5

A couple of days later Maria proposed that the children go into town. This made them very happy and immediately accepted with excitement. The Captain had made no objections, on the contrary he seemed to agree with all her proposals, to Maria's great satisfaction.

Maria wasn't sure if it was because he had finally realized that her suggestions were reasonable or that they had simply entered a phase of quiet acceptance of one another. Yet, Maria was aware all the time that she was under scrutiny and that she was being watched intensely the whole time.

Maria, on the other hand, used every opportunity to study him. She was astonished how he had many different character traits. He was a complex man. From a pretentious, arrogant and strict aristocrat, to an attentive and loving father. She was confused with his transformation and didn't know how to comprehend that.

Every now and then he would poke a little fun at her, or provoke her and of course she would bite the bait. And then he would give her an amused or devilish smirk and she would blush. It was so embarrassing, it seemed he had found out how to overwhelm her. And, oh my God, his dashing appearance, you just couldn't ignore him. It was much easier for her when he was in his black mood and bark would orders, but this playful, charming and utterly handsome Captain was devastating.

As the days passed it seemed to Maria that her prayers grew longer in order to at least find solitude there. Yes, God had a very good sense of humor. How else could she explain to herself that her last obstacle for taking vows was an incredibly handsome and reformed father of seven. In fact he should really be standing at the Abbey's door to be the ultimate judge of who should live a cloistered life and who should not, Maria thought laughing to herself. And at the same time wondering what the Reverend Mother would think of her suggestion.

She was pulled up from her reverie when the bus stopped near the center of town, after which they headed for the Mirabell Park. After the walk through the park, they have found a beautiful spot and agreed that everyone should stay close to the others within sight so that everyone could enjoy another beautiful day. Maria was resting on the bench and observed Marta and Gretl as they made flower chains.

Watching them, surrounded by other children playing nearby, she felt so at peace. Honestly she hadn't felt like that in a long time. Her plan was to prepare the children for a new mother, that is, the Baroness, but she also envied her because she has realised that she simply adored them. To be in their lives watching how they grow would be a rare gift. She could not understand why the Captain left them so often. With their totally different characters and ability to show and share love, before she realized it all of them had captivated her.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" Maria was again diverted from her inner thoughts. She raised her head and turned to see who it was.

In front of her stood a young gentleman, tall, with dark hair, tanned skin, beautiful features, dark eyes and a beautiful smile. Maybe "gentleman" was too strong a word, in the relaxed way he looked, with a loose tie, eating a sandwich and looking nonchalant. His hair was a little longer hair than usual and he had an earring. Wait, an earring?! Maria stared at his earring so obviously that he immediately understood and began to laugh.

Maria tried to cover her stare, with a little blush in the middle of his laughing.

"Ah, I obviously forgot to take off my earring, I am working in a nearby confectionery, called "At pirates", I am a pirate on that ship", he said with a wide smile and an unusual accent.

"Pirates and ice-cream, from what coconut and parrots?!" Maria blurted out and immediately cover her mouth, with the inevitable redness of the cheeks.

"Oh, I am sorry".

"Don't be, it's rare to meet an honest person, you are right, it's funny, but it just makes ice cream seem more tempting. I hope you will try some and give me an honest opinion," he said softly and smiled.

Maria was taken aback at how easy it was talking to him, but she felt the need to justify herself a little though.

"I always say whatever first pops into my mind. Believe me it's not advantageous!", she shrugged her shoulders with a beaming smile.

"No it's alright, please don't apologize, I am sick of people who say one thing and think another," he said passionately.

"So, excuse me for prying, but your accent is a bit different, where are you from?" As he had said that he liked her honesty she felt she could relax and easily chit chat.

"I come from Italy and started to work here a couple months ago!", he said with a smirk. But she couldn't imagine him working in confectionery any more than on a ship with a Captain. Yes he reminded her of the Captain but he was less arrogant, less stiff, less orders, less barking, less... oh my God the list was really long, she mused.

"Oh, the Italian language is so beautiful, very melodic and passionate. I hope one day I will be able to learn," Maria said honestly and openly.

"Sei bella!" he said frankly with a serious expression.

"Excuse me?" He aroused her curiosity, with wide open eyes and at the same time trying to figure out what he was saying to her.

"Well it means in Italian that you are beautiful. But I still don't know your name!" he said shyly, looking at his shoes, avoiding Maria's disbelieving eyes, like a schoolboy. He was the total opposite of a certain Captain who always looked directly in someone's eyes until they felt uncomfortable.

Nobody had ever told her she was beautiful and she was a little shaken. She had always been a tomboy and was satisfied that she was clever and witty, and proud she didn't attract the wrong type of attention. But this, she admitted, was flattering. Once again she reflected that God had a very good sense of humor. She briefly wondered how many obstacles she would have to face before taking her vows.

"Um, I am Maria!" she said shyly, extending her hand.

"Well very nice to meet you Maria, I am Luca!" he said after composing himself.

"So, when will we start with an Italian lesson?" he asked half jokingly, looking directly into her eyes with wide smile, emphasizing even more how handsome he was.

"Well, thank you, but I don't have much time. I am a governess to these children" she said, smiling at the children who came to them at that moment to see who this gentleman was who had caught her attention.

At first, the children looked at him suspiciously, but he quickly put them at ease with little chit chat and his childhood stories about the games he played. Maria was surprised at how quickly he charmed them with his mischievous adventures from childhood.

Soon everyone said goodbye and promised to see each other someday in the patisserie, but not before he said Maria: "Addio bella!", with a look of adoration which even naive Maria, recognised.

Luckily the children didn't hear this but for the rest of the day she was bursting with inner self-confidence. Although she knew this was not permitted for a future nun she decided she would think about that tomorrow.

Let me know what do you think, will Maria and Luca meet again?