Georg watched Elsa leave before he went back into the villa. He tugged at his collar, realizing he was still in his formal dress. Walking to his suite of rooms, he removed the Maria-Theresien cross from around his neck, placing it carefully into the case, along with the medals that had been pinned the breast of his coat. His tie and tailcoat were next, then the formal white starched shirt. He quickly grabbed a fresh shirt from the closet, buttoning it and tucking it into the black wool dress trousers he still wore. In his haste to get downstairs to Maria, he left the room without cufflinks, so rolled the sleeves several times.
Maria. He could hardly believe that he no longer had to brush aside or ignore the thoughts and feelings that she had stirred in him these past few weeks. Bounding down the stairs like a schoolboy, he had to make himself slow down and walk to the study. The door was open, and he could see Maria and Max sitting in the plush, upholstered armchairs in front of his large mahogany desk. He was relieved to see Maria smiling, probably at one of Max's awful jokes.
When he entered the room, Maria looked up immediately, a look of relief mixed with happiness washing over her face. Max turned, and seeing Georg, stood and walked over to his friend.
"I hope you don't mind, but she told me everything that happened this evening." He held up his hands, a signal to Georg not to speak. "I know what you're thinking, but I didn't ask. She seemed to need to get things sorted out, and I was a convenient sounding board."
"Thank you, Max. Elsa is packing to return to Vienna. Would you...?" Georg didn't quite know what to ask of his friend, but Max picked up the slack.
"I'll go to her, see what she needs regarding travel arrangements." Max looked over at Maria, then back at Georg. "You're a lucky man, my friend. She is a delightful young woman, even after everything that went on this evening. I'll leave you two alone, since you don't officially need a chaperone. Yet." With a wink and a handshake, Max was gone.
Georg walked to the chair Maria was in, and as he approached her, he held open his arms. She entered his embrace and they stood as one. No words were spoken, and none were necessary. They stayed that way for several minutes, basking in the warmth and comfort they offered one another. Finally, Georg spoke.
"Oh, my love. I am so sorry for everything that happened this evening. This is not the way I'd have wanted us to find each other."
"I know you are, but truly you have nothing to apologize for. We're together now, that's what matters." She looked up at him, her blue eyes captivating him, drawing him closer until finally their lips met. The kiss was gentle at first, Georg careful to allow Maria to lead wherever it would take them. He could feel her pulling him closer, her mouth seeking. He parted his lips ever so slightly, and tentatively licked her bottom lip. Immediately she responded in kind, her own passion finding an outlet for the very first time.
He moved his hands to touch her hair, her face. Maria's sharp intake of breath as she pulled away took him by surprise, until he realized he'd unwittingly touched her bruised cheek.
"Darling, I'm so sorry. Does it still hurt?" His concerned looked tugged at her heart.
"It's just a bit sensitive, I'm sure I'll be fine. Please don't worry," Maria told him as she brought her own hand to his face, gently running her fingers down his cheek and jaw. Georg took her hand in his, and brought it to his lips, kissing each of her fingers, then turning her hand over and kissing her palm, her wrist, the inside of her elbow. The sensation of his lips on her bare skin sent sparks throughout her entire body, and he felt her shiver.
"Would you care for a walk outside? It is such a lovely night, and we both could use some fresh air."
Maria smiled. "I'd love to." Arm in arm, they walked through the french doors out onto the terrace. Maria was quiet for a moment, then asked the question that was hanging over them. "Did you work everything out?"
Georg pulled her closer. "Yes, I did. It wasn't exactly pleasant, but it is over with. Max will see that she gets back to Vienna."
Quietly, they walked to the landing and paused at the gate to look out at the water. Georg stood behind Maria, wrapping his arms around her waist, nestling his cheek in the curve of her neck. He breathed in deeply; she smelled of honey and it made him again want to kiss her, taste her, savor everything about her. He couldn't resist; he brought his lips to rest in the hollow of her collarbone, and kissed his way to the spot behind her ear. Georg felt her laugh before he could hear her, reflexively she turned toward him and he captured her mouth again with his own.
Noises of a car engine and gravel crunching brought them back from their reverie. The silence of the wee hours of the morning carried the sound throughout the grounds of the villa. Georg assumed it to be Max, ready to drive Elsa back to Vienna. When he saw Maria looking at him, quizzically, he simply nodded, and again she immediately understood without him needing to say a word. He took Maria's hand, and led her along the path that ran parallel to the lakeside, then into the small stand of trees that partially concealed the beautiful iron and glass walled gazebo.
She stood in front of him, facing him, entranced by the triangle of his open collar that bared his neck and the very top of his chest. She was equally charmed by his rolled-up sleeves, and the lack of a jacket. She had never seen him dressed so informally, and she was delighted to see him so relaxed after such a stressful evening.
"You know," she said, as she toyed with his open collar. "I think this gazebo my favorite place here. It is so lovely, and quiet, and peaceful," Maria said. "The moonlight makes it almost magical."
Georg smiled at her. "I could have guessed, I'd seen you out here quite often at night, after you'd gotten the children off to bed. That's when I started going for walks, alone." He gave an embarrassed laugh, and pulled at his ear. "I, ah, would wait for you to start back toward the house and time it so I would meet you on the way."
Maria grinned. "Really? Why?"
"The first time it was truly accidental. After that, it was a way I could talk privately with you about the children. And then, as we began to get better acquainted, it was, well, just because I enjoyed your company. I looked for reasons to spend time with you. I suppose you could say I was smitten." Georg looked at Maria, giving her the half-grin that made a dimple visible on his cheek and sent a cascade of warmth through her body.
"You probably have no idea how I looked forward to seeing you each evening. I knew I shouldn't, that it wasn't my place, but I would dream that perhaps, one day..." Maria lowered her head, embarrassed.
"One day what, Maria?" Georg's voice was a caress itself. Maria closed her eyes, wanting to say just the right words. When she was confident she'd found them, she looked deeply into his sapphire eyes with her own.
"That one day you would hold me in your arms, and it would feel like home." She blushed and tried to turn away. Georg cupped her chin with his hand, to keep her from breaking their gaze.
"And does it, Maria?"
She nodded her head before she found her voice. "Yes."
Georg replied in a most serious tone the words that spilled from his heart.
"I love you."
Georg leaned in to kiss her, this time with abandon. She met his passion with her own, surprising him. He moved his lips to her cheek, her eyes, her hair, bestowing soft kisses wherever his lips landed.
Maria embraced him more tightly than she had before, and without realizing it spoke her thoughts aloud. "Oh, can this be happening to me?"
As he continued showering her with kisses, he knew the time was right. "Marry me?"
Tears filled her eyes, and threatened to spill down her cheeks. "Yes, yes!"
"Is there anyone I should go to, to ask permission to marry you? The Reverend Mother, perhaps?"
Maria put her hands on his face, and pulled away just enough for her eyes to focus.
"Why don't we ask-" they spoke in unison, "The children?" before falling once more into a joyful embrace.