Maria sighed and leaned her head against the glass of the gazebo. The children were running around, enjoying their afternoon. They had studied so hard, and she had promised them a mountain picnic the following day, providing they finished all of their lessons. Their enthusiasm and devotion to their studies had made her laugh earlier that morning; they were finished by lunchtime. Rewarding them with the afternoon off, she had joined them in a few rounds of tag before declaring she needed a rest.

She looked up at the villa, finding her eyes wandering over to the spot in the garden where Klauss and she had stood during the ball. She felt her agitation at what had happened between them melt into a feeling of excitement. She remembered the feeling of Klauss's lips pressing against hers, and how new and thrilling sensations had washed over her when he had held her in his arms.

Maria closed her eyes and smiled faintly, bringing her fingers up to trace her lips, loosing herself in the memory of Klauss's embrace. She was initially glad it had been over a day since she had last seen him; it would give her time to think. But, as she sat alone in the gazebo, thinking of him, she realized that she missed him. She missed talking and laughing with him. She wanted to feel his arms around her, to see him gazing down at her lovingly. She still wasn't sure where whatever it was between them was going, but she was happy to note that she didn't feel as much fear when she contemplated it; she was more curious than anything else.

The sound of someone clearing his throat surprised her. Her eyes flew open, and she sat upright.

"Forgive me, Fräulein," the Captain said, standing in the entrance to the gazebo and twitching his fingers nervously.

She stood up. "Is there something you wanted?" she asked.

He shook his head quickly. "No, please sit," he said, walking towards her and gesturing for her to sit again. "Please."

She obeyed and stared at him questioningly. "May I join you?" he asked.

Laughing at the formality of their actions, she nodded. "Of course, sir."

He sat on the bench next to her, and the two smiled at one another, each unsure exactly how to start a conversation.

He chuckled after a moment. "Where are the children?" he asked.

"Oh," she said, glancing behind her. "They're running around. They finished their work early today. It's so nice out, and I thought they could use some fresh air."

"Breathing deeply?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye.

She laughed. "Yes, but I don't think they're marching," she said. "I promised them a picnic in the mountains tomorrow."

He narrowed his eyes. "Didn't you just go on a picnic with them?"

"It seems that way, doesn't it?" she asked. "But we haven't been on a picnic since… since the day we met Klauss and Markus."

The Captain nodded, remembering that day a few weeks earlier and how different and less complicated everything had seemed to be then.

"The invitation still stands, sir," she said, breaking into his thoughts. When he looked up at her in question, she smiled. "You're more than welcome to join us."

He stared at her for a moment, seeing the expectation and a glimpse of hope in her eyes. Nodding, he turned to look behind him, where he saw Kurt chasing Gretl in the maze. "I think I just might. I'm curious to see what you do up there on the mountain."

"We sing, eat, play games, and explore," she said, laughing. "It's not much, but the children love going, and I love taking them."

"Then I shall love accompanying you," he said and they shared a warm smile. Looking behind him again, he shook his head. "You said they're done with their studies for the day?"

She nodded. "They were quite vigorous with them," she said. "I think getting away will be good for them. They need a change of scenery, with all the events that have happened here over the last few days."

"Events?"

She looked at him unbelievingly for a moment. "There was all the excitement of the ball, then there was the ball itself, then the Baroness left—" she paled. "I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean to—"

He waved his hand off, not wanting her to concern herself. "It's alright, Fräulein."

She studied him for a moment. "I do feel bad that she left so quietly," she said. "I would have liked to have said good-bye to her."

He smiled at her kindness. "It was what she wanted. I thought she deserved at least that," he said.

Maria nodded. "She did seem more comfortable at the ball than she had the entire time she was here."

The Captain laughed. "You're very observant, Fräulein," he told her. "And you're also right: Elsa belongs in Vienna, among the other members of high society. As much as she and I both tried to convince ourselves otherwise."

"I see," Maria said quietly. She heard the children's laughter, and she smiled. "They seem to be taking their afternoon off quite seriously."

He laughed, grateful that she had changed the subject. He absently moved his wedding band around his finger. "How are their lessons coming along?"

"Very well, Captain," Maria said proudly. "Louisa's English is really coming along. She's going to be speaking better than I do, although that's not too difficult. My English is rather limited. Gretl and Marta are reading better and better. Friedrich's writing has improved so much in the last few weeks, and I finally am making progress with Kurt and long division. Brigitta has found an interest in geography, and Liesl just excels in everything she does. You should be very proud of them, Captain."

He nodded. "Under such tutelage, how can they do poorly?" he asked, meeting her eyes. He studied her for a moment. "What do you like teaching the most?"

"Music," she answered without hesitation.

He laughed. "I should have known better than to have asked!"

Their laughter died away, and Maria looked out to the lake. The Captain kept his gaze upon her, staring at how her hair shone in the sun. He was mesmerized as his eyes traveled from her hair to the arch of her neck as it was turned away from him. Maria had been blessed with such a gentle beauty. His fingers ached to trace along her jaw line, to find out for himself if her skin felt as soft as it looked.

She turned before he could peel his eyes away from her, and he heard the intake of her breath. Twitching his fingers, he exhaled slowly and closed his eyes. While he needed more than to be just sitting next to her, he forced himself to stay in reality and concentrate on how it was enough to simply be in her company, relishing in a friendly moment alone with her.

Opening his eyes, he saw that she had shifted her gaze to her hands resting on her lap. He sighed. "The children will miss you after September," he said.

Maria looked up at him, a rueful expression on her face. "As I will them," she admitted, looking down at her hands again. "But, I'm sure we can manage a visit or two. It's not as if I'm moving far away."

"True, but it's not the same as being here in the house," he said, looking at her until she moved her eyes upward to lock with his. "You're always welcome here, Fräulein."

Their gaze lingered for a long moment. "Thank you, sir," she said quietly.

The Captain cleared his throat abruptly, desperate to keep the mood light. He stood and walked to the far end of the gazebo, inhaling sharply. He wanted to ask her about Klauss, to know if she had plans to see him, but knew that it was not his place to inquire about her personal life. He heard her also rise from her seat, and he turned to see her standing in the doorway of the gazebo, staring out at the lake.

"Is there something catching your eye, Fräulein?" he asked.

She laughed and turned to him, cocking her head slightly to the water. Immediately accepting her silent invitation, he walked over to join her, standing on the opposite side of the doorway.

"I've always loved watching the water," she murmured, absently tapping the glass. "I'm really going to miss the lake."

He laughed, and she looked at him in surprise. "It's only July, Fräulein. Have you packed your bags already?"

Maria blushed. "I'm just trying to remember everything," she said quietly. "This has been such a wonderful time…"

Her voice trailed as she stared out at the lake again, and Georg didn't even bother to make his staring at her discreet. The sun reappeared as a cloud moved away from it, and the gazebo brightened under the light. Maria closed her eyes and smiled at the new warmth, and the Captain felt his breath catch as her hair became golden and her skin seemed to glow.

Georg could no longer just stand there. He realized that he was completely powerless; he needed to experience more than simply looking at her. He needed to touch her, to hold her close, to know if she wore any perfume, and if her lips tasted as sweet as they looked. He took a step closer to her but instantly stopped, reminding himself to keep his distance.

She opened her eyes and looked at him, and he wondered if she could tell how strongly she was affecting him.

Maria stared at the Captain. The vividness of the gazebo seemed to illuminate both of them, and Maria was instantly struck by how blue the Captain's eyes were. She had never really noticed their deep hue before, and she found herself unable to pull her gaze away from his.

Wordlessly, the Captain reached up and cupped her cheek in his hand. Instantly, Maria felt her breath leave her body. His hands were so large and masculine, that his soft and gentle touch surprised her. His palm was warm, and as his thumb moved up and down to caress her cheek, Maria felt her knees weaken. She was glad she was leaning against the doorframe; otherwise she would have sunk to the ground. Every part of her body seemed to react to his touch; even her toes tingled. As she stared into his eyes, her stomach tightened, and she had the strongest urge to step closer to him.

He smiled at her and dropped his hand. The sun remained bright, and the Captain found himself aware of everything around him. He could hear the birds singing in the distance; he could smell the various pollens and flowers about them. He could see the excitement on Maria's face.

Flustered, she laughed nervously. "I'm sorry, Captain," she said. "I need to get the children ready for dinner."

She tried to leave, but he stepped forward, worried that he had scared her. "It is I who am sorry, Fräulein," he said. "I was too forward."

"Oh," she said hurriedly. "No, you weren't, sir. I enjoyed our talk, and I thank you for your kind words."

"Am I still invited to the picnic?" he asked.

"What?" she asked, confused. "Oh, yes! Of course! Please, excuse me."

She ran off before he could stop her.

The Captain leaned against the door of the gazebo, watching her go. He should have been berating himself for confusing her like that. She had been so anxious just then; clearly he had discomposedher.

But as he watched her run off and yell out to gather the children, a slow smile formed on his face and the only thing he could feel was hope.

The softness of her skin remained on his fingers. All he could think of was the look on her face as he gave into his instincts. He had felt her respond the second he had touched her cheek. Just as he had felt every part of his being come alive when he had touched her, he saw how she, too, reacted to the contact. He saw the way her eyes widened with excitement, the way her breathing quickened, the way her pulse raced under his hand.

He wasn't too late. Klauss may be courting her, but she wasn't taken yet. She wouldn't have responded the way she had if her heart belonged to someone else.

Georg felt a slight pang of guilt: Klauss's feelings for her were obviously genuine, and it was almost unfair of the Captain to interfere with that. But he had to. His reaction to being so close to her left him with no choice. He had to do something. In the end, it would be Maria's decision, and he would be happy with it.

He watched Maria in the distance, and he nodded in resolution. He still had a chance, and he was determined to show her how he felt.

To be continued…