This chapter and the next one were originally going to be one chapter, but I felt it was long enough at this.

Hope you all enjoy.

Georg was in hell and although he was loathe to admit it, most of it was of his own making. Even as he had offered Maria that glass of wine, he wondered what on earth he was doing, what good could possibly come from it? But the lure of her company had been too much to resist. In that moment he hadn't wanted to feel like her employer, he had wanted them to feel like contemporaries. In hindsight it had been a foolish overture.

He had had no intention of getting her drunk, he was not as despicable as that, but he had wanted to know what an evening with her would feel like. Perhaps he had even hoped that he would discover something that would dissuade him from her. Of course, it hadn't worked out like that. Rather he had found himself even more intrigued by her, enjoying her company and her conversation.

She did not belong in a nunnery, the thought bounced almost continuously around his head and it had nothing – well little – to do with his attraction to her. When he thought of her trapped behind those high walls, draped in black he felt ill. Maria was vibrant and greeted everything in life with enthusiasm and yet when she spoke about her future, he could see her bright eyes dull, her chin dropping ever so slightly. It was why he found himself telling her that she was welcome to stay in his home for as long as she wished.

With hindsight that might have been foolish of him. Oh, he had meant it, he did not want her to take her vows out of a lack of other options, but it was extending his own torture. In truth he was struggling to imagine his home without her in it anymore, he wanted to tell himself that it was simply worry about how the children would react to her departure, but it was far more selfish than that. She had brightened his life and he continued to find comfort and enjoyment in her presence.

The expression on her face when she had turned to him, when he had told her that she always had a home here almost brought him to his knees and he had no doubt it would always haunt him. It was a mixture of joy and disbelief as she had risen on her toes and hugged him.

Other than his children, it had been years since anyone had offered him that level of unadulterated affection. Oh he and Elsa had embraced, she had slipped her arm around his waist while they walked, touched his arm as she leaned in to kiss his cheek, but never anything as pure as that one moment. Initially there had been nothing sexual in that moment, it had simply been her overcome with her emotions. He had been so taken aback that at first he had not even been sure where to place his hands, eventually settling on her waist.

It was when she drew back that the attraction that lingered between them had reared its head again. Her hands had remained splayed across his shoulder blades, his hands on the curve of her waist as the inappropriateness of the situation dawned on them both. His hand had slipped down to her hip, knowing he should pull away but not quite being able to bring himself to do so and he had forced himself not to flex his fingers, not to caress her.

Her eyes were wide, her pupils slightly dilated as her gaze had stayed steady on him, although for a brief second, she had bit down nervously on her bottom lip and it had taken every ounce of his self-control not to react to that. Her arms had finally dropped from around him and he had let his hands drop to his sides as he offered her an out, an excuse that although she had played along with it, they both knew wasn't the case.

After she had left, he had poured himself another drink - despite only intending to have the one – in an attempt to collect himself and to berate himself over his own foolishness.

It should not have come as a surprise to him that he had dreamed of her, after all it had happened before, but they had been innocent in comparison. Last night's dream had been much more than longing glances, than her whispering her desires in his ear and slipping from his grasp. She had been naked in his arms, her long limbs wrapped around him, pulling him close. His lips had found hers, his hands running over skin that had been warm and soft under his touch, her back arching at his touch. The eyes that burned into him on a daily basis had met with his, darkened with lust as she had moaned his name.

Georg groaned and leaned his forehead against the cool tiles in the shower as the freezing cold water sluiced over his body. He had woken hard and frustrated, but he refused to pleasure himself to thoughts of a woman whose care had been entrusted to him by the Mother Superior. He might have no control over his dreams, but he could at least control himself when he was awake. He shivered slightly, unsure if it was the cold or the heat of his memories that was causing the reaction.

The sensible option would be to send her away, to end the agreement early, to simply deal with his children's disappointment and to right his ship. He just could not bring himself to do that though, he knew by doing so he would be condemning her to a life at the Abbey as she would have nowhere else to turn. At least that was the reason he told himself, it sounded far more magnanimous than his purely selfish need to have her near him.

Max was due to return today and for once he was grateful for his friend's presence. Max was under no illusion in regard to his feelings towards the errant governess and although he had been a lacklustre chaperone with Elsa, he could be rather capable and even stern when he wished to be. That close eye might not stop his wayward thoughts, but it would prevent him from acting on them. With Elsa no longer present for Max to entertain, then it would probably be best to simply have any updates regarding the children in the sitting room, rather than enclosing himself with Maria in his study. Last night had proved that he was not to be trusted alone with her anymore.

Finally feeling his arousal subside, Georg turned on a small amount of hot water, his mind firmly made up. There would no further opportunities for him to get so inappropriately close, he was on a dangerously thin edge and he had to pull himself back, no matter how much he might want to throw himself over it.

"Will the water go in my eyes?" Marta asked nervously, clutching onto Maria's hand as they walked from the house and out towards the lake.

"Not if you keep them closed when you put your head under," Maria replied.

Marta sucked on her bottom lip, looking unsure as she peered towards the sparkling blue-green water that was just coming into view. "And Father will be with me all of the time?"

Maria stopped and dropped down to the little girl's height, gently putting her hands on her shoulders and guiding her to face her. "Your Father will be in the water with you for the entire lesson and he won't let anything happen to you." Gretl's shrill laughter broke through the air, as a large splash sounded, and Maria smiled. "Now listen to how much fun your sister is having; you are going to enjoy yourself just as much as she is."

A small smile pulled at the corners of Marta's lips and she glanced in the direction of the noise as that smile widened and she told Maria, "The others are really jealous that we're getting special time with Father."

"I'm sure they are. Now are you ready?"

There was a brief hesitation before she finally nodded, her hand grasping at Maria's once again. "Uh huh," she nodded.

As the fell back into step, Maria steeled herself for the sight of the Captain in his swimwear, she had managed to avoid it earlier by sending Liesl down with Gretl. Her heart felt as though it were thundering in her ears as she thought of the feel of his shoulders underneath her hands, and that was when he had a shirt on.

She gave a small shake of her head, no, she absolutely could not think about her foolishness last night, she had been fortunate that the Captain had decided to let it rest. Imagine if he had sent her back to the Abbey – as he very well might have done at such an impropriety – and she had had to explain her behaviour to the Reverend Mother. He had been kind enough not to mention it since, in fact they had somewhat retreated from each other this morning, their conversations nothing but professional.

She missed their previous interactions, but she acknowledged that this was much safer for her. She could not continue to daydream about the man, to crave more and more of his attention. It was becoming like an addiction.

It was, however, quite unfortunate that the sensible part of her brain was somewhat over-ruled by other instincts that caused her eyes to roam over the lake, searching for him.

It was not hard to spot him, he was in the shallow waters at the edge, near the steps, his dark hair was wet and glistening. She was somewhat relieved to see that he was in deep enough water that it came up to his shoulders, so there was only an inch or so bared to her gaze. He had Gretl clutched to him and she could see the dark hair that smattered his defined forearms, the small whorls that clung damply to the small bit of exposed chest.

Maria swallowed hard and felt her skin heat at the sight, the man was driving her to distraction in a suit, she really didn't think she could bear this, and she prayed that he would stay just where he was in the water so that nothing more was exposed to her curious gaze.

Gretl saw her first, letting out an excited squeal, "Fraulein Maria, I learned to float! And I put my face under the water!"

The proud, toothy grin of her youngest charge never failed to capture Maria's heart. "Well, aren't you a clever and brave girl," she commended her.

The Captain smiled at her as she approached the water with Marta, whispering something into Gretl's ear. She nodded and yelled, "And I learned to do this!" She launched herself forward, out of her Father's arms and doggy paddled the two metres or so to the edge of the steps, grinning as she panted at her effort.

"Well that really is quite impressive for only one lesson." Maria reached for one of the towels that rested on the railing and wrapped it quickly around Gretl as she pulled herself up onto the steps.

Meanwhile the Captain held his arms out to Marta, who was drawing shapes on the concrete with her toes and still peering suspiciously at the water. "Are you coming in?"

She nodded and took a nervous step forward, dangling the edge of her foot into the water. "It's cold," she announced with frown."

"It warms up when you're in," came the assurance of her Father as he approached the edge of the water.

Out of the corner of her gaze, Maria could see the water level dropping lower, giving her glimpse of more of his broad chest. She pulled her eyes away before she could focus on it, it was the last thing she needed seared onto her brain. "I think we'll get you inside and get you warmed up," she told Gretl brightly, chiding her gently away from the water's edge.

"Oh but I've forgotten Peggy!" Gretl protested, pointing over Maria's shoulder at the favoured doll she had insisted watched her triumphant swimming lesson.

"I'll get her," Maria told her, she kept her eyes away from the Captain, who had coaxed an anxious Marta into sitting on the water's edge, dangling her legs into the water, as she darted to grab the doll. In her haste, she didn't pay any heed to the water that had splashed out onto the stone steps, and the thin soles of her shoes had little to no grip to them.

Really what happened next had an air of inevitability to it.

Maria's foot went out from under her when she hit the patch at speed, and she twisted in an attempt to grab hold of the railing. She missed, her arm scrapping the side of it as her hip bumped off a step and she lay sprawled awkwardly across the ground, her breath knocked from her.

She pushed herself up into a half sitting position, her hip, ankle, and arm stinging and her eyes watering as she heard the splash of the water and felt the Captain drop down next to her. "Fraulein, are you injured?"

At the obvious concern in his tone, Maria turned her face to his and immediately wished she had not. There was no doubt that the sight of him distracted her from her discomfort, but it had been exactly what she had been trying to avoid. She was thankful at least that he had grabbed two towels, slinging one around his waist and the other hurriedly over his shoulders. Dropping her gaze, her breath caught on a slightly strangled gasp at the sight of his toned chest and the dark hair that covered it. "I'm fine," she choked out.

"You do not sound it." He stared at her in concern.

"Just winded," she protested as she went to scramble to her feet, yelping as she tried put her weight through her left ankle and falling right back onto her bottom in surprise.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "I rather think it might be more than that," he remarked sardonically. "Let me help you up.

Maria made a half-hearted protest, "Oh, I'm sure I can manage-" but before she could finish, his arm had slipped around her waist as he helped her onto her feet and then maneuvered her so that she was sitting on the flat stone pillar next to the gate. He slipped her shoe off, cupping her ankle in his hand as his thumb pressed gently into her flesh.

She inhaled sharply at the feel of his cool hands on her bare skin, and he frowned. "Is that painful?"

Shaking her head hurriedly, she told him, "No…just…uh…cold hands."

He prodded the slightly swollen muscle and asked, "Can you move it?"

Maria stifled a quiet groan and gritted her teeth as she moved it rather gingerly back and forth. "Yes, it's perfectly fine."

"I very much doubt that, Fraulein. I think you've sprained it."

She felt her skin warm and flush at his continued touch and went to push her hair away from her forehead when he suddenly reached out and gently caught hold of her arm. "Captain?" she asked, unsure of what was happening now.

"That's a nasty graze," he remarked.

Maria followed his gaze to a long gash that travelled the length of her forearm from where it had scrapped down the stone wall "Now you come to mention it, it does sting a bit."

"We should get it cleaned, there is some gravel in here." He looked back up at her and asked," Did you hit your head?"

"No, just everywhere else on that side," she tried to joke weakly.

He brushed her hair away from the left side of her temple, checking for any marks, his fingers spearing through her hair as he pressed gently, looking for any bumps. "You are quite sure?"

"Uh huh, I promise."

His eyes met hers, one hand still gently clasping her arm whilst the other cradled her face. He looked thoughtful, he took a small step closer, his mouth opened as if to speak, when-

"What on earth has happened to you Fraulein?"

Max stepped out onto the terrace, smiling into the sunlight at the peacefulness of the gardens, as a cool breeze ruffled the air. He loved the glitz and glamour of Vienna but not so much in the height of summer, no it was much more pleasant to be here basking in luxury, rather than crammed in his stuffy city apartment.

Elsa however had clearly been pleased to return and had already arranged numerous social engagements for the rest of the week, declaring to him that she was dreadfully sorry but she simply had to visit the boutiques and secure an outfit for the upcoming weekend, so she couldn't possibly fit in lunch. Max hadn't minded, it was a relief to see Elsa return so quickly into being the social butterfly, she did so thrive in the role.

"Uncle Max!"

He turned to the delighted yell finding Brigitta grinning at him, the end of her nose smudged with dirt, another streak of it across the top of her dress and strands of hair sticking out at odd angles from her French braid. Tilting his head curiously and giving a laugh, he asked, "Just what mischief are you hellions up to now?"

"Oh, we are just playing a game that Kurt made up."

"How delightfully vague." He waggled his eyebrows at her, earning a giggle. "Now do tell me what else you have been doing since I left? I want every teeny tiny detail."

Her nose wrinkled as she thought, and she gave a shrug. "You've not been gone that long," she informed him after a moment.

"Well that never used to stop you."

"But we don't need to do that anymore," Brigitta told him, as though it were the most obvious fact in the world.

"Yes," he sighed. "I suppose that is true. "Now just where is your Father? Don't tell me that your delightful Fraulein has convinced him to crawl through the undergrowth with you all."

She laughed again, shaking her head. "Oh no, he's teaching Marta and Gretl how to swim."

She pointed towards the lake, and Max turned to see the young woman at the water's edge with Marta, whilst Gretl climbed out of the water. Max raised an eyebrow at the scene, but he was at least grateful that Georg hadn't convinced her to be part of the swim lesson and that he was standing in deeper waters and not showing off his physique. "Ah yes, so he is."

"Herr Detweiler, welcome home," Frau Schmidt greeted him as she rushed out through the French doors. "Can I fetch you a drink, you must be parched after such a long drive."

"Oh, I wouldn't turn down a fruit punch, and if you can find some rum to add to it then please don't hold back on my account." The usual polite titter at his joke didn't follow, the housekeeper's eyes suddenly widening as she stared past his shoulder.

"Fraulein Maria fell," Brigitta remarked in concern.

Max followed both their gazes, to see that his friend – his scarcely dressed friend – was currently out of the water and caressing the leg of the very woman that Max had instructed him not to do anything foolish with less than twenty-four hours before. "Oh for pity's sake," he muttered under his breath. Louder, he stated, "I think I'll just go and make sure that she isn't injured."

He strode across the grass, aware that Brigitta was trailing behind him, his fists clenching at his sides as Georg seemed intent on fondling every part of his stricken staff member. He was beginning to think that the man had gone daft. What did he think he was playing at? It was the height of inappropriateness, and oh wonderful, now he was cradling her face. In an attempt to stop Georg in his tracks he called out, "What on earth has happened to you Fraulein?"

The startled woman glanced in his direction; however Georg's eyes didn't move from her face, his hand staying exactly where it was on her cheek. "Oh…I slipped on the steps," she told him.

"How unfortunate." His eyes slid back to Georg and he only narrowly resisted the urge to slap his hand away.

Marta had sidled up to Maria and tugged on her hand, "Is your ankle very sore?"

It was this movement that finally caused Georg to step back, his hand dropping to his side as he cleared his throat awkwardly. Maria's cheeks were verging on a tomato red shade as she replied, "Oh it's just a small sprain."

"Father was checking if Fraulein Maria had hit her head," Gretl supplied helpfully.

Max's head tilted, truly worried as he asked, "Did you hit your head?"

"No, I'm fairly certain of it. It's the only bit of me that doesn't hurt. The Captain was just being cautious."

"Yes, he always did have a reputation for being thorough," Max drawled.

This at least seemed to catch Georg's attention and he scowled at Max, before turning his attention back to Maria and telling her, "I'll help you inside Fraulein and we can get your ankle and wrist seen to."

Over his dead body, Max thought, that was the last thing they needed, for the staff to see their ludicrously underdressed employer tenderly caring for the injured governess. "Ah but Georg, we simply cannot have you abandon poor Marta's swimming lesson," he protested easily.

"Oh I don't really mind," Marta told them all quietly, although the quiver to her bottom lip told a different story.

Georg brushed his forefinger under his daughter's chin. "I promise once I have your Fraulein sorted, I will come right back out and we will still have our lesson."

Good Lord the man could not take the hint, Max tried again, "There is simply no need. I can help Fraulein Maria inside, and Frau Schmidt can attend to her injuries. Brigitta, do be a dear and run ahead and ask her to fetch an ice pack and the first aid box. Then if you could fetch Liesl and ask her to come and tend to Gretl, we are all sorted."

"Thank you, Herr Detweiler," Maria told him with a smile.

Georg's scowl remained in place. "I should help her inside; I am responsible for her care here and I should make sure she is comfortable before returning to a leisure activity."

"Oh really, I don't want to be a bother," Maria protested.

Max fought to keep his smile on his face. "You'll get the poor girl soaking wet hauling her around just now, and anyway, I'd hardly call the children's physical education a leisure activity." As Georg went to argue once again, Max leaned forward and muttered lowly in his ear so that no-one else would hear, "For goodness' sake man, you are not even dressed, step down."

Finally it seemed to dawn on Georg and he gave a hurried nod. "Um yes, if that is agreeable to you Fraulein, then perhaps it is the best arrangement."

"Most agreeable," she assured him, and Max noticed that anytime her gaze slipped below the level of Georg's chin, she simply turned redder.

Time to call an end to this Max decided, he chided a slightly slack-jawed Brigitta who had been watching the proceeds with interest, telling her, "Off you run." As she darted off, still glancing over her shoulder, Max offered his arm to young woman, perched on the stone wall. "I am at your beck and call," he told her with a teasing smile.

She muttered an embarrassed thanks, as she used his arm to awkwardly pull herself up onto her feet and Max shook his head at Georg as he saw him move forward as if to help, he took the warning, although this was likely only due to the fact that Maria had managed to steady herself, only the tip toes of her left foot resting on the ground.

Max gave Georg a winning smile as he told him, "I shall catch up with you after your lesson." He ignored the grumble, turning instead to Maria and telling her, "You shall be relieved to know that I was the winner of all the three-legged races at school, so you my dear are in capable hands."

Maria laughed as she took a few wobbly steps, leaning heavily on him as she did so. "Well that is a relief Herr Detweiler, although I don't think we shall be breaking any records for time on this occasion."