I know I should really be working on either Love Story or Longest Night, but this idea just wouldn't leave me alone. I have the next chapter ready to go and the four after that have a written plan. So I'm hoping to post weekly updates.
Reviews are always very welcome.
Elsa swept through the mass of people that flooded out from the entranceway and then spilled into the ballroom and sitting room, gracing them with her beatific smile whenever someone glanced admiringly in her direction. Tonight was to be her triumph, her crowning glory, and yet the man whose arm she had planned to be on, had disappeared. She was careful not to look perturbed by this oversight, after all Georg hadn't hosted in quite some time, and he'd never shown much interest in this side of society to begin with. Therefore it was really no surprise that he wasn't exactly where he ought to be. It was something that was easily remedied, Elsa told herself, she simply had to find him and entice him back to the party so that she could show him exactly what sparkling company she was.
She should check the terrace, she thought after a moment, the children were out there and so it was the most likely place to would find Georg skulking, attempting to extradite himself from the social swarm. That and he seemed to have oddest pre-occupation with his children of late, she had never been in any doubt that he cared for them, that was only proper after all, but he wanted to spend an inordinate amount of time with them. She couldn't remember him being as interested in them before, in Vienna he seemed to have spent most of his time attempting to find others who would manage them for him. The children could be sweet she supposed, but surely seeing them presented neatly to them before bed was more than enough, it was certainly enough for everyone else in her social circle. Her lips pursed, it was the doing of that lamentable governess, she was forever pushing them forward, extolling their virtues, all whilst giving Georg those coy little smiles and widening those already ridiculously big blue eyes at him. Elsa at times had even caught herself wondering if the girl even planned to become a nun, but then she had decided that no-one could fake that level of innocence, certainly not for such an extended length of time. She let out a quiet huff of air as she began to manoeuvre the crowd, no, the little Fraulein had no idea what she was doing and therefore could be easily managed if required.
Her slim fingers tucked a coiled lock of her shimmering blonde hair neatly behind her ear as she heard the orchestra strike first few cords of the laendler and only just repressed a shudder, she loathed folk dances, but Georg had been most insistent that there should Austrian dances at an Austrian ball.
She was only partway through the hall when her path was suddenly halted by a balding man whom she had only had the most formal introduction to at the start of the ball, but who she knew well enough by reputation alone. "Ah, Baroness Schraeder, I wish to talk to you," he barked at her as he stepped out in front of her.
Elsa shot a quick glance in the direction of the terrace doors, where she was sure she had just caught a glimpse of Georg's dark hair, but always the consummate hostess, she turned her attention away and inclined her head gracefully at the intruder, demurring prettily, "Herr Zeller, I'd be delighted."
His chest puffed out proudly at her words before he collected himself and his jaw jutted out obstinately at her as he waved his hand at the Austrian flag that hung from the first floor. "I must say, I was surprised by your choice of décor tonight," he remarked coldly.
Her heart sank slightly, she had known this would happen, had suggested to Georg that they forgo it altogether given the climate, but again he had been insistent. She didn't even care that much about the blasted thing, certainly not enough to defend it. Her face however, showed none of her dismay at having to address this situation, and instead she blinked innocently up at said flag and remarked, "Oh, I felt given Captain von Trapp's heroic service to his country that it was suitable to display it, particularly as it is the first event he has thrown in so many years."
Herr Zeller gave a patronising smile, his eyes remaining cold, like black beads that stared unblinkingly at her, his head tilting every so slightly to the left, reminiscent of a hawk watching its prey. "Understandable, I suppose, but I am surprised by the lack of any other…more appropriate displays."
Elsa made a small oh shape with her mouth and let her fingertips brush against her lips. "I admit I didn't think, it was most foolish of me." It was easier to play the witless woman than it was to let the man get even a sniff of Georg's true thoughts, although she had no doubt that they were already suspected, he hadn't been subtle after all. Her hand brushed Zeller's forearm. "I do hope I haven't insulted you too much."
His mouth twitched, his eyes flickering down to where her hand rested on his sleeve and then back up to her perfectly schooled features that were set into the very picture of contrition. He sucked in a breath between his clenched teeth and gave a curt nod, his lips curling into a snarling smile. "Of course not, however, it would be prudent to remember that change is afoot, and it wouldn't do to find yourself on the wrong side."
Keeping her pacifying smile in place, Elsa remarked, "That would never do, believe me Herr Zeller, all I want is for everyone to get along and," she leaned in every so slightly closer, as if disclosing some great secret and breathed, "I do find that change can be very refreshing, keeps things interesting."
His arm slipped out from under her grasp and he gave her another humourless smile. "Perhaps you would be wise to share those thoughts with Captain von Trap." He clicked his heels as he dipped his head in a mocking bow of goodbye and stomped away.
Elsa forced herself to keep her spine straight and her face as close to expressionless as she could manage at his exit and supressed a shudder, odious little man she thought to herself. She could see a few curious glances thrown her way and she ignored them, after all Elsa gossiped but she made sure that she was never fodder for those acrid tongues.
The closing notes of the laendler sounded just as she reached the open doors leading from the ballroom and out onto the terrace. Her eyes flickered between Georg and Fraulein Maria, sensing…something, the air around them prickled with a feeling of intensity. The children surrounded them, and they stood at a distance from one another, but there was an oddity about the scene, a disconnect that she couldn't quite work out, like walking partway into a film. The younger woman had her hands pressed against her flushed cheeks, whilst the dark-haired girl…Bridget…Brigitta, she corrected herself was staring wide eyed at her.
Her teeth worried at the inside of her bottom lip for a second, she couldn't see Georg's expression, but his stance was watchful, so she could only imagine the look in his eyes. The children were present, she told herself again, no doubt she had said something he would find oddly humorous, or something that had made her feel foolish; that girl never thought before she opened her mouth. Fixing her smile back in place, Elsa stepped forward. "This is where you've been hiding Georg," she remarked, her hand brushing his forearm.
He jolted in surprise at her appearance. "Ah, yes." he replied, his eyes remaining fixed on the flushing governess for another beat before he turned his head in her direction. "Just making sure that the children were behaving themselves."
"I'm sure that Fraulein Maria has them all in hand."
"Yes, quite." Georg picked agitatedly at his gloves, sliding them off his hands and wringing them absentmindedly, his eyes flickering back to Maria for a moment, before he continued, "Although I think perhaps, it is time for the children to say goodnight."
Maria's hands dropped from her face, her hands twisted together once before she pulled them apart, her earnest voice telling him, "We'll be in the hall in a moment, we've got something very special prepared." As she turned to the children it was as though all her previous discomfort had suddenly drained away, "Right?" she asked them excitedly.
They all nodded. "Right," they confirmed to her with great glee.
With that all eight of them darted off into the gap in the hedge-growth and Georg turned, his arm slipping through Elsa's, her hand coming to rest gently on his forearm. She could feel the tension radiating off him, the muscles under her touch were rigid and she couldn't help but sneak a glance at him. His jaw was clenched, and he briefly emitted a quiet tutting noise from between his teeth. Elsa had never seen him like this before, so on edge, wound like a tightly coiled spring, it's not even like the day at the lake, when the anger had sparked from him, this is different, the restlessness in him is palpable. Again, she has the prickling sensation that she has missed something important and she feels wrong-footed, which isn't a familiar sensation for her.
"Were you trying to sneak away?" she teases him after a moment.
He blinks, his thoughts a million miles away. "Hmmm?" he tilts his head towards her and Elsa resists the urge to snap, the man clearly hasn't listened to a word she's just said to him.
Any teasing reply she can make to coax him out of this mood, is lost by the reappearance of Fraulein Maria and her asking the guests to join her in the hall.
Elsa watches as Georg's children sing, twirling around as they do, playing to the crowd. It's a sweet display she supposes, although much too saccharine for her tastes and certainly nothing she would have pre-approved for a sophisticated event. However, Georg looks amused, his odd humour of only a few moments ago has washed away, forgotten about as he watches his children with pride. She can see smiles on most of the other guest's faces and they appear genuine, so she allows herself to laugh when they do, forced though it is.
Her eyes flicker back to watch Georg, she can see Fraulein Maria watching her charges by one of the pillars, enraptured by them, her expression of pride and joy matches Georg's and Elsa feels the knot in her stomach tighten. The only blessing is that Georg doesn't glance in her direction, that he has eyes only for his children.
Eventually, thankfully, the performance draws to a close and the chatter of her guests resumes, the reviews are positive, which surprises her, her friends in Vienna would never have suffered such cloying sentimentality. Then suddenly she hears Max, drawing Maria into the centre, hears him saying to Georg, "You must let her join the party."
Maria's face is flushed, she looks embarrassed as she angles herself away from Max, as though she is willing herself to simply disappear. Elsa feels a mixture of sympathy and annoyance at the entire affair, the girl plainly doesn't want to be dragged into this and in all perfect honesty, Elsa doesn't want the governess at her dinner party. As she sees Georg turn to address them, she interjects swiftly, with a laugh, telling Max, "Don't torment the poor girl, she clearly doesn't want to spend her evening forcing small talk." Georg gives a slight frown and although she has the momentary worry that she has over-stepped her mark, still she presses forward. She smiles at Maria, "You've done a wonderful job this evening, you must be exhausted, and you shouldn't let us keep you."
Max looks at her in surprise, she sees his mouth open to protest, but he catches the glint in her eyes and clearly thinks better of it, his grasp of Maria's arm slackening. It's enough for the girl to extradite herself and she gives them a harried nod before she rushes for the stairs.
Elsa sees Georg's jaw twitch, tapping his gloves twice off his bare hand, but his attention is drawn back to Baron Ebberfield and the mask of smooth debonair aristocrat is quickly back in place. Max leans closer to her, muttering to her, "That was business."
She manages a casual smile. "Oh Max," she rebukes, "this is a party, you can deal with that nonsense later."
As the last guest is ushered out through the front door, Elsa finally relaxes her smile, her cheekbones aching at how long she has held it in place. It was worth it though; the night was her triumph and Georg had behaved exactly how she wanted him to once she'd chased the governess back into her place. He had swirled her elegantly around the dancefloor and been witty and attentive to her. There was only one more thing that would make this night perfect, a proposal.
She hears him sigh and looks to him. "A drink, Georg?" she suggests.
His mask is gone, his expression inscrutable once again as he shakes his head. "Not tonight, you and Max are welcome to make the most of my wine cellar, however."
Max chuckled at that. "As if I planned to wait for your permission." He offers his arm to Elsa, "Shall we?"
"Of course." She turns to say goodnight to Georg, but finds he is already partway up the stairs and she puffs out an irritated sigh, that she knows Max hears.
"I think perhaps we should drink in the small sitting room," he tells her as he collects an unopened bottle of champagne and tucks it under his arm. "Let's the staff clean up and," he leans into her dropping his voice to a murmur, "it lets us have a little chat."
The doors to the sitting room swing shut with a click and Elsa folds herself elegantly into a chair, taking the proffered glass of champagne. She can feel Max watching her and she sorts a miniscule wrinkle in her dress before looking up to meet his gaze. "Well, tonight was the most wonderful success," she told him brightly.
He isn't convinced by her faux sparkle however and he takes a sip of his drink before he replied, "Yes, the party was a triumph, but perhaps not exactly what you had in mind."
Her laugh rings false even to her own ears. "I'm not sure what you mean."
Max waggled a finger at her. "Tsk tsk, I know you, I know what you hoped for tonight."
She shrugs nonchalantly. "I was introduced to the society of Salzburg on Georg's arm, as his hostess, the rest will naturally follow."
"Hmmm," he gives a small nod, although Elsa isn't convinced that it's one of agreement and his next words cement that thought. "And your chasing away of the little Fraulein?"
At that Elsa bristles. "I don't know what you mean," she remarks again.
Max's eyes meet hers. "I've noticed it as well." He leans back in his chair, his legs outstretched, crossing one ankle laconically over the other as he takes another sip of champagne.
Elsa gulps down a large, un-ladylike mouthful of hers in response, feeling the bubbles burn at the back of her throat. "I'm not surprised," she replies after a moment. "They're not exactly subtle."
He cocks an eyebrow at that, "Well she is going to be a nun, I doubt very much that she understands Georg's attention."
"She isn't the only one," Elsa mutters darkly. On seeing Max's look of surprise, she adds, "She's pretty, but she's not Georg's type. I could understand if she were more like Agathe but she isn't." She shakes her head, agitated and disbelieving. "She is…" Elsa waves her hand as she searches for the right words. "Oh, I don't even know," she hisses in irritation after a moment.
"I don't think he does either, possibly that's part of the attraction."
"It's a passing fancy at most," she retorts. "The girl leaves in September."
"A while away yet," Max points out to her. "And we both know that whatever Fraulein Maria is, it isn't suited a nunnery."
Elsa's eyes flash fire. "She is unaware of that however, and I see no need to enlighten her."
"You might not."
"Georg won't corrupt his children's governess, potential nun or not." She shakes her head. "It won't even come close to that, there's been some fleeting glances, that's all."
If possible, Max's eyebrows move even higher and he gives a deep sigh. "Elsa…he does listen to her."
"About the children."
"There was the dress he brought her back from Salzburg."
"I was there when he bought it," she reminds him sharply, "and it was a present from the children." The words ring false in her own ears as she says them.
"A present…he couldn't take his eyes off her when she wore it." He sees Elsa's lips purse and continues softly, "They have the nightly reports on the children, in his study." At that her head drops slightly, her fingers tapping against the upholstered arm of her chair. "He's playing a dangerous game Elsa and I'm not sure he even realises it."
Her bright eyes meet his again. "That's what's so frustrating," she whispers. "He doesn't see it. Believe me Max, if I thought that he could just tumble her and move on, I'd look the other way, it's the longing glances, the shared laughs." She inhales sharply. "So, come on then, you've brought me in here, you must have some idea of how to fix it?"
At that Max manages to look slightly amused. "Affairs of the heart were never my speciality. But," he concedes easily, "you do still have the upper hand. A proposal is expected of him and he knows that, and he does care for you. I suppose really, it comes back to whether you're up for the fight."
Elsa feels a sudden sliver of doubt creep into the pit of her stomach and coil up there. Is Georg still the same man she wanted? At times Vienna seems like a dream, where he charmed her, regaled her and her friends with witty tales. Oh, he had always kept her at an arm's length in some ways, he would flirt back when she teased him, but it was rarely, if ever, prompted by him. He wanted to treat her properly she had told herself, he was considering her as a wife, not as an affair, but then she had seen the burning looks he would give the Fraulein, and she suddenly wasn't quite so sure. She took another mouthful of champagne and pushed her fears to one side, Elsa had never been bested in romance before, she wasn't starting now. She gave Max her best winning smile as she told him, "I don't think we need to go as far as calling it a fight, that would imply that it's fair."
He laughs, "Baroness Machiavelli." His amusement slips for a moment as he tells her, "She is just an innocent girl really."
Elsa fights the urge to roll her eyes, even Max cannot help but play her protector. "My plan is to win over Georg, I see no need to involve her at all. After all I'm here on the children's approval, it is hardly going to help my cause if I scare off their darling Fraulein. Anyway, that girl has no idea what feelings Georg holds towards her, which gives me the upper hand." Elsa looks thoughtful, "And if she did, she would run back to the Abbey as quickly as her feet could take her."