A/N: I am so touched by the reviews for the last couple of chapters - thank you all so much! This isn't a true full chapter; more of an interlude really. I hope you enjoy the interaction between two characters we haven't seen together too much!

Chapter Ten

MEANWHILE AT THE VILLA:

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Have you made up Georg's mind yet? Do I hear wedding bells?"

"Pealing madly"

"Marvelous"

"But not necessarily for me."

"What kind of talk is that!"

"That's none of your business. I am terribly fond of Georg and I will not have you toying with us."

"But I'm a child, I like toys! So tell me everything. Come on, tell Max every teensy weensy, intimate, disgusting detail!"

"Let's just say I have a feeling I may be here on approval."

"I approve of that! How can you miss?"

"Far too easily, I'm afraid."

"If I know you darling, and I do, you will find a way."

Elsa sighed, as she and Max sat in the shade on the terrace of the villa, sipping pink lemonade that was continually being refilled by an increasingly aggravated Frau Schmidt.

Ever since returning to the villa the day before she had noticed a distinct change in Georg, particularly after his reunion with the children. It was like he hadn't seen them in years the way he stuck by their sides, listened with rapt attention to their stories, and then today, choosing to spend the day with them instead of with her, his guest!

"Oh Max, I am in a terrible bind. The Georg I knew in Vienna was so easy to be with. He so seemed to enjoy the parties, the productions…there was never any nonsense about picnics on the mountains or twenty-minute walks into town."

Max nodded thoughtfully. He too had noticed a distinct change in his best friend this visit, and he was certain it had to do with Maria's presence. He himself was a testament to the influence she could have over somebody. Before her arrival Georg had always been aloof with the children, brushing them to the side while he would sit for hours alone in his study reading or writing letters.

"You are not wrong my dear" he noted. "He is slowly changing back into the Georg that existed while with Agathe. But darling, I'm not entirely convinced that this is bad thing. He seems so much happier."

"I do not protest to his happiness Max, if only he would direct some of it at me!" Elsa exclaimed dramatically, her face in her hands. "Didn't you see the way he was looking at that governess of his at the Mozart home? Really, all morning long. It is quite obvious he is enamored by her."

"Her name is Maria" Max's subconscious corrected her before he could censor his worlds.

A sly look crossed Elsa's face, but by the time Max could process it, it had been wiped away.

"I had forgotten you have a history with this young woman." she responded carefully. Max could tell he was being led somewhere, but chose to go along with this line of questioning.

"Enlighten me, Max. What exactly is the nature of your relationship with her?" Elsa continued.

Max paused for a moment, not certain how much of the agreement he and Maria had made should be revealed to the lioness on the prowl. Not that she would ever believe Max Detweiller not only agreed to taking a relationship slow while 'getting to know each other', let alone suggest it himself. By the pièce de résistance would be when he told her he had asked Maria to be his girlfriend, like a boy in the schoolyard. No, some things were better left unsaid.

"That is an excellent question" he murmured, taking the political non-response response.

"Well are you friends? Lovers? " she pressed, clearly annoyed. "Are you going to marry the little nun?"

"Amusing, Elsa. We're friends." he responded distractedly, wondering what the true answer to the question was. True she had agreed to a label, but only within a designated timeframe. What were his intentions with Maria? He had no basis of reference, having not been in a 'true' relationship in many years. Only one in his lifetime. The many women he entertained could not fit under this umbrella – they were really more acquaintances.

He had purposefully kept himself from being close with Maria whenever Elsa had been around, and was both not surprised and extremely happy that she did not know about the feelings he harbored for the young blonde. Elsa was a strong believer in marriage to improve personal wealth or status, and would not understand his fascination with a governess of no standing or inheritance. He had been very clear in explaining his past with Maria to Elsa as being nothing more than a platonic working acquaintance turned to friendship.

"You should make your relationship official, at least in in Georg's mind" the conniving personality of Elsa starting to come through, as she put her plan in place. "Take Maria out, be with her, and enjoy each other's company. Quite frankly I do not care what you do with her, just keep her away from my Georg. He will soon come to his senses once her influence is diminished."

Max's thoughts began spinning faster and faster as Elsa asked him to spend more time with Maria. The thought of spending hours with Maria was by no means unpleasant. The Captain already knew they had a history together, and had seen the together in the drawing room the night before. He was sure that there would be no suspicions raised if he were to suddenly announce that the two of them were courting.

His mind flashed back to watching the sunrise with her that morning, or holding her in his arms in that composer's house at noon, and he slowly nodded his head. "I could do that" be muttered, loud enough for Elsa to hear. "But it will cost you."

Elsa raised her eyebrows at the man so much like her in so many ways. "I know the price. It's always the same with you."