lover
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the typos.
Setting: canon-compliant, post-something good, pre-wedding
Song: "Lover" by Taylor Swift
Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close forever and ever?
And ah, take me out, and take me home
You're my, my, my, my
Lover
Georg bolted up in his bed, snapping out of a deep sleep, immediately sensing something was wrong. He quickly rubbed the sleep out of his eyes before scanning the darkened room. Nothing seemed amiss – his suit for the following day hung in the closet, his robe lay at the foot of the bed – but then he noticed a shuffling outside the door.
Who could be up at this hour?
Frowning, he turned on the bedside lamp, swept up his robe, and pulled it on as he took three long strides. After tying his belt, he turned the handle, and on the other side of the door stood, not one of his children, but his fiancée.
Georg's heart pounded, surprised by her presence, and unsure why she was here at such a late hour. He quickly scanned her face and his heart dropped into his stomach. Tears filled her blue eyes, her teeth dug into her bottom lip, and her hands shook. The distress in her eyes was evident. Without considering the impropriety of his actions, Georg wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her into the dark room. He guided her to the ottoman where his robe had laid and helped her sit down before returning to the door to shut it.
In the darkness, he couldn't see her visible distress, but it invaded every corner of the room and compelled Georg to take her in his arms. The only sounds were her sniffles and the light kisses he pressed against her head. Georg patiently waited for her emotions to run their course until she could speak.
It brought him back to a mere week ago, the morning after they declared their love in the gazebo. Uncharacteristically, Maria didn't show to breakfast. Georg assumed she might have slept in, given the late hour they stayed up, but when he went for a walk around the estate with Gretl and Marta, he found her sobbing in the gazebo. Marta and Gretl rushed to her side. One she saw them, Maria wiped her tears away and assured them she was alright. However, when they made eye contact, Georg knew she was putting on a brave face. Georg suggested the girls go back to the house. Before leaving, Marta and Gretl made him promise he would make her feel better. Though he promised, Georg realized he had no idea how to fulfill it until he had the overwhelming urge to take her in his arms. As soon as he opened his arms, she rushed into his embrace. Shortly after she finished crying, she apologized for not showing at breakfast and explained her disappearance.
So, Georg waited. In the meantime, he savored her proximity. They hadn't had a true moment alone since that morning in the gazebo. He took in the scent of her shampoo and rubbed her back until she slowly pulled away from their embrace. Georg used his thumb to wipe the remaining tears on her cheek as he scanned her face. Maria, determined to avoid eye contact, focused on their joined hand that rested on her lap. She ran her thumb against the back of his hand and whimpered, "Do I have to go?"
Tomorrow she would return to the Abbey. Though Georg asked her to marry him a week ago, he realized it was unrealistic to announce the engagement. If he wanted to circumvent the gossips and rumors, it was wise to wait. In the shadow of Elsa's sudden departure, the unexpected engagement would start rumors akin to a wildfire through the upper echelons of Salzburgian society.
Truthfully, if it were up to Georg, they would have immediately announced their engagement. It was only at the insistence of Max and the sound advice of his older sister, Hede, that they follow the guidelines of traditional courtship and an engagement, however expedited. In response, Georg quickly developed a timeline similar to his old battle plans. They would announce their courtship in six months, followed by another six months for their engagement. Because Maria could not live in the villa during that time, she would live at the Abbey until Hede could relocate to Salzburg.
Georg hated playing these games, but he refused to let his eventual fiancée or children bear the brunt of harmful gossip. Putting six months between the relationships would prevent rumors that would impact Elsa's reputation and Maria's at the same time. Speculation already spread, especially as more people learned about Maria's position in the villa and her life as a postulant. Max kept Georg updated on the revolving door of endless gossip. Most of it centered around the timeline of their relationship and the belief that Maria seduced Georg, which was laughable. The two had been awkward around each other since the night of the puppet show that even when they were alone. Their encounters were strained and uncomfortable as they danced around each other. Regardless, the rumors not only hurt Maria but Elsa as well. Many people would assume she was usurped by a dirt-poor mountain girl set to become a postulant.
Once Elsa had left, Max informed Georg she wanted to stay out of the situation as much as possible – primarily for her own benefit – and Georg recognized he owed her that much. Despite Elsa's initial meddling, she had gracefully exited and promised to squash any rumors she would come across after returning to Vienna, much to Georg's relief.
In another attempt to prevent rumors, Georg hosted a small dinner for his closest friends in Aigen and a few trusted associates. It was a controlled and comfortable environment – perfect for Maria to acquaint herself with a few ladies who would be important allies. They could influence the narrative about Maria before she was formally introduced to Viennese society if Elsa's efforts were not enough. Maria grew more comfortable as the night went on. After the wives welcomed her with open arms, she enjoyed the champagne, lively chatter, and Georg's proud beam across the table.
Georg told her repeatedly she had nothing to worry about – she was beyond endearing and could charm even the stuffiest person. In fact, she did. Baroness Schwarzenberg was the dullest company in the region, but she was highly respected and a necessary ally. Georg hardly recognized the greying baroness by the end of the meal. She animatedly chatted with Maria and had to be pulled away by Max so Maria could interact with some of the other ladies. By the end of the night, Baroness Schwarzenberg assured Georg she would protect Maria like a mother bear.
Maria's sniffles brought him out of his musing, and he rubbed her back, knowing her response would upset her. "I am afraid you do." When she burst into tears, he pulled her into his lap, and her whimpers broke his heart.
"I don't want to go."
"My love, we've talked about this," he gently responded, as if he was talking to one of their young daughters.
"And I've told you I don't care about the gossip, Georg!" she cried, her anguish giving way to anger. "I don't care about the big fancy wedding or impressing people of your station. I know I'll never be one of them. I wish we could elope," she half-heartedly stated.
Georg couldn't help but chuckle at her outburst, knowing she didn't mean it. "Darling, that would attract more attention in the long run and only strengthen the rumors that you were my lover."
"But I already am," she defiantly argued. At his raised eyebrow, she rolled her eyes. "In the sense that I love you. I never understood why that word is used as a pejorative. It is ridiculous to describe love as something scandalous."
"Ah, but in many ways, for the upper classes, it is. Not many people of my station are so lucky to find love, much less twice," he kindly smiled, cupping her cheek with his palm. "Those unfortunate souls are so miserable, and they force those not condemned to their fate to suffer the same, under the guise of propriety and values."
"But we haven't done anything wrong, and it's unfair I am being forced from you."
To Maria, Georg was magnetic. Whenever he was in the room, she couldn't help but move closer to him. She craved being in his orbit and reveled in his presence. Georg drew her in like a moth to a flame, and Maria would gladly burn. The desire had always existed, possibly from the moment he demanded she turn, though she didn't realize it. Even before they declared their feelings, she felt his eyes on her. He always watched her. Whether it was in frustration, amusement, or to analyze, it didn't matter. She enjoyed the storm in his eyes and the flex of his fingers as he studied her. To know she captured his attention while everyone wanted his attention filled Maria with a feminine sense of satisfaction she didn't quite understand. His attentions lit the match of desire that quietly simmered low in her belly. Her naiveté kept her oblivious to what loomed between them, for which she was grateful. If she did fully understand, Maria suspected some of the rumors might become true.
At that thought, she adorably huffed, crossed her arms, and petulantly declared, "I want to be with you always."
"You will be with me always, for the rest of your life, in fact," Georg began in an amused tone, cupping her cheek, "but we need still need to wait. Though the rules are ridiculous, I will not have your reputation, nor the children, be negatively impacted when they are easily preventable. Besides, we will see each other on the weekends and during various social events, though not as often as we'd want; once Hede has moved to Aigen, we'll be able to see each other more often. I promise."
He ran his thumb along her cheekbone, gazing into her eyes which slowly cleared. He could the children struck a chord with her, and she lowered her defiant chin but leaned into his palm. She knew it was the right thing to do in the long run, especially for the children, but she didn't want to leave. She wasn't going to see Georg for weeks, and since realizing her feelings, she wanted to spend as much time as she could with him.
"It's not fair we have to be apart for so long," she pouted. "I don't understand what people think we can get up to in a house full of seven children and chaperones."
Georg's mouth quirked to the side in a way that always made Maria's stomach flip and breath hitch. Both finally realized their proximity. She was still in his lap, and his right arm wrapped around her waist while his left hand grasped her thigh. His eyes glazed over, and he leaned down to graze his lips against her throat. "You'd be surprised. After all, you managed to sneak into my room into the middle of the night."
"But–"
"This house holds more secrets than you realize, and I am excited to show you them." He nibbled on her neck and moved his hand higher on her thigh.
"Mmm," Maria bit her lip and wrapped one arm around his neck while she ran her fingers through his hair. "Keep doing that."
"Demanding, aren't we, Fraulein?" he rumbled before granting her request. He spent several moments sucking her neck, and she melted into him, letting out a low moan. She was delightfully responsive and pulled against his hair. Unconsciously Georg shifted her in his lap, so she was straddling him. Maria pulled him up to kiss him soundly on the lips, and when she rolled her hips, Georg was brought back to Earth.
"Maria," he choked out, "we need to stop."
"But it feels so good," she sighed, pulling him in for another kiss.
Knowing they were in a precarious situation, he swiftly moved her off his lap and stood up. Her chest heaved, and the flush in her cheeks changed from passion to frustration. She gripped the sheets and could see the fire in her eyes, demanding he return to her. Steeling his resolve, he took determined, controlled steps to his closet door, needing to put space between them.
As the blood rushed back to his brain, he realized it was a matter of time before they were caught. Maria had been gone far too long.
"We need to get you out of here," he stated, thinking through different exit plans. Maria could see the wheels spinning in his mind, and suddenly he opened a door she hadn't noticed. It blended perfectly into the wall, hidden in plain sight. Maria stared at the opening, seeing a narrow passageway that led to God knows where. Georg noticed Maria's amazement, and his nose mischievously crinkled. "As I said, this house holds more secrets than meets the eye."
Perhaps you do too, Maria thought as he reached out his hand, beckoning her to follow. Wordlessly, Maria intertwined her fingers with his, and he tenderly raised her hand to his lips. Silently, he pulled her into the darkness, but she knew he would lead her to the light.
I hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know your thoughts. x
