Chapter Three: Tall, Dark, Strong and Handsome Brute

After her horrible first encounter with the Captain, and then the disastrous dinner incident, Maria had believed that it couldn't really get any worse.

She'd been wrong.

At first things had been going well – more than well! There had been a storm raging outside and while Maria was praying the eldest von Trapp had snuck through her window. While most of Maria's knowledge came from books she knew enough from real life to know that Liesl certainly had not been wandering around the grounds of the villa on her own. And while the girl hadn't told her whom she had been with, Maria had a distinct feeling that they were a 'he'. She'd been intent on discussing it with the girl until the youngest, Gretl, had come flying into the room and straight into Maria's arms. Then it hadn't been too long until all the von Trapp children were sitting on her bed listening as she sung her song about her favourite things – a song that she sung to herself when she felt sad or scared.

So, yes, things had been going very well. That is until the Captain had found them all and the children had been sent scurrying back to their rooms. He'd refused to let Maria make the children play clothes and had had no sympathy whatsoever for his children who were clearly frightened of the storm. It had astounded Maria that the children had come to her. But after seeing the lack of feeling the Captain displayed towards his own children, Maria didn't blame them. It broke her heart that these children, while not technically orphans, may as well be. The man was clearly a beast with no feelings whatsoever and it had made Maria irrationally angry.

But then things had progressed since then, on her second day Maria had helped the children ready for the day before heading into the schoolroom. While the frog in her desk draw had been a surprise, it had certainly surprised the children more when she picked it up and sat it on the desk and began to ask them what they knew about the happy little amphibian. Louisa, who had been the one to capture it, had been delighted to share what she knew about their little green friend. Maria's first night at the von Trapp villa had been a truce of sorts and over the next few days there had been the occasional trick or two - though nothing serious. Brigitta, having discovered Maria's small collection of books, had been delighted when Maria had let her borrow them. Over the first few days she'd made progress getting to know each of the von Trapp children and them in turn had got to know her.

This morning Maria had been surprised to realise she'd been at the von Trapp villa a week already! The time had simply flown by and today was her first day off. She planned on visiting Nonnberg Abbey, just as Sister Margaretta had asked her too, and also couldn't wait to tell Herr Schreiber about her latest adventure and how well it was all going. However, while things had been going well, Maria had caught the children whispering in small groups every so often. Mostly it was the older children and she had realised that it was their mother that they were whispering in hushed tones about. She hadn't wanted to press for details as she'd only recently having gained their trust and she certainly didn't want to abuse it, but she had caught enough to know any possessions belonging to the late Baroness von Trapp were locked away in the west wing of the house.

Frau Schmidt had informed her on her second day that the west wing, the Captain's study and his personal rooms were forbidden. After having a quick look around the villa, Maria had encountered several locked doors – one that she noted was the ballroom she'd originally had a peek in. She guessed that the Captain had locked any other rooms that she had no permission disturbing. After reading far too many stories Maria's mind was in overdrive about the possibilities behind all the locked doors and she was still determined that there must be a room full of treasure – even if she'd been corrected many times by Friedrich that his father had been the captain of a naval submarine, not some pirate warship.

Maria was brought back out of her thoughts when the housekeeper bustled into her room, her arms full of clean towels.

"How is everything going, Fraulein Maria?" asked Frau Schmidt.

"Wonderful, thank you, Frau Schmidt," Maria replied as she smoothed down her dress.

The older woman beamed at Maria. "Are you liking your room?"

"Yes," Maria replied, looking around the room. "It's lovely."

Maria had never had such luxuries in her life before. The fact that someone else cleaned her clothes, made her bed, changed her sheets and cooked her food was still utterly strange – in the most wonderful way. And her bed was definitely the softest thing she'd ever slept on ever – she was sure not even the princess who slept on a pea could find fault with it.

"I'm glad," said the housekeeper as she placed the towels on the bed. "There will be new drapes put in tomorrow, however."

"Why?" Maria asked, her brow furrowing as she eyed the green and cream drapes. "These ones are fine."

"The Captain sent a telegram saying he wishes new ones," said Frau Schmidt with a shrug. "Probably wants the house looking its best for the Baroness."

Maria nodded, though she wondered why her drapes mattered. It wasn't like the Baroness would be coming into her room. The mention of the telegram did prompt an idea – Maria still wanted to get the children some play clothes. It was turning out quite difficult to play any sorts of games outside in the clothes the children had. It was either their silly sailor suits or their fine evening clothes.

"Do you think if I sent him a telegram telling him how well the children are going he might be more inclined to get me some more material?" Maria asked. "For play clothes?"

Frau Schmidt clasped her hands together and gave Maria a long look. The girl had been an absolute blessing – truly a gift from God. And while she'd only been here a week, Mathilde Schmidt now felt like she couldn't survive without her. The children actually attended their lessons, and she had heard the unmistakable sound of laughter and singing coming from the schoolroom on more than one occasion. She knew the Captain would be furious but he wasn't here and the fact that a governess had lasted more than twenty-four hours (let alone a week) was nothing short of a miracle. But she highly doubted that the master of the house would be pleased his children hadn't been following his strict schedule.

"I don't know, dear," Frau Schmidt said eventually. "I think that might be asking too much."

Maria's shoulders slumped and she bid the housekeeper goodbye as she left the room. Her eyes fell once more onto the curtains and she stared at them. She walked over to them and touched the thick material as an idea slowly formed in her head.

Max leant casually against the balustrade while he sipped on his champagne. The party was in full swing and there was the constant sound of laughter mixed in through the strings of some upbeat waltz. He sauntered away from the terrace and back into the lavish ballroom. He could see his friend, Captain Georg von Trapp, walking over to a group of other men all decorated in their old medals and he watched as his friend straightened the bowtie around his neck before joining the men in conversation.

There was the rustling of fabric and a strong scent that alerted him to Elsa's presence before she spoke.

"There you are, Max, darling," she said, linking her arm through his.

Max turned to her. "I've been here the whole time, Elsa." He gave her a pointed look. "It's you that's been disappearing."

She smiled coyly. "Hmm, indeed." Turning to look at Georg, she continued, "Look at him, Max. My future husband." She sighed. "Georg is the most handsome man in all of Austria." She gave him a little prod on the arm. "That makes him the best."

Max raised an eyebrow. "Really, Elsa?"

He cared for Elsa, but sometimes he forgot how superficial she could be. He shook his head.

"Don't I deserve the best, darling?" Elsa asked in a hurt voice.

"Of course," Max replied. "But he's got seven children. And you're so…" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Independent."

Elsa smiled and gave an elegant shrug. "I know." She patted her hair aimlessly as she stared hungrily at Georg. "But he's such a tall, dark, strong and handsome brute."

Max took a sip of his champagne. "If you like that sort of thing, sure. But what about all those other men fawning all over you? And they don't have a brood of seven at home."

Elsa frowned at him and asked, "I thought you wanted us to marry?"

"Well, yes, you and Georg are like family. And I do want to see all that lovely money kept in the family."

"Then what's the problem?"

Max gave a shrug. He liked Elsa, and he liked Georg, and he loved money – so, naturally the two of them marrying suited him just fine. But it seemed like a lot of effort on Elsa's part. But then again, at least it wasn't him that was putting in the effort, Max thought. Still, he couldn't quite picture Elsa looking after a child, let alone seven – as highly amusing as that thought was.

"Seven children, Elsa," Max repeated. "Though, I won't deny it gives me a fiendish delight thinking of you as the mother of seven."

Elsa smiled widely. "Oh, Max, haven't you heard of a delightful thing called boarding school?"

Max let out a derisive bark of laughter. "Georg would never send his children to boarding school."

"I disagree, darling," Elsa said, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips.

Intrigued, Max attempted to wheedle some more information from his blonde friend, but she kept her painted lips firmly shut. She gave him another radiant smile and departed, making her way over towards Georg.

"Darling," Elsa purred as she approached Georg, placing a gentle hand on his arm.

He gave her a smile, politely introduced her to the other men and she played the dutiful hostess as he conversed, all the while keeping her arm wrapped around his. He'd been somewhat… distant when he'd arrived back in Vienna a week ago, and Max had filled her in on the disastrous twelfth governess that he'd hired. Elsa had been insisting for months now that he just send his horrible children to boarding school and be done with it – not that she'd put it like that. She'd used words such a 'discipline' and 'order', the kind of the thing she knew would appeal to the handsome Captain. It had taken her months to get Max to introduce her to his widowed friend and she'd played her part well. But it'd been nearly a year since they'd officially been courting and nearly two years since they'd been introduced.

Elsa was getting tired of bringing up marriage, Georg always seemed to have a reason not to and all the reasons seemed to revolve around his uncontrollable brood. Of course, Max was right in saying she could have any man. She could have a Duke or a Count, but she didn't want them. She wanted Georg von Trapp. While his children would put off many other women, Elsa had considered it a challenge. Especially to see how much she could get this man to want her. If he would be willing to send his children away to boarding school, she would know she had won. And she was feeling pretty victorious at the moment.

When he'd returned frustrated from hiring the latest governess, she had soothed him and once more brought up the topic of boarding school and he had somewhat agreed. Elsa had been ecstatic, and not just because of that but because he was finally taking her back with him. She'd wanted to go and visit his home but he'd always insisted it wasn't right until he had the children settled. While she didn't know what had made him change his mind, she didn't care. Their relationship was finally progressing.

Elsa knew his heart had been broken by the loss of his wife. She certainly didn't love him, though she was very fond of him. She didn't particularly want his love either; she just wanted Georg to need her desperately. Though, the fact that he didn't fawn all over her was certainly part of his appeal. Elsa Schraeder just wanted Georg von Trapp for herself and she was accustomed to getting what she wanted.

There was the clear ring of a bell announcing dinner was being served and Elsa returned from her musings and let Georg lead her out of the ballroom and into the dining room.

It was a week later when Georg found himself in his car and heading back to Aigen. Elsa sat next to him, chatting happily away to his old friend, Max Detweiler, who was lounging in the back. The wind whipped through Georg's hair as they sped through the roads of Vienna and out of town.

He felt like the past two weeks had just flown by, just like the countryside was doing now. It was as if he'd just gotten out of this very car and was now back in it once more. And he was dreading the state of his household. While he should have been in good spirits, as he had heard no bad news from Frau Schmidt, it made him feel nothing but unsettled. It was highly unnatural not to hear from the housekeeper at least once a day about some mishap with the children. And the fact that he hadn't heard about any incidents from her was disconcerting. He'd telegrammed to order new drapes for all the rooms and for two guest rooms to be ready for when he arrived and the housekeeper had replied saying everything was in order and both the children and household were doing well.

Something so wonderful could not possibly be true. There was no way that… that… nun had managed to maintain order in his household. She couldn't even be trusted to arrive for dinner on time.

There was the sound of Elsa laughing to some salacious joke Max had told and Georg immediately tried to take his thoughts off the impending doom he knew he surely must be driving towards.

A/N Thanks to everyone who reviewed - especially guests :) Please do R&R, it is greatly appreciated.