"I do thank you for remaining behind and being my dinner guest, Maria," Klauss whispered to her.
Maria smiled at him and picked up her dessert fork. "Thank you for asking me," she said. Looking around, she leaned closer to him. "Although I must admit I feel a little out of place."
He took her hand and squeezed it. "That's only because everyone else is overdressed," he said, and the two laughed lowly.
Maria looked up after a moment and glanced around the table. Countless members of Salzburg's upper class sat about her, and she was amazed that she was surrounded by such haute couture. Being raised humbly on a farm, she shook her head in wonderment as she found herself sitting with naval admirals, barons, and other dignitaries.
"Your little show with the children was splendid, Fräulein," a man sitting across from her, Baron Kauffman, said. "I didn't know how musical the von Trapp children were."
She smiled. "Thank you, sir," she said as she pulled her hand from under Klauss's to take a sip of water. "The children love singing."
"They seemed to enjoy themselves very much," Baroness Kauffman added, nodding to her husband. "You must have your hands full!"
Maria looked over at the Captain, who was sitting at the head of the table and was within her range of hearing. Their eyes met, and she brightened at the warm smile he gave her. The Baroness was seated next to him, and Maria noticed the other woman's traveling eyes as the conversation turned to something to which she couldn't directly contribute.
Maria turned to Baroness Kauffman. "It doesn't seem like that much when they're such a joy to be with."
"Of course they are," Markus added, laughing. "They're good Austrian children!"
"Austria is blessed with so many things," Baron Elser, seated on Maria's other side, stated. "It's something to remember in these times."
Maria instantly looked over at the Captain, and saw his lips purse together, preparing himself for whatever unpleasant comments might be made. She glanced about the table, wondering if anyone had heard the serious turn their little group's conversation had taken. Seeing laughter and raised glasses, she felt almost relieved that the discussion would remain small. She felt Klauss stiffen next to her, and she looked up at him to see his focused expression. His mouth, like the Captain's, seemed to become a little straighter.
"When Hitler comes into Austria, we'll just have to make it difficult for him," Baron Elser said.
"Don't you mean 'if,' Fritz?" Klauss asked. His voice was light, but Maria could hear the edge to it.
"It's only a matter of time, I'm afraid. I'm not saying I want the Nazis in Austria, but I have to be realistic," the other insisted, casting a pointed stare to the Captain. "Being idealistic won't keep the enemy away."
The Captain's eyes narrowed slightly, but he kept his tone neutral. "But idealism is a trait that the Nazis could never embrace because it possesses hope. I know what will happen to our country. It doesn't mean I have to accept it."
"If they let us lead our lives, I don't know what else we can ask for," Elsa said. "Look at how Hitler has turned Germany around. He made their economy stronger, and their morale is higher than ever. The Anschluss might be a good thing for this country, if we get over our pride."
Maria's mouth dropped open. She looked at the Captain, who was staring at the Baroness as if seeing her for the first time. Markus cleared his throat uncomfortably, and Baroness Kauffman gave her husband a worried glance.
Before she could stop herself, Maria spoke up. "Perhaps the Germans are too afraid to show anything else. Personally, I'd rather be free and have to work a little harder than to live in fear. That freedom is something all Austrians, true Austrians, can enjoy."
All heads turned to her, and she swallowed to steady her nerves. Determined not to allow her cheeks to burn, she set her chin in the air. She looked over at the Captain, who was gazing at her in a similar way he had just stared at the Baroness. However, Maria did not see the disappointment in his eyes; on the contrary, she saw admiration.
Klauss nodded. "Austrians do enjoy a great deal of liberties, but we're not without our limitations as well. Change is inevitable, but I don't believe the Germans overtaking us will be the best course of action."
The Captain sighed, placing his napkin on the table with perhaps more force than necessary. "If the Nazis take over Austria, I'm afraid all of our liberties will cease to exist. No improving economy will make up for that," he said. "They will destroy all that we hold dear."
He looked over at Maria, and their eyes met for a moment. Her breath caught in her throat, and she sat motionless. In an instant, he looked down into his plate.
"To encourage them simply because they promise a better life economically is something I cannot even fathom," he concluded.
The Baroness's cheeks reddened slightly, which she masked by taking another sip of wine. Placing the glass back on the table, she sighed and said, "Forgive me, darling, but that is how I feel about the issue. I don't want an invasion either, but an Anschluss is not an invasion."
"It is when it's forced on us," Klauss said.
The Captain stood abruptly, causing the rest of the table to fall silent. He pursed his lips for a moment before bowing his head slightly. "If you'll forgive me," he stated, "but I must personally see that our after-dinner activities are prepared for."
He looked around the room. His eyes rested on Maria again for a moment before he walked out.
Maria looked nervously at Klauss. "He's taking this hard," she said, looking at the empty seat on which the Captain had been sitting.
Klauss nodded, and Maria saw the same look in his eyes as had been in the Captain's. "We've fought hard for our country. To lose it all to the Germans is an insult."
Maria placed her hand on his forearm. He glanced down at it before looking up at her. She smiled at him, her eyes full of with compassion. "God will take care of us," she said.
He stared into her eyes. "You have the faith of a saint, Maria," he whispered. He placed his other hand on top of hers and the two smiled at each other, finding a little peace and assurance in the ever changing world.
To be continued…