The very next morning Maria and Georg went back to the Abbey, both to reassure the Reverend Mother of Dominik's good health, and also to ask to be married there before the summer was over. Delighted by both pieces of news, the Reverend Mother again gave her blessing, and they set a date for the middle of August, in six weeks. It was also agreed upon that Maria would spend the two nights at the Abbey prior to the wedding. Both the lovebirds knew it was necessary, but they dreaded it all the same.
After a week, life had settled into a routine, much to the relief of Maria. She'd had enough big surprises for a while, but she joyed in the little ones that came with the routine. Mornings were devoted to wedding planning and meeting women of the society she would be joining – it still boggled her mind that she would be a baroness. Most of the women she met were very nice, if a little artificial, and they saw her as a breath of fresh air. Gladly they helped her with plans for the wedding, recommending who she should go to for flowers, food, decorations, etcetera, much to her relief. But with every new group of women she met, there would always be one or two that would act friendly enough, but would flash her judging and suspicious looks. Maria ignored them as best she could.
Afternoons were for the family. After lunch, Maria would resume her role as governess by supervising the children in two hours of study, going from one to the other with individual instruction and help. They impressed her more each day with their intelligence. But it could not be denied that they all were much happier playing than studying. The days were beautiful as summer should be, and they were outside every day – except when it was raining.
That is where they were this lovely day, a week after the engagement. Max had returned from Vienna a few days ago, and thoroughly enjoyed being back and resuming his role as "a very charming sponge." He and Georg were now sitting on the terrace enjoying a glass of lemonade, and watching the children and Maria play while Dominik sat near them watching. Though he was out of immediate danger, he was still weaker physically than everyone else. Sitting down, he could do anything they could, but running or rough-play was beyond him now. But he gained strength every day, thanks to the good people he was with.
Maria was no less attentive to him than to everyone else. They always had an hour to just the two of them before dinner, sitting in the music room at the piano. While they remembered and learned songs together, Maria learned more and more about the past four years for him. Dominik had become a traveling musician, going from town to town as a pianist. What fascinated her most was the people he met, and the best stories were his to tell. He had documented his adventures in his scrapbooks. And yet, for how happy they were to be together again, each time Maria heard a story, she couldn't help but think, Why didn't you write me? Throughout the past four years, she had heard nothing. She didn't know why, but she could guess his reason, and any thoughts like that she pushed from her mind. Her life was good now, at last.
As Max finished off his glass of lemonade, he looked at Georg. An expression of perfect content was on his face as he watched his family, and it was a wonderful sight. Already he dreaded having to be the one to tamper down on that. "You know, Georg, it's better to do it now than later."
Georg gave an annoyed sigh and turned to Max. "Do I really have to? I mean, I know these people and they know how much I loathe these parties."
"You know your position and what people would say," said Max. "Just one weekend, that's all. It's not a long time."
"Suddenly, it is," muttered Georg, as his gaze fell on Maria, who was playing jump-rope with the girls.
Max chuckled. "After that, you'll never have to be away from her again. And from what I've seen, she'll be in good and safe hands." He was now looking at Dominik, whom he had taken an immediate liking to.
Georg noticed, and said, "I must say, Max, I'm very glad you've not only become friends with him, but also you're not trying to make him the next big star. I think this is the first time I've seen you like that with someone talented."
Max shook his head with a sad smile on his face. "I knew a girl who had a similar condition when I was a teenager. Played the harp like an angel, and now she's doing just that as that. My exploitation is the last thing he needs."
Georg took a long moment to silently look at Max, from whom these sayings were very rare. A new respect was forming in his mind for his good friend, even though somehow he wasn't surprised. For all his care-free humor, Max had a good heart. Again he turned his gaze to Maria; now she and Dominik were playing a hand-game and chanting, getting faster and faster, much to the amusement of the children. How happy she looks, how at ease, especially when they finished in triumphant shouts and a hug. What if something happened to him here, and then what would happen to her?
Thankfully, Max pulled him from both of their depressing thoughts. "So, Georg, if we're going to go this weekend, we really must leave tomorrow morning. That way, you can be home sooner."
Sighing, Georg knew he was right, even though going to Vienna to make social appearances was the last thing he wanted to do. There had been several guests from Vienna who had attended his party, and he knew social rules called for him to repay by making his own calls. As he watched Maria and Dominik making their way towards them, he swallowed, not looking forward to breaking the news . . .
. . . Evenings were the favorite part of each day for the lovebirds. It was their one time of the day where they were alone with each other. Sometimes they would walk the grounds, and sometimes they would stay inside. One night, he had played the piano for her, though it took all of her persuading to get him to. After a week of hearing Dominik play, he was feeling less and less confident of his own abilities. But after he had played a Chopin prelude he was particularly fond of, he saw that Maria had tears in her eyes. She had bent down over the piano, resting her upper body on it, absorbing the music. When it was done, she had straightened up, walked over, sat next to him on the bench, took his hand in both of hers, rested her head on his shoulder, and whispered through tears, "Thank you so much." In response, Georg had kissed her ardently, wrapping his arms around her securely, and they lost themselves in the moment.
This night, he was in his study, tidying up his desk in preparation for his five-day absence. A soft knock came from the door, and he smiled. "Come in, darling," he called, and Maria slipped in, closing the door behind her. When she looked at him, she gave a sad smile. She had taken the news pretty well, but both knew that they would miss each other terribly.
Without preamble, Georg moved toward her and gathered her to him in a passionate kiss, pinning her against the door. She gasped but responded in kind, her arms wrapping around his neck. When his lips finally released hers, he whispered in her ear, "What am I going to without you for five days?"
Maria smiled, rubbing her cheek against his. "Hmm . . . I'm sure we'll make it."
Georg pulled away and led her to the sofa. He leaned back as she rested herself against his chest. "I suppose this makes it even."
"Hmm?" he said, absently running his fingers through her hair.
"I went away for a time, and now it's your turn."
He kissed her head. "And like you, I will come back."
She smiled and snuggled into him. For a long time they remained like that, just soaking in the presence of the other as much as they could, mentally preparing themselves for their short separation. Occasionally they would start kissing, breaking away when it became too heated. When the clock struck midnight, Georg let out a sigh, knowing he had to get some sleep before the early car ride. Maria knew it too, and slowly sat up. "I should go."
"Without saying good-bye?" teased Georg as they stood up.
"I thought I would do that in the morning," said Maria, confused.
"No, no, it's much too early, and besides, we wouldn't be alone." His eyes became darker as he gave her that intense expression she could never tear her eyes from. Her pulse began to race and her breath caught in her throat. "I would like to give a proper farewell, one that I can take with me and let me fall asleep to, knowing what I will soon come home to."
His fingers traced the lines of her face gently, then he did the same with his lips. At the sound of a moan from Maria's throat, he could no longer control himself, pressing his mouth to hers. Their tongues danced together as their hands roamed each other's bodies. More sensual sounds broke from her throat as his mouth kissed and suckled her neck, and he growled. Maria was in a whirlwind of passion, in completely new territory. It thrilled and shocked her at the same time. Her body working on its own, she unconsciouly arched into him, and she felt his arousal. That made both of them stop and pull away, Maria's face burnign in the realization of the new step forward they had taken. Catching their breath, their foreheads resting against each other, each managed to finally cool off. Georg pulled back and took Maria's face in his hands. He gave her one sweet, chaste kiss, and said, "Until next week, my love."
Maria nodded, trying to find her voice. "Have a good time," she managed.
After a smile, she slowly moved away from him. Her hand stayed in his for as long as it could until slipping out of his grasp. Before closing the door behind her, she turned back. He mouthed, "I love you," and she did the same.
Maria practically sprinted back to her room, afraid she would turn back and never be able to leave him. She needed this night alone, to completely process what had just happened. Maybe these days apart would be good for them. As she settled herself into bed, she gave a silent prayer to God that the next few days would pass by quickly and would be easy.
On both, she would be very wrong.
