Disclaimer: A funny thing…I still don't own the Sound of Music…

I Trust In My Heart-
-Chapter Seven: The Pleasure Is All Mine

Maria hastily walked down the street.

"Gretl, Marta, and Liesl went to the toy shop." she spoke aloud to no one in particular. "The boys are at the bike shop. And Louisa and Brigitta went to the book store." she finished. She had boxes upon boxes in her hands of things that she had gotten and bags were hanging off her arms. Everything was so piled up that she could barely see over the top of the highest box.

"Let's see. That's the florist's which means the book shop is just up the street. I'll get Louisa and Brigitta to help me." she mumbled feeling absolutely embarrassed that she was talking aloud to herself, carrying all that she had. She should have told the children to meet her somewhere, but in light of trying to get everything done quickly she had forgotten.

"Why do I have to be so- OH!" Maria's next thought was cut short as she ran into something rather solid and fell to the ground, the boxes and bags she carried covering the walk way. "Oh, I'm so sor-"

Deep laughter interrupted her sentence. "Don't apologize. It's my fault really. I should have seen you coming, allow me to help you up." Maria looked up as the voice spoke. Her eyes met the sight of a man. He was strongly built, with broad shoulders. He had a small goatee and deep chocolate eyes. He was holding out his hand to help Maria up. All she could do was nod and allow him to.

Once standing, Maria bent down and began to pick up the boxes. "I really am sorry, I just didn't see you coming." she said at the speed of light. Her face was flush red.

His booming laugh stopped her once again. "As I said before, it's alright." he said, helping Maria pick up all of her belongings.

"Thank you." Maria said, once everything was picked up. She held out her arms to take everything he was holding, but he shook his head.

"Were you going somewhere near by? Perhaps I can help you carry your things there, so you don't run into another unsuspecting man." he said, a twinkle in his eye.

"Oh no, I couldn't ask you to-"

"I insist."

"Well." Maria looked at the man. She didn't know why, but being around him made her uncomfortable. "Oh, alright. I was just going to the book shop." she said, pointing to the store tow buildings down.

Without saying anything else Maria and the man walked the length to shop. "I can take it from here. I'll have help in a minute." Maria said, once they stopped outside the store.

The man nodded, setting her things on the ground. "It was my pleasure, Fraulein." he said, "have a good day." and with the tip of his hat and a small bow he was gone.

Maria didn't have time to think for as soon as the man was gone, Brigitta and Louisa came out of the shop. "Who was that, Fraulein Maria?" Brigitta asked after seeing the two through the shop window.

"I don't know."

There was a knock on Georg's study, interrupting him from his peaceful reading. "Come in." he said, rather annoyed. He knew it wasn't Maria or the children back from town, he would have heard them no doubt.

"A visitor for you, Sir." Franz said, opening the door.

Georg sat up in his chair more, puzzled. "Send them in." Franz nodded and opened the door.

"Hello old friend." his visitor said, stepping into the room.

"Ubel!" Georg said, standing from his chair and walking over to shake hands with his friend. "It's been a long time."

"Yes it has."

"Come in, sit" Georg said, walking over to the conversation area of his study by the fire place. "Would you like a drink?" he asked as Ubel sat down.

"Water." Georg nodded and before anything else was said got two glasses of water.

Once Georg was sitting, conversation between the two started again. "Do tell to what I owe this visit?" Georg asked, having a feeling there was a motive behind his friend's visit.

"Come now Georg, do I need a reason to visit an old friend?" Ubel asked, taking a drink.

Georg raised his eyebrows but said nothing.

"Just a visit, I assure you. Tell me, how are the children?" the two began to talk like they had just seen each other yesterday.

"I must apologize for missing your party that you held for Elsa, I was rather busy." Ubel said, off handedly.

Georg froze. There it was. That's why he was here. He should have known that was the reason for Ubel's visit. His canceling of his engagement to Elsa and his one to Maria.

"Yes, it's quite alright."

"I was talking to Elsa just yesterday you know." Ubel said again, as if just to make simple conversation but something in his tone telling someone other wise.

"Oh?"

"Yes, she told me what happened." he paused briefly. "Between you and her and the governess."

"Ubel-"

Ubel held up his hand. "Allow me to congratulate you Georg!" he said, enthusiastically.

Georg looked questioningly at his friend.

"Come now Georg, don't give me that look. One can't choose who they fall in love with." there was something about the way he said it. "I truly am happy for you."

Maria and the children walked into the house. "Children, why don't you find Frau Schmidt and give her everything we got in town today." all seven nodded before running to find their house keeper.

"Oh Franz." Maria stated to the passing butler.

"Yes, Fraulein?" he always sounded so impatient.

"Where's the C---Georg?" she asked, quietly.

"In his study. An old friend he hadn't seen in a while came to visit him." with that being said he left.

"Lovely!" Maria called to him, indicating that she hadn't finished with their conversation. With a sigh Maria walked towards the sitting room.

"I really must say that I was surprised you're still talking to me." Maria heard the Captain say as she passed his study. "After all you're a dear friend of Elsa's and you are the one who introduced me to her." Maria had been so caught up in listening that she didn't notice her feet were beginning to drag her towards the study door. When she heard Georg's last statement Maria was filled was something she had never felt before…a bad feeling…perhaps jealousy?

A deep booming laugh came from what she assumed was Georg's visitor. Maria knew that laugh, she had heard it before, it had sounded like- "OW!" she screeched. Maria had been so caught up in eve's dropping that she hadn't noticed that she walked right into a small table.

Her hand flew to her mouth just as the study door opened.

"And here she is now." Georg laughed, coming out of the room. "Maria, allow me to introduce and old friend of mine. Ubel Eloy Kiel." as he finished talking the man Georg was referring to stepped completely out of Georg's study, causing Maria to gasp. It was him! The mysterious man she had run into in town!

"So this is the famous Maria." he said, taking her hand and kissing the top of it while bowing slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you…again." he said, standing up from his bow and looking Maria in the eye, his deep chocolate eyes seeming to bare into her.

"Again?" Georg asked, puzzled.

"Yes. We ran into each other in town earlier." Ubel said and Maria nodded, she suddenly felt she needed to explain herself.

"I had sent the children to different stores so I could get everything I needed quickly. My arms were full of boxes and I couldn't see where I was going and we bumped into each other." she said quickly and in one breath. Ubel laughed and the Captain grinned.

"I'M HOME!" a voice came from the front door. All three people in the entrance hall turned to see Max walking through the front door, making an entrance as always. "Ubel?" he asked, walking down the steps and over to the group that was standing there.

"Max Detweiller. A pleasure as always." Ubel said, shaking Max's hand.

Max looked from a smirking Ubel to a uneasy looking Georg to and embarrassed Maria. He had a funny feeling that something was going to happen.

Max had never been a fan of Ubel Kiel. The man was rotten, well in his opinion anyways. There was just something about him. He couldn't place it, but there was. The two had never really gotten along. They pretended for they both had mutual friends. But still, there was something. So it was no surprise that Max didn't like the idea of sitting next to him that night at dinner.

The children talked excitedly and conversation was full at the table.

"Tell me, Ubel-"

"Yes Georg."

"-Where is it that you plan on staying?"

"A hotel in town." Ubel said.

"Nonsense. You shall stay here, I insist."

"I don't want to cause trouble Georg."

"No trouble at all, I shall have the room next to Max's set up for you."

Max twitched, and swore within himself. 'Damn' he thought.

Ubel looked at Georg and smirked, "If you insist, then I shall."

Maria didn't know why, and perhaps she never would, but something about the way Ubel had made his last statement sent chills down her spine.

Author's Note: There you go, chapter seven. Not exactly the longest…but my chapters never really are. I think this is better than the last chapter though…let me know!

MaryAnne: Yes, rumors…what would we do without them? Lol…thanks for reviewing..

Kelsea Scarlett: lol…I'm slow at times too…but it happens to the best of us! You're so lucky that you've seen the Trapp children perform! Is Maria's book good? I wanna read it…I'll have to go the library…Glad you like my portrayal of Elsa….I always thought she was rather classy…well, thanks for reviewing!

Edelwyn: I agree…the last chapter wasn't the best…but as I said I only had one purpose for it…Glad you liked it and everything was portrayed well…thanks for the review!

Megs: LOL….I would say something on Ubel cause I don't wanna give anything away….tee hee…thanks bunches! Glad you like it!

Well, that's all for now!

Until next time

Your humble author,

The Lonely Goatherd