Ok, here is the next chapter, The Brilliant Scheme! And this is the funny one, too. I won't be updating for a while because I won't have computer access (and I have to actually write the next chapter!), but as soon as I write it, I'll try to post the next chapter. By the way, the next one is the wedding! I hope you all enjoy, and I know Georg was a bit out of character last chapter, but you have to admit, he's so deep in love with Maria, he probably can't help wanting her. If I was a guy, and as old as him, I probably would! But I'm not; I just think Julie Andrews is beautiful! So anyways…
P.S. before I forget: The name of a certain Baroness in this chapter comes from some guy my Social Studies teacher was talking about. She said he was handsome, so my friend and I Googled him, and he was really ugly! At least in my opinion. So his name is Jean-Claude van Damme, if you want to look him up. I think he's part French, part German. He was in lots of action movies.
000000000 The Brilliant Scheme to keep Maria and Georg out of Trouble 000000000000
000 Georg's POV 000
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" I asked as my fiancée stood in front of the mirror, examining her reflection.
"Yes darling, we've only gone over the plan fifty times!" she sighed, exasperated. "Are you sure I look like a maid?"
"You're much to pretty to be a maid, but let's hope your beauty is an advantage today."
"I don't know how I'm going to flirt with butlers when I have you."
"I'm sure you'll be wonderful. I have complete confidence in you."
"I have confidence in confidence alone! Besides which you see I have confidence in me!" Maria sang, none too softly.
"What was that?" I was going to have to get used to constant singing in my house again.
"Just a little song I made up," she said mysteriously.
"I won't ask."
"Good, because I wouldn't tell you if you did!"
"Not nice!"
"Get used to it." She turned away from the mirror and kissed my cheek. Maria tried to walk out of her bedroom, but I caught her by the waist and brought her to me.
"Well you'd better get used to this." And I kissed her on the lips. She eagerly gave in to me and wrapped her arms around my neck. Suddenly, a voice from the open doorway interrupted us.
"I'm so sorry Father, Fräulien!" Friedrich said embarrassedly. Maria and I quickly separated, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks.
"It's alright, son. Was there something you wanted?"
"Erm, well, Uncle Max and Frau Schmidt have the car ready in front, and they asked me to get you, so…"
"Thank you, Friedrich. We'll be right down." Maria said, still blushing. Friedrich left.
"We'll be right down after we finish what we started," I said with a playful smile.
"I'm fine with that," Maria flirted, unusual for her, and resumed her place in my arms.
0000000Maria's POV000000000000
We (or rather, Georg) drove the car into Salzburg. Before we arrived, however, I got out and walked into town, to further validate my appearance as a maid. I've never fully appreciated just how far away Salzburg could be. Finally I reached town and went straight to the grocer's, as Georg and I had planned. Once there, I made my way directly to where other 'household helpers' were choosing fruits, and started examining apples. Beside me, two cooks were gossiping away, not bothering to keep their voices down.
"Did you hear about what Hilda said, about her employer?" the first one said.
"You mean Captain von Trapp's cook? No, what did she say?" the second one asked.
"She said that the Captain broke up with Baroness Schraeder!"
"Really? Why?"
"She's not too sure, but she thinks it's because of their governess.
"Their governess? What about her?"
"Well, Hilda said that she was young and pretty, and said she couldn't blame the Captain for doing something so unholy."
"So you're saying-"
"What I'm saying is that the Captain got his children's governess pregnant, so he dumped the Baroness to marry her. Probably didn't want his child to be born a bastard. All I think is that at least he had the decency not to turn her out on the street, a slut like her!"
"Excuse me," I suddenly broke into their conversation, trying to keep the anger out of my voice. "I couldn't help but overhear you talking, and I'd like to let you know that I also work in the von Trapp's household, and the Captain and Maria would never do something like that. They're much too decent to do anything unholy. And I'm not saying they haven't wanted to, I've heard them talking you know, but they're too- to right to do anything wrong."
"But-"
"What Hilda said wasn't true. The Captain and Maria aren't getting married to make up for an undone sin, but because they love each other more than it's ever possible to love somebody." I tried to keep from getting a far-off look in my eyes as I said this, but it wasn't easy to stop thinking of Georg.
"So they didn't-"
"Haven't you heard a word I said? I'm telling you, they'd never do anything like that, at least not until they're married. So you can just stop believing what other people say, and believe that the Captain and Maria would never do anything even remotely related to that. Now you can go out and tell all your friends that the Captain and Maria are two people who love each other very much, and can't wait to be married so they can indeed, do- that- without breaking any rules. Agreed?"
"Agreed." The two cooks said in unison.
"Thank you very much." I smiled at them and left. I must say, ordering people around like that was very invigorating. I could see why Georg liked being in charge. My mind still on my fiancée, I looked around to see that no one was watching, then ran to the alley where Georg, Max, and Frau Schmidt had agreed to meet me. Upon reaching the smelly alley, I threw myself into Georg's waiting arms.
"Well?" he asked.
"It was a success!" I smiled up at him, but only briefly, as he kissed me the next second. I pulled away after a moment, feeling Max and Frau Schmidt's eyes on us. However, Georg wouldn't let me back out of his arms, so I was stuck, pressed against my fiancée and feeling like my fact was on fire from blushing so much.
"And now for Part II of the Brilliant Scheme to keep Maria and Georg out of Trouble: Maria Gets to Flirt, also known as Georg's Least Favorite Part!" Max announced, trying in vain to hold back a grin. I sighed and exited the alley with a last apologetic glance at Georg, who was glaring at Max.
I knew, deep in my heart, that having to flirt with butlers would eventually be a good thing, but for the time being, I resented doing it. Georg wouldn't be able to rest until he knew I was his, and only his, so I had to hurry up and get Part II of out Brilliant Scheme over with.
I sauntered my way past a group of young butlers, swinging my hips unnecessarily and utilizing my feminine assets for further effect. I could feel the men's eyes on me as I bent down to pick up someone's dropped shopping list. Behind me, one of the guys wolf-whistled. I stood up straight and turned around, smiling flirtatiously. One of the butlers smiled back and moved over on the bench he was sitting on. I batted my eyelashes and sat down next to him, scootching over so that I was almost sitting in his lap. I shuddered, but on the outside leaned my head on his shoulder. He said, "Hey babe, my name's Stefan. What's yours?"
"I'm Gertrude." I said the first name that popped into my head. I'm glad I wasn't named Gertrude!
"Gertrude. What a pretty name for a pretty woman." What a flirt. In my opinion, Gertrude wasn't a pretty name, and I wasn't pretty, but Georg had assured me otherwise.
"Stefan's a handsome, manly name for a handsome, manly person, too," I lied. He wasn't handsome. But then again, the only man I ever looked at was Georg, so I was a bit biased.
"I know, I know." He smiled flirtatiously at me, and I did my best to smile back. Really, how could someone be so vain?
"So Stefan, where do you work?" I asked, desperate to steer the conversation to the topic I wanted: the rumor stopping.
"I work at Baroness van Damme's villa, right outside of town."
"Really? I've never heard of her," I answered truthfully. I'd have to ask Georg about her later.
"That's interesting. I thought everyone knew her!" We laughed, or at least I tried to. "So where do you work, babe?"
"I work in Captain von Trapp's house."
"Did you say Captain von Trapp?"
"The one and only."
"The one who dumped Baroness Schraeder for his children's governess? Baroness van Damme's only been talking about him for a fortnight!"
"Yes, he dumped the Baroness, but not for the reason you think."
"Well what's the reason, then?"
"The reason is that he didn't love the Baroness, he loves Maria."
"Is that the governess's name?"
"Yes. And she loves the Captain very much. I've never seen two people more in love," I sighed, getting the same look in my eyes as before.
"Then you've obviously never seen me, babe."
I giggled. This was getting to be weird.
"So you're saying the Captain didn't dump Baroness Schraeder because he was having and affair with his governess, but because he loved her?"
"Exactly. So you can tell that to Baroness van Damme. That goes to all of you guys, too," I said to the men who were listening to our conversation, gazing raptly at us. They all looked away, embarrassed that I had caught them. I think I might've noticed one guy blushing.
"Gertrude!" I heard Frau Schmidt calling my fake name.
I grimaced at Stefan, saying "Maybe I'll see you later?"
"Sure thing, babe." He smiled at me as I backed away, trying not to laugh. Once I had retreated with Frau Schmidt back into the alley, we broke into fits of uncontrollable laughter. Georg was looking murderous as I collapsed into his arms, still giggling. But when I looked into his eyes and kissed him passionately, he seeped to get the idea that I could never love anyone but him. As I broke away, I asked, "Does that put a stop to any insecurities you might've had?"
"Yes," he said, and kissed me again. I realized that once again, Max and Frau Schmidt were still staring straight at us, so I backed up, but Georg wouldn't let me out of his arms again.
"You should've seen Maria- I mean Gertrude! She was brilliant!" Frau Schmidt gushed.
"Really?" Georg asked coldly, looking at me with eyes like blue ice.
"Not like that, Georg!" I said.
"Oh no, not like that at all! I only meant that she was really good at-"
"At flirting?" Georg interrupted Frau Schmidt's hurried explanation and walked away. I looked hopelessly after him, then over to Frau Schmidt and Max, then back to my fiancée's retreating figure. My mind was made up. Georg needed me more than Max and Frau Schmidt needed me for Part III of our not-so-Brilliant Scheme. I ran after my fiancée, trying to catch up to his rapid strides.
"Georg!" I called. He quickened his pace. "Georg!" I yelled again. He turned around impatiently and said, "What?' I hurried to catch up to him, and had to take two steps for every one of his.
"Georg, listen to me, please!" He kept walking. "Darling, you know what Frau Schmidt meant! I could never love anyone but you! Especially not some ugly butler I met in the street! Oh Georg, why won't you believe me?" I asked desperately, stopping in my tracks.
"I do believe you; I'm just worried that some ugly butler you met in the street"-here he grimaced-"will try to win your heart using-ah-undesirable methods."
"Georg, do you really thing I'd let myself-"
"I'm not saying you'd let yourself be reeled in by such methods, but-"
"But what, Georg? I'm a big girl; I can take care of myself."
"I know you'd say that now, but would you say that after someone took advantage of you because you're young and beautiful?"
"Georg-"
"Maria, just stop! Let me tell you something! I don't think I could live with myself knowing that you were hurt in such a way!" I tried to interrupt him, but he talked over me. "Maria, I love you more than anything in the world, and if someone did something like that to you, I might want to kill them! Or I'd want to make it up to you even before we're married, and I know you wouldn't stand for that! I just want to keep you safe!" he finished, standing a foot away and glaring at me, his hands on his hips.
"Oh Georg," I sighed and moved closer to him. He gathered me in his arms and kissed the top of my head.
"I care too much about you to let anything happen to you, darling," he muttered into my hair.
"I love you," I said, my words muffled by his jacket.
"Promise me you'll be careful?" He pushed my body away from him, holding me at arms length, his eyes searching mine questioningly.
"Of course, darling." I hugged him again, my head against his chest. I could feel his heart beating under my cheek. We stood there for a moment, then separated and walked back to the alley hand in hand. When we arrived, it was to find Max waiting for us, with Frau Schmidt nowhere to be seen.
"Frau Schmidt decided to start Part III of the Brilliant Scheme," he explained in answer to our inquisitive looks.
"Well, we can't start Part IV until she gets back, so we've got a bit of a wait ahead of us," Georg said, and sat down on an empty, upturned crate. Max settled his weight upon an upside down trash can, and I looked around for somewhere to sit down. My search was in vain. Max and Georg had taken the only two remotely clean areas. Finally Georg offered me a spot on his lap, and I took it gratefully. He wrapped his arms around my waist and Max smirked at him. Georg glared at him while I whispered in his ear, "Ignore him, darling." He did.
We waited for about a quarter of an hour until Frau Schmidt returned, a huge grin upon her face.
"Was Part III a success?" Max asked, standing up. I gently removed Georg's hands from their resting place on my hips and stood up. He did the same.
"Yes, it was," answered Frau Schmidt.
"So your friends are going to do their best to stop the rumors, too?" I asked urgently.
"Yes! They were wonderfully understanding about the whole thing. They also wish you the best of luck," she said, smiling at Georg and I, who smiled at each other. Max mimed gagging behind Frau Schmidt's back. I laughed, Georg glared, and Frau Schmidt turned around to see Max standing with his hands behind his back, whistling.
"Yes?" he asked, noticing Frau Schmidt's inquisitive glance. She looked confusedly between Max and us, back to Max, back t Georg and me. Finally I took pity on her and explained what had happened. She laughed when she hear what Max had done. Georg was still glaring at him.
"Come on darling, lighten up. You know he was only joking," I tried to remind him, but he wouldn't listen. A glaring match between the two men ensued. After Max couldn't take it anymore, he looked down at his feet in shame.
"Max, I'm fine with your little jokes, but don't do them around the children, okay?" Georg said curtly.
"Sure Georg. I'm sorry," Max said feebly.
"It's alright. Just don't do them too terribly often," Georg said, more gently this time.
"Sir yes sir!" Max saluted. We all laughed, even Georg. After the laughter had died down, Max said, "Can we start Part IV now?"
"I don't know how well this will turn out. Can I act aristocratic?' I asked, unsure of how good my acting skills were.
"If you do it half as well as you did before, I'm sure anyone will fall for it," Frau Schmidt said.
"But acting like a maid and a baroness are two completely different things! What if the wig falls off? Or what if I say something wrong? Or what if-"
"Darling, you practiced with me and were wonderful, I'm sure you'll be fine." Georg's comment did nothing to ease my mind.
"But-"
"Maria, give it a rest, will you? You'll be great." I finally had to give in to Georg's urging, and I walked off with Frau Schmidt to get ready.
"Wait!" I cried, suddenly running back to Max and Georg. "Is there any reason for me to do Part IV if we've already covered the lower classes? Don't you think they'd repeat the stuff to the people they work for? Or Baroness van Damme might overhear Stefan talking about us, and butlers are usually trustworthy people, aren't they? So what's the point of screwing everything up if it's already fine?" I finished, breathing a bit heavily from my little speech.
"You have a point," Georg said thoughtfully, staring at some point on the brick wall opposite him.
"I think I made a very good point. And I also think that I can't act aristocratic, so I shouldn't ruin the whole thing." I tried to catch Georg's attention, but he was still staring at the wall. He finally noticed me when I stood in front of him and kissed him fully on the lips.
"If that's what you'll do every time I think about you acting aristocratic, maybe I should do it more often," he teased.
"How am I going to act aristocratic full time after we're married?' I moaned, suddenly realizing that I was going to be a real-life baroness in less than two weeks.
"You don't. Just be yourself. That's how I fell in love with you, that's how I want you to stay." Georg stared me straight in the eye and wouldn't look away. I sighed and broke the gaze after a few moments. However, I could still feel his eyes on me.
"Can we go home now?" I begged. I was really getting tired of this Brilliant Scheme.
"Yes, let's," Max said.
"And maybe we could have a snack when we get there," Georg proclaimed, raising his eyebrows at Max, who grinned happily at the mention of food.
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When we got home, the children were waiting for us, all with excited smiles on their faces. I asked them why they were so happy.
"Father, go away," Liesl said, staring at him while smirking.
"Excuse me?" he asked, surprised at her rudeness.
"It's something you can't see, Father," Louisa supported her sister.
"Oh and why not?" he asked again, playfully this time.
"Because it has to do with Fräulien Maria's wedding dress!" Gretl blurted out.
"Shhhh!" Brigitta tried to shush her younger sister, who looked ashamed at having spilled the secret.
"It's alright, Gretl. Georg, would you mind-?" I silently asked if he would, indeed, leave. He did.
Liesl and Marta grabbed me by the hands and dragged me inside, to the living room. On the sofa was a long box. I rushed over to the box and lifted the lid off slowly. Inside was my wedding dress. I gasped as I carefully pulled the white silk creation out, and Liesl, Louisa, Brigitta, Marta, and Gretl all did the same as they saw the dress. I held it up in front of me, twirling around.
"Try it on, Fräulien Maria," Liesl said, still staring at the beautiful dress. I did. IT fit perfectly. The graceful white silk showed everything. Even though it was long-sleeved, floor-length, with a very slight V-neck, I still felt exposed in the thin fabric. The girls, especially Liesl, sighed as I spun around.
"Father will die when he sees you," Louisa gushed.
"Especially when he sees you after the wedding," Liesl said with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Liesl!" I gasped, shocked that she would think of us like that.
"What? We've seen the way he looks at you. I heard him in his sleep, too. He moans your name over and over again. I don't think he'll get a proper night's sleep until you're by his side," Louisa said.
""I don't think you'll be getting much sleep after the wedding," Liesl had and evil smile on her face as she said this.
"Liesl." I gave her my no-nonsense evil glare and gestured for her to follow me into the hall. Marta and Gretl looked confused, while Brigitta and Louisa were staring at each other with knowing smiles upon their faces. I walked into the hallway, Liesl following me.
"Liesl, what were you doing back there?" I wanted to know why she humiliated me like that.
"I- I don't know. It's just, you love each other so much, and I know what he wants to do to you, and'"
"Wait. How would you know? Did he tell you or something?" I didn't think that would be something Georg would tell his daughter.
"Well-"
"I think I might be able to answer that one." Georg's voice from behind Liesl startled me. I didn't' know he had been listening.
"In case you were wondering, Maria, Liesl heard me talking to myself one night."
"Talking to yourself is a sign of insanity, darling." I knew there was something wrong with him!
"Yes, well you already knew I was insane, didn't you?'
"That's why I'm marrying you. It's an insane match made in heaven!" he laughed and leaned in to kiss me. Before my eyes closed, I could see Liesl slip back into the room with a smile on her face.
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A/N: How did you like it? Is 8 pages (3552 words) enough? Did you think Maria flirting with butlers was funny? Thanks to Lacey for the 'insane match made in heaven' part! Read and review! Please!
Ok I've decided to try something new: replying to all the 19 reviews (from all chapters) in an author's note! SO here goes…
CHAPTER ONE:
Jennalynn: I'm very glad you like the POV changes, and I'm glad you think they're in character. I think I have trouble keeping them in character. And it's been continued, FYI.
Fran330: I'm glad you think it's a good start, and I'm glad you like the POV changes.
Ann: I'm glad you love it!
Kelsea Scarlett: I'm glad you think I did an extremely nice job! I think you did too, on Poinsettias!
SOm fan: I think you know where I took it already….
Emilyn: I'm honored that you would review my story, of all the ones here! And I'm glad (boy I need another word for glad) you like my writing!
Me: Don't think I don't know who you are! I know where you live! OOOOHHH and I can sue you for murder you know… ha
CHAPTER TWO
Megs: I'm glad you like a little fluff!
SOM Fan: Thanks for the constructive criticism, I promise not to change the POVs too often, please don't hurt me! I'm too young to die! I'm pleased you like it, and personally, I don't think it will get much better, but then again I'm always surprised that I get good reviews!
Fran330: I'm glad you like my writing, and I'm sorry to EVERYONE for switching POVs so much! Really! And of course I wrote that from experience… ha
Amy: yeah I didn't really get your review… but I think the general idea is to not change POVs too much, which I tried not to do this time! Thanks for reviewing though!
Xx Holly xx: I love it when people say they love it!
CHAPTER THREE
Megslife: I've never heard that song, but I'll take your word for it. And read this chapter and you'll know! But of course you've already read it… duh…
The Lonely Goatherd: Oh goodness. 'Oh! An idea! How exciting! Can't wait for the next chapter! Keep up the brilliant work! Please update soon!-the Lonely Goatherd'
I think I'll agree with Kelsea Scarlett on this one: (falls down on knees, worships you) THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! I totally adore your work! We're always competing for who updated last, and I read your stories, and I love them, and I'm completely in awe, and I'm delighted that you think it's brilliant, and I just did update, and I think I can say the same to you, and be 'ok I know exactly why your story gets so many good reviews, because its so good, and you're an amazing author, and oh goodness I'll shut up now OK?'
Xx Holly xx: I think you already know what happens to them… oh well. Thanks for the reviews!
SOM Fan: I'm sorry I made Georg out of character, but I always picture him to be completely uh…drawn to Maria, and he's been married before so he knows what to expect, and he's so wholly in love with her, he can't help wanting her… I'm glad you liked the POVs in this chapter better than the one before!
Jennalynn: I updated! Again!
CHAPTER FOUR
Ok no one has reviewed yet, I wonder why. So in response to all these wonderful reviews, THANK YOU! For reading, and reviewing, I love it when people review, so if you want the next chapter (which isn't written yet) to get up soon, give good reviews, and I'll be motivated to write! Thank you so much!