Maria sat quietly at her window, staring out at the morning sun as it rose over the lake. The grounds were so tranquil at the moment. It seemed a lifetime ago that the villa was filled with music and dozens of Salzburg's elite. She was amazed that it wasn't a lifetime ago; it was the night before, and its events swirled around in her head, making her feel almost dizzy as she tried to sort them out.

What was happening between her and Klauss? Her heart started to beat a little faster as she remembered his arms around her and his lips pressing against hers. No one in her life had ever expressed such attentions to her; she had thought such things belonged only in the stories she read to Marta and Gretl and were not meant for her. But the more she got to know Klauss, and the more often she found him staring at her as no one had, she realized that perhaps such things did exist in the world, and she was meant to experience them.

She had been so shocked when he had taken her in his arms and kissed her. But soon, that shock had dissolved into a strangely comfortable feeling. When they'd parted, she remembered the breathless look on his face and how handsome he was when he smiled at her. She had gotten lost in his eyes as she found herself doing whenever they were together. He then had placed his hands on her shoulders, that wondrous look on his face that both scared and excited her. He had escorted her back into the ballroom with the promise to see her soon.

Maria wasn't sure how strong his feelings were for her, just as she wasn't positive she could name what it was she felt for him. His attraction to her was flattering, and she enjoyed the time they'd spent together tremendously.

She wondered if she was in love with him. Never having felt anything more than an infatuation during her formative years, as she devoted herself to her studies and life on her uncle's farm, she wasn't sure she knew what love felt like. She knew she liked the feeling of being in Klauss's arms; it was so new and exciting. But, from what she read, wasn't love supposed to be something one knew automatically? Or, maybe she did know it, and was just thinking too much about it.

Shaking her head in frustration, she stood and walked to exit her bedroom, more than willing to distract herself with the assuredly difficult task of calming the Von Trapp children down so they could resume their studies.

"Did you see that woman with the green dress?" Brigitta asked as she looked up from her arithmetic book for what must have been the hundredth time. "Her hair looked like a balloon!"

Marta and Gretl giggled.

"Maybe she flew away!" Marta said.

"I thought she looked like a turnip," Kurt commented.

"That's because you're always thinking about food," Louisa quipped. She stared down at her English lesson before looking up at her distracted governess. "Fräulein Maria?"

Maria, who had been unsuccessful in her attempts to correct Friedrich's essay, was staring out at the lake. Louisa shared a look with Liesl, both knowing what was distracting their governess.

"Fräulein Maria," Louisa repeated in a sing-song voice.

Maria turned quickly to face the girl, her cheeks reddening at being caught daydreaming. "Oh, uh, yes, Liesl?" she asked.

"I'm Louisa," the girl corrected, a grin on her face. The rest of the children laughed at their flustered teacher.

"Forgive me," Maria said with a sheepish smile. She looked around the table at the children, all making little or no progress with their studies. She glanced at Louisa. "What is it, Louisa?"

The girl gestured to her workbook. "I can't concentrate in English," she started before giving her siblings a feigned look of annoyance, "with everyone around me talking about the ball."

"Would you prefer we spoke in English?" Friedrich suggested.

"I can't speak English!" Marta said, her eyes wide.

"Good, then we'll talk about you," Kurt said, and Marta's face turned white.

"Children," Maria said with a sigh, "let's take a break and go outside. It's obvious nothing is getting done this morning."

Not needing any further incentive, the majority of the children dashed outside. Only Liesl remained behind, closing her book and regarding her governess carefully.

"Did you enjoy yourself last night, Fräulein Maria?" she asked.

Maria, alert with anxiety, nodded. "Yes, I had a very nice time," she said quickly.

"Uncle Klauss likes you very much," the girl continued slowly.

Maria blushed at the mention of Klauss's name. "Uh, yes," she stammered. "We've become very good friends."

The eldest Von Trapp nodded knowingly and accompanied Maria outside. Liesl started talking about the various moments of the ball that she'd liked, but Maria only half listened. The pair walked out to the garden, where they encountered the rest of the children.

"Fräulein Maria," Kurt asked. "May we play in the backyard?"

"Of course," she said, smiling. She started to guide the children to the back when the sound of laughter caught their attention. They all turned to see the Baroness walking out to the garden, escorted by Klauss.

Maria was relieved it was so bright; she could blame her suddenly red cheeks on the sun. He looked over at her, his smile widening.

"Good morning, Maria," he said.

The younger girls giggled. "Good morning, Klauss," Maria said, hoping her tone was casual.

"Klauss came unexpectedly and requested to speak with you, Maria," the Baroness said. She turned to the children. "Perhaps we should let them have a moment?"

Maria looked at Liesl, somehow terrified to be left alone with Klauss. The young woman smiled at her before guiding her brothers and sisters to the backyard. Maria looked at the Baroness, willing the other woman with her eyes not to abandon her.

Her attempts were in vain. The Baroness gave the couple an exaggerated smile. "I shall give you a minute, before I let Georg know you're here, Klauss," she said before turning on her heel and leaving them alone.

Maria smiled nervously. The relaxed and surreal mood from the night before was gone. In the sharp lighting of the late morning sun, Maria felt as if she was exposed to the world. Anyone could see her beating heart and could tell she was trembling beyond control.

Klauss, however, didn't seem to notice. He walked closer to her, and Maria felt her stomach tighten more with every step. He stopped in front of her and smiled warmly.

"You look lovely, Maria."

"Thank you," she said, wondering where her voice had come from.

"I wanted to thank you again for a wonderful evening," he continued, reaching out and taking her hands in his. If he could feel her trembling, he didn't say anything. "I usually find parties like those so boring. You made all the difference."

"I had a lovely time too," she said, wishing her heart would stop racing. "You are a wonderful dancer. I could have danced with you all evening."

He cocked his head. "I thought we did!"

She laughed nervously. "It went by so quickly."

He nodded and stepped closer to her, causing her to inhale sharply. He searched her face. "It was like a dream," he murmured. He leaned in closer, but Maria backed away suddenly.

Seeing the confusion in his eyes, she tried to smile. "The children might see…"

He looked past her in the direction from where her charges had left. Shifting his gaze back to her, he nodded. "Always the governess," he commented with a twinkle in his eyes that nearly covered his disappointment.

She smiled. "It's why I'm here."

Klauss opened his mouth to reply, but was silenced when they heard footsteps. They separated and turned to see the Captain standing in the outside entrance to the ballroom, accompanied by Elsa. Maria blushed again, embarrassed to be caught standing so close to Klauss by her employer.

The Baroness's eyebrows rose. "I hope we weren't interrupting anything."

Maria's stomach twisted, and the Captain turned to give the Baroness a pointed glance. He looked at Maria again, and she titled her head at him, puzzled by the expression on his face.

Klauss laughed and stepped further away from Maria. "I was just telling Maria how much I enjoyed myself last night."

"You did?" Elsa said. "I couldn't tell."

Klauss laughed again before turning to Maria. "This party was rather special," he said.

Maria tried to smile at the compliment, but all she could think of was the distant look in the Captain's eyes.

"You will stay for lunch, Klauss," Elsa said, stepping closer to the Captain and reaching down for his hand. When it remained stoically by his said, she looked up to his profile. It remained unwavering as he stared at Maria and Klauss. She backed away and smiled at the couple. "It would mean so much to the children."

"The children!" Maria gasped, finding relief in the excuse to leave the sudden tension of the group. "I should go check on them."

"They're playing in the backyard, as they promised, Fräulein," the Captain said to her. "But they may need an eighth player for whatever game it is they're playing."

"As much as I'd like to," Klauss said before Maria could reply, "I cannot stay for lunch. There is a lot of business I have to attend to. I was on my way to Hallein and thought I'd see how everyone was coping after the party."

He looked at Maria. "May I see you soon, Maria? In a few days?"

She smiled. "I'd like that."

He nodded, and Maria could tell he wanted to kiss her again. She found herself relieved at the Captain and Baroness's presence.

Klauss walked over to Elsa and the Captain. Giving his friend a quick nod, he winked at Elsa. "Make sure he smiles once in a while," he commented, not noticing how Georg seemed to exhale at the sight of him leaving.

Elsa laughed and looked up Georg. "I'm sure that can be arranged somehow," she said.

An uneasy silence fell upon the group after he had left. Maria looked over at the Captain, who seemed to be distracted by something. She clapped her hands together. "I really should be attending to the children," she said quickly.

"See you soon, my dear," Elsa said as they watched her run off. She looked up at Georg again, noting his more relaxed stance. "Are you alright, darling?"

He looked down at her for the first time since they had walked out onto the garden. Offering her a distant smile, he nodded. "Of course," he said and led her back into the house.

To be continued…