Things were quiet at the villa following the departure of the Baroness. She had left for her party after lunchtime, presumably deciding to get ready at her friend's house. She left in a whirlwind, her words toward the Captain sounding a bit passive-aggressive to Maria's ears, but she again turned her attention back to her book and ignored what she could.

It had been a long time since she was able to read as much as she had been. She was flying through books, enjoying every minute of being swept away in poetry, fantasy, anything and everything she would not be able to find in the library at the Abbey. When she was a child, reading was a great form of escape for her. Whenever her uncle would get to yelling or her aunt would scold her for not being ladylike enough, she would find a book and forget herself for hours.

She had just finished a book of poetry before bed, love poems mostly. The writing was simply beautiful, and she understood why the cover on the book appeared to be so worn from use. She wondered if it were the Captain who had a love for the book of poetry, or if it was more likely his late wife. She thought for a moment, hoping it wasn't actually Brigitta sneaking the book out of the library. If she understood what she was reading, some of it may have been a little much for her age.

She wasn't quite sleepy yet, so she got out of bed and put on her robe, sliding into her slippers as she tied a knot at her waist. Grabbing the book of poetry, she made her way downstairs to return it to the shelf and pick a new one. The library had quickly become her new favorite place in the entire villa. Everything about it was absolutely magical. Just as she was reaching for the doorknob, she heard glass shatter in the drawing room. She jumped, her hand flying to her chest to calm her racing heart. Looking at the clock, it was around midnight. Certainly nobody else was awake, she thought.

As she walked toward the drawing room, she saw the source of the noise. The Captain was seated upon the floor, his back resting against the couch, and a glass of something was shattered across the room from him. Had he thrown the glass, she wondered. He appeared to be heavily intoxicated, and even though she was usually one to want to help, her first instinct was to quickly slip away. She had enough experience with people under the influence of alcohol to be cautious.

"Fraulein, is that you?" She jumped, wishing she had tried to leave sooner. She approached the door and stepped into the room, smiling a bit uneasily.

"Hello, Captain." He searched her face, his eyes extremely glazed. It was apparent that he was incredibly drunk, more than she expected from him. "You're unwell."

"I'm inebriated."

"And that." She shifted from one foot to the other, nervously. Finally, after a moment of contemplation, she began to walk away. "I'll leave you to it then."

"Please don't go! Sit with me." He sloppily patted the floor next to him, and she shook her head.

"I was just on my way to the library."

"The library can wait. Join me?" She didn't move next to him on the floor like he had intended, instead she chose to sit in a chair next to him. He didn't seem dangerous in any sense, of course, but she was not going to give him false ideas by getting close in proximity. "You're reading that?"

"Yes, I've just finished it. Do you like it?"

"I only read it when I feel lustful." Her eyes widened and she blushed heavily, not expecting that at all. He laughed, noticing her surprise. "I apologize. You see, I have the same problem with my words while drunk that you have while sober."

"I see."

"Do you feel lustful, Fraulein?"

"No."

"Not ever?"

"No. Please change the subject, or I must go." Her heart was pounding, and he looked apologetic.

"I'm sorry. Do forgive me." She nodded, trying to relax a bit. "I'm in a terrible state, I'm afraid."

"You seem to be. Did you throw that glass?" She looked toward the alcohol soaked, shattered glass across the room. He sighed, lying his head back against the couch.

"I did."

"Do you care to explain why, or am I to just sit here?" He laughed, but she was serious. She was putting on her best governess persona, her tone colder than usual to keep him at bay.

"I'm working through some things. I believe some people call them feelings." He said the word cynically, an impatience with himself sounding through his voice. "I'm planning to ask for Elsa's hand in marriage, it's all but decided, but I simply cannot bring myself to propose."

"If you know she'll say yes, what's holding you back?" She laid down the book on a side table, leaning forward a bit to listen. He at least didn't sound belligerent, so she took comfort in that.

"I'm...not sure, really. It all looks perfect on paper. I simply cannot ask. Every time I try, I stop."

"What are you afraid of?"

"Afraid? Don't be ridiculous, I'm afraid of nothing, Fraulein." She chuckled, his ego suddenly showing through his anguish.

"You must be afraid of something." He sighed, meeting her eyes.

"I would desperately like for her to talk about my children the way that you do." Her heart leapt in her chest, surprised yet again by his words. He didn't give her time to respond though, as he reached forward and grabbed at one of her slippers. She pulled her foot away. "These are nearly as hideous as your nightclothes."

"Honestly, Captain." She began to stand and walk away, but his hand wrapped around her ankle, causing her to stumble. She caught herself on the chair, and looked down to him. "What are you doing?"

"Distracting myself from my feelings, of course." He began to move his hand up her bare calf, and she stepped away quickly. Her heart was beating wildly, and she was doing her best to keep her composure. His touch was brief, but enough to make her breath catch in her throat.

"Stop that, you're forgetting yourself."

"I apologize."

"With the number of times you've apologized to me tonight, Captain, I'm afraid I'm not confident you mean it." He laughed, attempting to stand, but falling quickly back to the ground.

"I do mean it, I'm sorry. I really am a cad, you know." She rolled her eyes, watching him try to stand again. He made it to his knees, pushing himself up with the chair, but not letting go as he stood. He looked a bit helpless, she had to admit.

"I'm sure that's not true."

"It is. I just reached up a nun's nightgown." She laughed at his remorse, hoping that meant he was beginning to sober up a bit.

"Don't worry, Captain, I'm only a postulant. Not quite so bad." He joined in her laughter, and she smiled brightly. His laugh really was quite infectious. "Do you need help getting back upstairs?"

"Now who's being forward?" She rolled her eyes, but could see the humor behind his and smiled.

"You know exactly what I mean."

"I'm certain I can manage." He began to walk, but stumbled immediately. He caught himself on the chair, and she found herself steadying him with her hands upon his arm.

"You're a complete mess, put your arm around me."

"Such a temptress."

"Oh for Heaven's sake." She pulled his arm over her shoulders and helped him begin moving, groaning when his weight was heavier than she expected. "You have to help me at least a little bit."

"Have you ever been seduced, Fraulein?" He leaned his face closer to hers, and she pulled away quickly. She rolled her eyes as they exited the room, making their way toward the stairs.

"No, and I won't be tonight, either." He took the banister in his hand, and she helped him ascend the many stairs leading up to the second floor of the villa. He was concentrating and quiet at least, she mused. He was coming on a little strong, but in a kind of way that she found amusing at the moment. After all, she couldn't have left him in the drawing room for one of the maids to find in the morning. He would have been mortified.

They turned the corner at the top of the stairs and headed toward his bedroom. She wasn't sure which one it was, as she had been afraid to venture too far into his wing, other than to take care of the children. Even though she didn't think he would berate her as he did on her first day at the villa, she still hadn't risked an adventure.

"Right here." He pointed sloppily at the door that was his, and they stopped in front of it. She hadn't thought this far ahead, and she certainly hoped he could at least walk to the bed without help. She would absolutely not be setting foot in his bedroom.

"Okay then, you'll have to do the rest on your own." She pushed open the door and began moving his arm from around her shoulders. He stumbled immediately, and they slammed into the wall together. She groaned at the weight of his body pressing against her. "Ouch!"

"Where was the warning?"

"What?" She looked up at him incredulously.

"You just tossed me away on my own. This is your fault."

"Oh, please." She began to push him away, but he didn't budge. She sighed, knowing he was back to being difficult again.

"Please what?" He met her eyes, and she looked at him through her eyelashes, doing her best to look stern.

"Please go to bed."

"You really are a temptress, Fraulein." Her brow furrowed, wondering why he would even think that about her.

"I'm not trying to be."

"That's why." His words came in a whisper, but he didn't give her time to process before he pressed a kiss to her lips. Her eyes widened, and she tried to pull away quickly, her hands upon his chest, but the wall behind her hindered her movement. His lips were soft, moving slowly over her own, and before she knew what was happening to her, her eyes drifted closed. Her body felt like it was melting as she slowly returned his kiss, warm and sensual.

His hands brushed against her cheeks, gently caressing her skin with his thumbs as he renewed the kiss. She sighed into his mouth, a bubbling warmth in her stomach that was quite unfamiliar. He pressed his body closer to her, and she felt as if she were being caught on fire. She had never felt anything like it. One of his hands moved slowly down her neck, playing with the fabric of her robe, and alarm bells went off in her head. She pulled away immediately. What on earth was she doing?

"Captain..." He pressed his lips to hers again, and she desperately wanted to give in and continue kissing him until they couldn't breathe. Her mouth moved with his for only a moment before she felt the tip of his tongue touch her bottom lip, gently pushing his boundaries a little more. She sighed, wanting nothing more in that moment than to open her mouth to him, but she firmly pushed him away. "Goodnight."

She didn't meet his eyes before she rushed down the hall, moving as quickly as she could to her own bedroom. He was in no state to follow her, thankfully. She closed her bedroom door behind her, sighing and bringing her hand to her chest. Of course he was in no state to follow her, he was completely smashed. He was simply looking for a female body to press against his own, and she fit that description. She felt foolish, so stupid for even trying to help him. If only she had just left him to his own devices, she could have avoided the entire situation.

And his kiss...his kiss was more than she could have ever imagined it to be. She had never been kissed like that before, a sensual, prowling kiss that made her want to throw every ounce of virtue and propriety out the window. She felt incredibly ashamed. How on earth was she supposed to face him again?