A/N:Sorry for the delay-some chapters are more difficult than others. I've used some of the song lyrics as dialogue for our favorite couple. Enjoy-and please review if you read, whether you enjoy or not!
After getting settled at their table and ordering wine and dinner, the foursome shared some small talk before Hede put her brother on the spot.
"So, Georg, are you going to tell me about this beautiful secret you've been keeping from me? I want to know everything." She smiled at Maria with a twinkle in her eyes, eyes that were dark and lively. Clearly this is where Brigitta got her lovely brown eyes, Maria noticed. Hede's hair was also dark, pulled back and up, sprinkled with gray strands here and there.
"Ah, well, you know I'd had considerable difficulty keeping governesses," her brother said in his usual, understated way.
"Georg, I think all of Austria was aware of that," Hede laughed. Georg harrumphed, yet grinned in spite of himself. Max shared Hede's laugh, and raised his wineglass to her.
"I'd gotten exceedingly frustrated, and when the eleventh governess walked out after just two hours, I called Nonnberg Abbey and asked for help." He looked at Maria, and smiled as he took her hand. "It never occurred to me that they'd send someone who would help me as much as she did the children."
Maria blushed, then spoke. "Well, you were none too pleased with my help at first." Hede watched as her brother gently stroked his fiancee's hand with his thumb, and felt almost like an intruder, watching the couple as they shared a look between them.
Georg continued recounting their first meeting, then their encounter-and argument-upon his return from Vienna. Maria and Max interjected some of their own thoughts here and there, which amused Hede greatly. As Georg spoke of the events that brought him and Maria together, Hede was keenly aware that this lovely sprite sitting beside her brother was exactly what he'd needed-someone to loosen him up, make him see that life was going on with or without him, and that his children needed, no deserved, to be children.
When they reached the events of the night of the ball, Georg begged off retelling the ugliness that had ensued. "There really is no reason to go over the entire episode, Hede. Maria was tortured enough that night. Let's just say I already told you all you need to know for now, when I first phoned you."
Hede could see by the dark shadow that crossed Maria's face that she needn't press the issue. All would come out in due time, and besides, she wasn't truly interested in what happened, or why. That her family—which now included Maria-was being unfairly maligned was what she cared about; and if she could put her foot in Elsa Schraeder's behind, she would.
When the waiter came to collect their empty plates and ask if they'd like dessert, Hede looked at the small watch pendant hanging from a chain around her neck. "Oh, dear, you all go on without me. I need to be at the gallery in just a few minutes." She rose to excuse herself, and Georg and Max also stood.
"Hede, would you require an escort? I'd be happy to accompany you. I think these two deserve a few moments without me, since they are safely in public," Max offered.
"That would be lovely, Max, thank you," Hede replied, as Max held his arm to her. After swift goodbyes, they were gone, and Georg was alone with his beloved Maria.
Maria looked at Georg, and when he met her gaze, the look that passed between them required no words. Dessert was forgotten. Georg signaled the waiter for the bill, barely looking at it before tossing a generous amount of cash on the table.
He held his hand out to Maria, who took it as she stood. They walked out of the restaurant into the lobby, where Georg went over to request his car from the valet. As they waited near the entrance, Georg stood just behind Maria, as closely as he dared in public, and gently placed his hand on her hip. He used his thumb to trace a line back and forth. The silk was so thin it seemed to Maria he was touching her bare skin, and she felt a clenching sensation in the area just below her stomach. She leaned back into him, doing so just enough for him to notice but not enough for bystanders to see. Maria reached back, and took his free hand in hers, entwining their fingers.
The car appeared in front of them, and Georg escorted Maria to take her seat before taking the wheel. They had a short drive across the city to the gallery-really, in a village just in the outside the city limits-but nearly an hour before the official start to the showing. Deciding a tour of the city was just what his fiancee needed, Georg drove out onto the street.
Twilight was just descending, and the sky was awash with the fiery colors of the sunset. Maria looked out into the deep indigo of the night, where the stars twinkle like small diamonds scattered across an expanse of velvet. She smiled at the wonder of creation, and Georg smiled at the wonder of her. He still was amazed that this beautiful young woman had agreed to be his bride. He reached out, and stroked the silken skin of her cheek with the back of his fingers. Maria turned her face toward him, planting a soft, sweet kiss on his hand. She reached up and took his hand in her own, lacing their fingers together and gently squeezing. Georg deftly steered the car to a spot where the road widened against the Danube, and parked.
Maria looked puzzled. "We're not there yet, are we?"
"Not yet. But this is one of the very few times we will get to be alone for the next several weeks, and I intend to take advantage of it," Georg whispered, as he leaned over and took her in his arms. "I'd like to kiss you properly, without constant interruption hanging over us." He brushed her lips with his, then was pleasantly surprised when Maria took the lead, softly licking his bottom lip before their mouths met in a dance of intimacy. Several delicious minutes passed, as the two tantalized one another, Georg groaning with desire as Maria took his tongue into her mouth, and gently sucked. It was the most erotic kiss he could remember experiencing. When he could no longer be sure of controlling himself, Georg slowly pulled away, holding Maria's head in his hands, and placing his forehead to hers.
"Is something wrong? Georg?" Maria asked him breathlessly. He shook his head, still holding hers, and sighed deeply, desperately, trying to allow his ardor to dissipate. Once again, he thought how very necessary it was for them to have chaperones.
"Oh, no, my love. Everything is just so right, now that I have you. You simply have no idea what you do to me, how much I love you. How much I desire you."
This time it was Maria who gently pulled back, just enough so that she could look deeply into Georg's vibrant blue eyes. She nearly always lost herself in their depths; once she'd learned that she could see into both his heart and soul through them, she was addicted.
"I love you, too, Georg. I never thought I could love anyone so much," she confided, her eyes shimmering in the dusky light.
He gently kissed her forehead, then surprised her by getting out of the car. Georg walked around to her door, opened it, and held out his hand to her.
"Come, darling," he requested.
"But, what-" she stammered.
"But nothing, just come." He needn't have spoken, as by this time she'd taken his hand and stepped out of the vehicle. Georg led her to a small clearing, where the view of the river was unobstructed. In the deepening twilight, the Danube appeared almost navy blue, here and there reflections of lights punctuating its tranquility.
He pulled Maria in front of him, her back to his front. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he placed a soft kiss on her neck, and she nuzzled into him further and crossed her arms atop his.
"If you knew how lonely my life had been; how alone I was. How much I wanted someone to come along, and change my life the way you've done, even though I didn't know it at the time...you've made the house feel like home again, my love. And I don't think I will ever be able to let you know how very grateful I am that you are mine." Georg's voice was quiet, and thick with emotion.
Maria turned in his arms, facing him, and pressing her hands against his chest. "I do know, because I finally feel that I am where I belong. And I know how very much I want this feeling to last for the rest of my life." She lay her head on his shoulder, and felt him pull her even more tightly to his body.
They stood there for several moments, enjoying the closeness that was nearly unattainable at the villa, or any time Max was with them. Savoring one last kiss, they walked back to the car.
XxXxXxXx
The gallery was an unassuming store front just a few blocks in from the river. It was technically an annex to the art school nearby. Hede enjoyed running it while working at her own drawings and poems.
She and Max exited her car, and went in through the back entrance. Many of the featured artists were there already, and the caterers were hard at work setting up the bar and hors oeuvres for the mingling social set.
"Well, Hede, I'd heard some marvelous things about this gallery, but I'd never ventured in before," Max remarked. "I'm so very glad I had to tag along with our little lovebirds for this evening."
Hede laughed. "Max, tell me everything. Georg never will, and I know how you love to relay such information."
"What is it that you want to know? He's already covered the basics-Maria came from the convent; the children adore her; they fell in love; and they're planning a wedding." He looked over at Georg's sister. "Or, I assume you mean what happened with Elsa?"
Hede nodded, as she straightened a frame hanging on the wall.
"Let's see. I believe Elsa felt threatened the moment we arrived in Salzburg. Maria had the children out, Georg was furious when they all fell into the lake, and Maria let him have it." Max looked at Hede. "In all seriousness, I think that was when he first fell in love with her."
Hede returned his gaze, with a questioning glance. Max nodded, then continued speaking.
"Anyway, Elsa convinced him to throw her a party, a 'grand and glorious party', which of course I love as well. By this time Georg and Maria had grown much closer than Elsa liked-they spent quite a bit of time together with the children, and Elsa didn't care to spend time with them at all. During the ball, Elsa scared Maria off, but Georg caught her before she could return to the abbey."
"And just how did Elsa do that? Or do I even want to know?" Hede asked, checking the list of potential investors who were on the guest list.
"I'm not completely sure, but after that was when Georg and I found Elsa screaming insults at Maria, and saw her slap..." at that, Hede's head whipped around and she looked straight at Max.
"WHAT? She actually slapped her?" Hede's eyes blazed. She already disliked Elsa intensely, but to actually put her hands on someone? Disgraceful.
"Sadly, yes, I witnessed it myself. So unlike her," Max said, shaking his head still slightly disbelieving. Hede almost spoke, but thought it better she hold her tongue.
"And that's it, in a nutshell." Hede then reluctantly interrupted Max, as it was time for the doors to open. Elsa's name had not been on the list she had just checked, but Hede had a feeling that she'd show up, regardless. She excused herself from Max, and headed to the entrance.