Liesl climbed up the side of the house toward the governess' bedroom, knowing the window would have already been knocked open several times from the storm. Rolfe had finally come around, not with a telegram, but simply to see her. She had heard the little pebbles hitting her window, and she rushed outside to meet him. Unfortunately for her, the doors were all locked by the time she was ready to return.

They had talked for a very long while, and she was pleased that he eventually forgave her for her transgressions and still wanted to see her. She couldn't wait to tell Fraulein Maria. Provided she wasn't in trouble for sneaking out again, she thought.

She heard Maria singing to herself as she climbed, smiling at the sound of the innocent voice of her governess. She often wondered what a life without boys would be like; she knew she would never be able to abstain from the kisses she craved, and wondered how one got to a place in their life where they could. She idolized her for her commitment and passion to becoming a nun, but also felt sadness that her governess would never know how it felt to be in love. Had she ever even been kissed, she wondered, as she made it to the large ledge outside the window. She was about to enter and make herself known when she heard a knock on the door.

"I thought I was going to you?" Maria stepped aside as Georg entered the bedroom, quickly closing the door behind him.

"I couldn't wait." He stepped toward her, but she backed away.

"You've been drinking."

"Why, Maria, you are quite perceptive." He smiled, but she rolled her eyes. "I only had one glass, I promise. I'm completely in my right mind."

"You're certain about that, Georg?" She laughed as he grabbed her around the waist, pulling her close. He kissed her hard on the mouth, and she wrapped her arms around his neck to hold him close. He kissed down her neck, his hands beginning to roam over her backside. "Did you lock the door?"

He rushed to lock the door, removing his jacket and kicking off his shoes on his way back to Maria. Liesl could not believe what she was witnessing. They were using first names, kissing, touching, it was complete madness. She nearly pinched herself to be sure she wasn't dreaming, but the sounds of their kisses and sighs were enough to let her know it was very real. She wanted so desperately to climb back down, but the thunderstorm and rain had become torrential. She was afraid to try climbing down when the rain was that heavy. She tried not to peek inside and invade their privacy, but she found herself drawn to it all the same.

They removed their clothing at a rapid speed, fumbling with buttons and fabric until they were bare to one another, tangled in her white sheets. He kissed her as he entered her body, her legs pulling him deeply as he thrust, slowly and purposefully. The look in his eyes told her he was in no mood to waste time. He kissed her passionately, their tongues dancing at a tantalizing pace, matching that of their hips.

She turned them over, taking the lead and moving against him. He ran his hands over her thighs as she sat upright, leaning back a bit and giving him a full view of her body as she moved. A sigh escaped her lips as she controlled the pace, feeling the familiar weakness began to bubble within her stomach. She had only recently felt truly confident and begun to explore the ways she could be in control, and neither had been disappointed in the results. His hands were all over her, caressing her flat stomach, her breasts, anywhere he could touch he did. She leaned forward and gripped his shoulders, grinding harder against him as she felt herself letting go, losing all control of her body as an explosion raged inside.

A soft moan escaped her lips, barely audible, but enough to drive him mad. She shivered and shook with her release, unable to control her movements any longer, and he turned them over once more. He thrust deeply into her body, helping her ride out her orgasm as his own vastly approached. He ran a hand through her hair and pulled her to his face, kissing her deeply as he let go, his teeth sinking into her lower lip in ecstasy. She gripped his shoulders tightly in her hands, his body continuing to thrust as he shook and filled her. She could feel his muscles tensing beneath her hands as his skin prickled with sweat.

He collapsed on top of her, their satisfied bodies clinging together as they gasped for air. She hugged him tightly, his lips leaving a trail of hot kisses across her neck. She smiled to herself, closing her eyes to the feeling of his body against hers. Every time they were together felt more and more intimate, more intense than the last. She couldn't get enough of him. It felt impossible to catch her breath.

"Are you alright?" He ran a hand over her cheek, and she smiled, a light laugh escaping her lips.

"I can't breathe." He laughed as well, kissing her again.

"Maria, I..." He seemed to stumble, and she looked into his eyes for him to continue. "I think you are absolutely breathtaking."

"Oh, honestly." She scoffed and turned her face away, bashfully laughing, but he took her chin between his fingers and pulled her back to face him.

"Yes, honestly." He kissed her once more before pulling away and lying beside her. "I'm expected back downstairs. I was supposed to be coming up to tell the children goodnight."

"It's alright, I understand." She kissed him once again as she stood from the bed, making her way to the bathroom to clean up while he redressed. It did seem to feel more like a business arrangement between them sometimes, and though she much preferred when he could stay and hold her, she found that it didn't hurt much anymore when he had to go. In the beginning of their time together, she had found herself feeling vulnerable and upset when he left like that.

When she returned from the bathroom, her nightgown covering her body, he was fully dressed as well. He kissed her, wrapping her in his arms once again. It was obvious by the tenderness he was showing that he didn't want to leave her, which made her heart feel full.

"Goodnight, Maria."

"Goodnight." She kissed him one last time before opening her bedroom door and peeking out, making sure the hallway was empty. Upon her confirmation that it was, he exited her room, leaving her with a wink of his eye.

She sighed after closing the door, her body feeling relaxed and completely satisfied. Straightening out the sheets of her bed, she turned off the lamp and climbed in. His scent was still on her pillow, and she took a deep breath, remembering how it felt the few times they had been able to sleep in each other's arms. Sleeping alone had never felt quite the same since then, she thought as she began drifting into a peaceful sleep.

Liesl waited for what seemed like hours on the ledge by the window. Too many thoughts were bouncing around in her brain that she couldn't land on one. Was she angry, was she embarrassed, confused? Yes, confusion seemed to be the more prominent feeling. She had no idea what she was supposed to think. And was she just supposed to pretend she saw none of that?

When she was sure Maria had fallen asleep, she gently stepped through the window, careful not to knock anything over in the dark. She sneaked through the door and to her bedroom in a flash, her heart pounding the entire time. Sleep did not come easily for her that night.