Disclaimer: Nope, nothing…
Author's Note: Sorry this wasn't up sooner I have been debating how I want things in this chapter to be played out. Anywho, here it is…
Chapter Eight
"Darling, what do you think of boarding school?"
The Captain hadn't heard a word Elsa said. He was staring into the fire in the sitting room, remembering the conversation Maria and himself had had a few nights before.
"Darling?"
"Hhmm, oh, my apologies Elsa. What was it that you were saying?"
With a sigh, the Baroness repeated herself once again. "I asked you what you thought about boarding school."
"What about boarding school?" the Captain did not know why she was even bringing up the subject.
"Well, you know, for the children once we're married."
WHAT! Georg couldn't believe Elsa just said that. But before he could respond Kurt appeared in the door way.
"Father?"
"Yes, Kurt."
"We are going to row around the lake. Would you like to come with?"
Georg looked over at his fiance, forgetting about what she had just said. He hadn't really been spending time with her.
As if reading his mind Elsa spoke, "Go on darling, I am visiting with an old friend in town today, remember?"
"Why of course." With that, the Captain stood, gave her a peck on the cheek and walked towards his son, looking forward to a wonderful day.
Leisl, was oblivious to what was going on around her. Half hanging over the edge of the boat she was lost in her own thoughts.Today was perfect. Just like the past few weeks. They were like a family again, a whole family. Maria filled that gap. She wished Fraulein Maria would never leave. She completed the family.
Gretl laughed as she reached over the edge of the boat and splashed Leisl with water, breaking her thoughts.
"HEY!" Leisl giggled as she splashed her youngest sister back, but in the processshe accidentally hit Kurt.
"What was that for?" Kurt retaliated, and got Brigitta and Louisa wet in the process.
"Hey!"
"COLD!"
It began. All seven children were splashing each other, laughing hysterically, while Maria and the Captain tried desperately to get them to stop
"Children really. You need to stop."
"Gretl, don't lean over the edge."
"Kurt please!"
"AH!"
"Sorry Fraulein!"
"Children we must stop now."
"Children, the boats begi-" but the Captain never got to finish his words, as the group of nine was thrown into the water…again.
As best as the could the children ran from the shore of the lake to their rooms to change. Their father was anchoring the boat, and Maria stood, watching the children. Marie had to laugh as she watched them, as crazy as they could be at times, they were wonderful. She wished so much that she could call them her own. So much,…
Realizing that the younger of the children may need help changing Maria snapped back to reality and began forward. But as she did she slipped in the puddle of water she and the children had created. She closed her eyes, preparing herself for the fall, but it never came.
Opening her eyes, Maria found herself in the Captains arms, his arms around her waist. Her eyes found his as she couldn't look away.
Georg couldn't even remember how the lovely governess came to be in his arms. All he knew was that she was there, her eyes locked with his. Staring into her eyes the Captain, felt that same feeling arise, and was now, for the first time, able to recognize it. It was something that he hadn't felt in years, something he had been searching desperately for, something that had resurfaced the night they danced, something he found in her eyes. It was love.
He was filled with pure joy, but was shocked at the same time, and it was that shock that caused him to drop Maria.
"Ah!"
"FRAULEIN! I'm terribly sorry." he felt so stupid, he just realized he loved this woman and he droped her, after he stopped her from falling in the first place.
"Oh, it's all right Captain." She said, allowing herself to take the hand the Captain offered her, rubbing her hip and blushing all at the same time.
When she was standing again the two became very close, again. Maria wanted to back away, but her feet wouldn't move.
"I-I th-think I sh-should go check on the ch-il-dren." And with that, she left the Captain staring at her retreating figure.
"Ah, my dear Fraulein, won't you join us?"
Maria paused in the door was of the sitting room. She had just put the children to bed and was going to get a glass of water before she too retired.
"Oh, no, really I couldn't"
"Please, I insist. As I remember the last invitation I sent you to join us, you declined. I really must prove to you that I am a wonderful dinner partner." Max said.
Feeling guilty, Maria stepped into the room. "But I don't suppose this is dinner, is it Herr Detweiller?"
"No I don't suppose it is." Max said, chuckling. "And if you would please, it's Max."
Blushing again, Maria nodded as she sat in a chair.
"Would you like anything to drink?" The Captain said from the cabinet, containing the beverages.
"Actually, I would love a glass of water."
"Water it is then."
Maria, Georg, Elsa, and Max had been talking for a while when Else decided it was once again the time to bring up the idea of boarding school.
"Darling, when I was talking with Josephine today she gave me the name of a wonderful boarding school. I think you might like it."
Maria nearly choked on the water she was drinking. "Boarding school!" She exclaimed before she could stop herself. "Captain, I know it isn't my place, but boarding school! I don't think-"
"Elsa, I will not-"
"You are right my dear, it isn't your place. Now if you please, this conversation is between the Captain and myself."
"Elsa, any opinion Fraulein Maria my have about the children, she has every right to say. She is, after all, their governess!" The Captain's anger was building. Everyone in the room froze, aware of the sudden fury in the Captain's voice. "And, as I was going to state earlier today, I will not send my children to boarding school!"
"But Georg, what about time for us? We will hardly have a moment together with the seven of them running around."
"Elsa, this matter is not up for discussion."
"Well, I think it should be, considering the fact that very soon I will be a permanent resident of the household. I personally think it will be beneficial to them."
"NO! ELSA!"
"If, you'll excuse me, I think I am going to get some fresh air. Fraulein, would you care to join me?" Max said as he stood offering his arm to Maria who took it without hesitation. She and Max walked quickly from the room, leaving Georg and Elsa behind.
Maria stood, leaning on the gate to the lake. Max had gone in some time ago and she was left alone to her thoughts. How could the Baroness think of sending the children to boarding school. Then there was the Captain, Maria hadn't seen him that angry since the day she and the children fell into the lake the first time. And then there was the fact that he stood up for her, when the Baroness said she was out of her place. Suddenly, Maria blushed and her stomach filled with butterflies.
"I see that once again we both felt like a little fresh air."
Maria pivoted quickly at the voice of the Captain, to find him standing there, rubbing his hand in his hair, and exhaling slowly.
"Good evening Captain."
"Is it?"
An uncomfortable silence consumed the two.
"Captain?"
"Yes, Fraulein?"
"Well, I just wanted to apologize for the way I acted earlier. I really am far to out spoken, it wasn't my place to say what I did."
Shaking his head, Georg replied; "You did have a right Ma-Fraulein. You are the children's governess."
"Yes, well, still since the Baroness is going to be a permanent member of your family, I shouldn't have said anything."
"She isn't" his voice was barely above a whisper.
"I bet your pardon?"
Sighing, the Captain spoke up, "The Baroness will not be a permanent part of this family."
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Well, we've called off our engagement."
Author's Note: There you have it! Chapter..uh….eight! I think this turned out to be my favorite chapter. I know the part where the Captain drops Maria may be a little out of character, but I had to! Anywho, more to come soon!
Singoncemore & SOMBABE45: Thanks for the wonderful reviews!
The Lonely Goatherd
