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Chapter 22: Whether or not you should
Good God, man, pull yourself together. With his hair damp from his shower and falling all over his forehead untidily, Georg tried to look sternly at himself in his shaving mirror. But the idiotic grin broke through anyway.
He snorted self-derisively. Ah, well, perhaps he could indulge himself. At least here in private there was no one to see how intoxicated he felt. Not with anything as mundane as alcohol, but something far more potent, with love. His fair governess, his adored Maria was almost his. The idea was astonishing and exhilarating.
He lathered up his bristle-roughened face. With efficient strokes he glided the razor down his cheekbones, feeling the rasping scrape as the blade sliced through the dark hairs of his overnight stubble.
He felt a sliver of discomfort, remembering how passionately he had kissed Maria, barely an hour ago, when she had come to his bedroom at dawn, probably scratching her sensitive skin in his uncontrollable need.
He closed his eyes momentarily, remembering how her cheeks had been as soft as rose petals, and how her golden hair had felt silken in his fingers. The heady scent of her, the honeyed sweetness of her mouth and her creamy skin had made the blood pound ferociously through his body, making him desperate to kiss every inch of her.
After suppressing it for so long, the relentless aching hunger for her had made him forget everything – that she was so innocent, that he hadn't intended to rush her into intimacy, that it would cause a huge scandal if she were found in his room when household woke up. All of that had been forgotten as the desire roared through him like a firestorm turning sensible thought and restraint to ashes.
He grimaced. Innocent as she was, no doubt he had intimidated and overwhelmed her. He felt a flicker of unease at his loss of control; he had practically fallen upon her like a ravening wolf when she had kissed him. Mercifully, some vestige of sanity had stopped him from sweeping her into his arms and carrying her to his bed.
But the more he thought about it, she hadn't been frightened at all. Instead she had looked at him with those beautifully expressive eyes so full of love and trust, the eagerness and excitement sparkling in their blue depths, seemingly thrilled by the passion that flared between them. How the hell was he supposed to keep control of things in the face of her exquisitely awakening sensuality? Since he was the experienced one, it was his responsibility to make sure they didn't go to far. But it seemed as futile as trying to fight the tide.
He grunted as he slid the razor smoothly along his skin until only a few flecks of shaving lather were left. Perhaps he should ask Max to lock them both in their rooms each night until they were safely married. The idea wasn't entirely absurd he realized ruefully.
He paused, distracted, buffeted by disbelief. Here he was, getting married again for love. It scarcely seemed possible. All these years he had been merely treading water, adrift and alone in a vast, endless, empty sea. But then along she came boldly to rescue him. Not just him but his children too. She had blithely overcome his resistance, and brought with her joy and laughter, warmth and love. She was far more than he deserved.
Perhaps if he were as fanciful as his daughters or as dewy-eyed as his bride-to-be, he might think he had done something good in his past to be given this second chance at happiness; or perhaps Agathe was watching over him and, seeing his desolation, had sent Maria to him. He didn't know. But he was not one to question miracles. Maria loved him, whether or not she should, and he was grateful beyond imagining.
How could he not be humbled by her extraordinary courage, the way she was willing to become his wife, even knowing that she could be a widow within weeks. Willing too, to love and take care of his children for the rest of her life. Her bravery and her capacity for love were astounding. God help him, he knew it was wrong of him to allow her to sacrifice so much for him. He was a selfish swine but he had to to admit that he needed her desperately. It hadn't taken much to give in to her pleas for a quick marriage.
What the future held, he didn't know and he couldn't afford to think about it. It was too devastating, too overwhelming to think about leaving Maria and the children. But he was trained to focus on tasks, to compartmentalize, and shut out anything that could disrupt his thoughts. He needed to face each military challenge as it arose and take each day at a time. That was how he had survived the last war and how he would survive this one. But could he be forgiven for greedily grasping this short time of bliss with Maria before he had to face what lay ahead? Whether or not it was the right thing to do plagued him incessantly, but he was not strong enough to deny them what they both wanted so badly.
He felt frustration constrict his chest. What happened now was not in his control. Today they would speak to her Reverend Mother. Although Maria seemed confident that she would give them permission for a hasty marriage, he had his doubts. He knew how conservative the Church was, and that it expected certain rules to be followed. As a man drilled in discipline all his life, he understood that. A Church-sanctioned, rushed marriage seemed as unlikely as a cadet being allowed to take control of a ship. He could only hope that he would find the eloquence to negotiate something as delicate as this.
Shaving completed, he rubbed his chin and probed for stray stubble. That, of course, triggered his suddenly unruly mind to remember the softness of Maria's hands on his face, the gentle, loving caress of her exploring fingertips. He closed his eyes again, picturing her luminous beauty, her eyes full of love and need. The volatile combination of her sweet innocence mixed with anticipation, budding confidence and burgeoning passion had nearly been his undoing. Once again desire came storming back in.
Swearing, he headed back to the shower. He braced himself, then inhaled sharply as the stinging needles of icy water punished him for his ardour.
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"I've been expecting you."
It had all started so well. The Reverend Mother's face had been warm, a benevolent light in her eyes as she welcomed Georg and Maria into her chambers.
"Or at least I should say, that after you came to see me a few weeks ago, Maria, I have been praying that I would have a visit from you both," she clarified with a kindly smile.
Maria's radiant face, and the loving, possessive demeanour of the commanding-looking man by her side, told her everything she needed to know. But she listened as Maria explained the recent events. Maria's tone was full of wonder that her prayers had been answered so bountifully.
When Georg formally requested permission to marry Maria, the Reverend Mother had been delighted. Her gentle face had been soft with serenity as she granted her permission, clearly heartened that the spirited young postulant who had become so beloved to her, had finally found her destiny.
But then it all started to go wrong.
"Now, let me see when the ceremony could take place." She brought out a heavy leather-bound book containing the activities of all the churches in Salzburg for the coming months.
She murmured as she flicked through the pages, "A period of four months would be appropriate for a betrothal, especially in the unusual circumstances that the bride has been living at her intended's household. That should offset any unkind speculation."
Georg cleared his throat, steeling himself. This was going to be the hard part.
"Reverend Mother, the circumstances are indeed unusual."
His cautious but firm tone had the desired effect of regaining her attention. Her gaze sharpened as she sensed something. Clasping her hands together on the desk she waited, her expression still benign, but her eyes were watchful.
Georg paused, searching for the right words.
"It seems that Maria and I have been fated to find each other in the most dire of circumstances, with the ugly threat of the Anschluss looming over us. Where previously we could have enjoyed a leisurely courtship and a lengthy betrothal, the shadow of potential war is throwing everything into turmoil. My priority must be to get Maria and my children out of Austria as soon as possible for their safety. I, however, intend to remain behind to defend Austria as I am dutybound to do. Although we no longer have a navy, my oath to defend Austria was for life."
He watched as the Reverend Mother nodded in understanding before he continued.
"In light of that, I wish to respectfully and humbly request an expedited wedding ceremony, so that we can be married before they leave."
The silence thundered. Georg felt the temperature in the room drop several degrees. Knowing what the Reverend Mother was thinking, he held her suddenly frosty gaze steadily and added carefully, "There is of course no other reason for us to have a hasty marriage ceremony."
He felt enormous relief that nothing more had happened this morning with Maria in his bedroom, despite the unbearable temptation and his rampant hunger that had demanded to be assuaged. He sensed that behind the kindly demeanour of the Reverend Mother was a sharp intellect, capable of detecting insincerity and deceit. If she believed that they had already enjoyed their wedding night, he suspected that their case for an early marriage would be lost before it had even begun. Her role after all, was the prevention of what the Church considered a mortal sin.
There was a lengthy silence as she studied his unflinching look. Finally she nodded as if reassured that he had not led Maria into temptation. But she still voiced her opposition, speaking in quiet, measured tones.
"Maria, Captain, I can understand your fervent desire to rush into marriage, as all couples in love feel the longing to start their married life as soon as possible. And I agree the threat of the Anschluss hangs like thunderclouds over all of us. However, marriage is not to be undertaken lightly, whatever the circumstances here on Earth. It is God's holy covenant. It's one of only seven sacraments handed to us by the Lord. It therefore requires a period of sober reflection, and a chance for a couple to learn about each other, and know the spiritual teachings regarding marriage, before undertaking this most sacred of commitments."
"I know that Mother," Maria burst out. "But we don't have time. He.. uhm Ge…, the Captain feels compelled to defend Austria when the call to arms comes. We have to marry soon before he sends us all out of Austria, so the children will have a mother again."
The words tumbled out in sudden panic as Maria realized that the Reverend Mother might actually forbid them to marry quickly.
"Maria," the Reverend Mother spoke compassionately. "I know how much you love this man. I could see that when you spoke to me a few weeks ago. But marriage is not an impulse. Barely two months ago you were convinced your destiny was to join our Order. If I had given in then, you would already be a nun, and probably restless and unhappy, deeply unsuited to the life we have here. My child, you need time to see if the two of you are compatible before you take momentous step."
Unable to think clearly with the fear and despair causing her heart to beat heavily, Maria spoke swiftly. "But Mother, please, I know this is the right thing to do. I am so sure of it."
"My daughter, I counsel this, not to hurt you, but because marriage cannot be rushed. It is a channel of divine Grace and represents God's own love for us."
She walked over and lovingly squeezed Maria's shoulder, seeing her distress. The tears had gathered in Maria's eyes, fearful they would be made to wait for a future that held nothing but uncertainty and perils.
The Mother Abbess pointed out gently, "All this is so new to you, Maria, that it seems you haven't even learned to say your fiancé's first name yet."
She turned to Georg.
"And Captain, from what I understand you have only been in love for a day. That is not nearly enough time to contemplate a future with Maria. Sometimes, er…. attraction can cloud judgement, leading to impetuous decisions. But far more than just physical attraction is required for a strong stable marriage and a lifetime journey together."
"With respect, Reverend Mother," Georg contradicted quietly. "It hasn't been a day. I have loved Maria for some time, but I wasn't able to admit it to myself for various reasons. I can understand your concerns. But I have been happily married before until my wife passed. I know what it is to love deeply and wholeheartedly, and to work hard at a marriage despite the challenges that life throws at us. I am not a callow youth in the first flush of love, full of ridiculous dreams and unrealistic expectations. My love for Maria has been forged through the understanding of loss and grief, which has made it even stronger."
He added wryly. "One thing I have never been guilty of is impetuousness. I have never been so sure of anything in my life."
But the Reverend Mother was undeterred. "As much as the two of you love each other, it is also obvious that you are very different. You, Captain, are clearly a man who values discipline and order and yet you are contemplating marriage to a young woman who, delightful as she is, can be full of mischief, as I understand from your first meeting."
There was a warm twinkle in her eye as she added, "It's very easy to love Maria, it's true. She certainly captured all our hearts in the Abbey and we all love her dearly. But what if you discover that you will spend your marriage trying to, - as one of our Sisters once said – "catch a cloud and pin it down," or end up "chasing moonbeams," or, what was it that Sister Bernice said - "trying to keep a wave upon the sand"?"
Despite the seriousness of the discussion Georg almost smiled as he remembered Maria's fake dialect and absurd deceit. Before he could respond, Maria broke in once again, anxiously.
"Please Mother, I know I have been impulsive before, and probably as flighty as a feather, but this time I'm so sure that this is the right thing. After you sent me out into the world I've grown and I've changed and learned so much. I feel as if I really know now what the will of God is for me."
Georg spoke calmly while his mind worked with precision to find a way to convince the Reverend Mother. "We did have a less than salubrious start, I agree. And we are quite different. But I would not change anything about Maria. She has made me laugh, and given me immeasurable joy with her singing. She has challenged me, scolded me, healed me, and made me into a better man. What I do know about her is that she is unfailingly kind, extraordinarily warm and compassionate; she is high-spirited, and has a formidable intellect. She is also deeply loving and unfathomably brave. Whatever we do not know about each other now, it will be our delight to find out as we share our lives together."
The Reverend Mother still looked doubtful. "You must understand that I am not opposed to the two of you marrying in the future. But before a couple marry they need a period of contemplation to forge an understanding of what marriage means. That is why the Church insists that all couples undergo the Pre Cana course of guidance over a period of at least a month. Preferably two to three months so that they are truly ready for the seriousness of marriage."
"But we don't have that much time Mother," Maria whispered, distraught, trying not to weep. "There may be war coming."
"And if war comes and the worst happens… Have you thought about what that might mean for you, my child? Are you ready for that heavy responsibility?"
"Yes Mother, that makes it all the more important for us to marry now. I love those children as if they were already my very own, and I will devote my life to them whether I am married or not. In the Abbey I learned that God in His Grace, would wish for every child to have two loving parents."
Unable to continue with her throat clogged with anguish, hot tears trickled down Maria's face unheeded. She could taste their saltiness at the edges of her mouth. She felt her beloved Captain put his arm around her tightly. He took a folded handkerchief out of his breast-pocket to gently wipe her tears. She looked up at him pleadingly, silently begging him to fight for them.
Georg tried a new tack. "Reverend Mother, I know it is extremely selfish of me to snatch at this chance of my own happiness before Maria and the children leave Austria. If I were a better man I would delay marriage for Maria's sake, until after I return. But I also have seven children to consider. Leaving aside how much I want to marry Maria now for my own sake, my children also love her dearly and need her. She has brought immense joy to them already. More than anything I want to give Maria to them as the most precious gift I can possibly give them – as a new mother. For our children's sake therefore, I ask you to consider our request to marry with urgency."
The Reverend Mother sighed. "You do realise that such a hasty marriage will cause a very big scandal, the likes of which Salzburg has not seen in living memory? You are very well known Captain, the talk will sweep throughout Austria. Are you prepared for that?"
Georg shrugged, "I already find myself at odds with so many of my peers regarding the Anschluss. My only concern will be to protect Maria and the children. If they have already left the country then it will not hurt them."
The Reverend Mother pursed her lips together as she contemplated. "Let me seek guidance from the Lord." She walked over to an altar with the figure of Christ on the Cross. She knelt, her head bowed in prayer. Georg held Maria's hand tightly, trying to transmit reassurance to her that everything would be alright even if they weren't allowed to marry for a while.
Long minutes ticked by into the hushed silence of the darkened chamber. After some time the Reverend Mother turned back and observed the loving way Georg was comforting Maria, tenderly brushing away more tears as she leaned hopelessly into his neck.
She smiled and nodded. "Very well. Normally I would insist that you wait and undergo the proper preparation, but you have made a case for such exceptional circumstances."
Maria gasped with shock and disbelief, and then the elation broke out on her face as if the sun had suddenly come out. She felt the relief that surged through her beloved fiancé. His chest heaved with a deep, slow breath as the Reverend Mother continued.
"Most importantly, the needs of the children to have a mother as soon as possible are paramount. You're right Maria. It is the Lord's wish that every child should be blessed with two devoted parents.
"I have no doubt you will be a loving mother to them. I can also see that whatever trials you both face as a couple, you will have the strength and devotion to support each other. So therefore, I agree to a rapid marriage. You have my blessing."
"Oh Mother, thank you!" The tears were flowing again, but this time with joy.
"But there will be conditions," the Reverend Mother cautioned. "You must undergo an accelerated Pre Cana course, so that you can understand the sacred teachings regarding marriage. Even you Captain, even though you have already been married. I will ask Sister Berthe to conduct the course for you."
They nodded.
"You will both need to go to Confession, at least twice before you marry. I am sure I do need to remind you about refraining from sin before entering marriage, no matter how strong the temptation."
Maria sneaked a look at her fiancé. She knew his faith wasn't strong. She wasn't even sure if he had any beliefs at all. He hadn't been to Church once in the time she had known him but he hadn't stopped her from taking the children every Sunday. According to the children, he had continued the practice of Grace before meals even though she hadn't joined them since that first evening.
She looked at him worriedly, but he merely nodded his agreement to the Reverend Mother.
"As you know, you must be married in a church with a full Nuptial Mass for the marriage to be recognized by God. My concern is that we may not have room for a ceremony in any of the Salzburg churches." She once again searched the ledger of church activities.
"How much time do we have, Captain?"
"Only a couple of weeks. The German Fuhrer has summoned the Chancellor for talks. No doubt he will demand unreasonable concessions. The wheels of the Anschluss are already in motion. I need to get Maria and the children out of Austria as soon as possible."
The Reverend Mother flicked through the pages, looking for openings, sighing at the lack of opportunities. She shook her head and Maria could feel the despair surging again. But then her eyes caught sight of a painting of the Virgin Mary with her tranquil, saintly smile, and it came to her suddenly. She burst out excitedly.
"Mother, I know a church. I was on the Untersberg yesterday. I was praying to the Blessed Virgin, in a tiny church outside the village of Groedig. That's when I realised that God's will was that I look after the children. It's such a beautiful, peaceful place."
The Reverend Mother nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I know the one, Saint Leonhard's. It's in Father Wassner's parish. He conducts a service there once a month. Perhaps he could organise an exceptional Mass for your wedding. Let me send word to him to see if it is possible.
"But Captain, a man of your standing would normally marry in one of the Cathedrals. Are you willing to accept a marriage in a much more humble setting? Such a quiet ceremony will no doubt add fuel to the gossip."
Georg remembered his grand and glorious first wedding ceremony. It had been utterly stressful for both himself and Agathe. With the presence of most of Austria's elite it had been a ridiculously large event. The protocol had been exhausting and his head had throbbed after engaging with so many people he barely knew. He remembered how they had both yearned for a simple, quiet ceremony to declare their love to each other.
He looked at Maria's eyes shimmering with hope, and felt nothing but relief that he wouldn't be forced into another three-ringed circus when they pledged their lives to each other.
The answer was heartfelt. "For us to marry on Maria's cherished Untersberg, in a lovely little mountainside church sounds perfect. Thank you."
"Then that's settled. Let's tentatively schedule for one week's time."
The Reverend Mother smiled when she gave them her blessing as they got ready to depart.
"You are going to be very busy, Maria. I understand tomorrow will be your Festival performance. I will be thinking of you." She squeezed her hand tenderly and made the sign of the Cross over both of them.
"And Captain, may I commend you for your courage. Our soldiers are the guardians of our nation, without whom, evil would flourish. At great cost to themselves they stand vigil so that we may sleep peacefully in our beds. God bless and protect you my son."
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Later that day
Friedrich rummaged through his wardrobe and found the binoculars his father had given him for his last birthday. It was his most treasured possession. When his siblings weren't around he sometimes pretended he to be an Admiral of a Fleet, searching for enemy ships.
He straightened his shoulders and puffed out his chest, trying to imitate his father's commanding presence. Sliding over to the window and making sure he was partially hidden by the curtains, he conducted a sweep of the outside garden and beyond. Through the rounded lenses he could see a blur of movement and a bright, elusive flash of blue. Focusing the lens he saw, just as he suspected, Fraulein Maria making her way through a grove of trees. He kept the binoculars trained on her but at that moment the bedroom door opened and his brother barged in, crunching on a crisp apple.
"What are you doing?" Kurt asked, fascinated, his mouth stuffed with apple.
Friedrich urgently used the military hand signals he had learned from one of their father's U-boat books to silence his brother without speaking.
Kurt stared at him, perplexed. "What's-"
Annoyed, Friedrich hissed out a fierce "Shush!"
Kurt wandered over to stare out the window, trying to see what was making his older brother behave so strangely, but Friedrich shoved him down. Kurt crouched down and peered out. Not seeing anything he grabbed the binoculars, but since they were still strapped around Fredrich's neck, he jerked him forward, both of them tumbling to the floor.
"Dummkopf!" Friedrich muttered irritably. Then signaling 'come on' he headed out the door, towards Liesl's room.
Kurt followed, puzzled, desperate to know what was going on. Friedrich furtively knocked on the door. The three oldest girls were sitting on the bed, speaking in hushed whispers.
"Well?" Louisa demanded.
"Snow White is definitely in the woods, and the wolf has left his lair. He's on the prowl," Friedrich informed them importantly.
Kurt looked at him as if he had lost his mind. "Snow White? What do you mean Snow White? And there wasn't a wolf in that story, that was Red Riding Hood. You don't even know your fairy tales," he scoffed.
"That's the code name for Fraulein Maria," Friedrich explained, condescendingly. "I've given Father the code name 'wolf.' And it doesn't matter if they weren't in the same fairy tale, it's all about how to conduct military operations. You can't use their real names."
Kurt stared at him. "But why are you spying on them? If Father finds out he'll be boiling mad."
Friedrich gave a dramatic sigh. "If you weren't always thinking of your stomach you would have realised that something is definitely going on today. Father and Fraulein Maria have been acting very strangely."
Kurt started to get annoyed at Friedrich's superior tone and the way he was making such a drama out of nothing. "She told us before that she was going for walk and then she was going to have dinner with the staff as usual. So what?" He kept chomping noisily on his apple. To his siblings' distaste he even devoured the core.
Just as he had seen his father do many times, Friedrich rolled his eyes and explained patronisingly. "Yes, but Father has gone out too. Franz said he was going to check on the horses. But he has never done that before dinner. And he was still wearing his suit and not his riding clothes. I bet he's meeting Fraulein Maria somewhere in secret."
Kurt gaped at him.
The three girls nodded vigorously, providing more evidence of the mysterious goings-on of the adults.
Brigitta's eyes were shining with excitement. "Fraulein Maria woke up really late this morning and then I could hear her singing loudly in her room. I've never heard her sing so joyfully. She was singing that song she loves: 'I could have danced all night'. I knocked, but she didn't hear me, and when I peeked in she was dancing and twirling all over her room with her arms outstretched."
Brigitta demonstrated the dance as she sang some of the lines.
"I'll never know what made it so exciting, why all at once my heart took flight.
I only know when he, began to dance with me, I could danced, danced, danced all night."
She finished with a jubilant sigh. "You should have seen the look on her face! She looked so dreamy."
"That doesn't mean anything," Kurt said sceptically. "She's always late for everything and she's always singing and dancing. And, she always looks happy."
"This is different," Brigitta insisted. "And Father has been behaving oddly too. Don't you remember yesterday - he didn't even get a little mad when we all fell in the water. Then this morning at breakfast he was in such a good mood that he laughed heartily at one of Uncle Max's jokes even though it wasn't very funny. Usually he makes fun of him. And didn't you think it was strange the way he and Fraulein Maria went off in the car? Father said he was going to drive Fraulein Maria to see the Reverend Mother, but it was the way he said it, like he was trying to be casual but his eyes were positively glowing."
Not having noticed anything unusual, Kurt continued to look disbelieving. So Louisa spelled it out in terms that Kurt could understand.
"Kurt, did you see the way Father looked at Fraulein Maria when he passed the schoolroom door this afternoon? It's the same way Uncle Max looks at apple strudel or the way you look at a big slice of sachertorte when you haven't eaten in an hour."
"And Fraulein Maria's cheeks were all red, just as they were that night when they went to the ball," Brigitte added. "And she's been day-dreaming and flustered all day today. I've had to repeat everything to her about four times."
Kurt shrugged indifferently. "She's probably just nervous about singing at the Festival tomorrow."
"Oh Kurt, it's so obvious: Father is in love with Fraulein Maria!" Liesl burst out joyfully as the other two girls giggled with embarrassed happiness and flitted about the room in the same rapturous dance Brigtta had demonstrated.
Kurt looked shocked at first, and then disgusted at the whole concept of being in love. "Urgh! Yuck." He wrinkled his nose.
Louisa rolled her eyes at him. "Don't you see? If he's in love with her, maybe he will talk her out of becoming a nun, and she can stay with us forever."
That cast things in a different light for Kurt, though he still felt squeamish about the whole 'being in love' part. He fervently renewed his vow to remain a bachelor when he was grown. Still, the idea of Fraulein Maria staying forever flooded him with happiness, though he would die before admitting it to anyone. He plopped down on a chair while he thought about it. His siblings continued their excited chatter without him while he pondered.
Fraulein Maria always seemed to understand him better than anyone else. For instance, she never forced him to kiss her. Kurt shuddered as he recalled how his father had once made him kiss Baroness Schraeder's cheek after she had given him an expensive watch. Her skin had been cold and covered in a thick layer of unpleasant smelling powder; and close-up he had seen how brittle her hair was. He had no idea why grown-up men thought she was so beautiful, though she wasn't exactly ugly. Just cold and vain and uninterested in all of them. A bit like the stepmothers in fairy tales.
She had never seemed to know what to make of him, looking at him, perplexed, like he was an unknown species of insect or something. A few times she had tried to be affectionate by pinching his cheek painfully he remembered indignantly. As if he were a little boy! Worse, she had often lectured him on how proper young gentlemen were supposed to behave. He was relieved she was gone.
Fraulein Maria however, just seemed to know what he liked best. Early on she had realized that he didn't like to be hugged, especially in public. So every bedtime when he was lying under the covers she would sit on his bed and stroke his hair gently as she spoke to him about his day. It felt like the the best thing in the world. Often he would surprise himself by telling her things he never told anyone else.
And she always seemed to be able to read his mind when he felt the urge to pull a prank. Mere raised eyebrows from her would have him reluctantly retrieving the block of blue cheese he had hidden in Louisa's room to make it smell, or put back Friedrich's shoes from where he had hidden them to make him late for dinner. Then she would ruffle his hair or squeeze his shoulder affectionately for doing the right thing. She also didn't mind when he got dirty or liked to roughhouse with Friedrich.
Really, the idea of her staying for good was simply wonderful. But he wasn't about to lose face with his siblings for not having figured it out like them. He butted in on their discussion.
"I still don't think you have enough evidence," he said, stubbornly.
"We've got to keep a close eye on them," Friedrich conceded. "For heaven's sake everyone, don't tell the little ones. They can't keep a secret and they might blow everything. Where are they anyway?"
"I gave them my best set of oil paints to play with in the nursery, to keep them occupied." Louisa grimaced, knowing the state the nursery and her paints would be in.
The dinner gong went. "Hah!" Friedrich said triumphantly. "Father is never late for dinner. That proves it. Come on, lets go down and wait for him at the dinner table."
The children thundered down the stairs like a herd of elephants and settled in the dining room, waiting impatiently. The little girls joined them, a few smudges of paint on their hands and face.
"Where's Father?" Gretl asked in surprise, never having known him to be late for anything before.
"I am sure he will be here soon." Liesl reassured her as she rubbed some paint off Gretl's face with her napkin. Her eyes gleamed as she exchanged a sly look with Louisa across the table.
Finally he appeared, fifteen astonishing minutes late. He was smoothing down his hair and had a distracted half smile on his face, but he stopped short when he saw seven pairs of eyes staring at him intently.
"Good evening, Father. It's not like you to be late for dinner," Louisa said craftily.
He cleared his throat and shuttered his gaze. "Sorry children, I got caught up in something." He sat down, unfolded his napkin and signaled Brigitta to say Grace. "Right, let's eat."
"Your hair is still messy," Marta observed, curiously, as she ate her potatoes.
Her father looked uncomfortable and tried to neaten it some more. "It's er, quite windy outside, Marta," he replied nonchalantly.
Six of the seven children looked puzzled by that. There wasn't even a breeze, and the lake had been as still as a mill pond this evening. Only Liesl looked like she might have an idea why his hair looked mussed up. She looked down and hid a dreamy smile.
"How were the horses, Father?" Friedrich asked politely and then glared fiercely at Kurt when he snickered.
Their father looked at the two boys with narrowed eyes and then glanced suspiciously at all the children, taking note as Louisa gave her younger brother a swift kick under the table.
He paused before answering, his wine glass near his mouth. "As it happens they were a bit skittish, Friedrich."
He seemed to be waiting to see what they would say next. They remembered that this was one of his old interrogation techniques, waiting silently to see what they would blurt out. It wasn't intimidating now because he wasn't angry with them. If anything, he looked almost buoyant. Not about to be caught out though, the older children all kept quiet and focused on their plates.
Gretl piped up. "Why doesn't Fraulein Maria eat with us now that Baroness Schraeder has gone?"
Her father smiled at his youngest child affectionately. "Well we can certainly ask her if she would like to join us, Gretl. And she chose not to eat with us before. It had nothing to do with the Baroness. But maybe we can change her mind."
He paused. "Though as a matter of fact, she told me earlier that she couldn't eat a thing this evening." For some reason he seemed unable to hold back a small smile at that, but he covered it with a discreet cough into his napkin and continued.
"No doubt she is nervous about her Festival performance tomorrow. I want you all on your best behaviour tomorrow and don't give her any trouble. She is going to be very busy. And Uncle Max will also be occupied with the Festival as well, so tomorrow you'll have to organize yourselves."
"I can't wait to see Fraulein Maria perform," Marta said excitedly. "She sings like an angel. Everyone at the Festival will love her just like we do."
That earned her a tender smile from her father.
After that the talk was mainly about the Festival, though the older children noticed their father didn't take part in the conversation much.
He seemed to have a lot on his mind.
ooooOOOOoooo
A/N: I'm not Catholic so I don't know if I have accurately portrayed the views of the Church on marriage, at least as they were in the early 20th century.
Also, I hope no-one is doing the math about Georg having served in WW1, which would make him somewhere in his 50s. Please imagine he's around 42 for this story.
Thanks for reading and I would love to know your thoughts.