She shuffled around the kitchen, unable to sleep. It was way too hot in her bedroom, so she decided to take a walk and get a glass of water to cool herself down. Her mind was busy, and it had been so hot outside for days. It hadn't rained in almost a week, which was very rare for Austria.

She leaned against the island counter, taking a long drink from her glass. It was so quiet in the house that for a moment she felt nervous. The house was never that quiet, and it felt strange. Or perhaps she just wasn't used to traipsing about the kitchen at one in the morning.

"I thought I heard someone in here." She turned her head to see the Captain enter the kitchen, a robe tied around his body and a smile on his face.

"Oh, I didn't realize anyone else was awake. I hope I didn't disturb you?"

"Not at all." He moved to get a glass of water of his own, leaning back against the island next to her. "I can't sleep either. This heat is miserable."

"It certainly is, I can hardly bear it." She took another drink of her water, suddenly needing a distraction from his close proximity. "The children's rooms aren't too stuffy, at least. I checked on my way down."

"If only the rest of us could be so lucky." He took a drink of his own water. They hadn't spoken much since they shared a kiss in his study, and she had been aching to get a moment alone with him. But now that she had it, she wasn't sure what she should say. "I've missed you."

"Missed me?" She certainly didn't expect that. Unsure of how to respond, she shuffled from one foot to the other. "I've just been here."

"I know, but I find myself seeking you out so much more often since the party. Like you're hiding away."

"I have a lot on my mind. Not to mention that I can't let my guard down for a moment with certain company in the house." He chuckled, knowing exactly who she meant. She shrugged in apology. "I didn't mean to say that."

"She's going home in two days. I'm not sure she'll be returning." Maria turned to meet his eyes in question, but knew it was none of her business to ask. "I've called off our courtship."

"I'm sorry to hear that." She remained polite, but inside she felt such excitement. "And she'll remain here for two days after that?"

"The next train to Vienna is in two days. I couldn't just put her out on the streets."

"No, of course not." She finished her water, moving to place her glass in the sink. She wasn't necessarily opposed to sending the Baroness packing, but the Captain was right to allow her to stay, she supposed. She turned to face him, feeling bashful all of a sudden. "I've missed you too."

"You have? I was so worried I'd scared you away." She smiled, the genuine look in his eyes telling her that was true.

"Not at all."

"I'm so relieved. I haven't been able to get you off of my mind."

"Really?" She felt a blush creep upon her cheeks, though she tried to ignore it. "I seem to be having the same trouble, myself."

He moved forward and wrapped her in a hug, which she quickly accepted by wrapping her arms around his neck. His hands moved over her back softly. Even though she was certain she felt damp and covered in perspiration, he didn't seem to mind.

He pulled back and captured her lips with his own, his mouth a little hungrier than the last time they'd kissed. She felt his hand move through her hair, tugging gently as he renewed the kiss. If she wasn't hot before, her body was boiling at his touch. She wondered vaguely if they would pass out from heat.

Before she knew what was happening, her back was pressed against the wall, her hands gripping the front collar of his pajamas to pull him closer. Tongues danced wildly between them, she felt so promiscuous when his teeth gently bit at her bottom lip before returning to ravish her mouth. She had no idea what exactly it was she wanted, but she knew she wanted him.

She felt his hands untie her robe and part the fabric, moving beneath it over her stomach and to her back, lower than before. She could fully feel his heat through her thin nightgown. He pulled her hips close to his, and she felt the unmistakable excitement between them. Her first instinct was to pull away, a bit unnerved from inexperience, but she quite liked the thought that it was her body causing his reaction. He groaned as she pressed her hips closer, moving against him ever so gently, as if she were telling him she would not be scared away so easily.

His lips moved over her cheek, down her neck and to her pulse point, which was a very newly discovered point of pleasure for her. She sighed as his hands moved slowly over her stomach once more, this time one hand gliding over her breast. She pulled him closer, wrapping her arms tighter around his neck.

"So this is how you treat your governess?" She gasped and they jumped apart, finding Max perched upon the island counter. He had a large smile on his face, clearly excited about what he had found in the kitchen.

"Max!" The Captain was frazzled, and clearly embarrassed, as was Maria, but he was so very angry. "What are you doing sneaking around like that?"

"I'm innocently coming to get a glass of water! You can't pretend I'm the one in the wrong here." Maria could feel that her face was deep red, she couldn't believe anything that had happened since she entered the kitchen. As the men argued, she was trying her best to stay calm. She pulled her robe tighter to her body, tying it again to hide herself from view. "And what do you have to say for yourself, young lady?"

"Um..." She didn't expect to be addressed in the conversation. In fact, she was just thinking about turning to run away. "I suppose I don't think I'm going to be a nun anymore."

There was a brief silence, and then laughter erupted from both Max and the Captain. She wasn't trying to be amusing, she just said the first thing that came to mind. After a moment though she began to laugh as well, the tension finally broken, even though she felt she would never stop feeling embarrassed.

The conversation became more civil then, and Max promised he wouldn't go running his mouth to anyone. She still felt incredibly confused, and vaguely curious to how far she would have actually gone with the Captain. Certainly nothing would have happened beneath their clothes...but she had to admit that she desperately had wanted him to touch her bare skin at the time. She was unnerved.

After a long conversation, they were finally able to get Max to go back to his own room. They looked into one another's eyes, still shaken on various levels by the events that transpired in the kitchen. He took her hand, giving her a soft smile.

"Maria..." he didn't finish, and she leaned forward to place a kiss upon his lips as encouragement. "I love you."

Her heart raced, nearly exploded out of her chest at his words. How could this be happening so someone like her? It wasn't possible. There were a million things running though her head, but her heart told her she already knew the answers to her questions. It didn't matter what circumstances surrounded them, the truth was bubbling to the surface.

"I love you too."