Maria looks around the room. Nothing looks familiar. The woman that had been in the room when she woke up had gone. The doctor explained to her that she had been in an accident and suffered a concussion. The woman ,Frau Schmidt yes that was her name, had told her that she no longer lives at the abbey. Instead she has been living in this house as a governess., to seven children, no less. Looking around the room she tries to remember, but it was no use.
A knock on the door breaks her concentration.
" Come in" she says as she tries to sit up a little in bed.
Frau Schmidt enters holding a tray, " I thought you would like some tea Maria" she says placing the tray on the table next to the bed.
" Frau Schmidt may I ask you something" Maria says
" Of course you may ask me anything" Frau Schmidt says as she hands Maria her tea.
" How long have I been a governess here?" Maria asks as she takes a sip of tea.
" Well you came at the beginning of summer. You were only suppose to stay until September but the Captain asked you to stay indefinitely. It seems his children are very taken with you. Before you came the Captain was not a happy man. His wife had died four years ago and he was heartbroken. He cut himself off from his children. He would leave every chance he got. The only time he was ever home was when the governess would quit, usually because of the awful tricks the children played on them. I know the children did it on purpose, just to get their fathers attention. Then you came and everything was different" Frau Schmidt says as she takes Marias hand.
" Did the children play tricks on me?" Maria asks.
"Yes they put a frog in your pocket and a pinecone on your chair at dinner. I thought you would leave but the Captain told me you couldn't. You were from the convent and the Reverend Mother told him you were to stay until September. To be honest with you I thought you were totally inexperienced and that the children would take advantage of you. Boy did you prove me wrong. You gave them a taste of their own medicine. You showed them you were not going anywhere. You taught the children how to have fun and laugh again. You taught them to sing . You also won their hearts".
The Captain on the other hand did not share your love of life and music. But to my surprise and delight you managed to change him too. You made him remember what it was like to have music in the house and you brought him back to his children. I have never seen the children or the Captain happier" Frau Schmidt says smiling at her.
Maria feels very at ease with Frau Schmidt. She never knew her own mother and she imagines that this is what a mother would be like.
As they continue to talk there is another knock on the door.
Frau Schmidt goes to the door and finds the Captain on the other side.
" Can I talk to Maria" the Captain asks her.
Frau Schmidt turns and looks at Maria and watches as she shakes her head no.
" I'm sorry Captain she is still a little scared and confused. I am explaining to her how she came to be here. Give her some time. I will stay the night with her and I am sure she will talk to you tomorrow" she says as she smiles sadly at him.
" Please tell her I will hope to see her tomorrow at breakfast. Also tell her that I , I … am glad she is feeling better" he says as Frau Schmidt closes the door. He puts his hand on the door and closes his eyes. She will remember he says to himself as he walks silently to his room.
She sees a figure coming closer. She doesn't see his face but she is drawn to him. He comes closer to her and all she sees is his eyes. Dark and beautiful. She feels him take her face in his hands. Their lips meet and her body begins to respond to his kiss. His hands reach behind her and she feels her dress loosen. His hands slide her dress off her shoulders as his lips leave hers. Her dress falls to the floor and she feels his strong arms pick her up. He lays her on the bed and slowly begins to explore her body with his hands and mouth. Every touch, every kiss causes her to moan with desire. Her eyes fly open, her breathing heavy and her body feels as if it is on fire. Looking around the bed she realizes it was a dream. She looks over to see Frau Schmidt sound asleep on the cot. Touching her fingers to her lips she can't help but wonder who the man in her dream was and why she would have such a dream. She was going to be a nun. She's never even kissed a man let alone make love to one. Closing her eyes she let sleep claim her once more.
