Again, he'd been rather thankful. Churches and cemeteries were not places he chose to spend his time. Especially not now.

At the café, they'd sat in a comfortable silence after Maria had explained her reason for going to town. He'd held onto her hand, letting her know that she wasn't alone. That he was there if she needed to talk. He didn't push her for any more details. He would wait until she was willing to offer more. He could see that she was trying to hold her emotions in check, and it wouldn't be fair to take advantage of that. No matter how concerned or curious he was. He smiled, her walls were just as high and hard to penetrate as his!

Earlier, in the car to the church, he'd asked Maria how long ago her mother had passed. It had shocked him when she'd told him that her mother had passed away when she was barely six years old. Why didn't he know this? Why was he just finding this out now? Had he been that self-absorbed?

She'd hardly been older than Gretl. A similar age to Kurt when Agathe had passed away. He tried not to dwell on his own family. He needed to be there to support Maria, so he needed to shut out his own thoughts. Although he'd confronted many things in the past weeks, he could still close down his thoughts. But maybe not quite as effectively. He'd spent four years becoming skilled in the art of avoiding painful memories. His four years of numbness.

Checking his watch, he cursed out loud. He was running terribly late!

He found a carpark in the street just down from St Sebastian's. Reaching across to the passenger seat, he picked up what had caused his delay. As he got out of the car, he hesitated, but decided to leave his hat on the back seat. Although, it hadn't rained yet, the weather was closing in and he could feel the dampness in the air. He couldn't wear his hat in the church or outside in the cemetery, so it would be pointless taking it with him.

It was still just as cold, he thought, pulling up the collar of his coat against the biting wind as he made his way the short distance to the church. He hoped he would find Maria inside. He really didn't want to go searching for her in the cemetery amongst the graves. The last time he'd been to a cemetery, or a church for that matter, had been Agathe's funeral. Afterwards, as he'd withdrawn from everyone and everything, he'd always found excuses to never go back. Turning down invitations to friends' weddings, baptisms and funerals. That he could almost forgive himself for.

He'd also avoided the children's various milestones. The guilt. It could be overwhelming if he let it take hold.

Walking through the church foyer, he dipped his fingertips in the font of holy water and blessed himself with the sign of the cross. Old habits die hard. As he walked through the open doorway from the foyer flexing the fingers on his left hand, he looked around the pews, hoping to see Maria. There were a handful of people scattered amongst the front pews, mostly kneeling in prayer. He couldn't see her as he scanned the rows of seats. Feeling a little suffocated, he took a deep breath and made his way down the side aisle along the wall towards the side door.

Kneeling at the foot of her mother's grave, Maria's head was bowed. The air was still cold, but at least in the church yard she was sheltered from the bitterly cold wind. She pulled the blanket around her more tightly, thankful that the Captain had insisted she take it with her. She'd insisted that she didn't need it. He wouldn't hear any of her excuses. She smiled to herself. He'd won that argument, but only because she was afraid he wouldn't drive off unless she had it draped over her arm. She'd been quick to wrap it around her.

It had been months since Maria had been to her mother's grave. Even as a postulant, she wasn't supposed to leave the abbey, but sometimes she just had to sneak out. Although she loved the abbey, sometimes she found it stifling and just longed to be free, if only for an hour or two. In the beginning, she'd come St Sebastian's to spend time with her mother. But her visits would often be reported back to the abbey, resulting in all kinds of penance. So she'd find her way to the mountains instead. The other place she felt closest to her mother.

Maria had already explained to her mother how wonderful her weeks at the villa had been. How loving and accepting the children were, how she understood their loss. How much pain the Captain had suffered after his wife's passing. But now that he was beginning to heal, ever so slowly, he was a wonderful father to his forgiving children. The days at the villa had been among her happiest. She hoped her mother was pleased for her, even though she felt happier and more at home at the villa than she'd ever felt at the abbey.

Over the weeks, it had been her guilty secret. She tried not to think about the day she would have to return to the abbey. She couldn't face the thought of saying goodbye to the family. They had come to fill such a large part of her heart. She could feel the tears starting to well. How was she ever going to face that day?

Steeling himself, Georg stepped outside into the church yard. Graves and their headstones clung to either side of the path, two deep in some places. He found them thoroughly depressing. In the past, he'd never paid it much thought. Not until he finally walked away from Agathe on the day of her funeral.

He'd loved her desperately with his entire body and soul. Leaving her behind in a strange place, cold and alone, had been too much. Turning his back on her, the hardest thing he'd ever done. No comfort came from the well-meaning words and gestures of support. He'd spent months trying to drown the guilt, the sorrow, the overwhelming emptiness. Numbing himself in the hope he could escape the feelings of helplessness. It hadn't worked. Neither had the bitterness and anger he'd used so effectively to deflect everyone and everything.

Feeling the sadness starting to grip him, he swallowed hard and tried to focus on the task at hand. Easier said than done surrounded by the grey headstones in this miserable weather. She's not buried here, he reminded himself.

As he continued along the path, he felt the first hint of mist on his face. He quickened his pace, wanting to find Maria so they could both take shelter inside the church.

Making his way down to the end of the path, he followed it around the back of the church. The path continued, but the headstones petered out and were replaced by small crosses with no inscription. The mist was now a drizzle that was steadily becoming heavier. He could see Maria ahead, kneeling in front of one of the graves marked with only a cross, her head bowed. As he came up behind her, he thought he could hear her praying quietly.

"Fraulein, forgive me, I don't mean to interrupt," Georg said quietly, crouching beside her as he placed his free hand gently on her shoulder.

"Oh, Captain! I didn't hear you!" Maria jumped as she turned to look at him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." He wasn't used to seeing such sadness in her eyes. But there was something else.

"I was so lost in my own thoughts," she blushed, looking away. "I feel so close to my mother here. It's silly really. I was telling her what a wonderful time I'd been having at the villa." How long had he been there? What had he heard, she wondered?

"There's nothing silly about that Fraulein. We all have places where we feel closer to our loved ones." Georg's mind drifted to the gazebo back at the villa. The endless, useless hours he'd spent there in the darkness aching for just one more minute with Agathe. One more touch.

She smiled sadly at him, nodding.

"Fraulein, I don't want to intrude, but would it be alright to place these on your mother's grave?" Georg brought the bunch of edelweiss that had been hidden by his side around to show Maria. "The children and I are so grateful for all you've done and, well, it's just a small token of our thanks to the wonderful woman your mother must have been."

"Oh Captain, how beautiful!" Maria smiled, despite the tears in her eyes. "What a lovely gesture." She was sure it was one of the kindest things anyone had ever done for her. "Edelweiss was my mother's favourite." Lifting her eyes from the bunch of flowers and meeting his, she added quietly "How did you know?"

"Ah! Remember, I notice everything." His mind drifted to the evenings Maria would sit on the settee with an open book on her lap while the children would amuse themselves around her. It didn't matter if she was talking to one of the smaller children, or watching them all with that amused smile of hers, or reading a few paragraphs before the next interruption. More often than not, she would absentmindedly twirl a sprig of pressed edelweiss that she kept between the pages of her book. "I've seen your bookmarks!" he leaned in whispering conspiratorially. Truth be told, he'd spent too much time watching her. And the children, of course.

"Captain, I'm certain my mother would be honoured and humbled," Maria said, her voice catching.

He took a deep breath as he looked at the beautiful flowers. Edelweiss, the flower of devotion. They weren't just Maria's favourite. Agathe had also loved edelweiss. He would always try to bring some home for her when he was in the navy. A symbol of his devotion. Not that it could even begin to explain how much he worshipped that beautiful woman. Letting out a sigh, he realised he couldn't face those memories. Not now. Now was about Maria and her mother.

Georg stood up and took a small step forward, leant down and placed the flowers at the foot of the grave. He clasped his hands in front of him and bowed his head as he silently thanked the woman he didn't know, but who he knew had done so much in only a few years to shape the remarkable woman beside him. The woman to whom he owed so much.

As he looked at the simple cross, his breath caught as he noticed the small bunch of pressed edelweiss tied with a blue ribbon lovingly placed against it. All those evenings he'd been watching Maria twirl those sprigs of edelweiss, he hadn't imagined that this was their intended destination. It was such a simple gesture. But laden with such sadness. He was overcome with the need to just hold her. To let her know that he understood how unfair the world could be.

The cross bore no name, no markings. The unmarked grave of a pauper. How inappropriate, he thought. Someone held so dearly, someone whose presence had left an impression on those who never even knew her. It seemed so wrong that she'd left this world without any lasting evidence that she'd even been here. He knew this was the final resting place of a good woman, and yet much less worthy people were laid to rest in ornate mausoleums and with headstones engraved with meaningless, grand words. It seemed so unfair.

Blessing himself with the sign of the cross, he turned and looked down at Maria still kneeling beside him.

"Thank you," she whispered, as the drizzle was finally giving way to the heavier drops of rain that had been threatening to fall.

"Fraulein, do you need any more time?" he asked as he crouched down to her level. "Forgive me, but we really need to get out of this rain."

"Do you mind if we go back inside? I'd like to light another candle."

"Of course," rising, Georg forced a smile as he held out his hand to help her up.

Maria brushed off the bottom of the blanket she'd been kneeling on. "I'm sorry, Captain, it's got a little muddy," she looked up at him. Distracted, he barely heard her, his eyes following the trail of a raindrop slowly making its way down her cheek. For a second, he was back on the landing listening to her hurl accusations at him, as she stood there dripping wet. It wasn't until the drop disappeared over the edge of her jawline that he could finally concentrate on what she'd said.

"Let's not worry about that now, let's get inside out of this rain," he said, clearing his throat. He gently took hold of her elbow and guided her back down the winding path to the side door of the church, as the rain started coming down heavily.

Once inside the side entrance's small foyer, Maria unwrapped the blanket from around her shoulders. "I don't think this is going to be much use until it's dried out," she smiled turning to the Captain, but she couldn't stop her eyes flying up to his hair.

"Oh my!" she covered her mouth with her hand as she started giggling. Usually tamed and immaculately swept back, the Captain's wet hair seemed to have a mind of its own, as it fell down his forehead in thick curly locks.

"Fraulein, it's hardly appropriate to stand there laughing at me," Georg replied haughtily. A few stray drops running down the back of his neck making him feel even less dignified. Although, he pretended to be offended by her reaction, he had to admit to himself that it was nice to hear Maria laugh for the first time that day. Even if it was at his expense.

"May I borrow your blanket?" he asked with an indignant air.

"Captain, I believe it's your blanket not mine!" she replied as she handed it to him, still smiling.

"Thank you." He took the blanket and ruffled it through his hair to try and dry it off a little. Handing the blanket back to Maria, he ran his hands through his hair, trying to restore some order.

Maria followed his lead and rubbed her hair with the blanket and tried to settle it down. "Shall we? I'll let you lead the way." Georg stood aside with the sweep of his arm.

Maria nodded and led him into the main part of the church. They turned sharply and walked down the side aisle between the pews and the outer wall, to a small alcove. The alcove was brightly lit with many small candles arranged on a stand in neat, cascading rows. The candles were all different heights, but all burned brightly as they dripped onto the mound of hardening wax beneath them. Each candle carrying a different message. Be it a symbol of gratitude, a promise of devotion, sadness for what had passed or hope for better times to come.

Maria draped the blanket over a nearby pew and picked up a new candle from the tray, lighting it from one that was burning brightly, she found an empty space and placed it amongst the other candles. Bowing her head she said a final prayer for her mother.

Lighting another candle, she bowed her head in silent thanks to God for sending her to the villa, for her good fortune at being governess to seven wonderful children and for the Captain, who had shown her such kindness. Especially today, of all days. She asked for the strength to tell the Captain what she knew she shouldn't keep from him. Not now.

Georg followed Maria's lead and lit his own candle. For the first time in a long time, he thanked God. He closed his eyes as he silently gave thanks for Agathe. For the blissfully happy years they'd spent together and for the beautiful children they'd been blessed with. He made a solemn promise to spend every day making up for the pain he'd caused them.

He thanked God for the remarkable woman standing beside him. The woman who had transformed his desolate house back into the home it had once been. For taking his broken family and somehow helping them mend. He didn't know how, but she'd put his family back together. He hoped Agathe was proud of him now. Finally.

He could feel his chest tightening as his eyes filled with the emotions that were starting to build and threatening to take hold. He felt a reassuring hand squeeze his arm. He reached out placing his hand over Maria's. Taking in a deep breath and confident he had regained control, he turned to Maria who was looking up at him.

"Are you alright, Captain?" she asked gently. She could only imagine how hard this was for him. She knew it would have taken a great effort for him just to step inside the church, let alone the cemetery. He never accompanied her and the children to Sunday Mass, so it meant much more to have him standing beside her now.

"I am now, Fraulein," he whispered. "Thank you." For everything, he thought to himself.

"I think it's time we went home, don't you?" he asked, clearing his throat.

Maria nodded and smiled. She like the sound of that. Home! After so long, it was so nice to feel like she had one. Finally. To hear the Captain acknowledge that it was her home as well was nice. She could have sworn her heart skipped a beat! But she quickly reminded herself that she would have to leave one day. Perhaps sooner than planned, she thought grimly.

Picking up the blanket from the nearby pew, Georg guided Maria down the side aisle of the church and to the main foyer at the front entrance. They both stopped at the font, blessing themselves with holy water as they made their exit.

From the foyer, they both hesitated as they realised it was now teeming with rain. Out on the street, without the shelter of the church yard, the wind was blowing the rain in heavy sheets.

"Fraulein, you need you to put on this on," Georg was already unbuttoning the front of his coat.

"What?!" Maria turned to him wide eyed. "I can't wear your coat."

"Of course you can," he had peeled it off already and was holding it up by the shoulders, waiting to help her slide into it.

"Captain, have you gone mad! It's much too big."

"Fraulein, please don't stand there arguing. You can see it's pouring rain. I don't want you getting wet. You almost froze to death once already today," he gave the coat a jiggle as he held it up. "Come on, we don't have all day."

Reluctantly, Maria held out her arms in turn as he helped her slip into the coat. As she turned to face him, Georg took hold of the lapels, gently readjusted the coat so it hung evenly and buttoned it up. Maria looked down at her hands. The sleeves hid all but the ends of her fingers and the coat hung down below her mid-calf. Looking back up at him, she smiled, "This looks ridiculous!"

"Fraulein, I really don't care." He held up his hand to stop any protests. "I'm beyond worrying whether you look good in my coat or not. We're simply being practical and saving you from catching pneumonia." Although, giving her one last look up and down, he had to admit that she did look rather appealing wrapped up in his coat.

"Now, I think we're ready to go home," he said clearing his throat and giving Maria an awkward nod as he wondered where that stray thought had surfaced from.

They quickened their pace and were soon at the car. Georg opened the door and ushered Maria inside. Rushing around, he was soon in the driver's seat.

Before throwing the blanket on the back seat, he gave his hair a quick rub and offered it to Maria for her to do the same. Maria looked up at his hair and smiled.

"Don't say a word, and whatever you do, Fraulein, don't laugh!" he smiled at her as he ran his hands through his hair, desperately trying to tame his wet curls.

"Oh, Captain, I wouldn't dream of it!" she giggled.

Maria pulled the collar of the Captain's coat tightly around her. It was without a doubt the most luxurious wool she'd ever felt between her fingers. She felt so safe and warm wrapped up in it. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply. The dampness had released the wool's natural lanolin smell, but there was another smell that she was drawn to. Oh, she let out a little gasp as she realised it was the Captain's muskiness.

Thankfully, the Captain didn't notice, and it wasn't long before he had them back on the main road and close to the edge of town. Feeling her eyes growing heavier, Maria tried to stifle a yawn, causing the Captain to glance over at her and smile.

"Remember when we get home Fraulein, it's still your day off," he knew that she would get swept up with the children once they returned to the villa. "When we get home, promise me you'll take a hot bath, we don't need you catching a chill, or something worse after today. I'll ask Frau Schmidt to arrange for Cook to prepare a lunch tray for you and have it taken to your room."

"Oh, Captain, that won't be necessary," Maria protested.

"It will be necessary, Fraulein. I can't have you missing meals, and it's still almost three hours until dinner. You can rest until then," he turned to her, adding with a mischievous grin, "I'll distract the children until dinner."

"Captain, I don't want to put anyone out, especially you. I've already taken up too much of your time today."

"Fraulein, don't argue with me," he said with an air of authority, even though he knew that with Maria around, he was never really in charge. He was no more in control than one of the children. "I've let you run things and be in charge since you arrived, but now I'm pulling rank. I'm assuming command for the rest of the day and you're officially on leave until tomorrow morning. Relieved of all duties. Is that clear?" he asked turning towards her.

"Aye, aye, Sir!" Maria saluted him with that smile that was a wonderful mix of innocence and sass, just as she had on her first day at the villa.

Georg rumbled with hearty laughter as he looked at the road ahead. God, she was so damn refreshing.

Finally recovering himself, Georg turned to her. "Fraulein, you've had an exhausting day and I'm sure you didn't get much sleep last night," he said gently. "Close your eyes and rest."

"You don't mind, Captain?" she asked.

"I wouldn't mind at all," he said.

"Well, I might just close my eyes for a minute."

He glanced over as she leaned back against the door and brought her knees up to rest on the seat between them. She'd looked tired all day. Now, she looked exhausted and he knew that once she closed her eyes, sleep would come quickly. No matter how much she fought it.

In no time, Maria was breathing heavily beside him. He glanced over at her and smiled. Just like the past weeks, today this remarkable woman had forced him to confront memories and fears that he couldn't even have imagined facing several weeks ago. He wasn't sure how she did it. It was a mystery. Before he knew what was happening, she was challenging him with that smile and those blue eyes of hers.

Although, today had been different. There had been a sadness behind her smile and something in her eyes he couldn't quite pinpoint. It wasn't quite guilt. Shame, perhaps? He couldn't imagine Maria ever doing anything to cause her to feel either. It made no sense. He must be mistaken. But, as he discovered today, he knew very little of her past. But that could wait for another day.

Today had been a rollercoaster. Between dealing with his own demons and memories, he had needed to stay strong for Maria. It had been difficult. But he was just happy that he'd been there for her.

By the time the villa came into sight, the rain had finally stopped falling. Georg slowed the car and turned through the gateway. Bringing the car to a stop in the driveway at the front of the villa, he turned off the ignition. As he looked across to Maria, he felt his breath catch. She was in a deep, sound sleep. If Maria's blue eyes were bewitching, watching her as she slept soundly, was truly breathtaking. Her long lashes rested gently on the top of her cheeks, her lips were parted ever so slightly, with just the hint of a smile, as she breathed heavily.

He wondered what she was dreaming about, she looked so at peace. He knew he should look away, but she seemed almost angelic. Georg couldn't help noticing the stray lock falling across her forehead. He flexed his fingers as he resisted the temptation. Reluctantly, he knew he had to wake her.

"Maria," he whispered quietly.

She stirred slightly. "Maria," he whispered a little louder this time, not wanting to startle her. This time she stirred and let out a little moan in protest. Oh God, he thought to himself.

"Maria," he whispered again, this time ghosting the back of his hand gently down her cheek, barely touching her.

It seemed to work, as she shook her head groggily and fought to open her heavy eyes.

"Oh, Captain! I only meant to close my eyes for a minute. I must have fallen asleep…" Running a hand through her still damp hair, Maria uncurled her legs and straightened up against the seat.

Georg was smiling as he watched Maria stretch and rub her eyes.

"What's wrong?" she asked turning to him.

"Nothing. Come on, let's see how the children survived almost an entire day without their Fraulein!"

"I'm sure they didn't even miss me."

"I think you're in for a shock!" Georg let himself out of the car and walked around to the passenger side to open the door. He held out his hand and helped Maria from the car. Closing the door behind her, he retrieved the wet blanket from the back seat.

As they took a few steps towards the villa, Maria stopped and turned towards the Captain. "Thank you."

"Whatever for?" her blue eyes holding onto his.

"I've always faced this day on my own. I thought I always would. But today was different. It was nice to have someone there. Thank you." Maria's eyes flickered over his shoulder into the distance, unable to endure the intensity of his look any longer. She'd meant every word.

"Fraulein, you don't have to thank me. I faced a few things today that I wouldn't have dared confront on my own. So, really, I must thank you." He gave a little bow of his head. Tilting it to the side, and with a smile he motioned towards the villa, "Now, let's see if the children missed you."

Maria nodded, returning his smile.

At the front door, Georg reached for the door handle. Before opening it, he turned to Maria "I think you'll find I'm right…" he said with a broad smile.

Opening the door, he stood aside to let Maria past. The door was hardly shut behind them and they were barely off the landing and down the stairs before they heard and saw the children stampeding from the ballroom across the foyer. The children all seemed to be yelling and cheering at once as they milled around Maria. She tried desperately to make sense of what they were all telling her as they all explained how they'd spent their day while she'd been away.

Georg stood to the side watching her eyes light up as she drew on the children's enthusiasm. His heart leapt as he watched her take time to hug each one, making them feel special.

"Oh, children! I've missed you all so much!" she said as they milled around her. She looked over their heads to the Captain, who gave her a self-satisfied I-told-you-so look.

Georg ruffled Kurt's hair, and bent to kiss Marta on the head. "What have you children been amusing yourselves with this afternoon? One at a time please!"

"Father, we've been practising our singing in the ballroom with Uncle Max!" Marta explained.

Georg looked over the children towards the ball room, where Max was leaning casually against the doorway. Catching Georg's eye, he raised his brow with a questioning look.

Georg quickly looked back at the children, not wanting to endure his friend's scrutiny.

"The Baroness had a migraine, so she's been in her room all day," Louisa added with a nod and an unmistakable tone.

Oh God, Georg realised that since breakfast he hadn't thought about Elsa at all today. He'd promised that he would get home from his appointment and join her and the children for lunch. Somehow, once Maria had told him it was the anniversary of her mother's passing, he'd completely forgotten about everything else. Including Elsa.

"Oh, that's no good. Let's hope she's feeling better," he responded rather lamely.

"Fraulein Maria, why are you wearing Father's coat?" Brigitta asked. Both Maria and Georg turned to Brigitta, who was looking between them with the most curious look.

"Well, Fraulein Maria didn't have a coat with her and it's so cold and wet outside, I didn't think you'd want her catching a cold," Georg replied, not wanting to explain to them how they'd spent the day. "Children, how about you go and practice some more for Uncle Max?" he added, glancing quickly at his friend, who was now wearing a look of amusement. "I'll be down after I've changed into some dry clothes."

Maria and Georg stood watching the children as they made their way towards the ballroom, chatting and giggling amongst themselves. Max finally followed the children into the ballroom.

"Captain, do you want…"

"Fraulein, remember you're…"

They both laughed as they turned and started talking at the same time.

"You first Fraulein," Georg smiled.

"Captain, I was going to ask, do you want your coat back?"

"Let me help you," Georg took a step towards Maria and helped her out of the heavy, black coat. "Now, I was going to remind you that you're off duty and I don't expect to see you until dinner. In the meantime, promise me you'll have a hot bath and get some rest."

"I will Captain, it's been an exhausting day," she said, as she turned towards the stairs and started making her way towards her room.

Georg followed closely behind Maria carrying his coat and the wet blanket, until she stopped so suddenly on the landing that he almost ran into her.

"Captain, I know I've promised to take the rest of the day off, but can we have our usual catch up tonight?" Maria asked quietly as she turned to him.

"Of course, Fraulein," Georg replied.

"Thank you," she said with a slight catch in her voice. "For today especially," she added quietly

"You're welcome, Fraulein, but there's no need to thank me. It was my pleasure," he gave her a nod and was rewarded with a smile in return.

She turned away, his eyes following her as she turned left and continued up the stairs towards her room, finally disappearing from sight. He hadn't moved. He'd barely drawn breath.

From the moment he'd found her in the ballroom on her first day at the villa, he'd been intrigued.

Today, he realised, he was no closer. Perhaps, he was even further away.

How to unlock the mystery of Maria, he wondered.

Thank you all again for such lovely, thoughtful reviews!

I didn't intend this chapter to be so long, it somehow got away from me! Sorry, it should have come with a warning...

At the start of the chapter, I've included my inspiration for this story - "Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong", one of my all-time favourites from Radiohead. It's such a beautiful song, with an opening line that is so uncomplicated, but means so much. Physically, such a simple, yet intimate act. It's the symbolism though that I really adore – of being protected, secure, sheltered, comforted and enveloped in kindness, affection and love.

"Immerse your souls in love"