Her Father's Daughter
by Bluebird88
Disclaimer: The Sound of Music is the property of Rodgers and Hammerstein, 20th Century Fox, and various script writers and producers. No copyright infringement is intended. Several lines from the movie are quoted at various points throughout the story. If it sounds familiar, it probably isn't mine.
Chapter 3: A Surprising Development
That night, the von Trapps sat quietly around the dinner table. Ten minutes had already passed, and there was still no sign of the new governess. Honestly! What could possibly be taking her so long? It wasn't like she had to change for dinner, after all, and large as the house was, it was still pretty hard to actually get lost in it. In any case, being late for her first meal with the family was definitely not the best way to get on Father's good side.
At the rate this one was going, she would get herself fired all on her own! The children wouldn't have to lift a finger.
Finally, Louisa heard the patter of footsteps in the hall. A moment later, a slightly out of breath Fräulein Maria came into the room, offering a nod that was apparently supposed to look dignified. "Good evening, children."
"Good evening, Fräulein Maria," they chorused back innocently.
Fräulein Maria made to sit down, and almost immediately jumped back up from the chair with a dramatic "Whah ah ah!" Louisa hastily brought her napkin up to her mouth to try to hide her laughter.
Predictably, Father responded with that dry sarcasm he employed so often. "Enchanting little ritual. Something you, uh, learned at the abbey?"
Louisa smirked as Fräulein Maria fumbled self-consciously for an excuse, finally blaming her bizarre behavior on her "rheumatism." Well, at least she hadn't thrown the pinecone down on the tablecloth and complained to Father about his "beastly brats," as Fräulein Sofia had done.
The von Trapps picked up their forks and made to begin their meal, only to be interrupted immediately by the new governess. "Excuse me, Captain, haven't we forgotten to thank the Lord?"
Louisa could only stare. She couldn't remember the last time her family had said grace. Probably about the same time they had stopped going to church - right after Mother died. In any case, interrupting dinner to insist on saying grace was not likely to go over well. Louisa held her breath and looked at her father, bracing herself for the coming explosion.
To her surprise, however, Captain von Trapp simply raised his eyes heavenward for a moment and set down his fork without a word. The children followed suit, laying down their forks and folding their hands in front of them.
"For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen." Well, at least the prayer had been short. With a nun at the table, Louisa had half expected to sit through an entire rosary. She had a feeling that Father wouldn't have been nearly so tolerant then.
She had just begun to eat when Fräulein Maria interrupted the silence once again. "I'd like to thank each and every one of you for the precious gift you left in my pocket earlier today."
Louisa froze. Here it came! Nervously, she glanced at Father out of the corner of her eye. "What gift?" he demanded in a tone that told Fräulein Maria that she'd better answer quickly and then keep her mouth closed.
Fräulein Maria paused, glancing around the table, before informing Father that it was meant to be a secret.
Father, it seemed, was through with having his meal interrupted. "Uh huh," he said sharply, "then I suggest that you keep it, and let us eat." If the woman had any sense at all, she would stop talking now. Louisa knew that tone of voice well enough to recognize that it wouldn't be long until Father lost his patience completely.
To her shock, though, Fräulein Maria either hadn't picked up on Father's tone or was choosing to ignore it, for she continued in a calm, pleasant voice, "Knowing how nervous I must have been, a stranger in a new household, knowing how important it was for me to feel accepted, it was so kind and thoughtful of you to make my first moments here so…"
Oh, no, Louisa thought. She was actually feeling guilty! And when had any of them ever felt guilty about any of their pranks? The governesses deserved it, after all. Most of them were stern, dour women without any interest in the older children, or else meek little mice that burst into tears at the first sign of Father's displeasure. But this one was different, and Louisa was really starting to wish she would stop talking.
"…so warm…" Dear God, she wasn't stopping! This was getting worse by the minute!
"…and happy.." Louisa stared at her lap.
"…and pleasant." She bit the inside of her cheek, blinking furiously.
The table was silent for a moment, and then Marta began crying loudly.
Father was looking more annoyed by the minute. "What is the matter, Marta?" he demanded.
"Nothing," she replied unconvincingly, sniffling a little.
That did it. Louisa felt her own eyes well up with tears, and the next thing she knew, she and Brigitta had started crying as well. Gretl's sobs echoed loudly in the dining room, and her brothers were both staring at their laps.
"Ah, Fräulein?" Father asked with false pleasantry, "Is it to be at every meal or merely at dinnertime that you intend on leading us all through this rare and wonderful new world of…indigestion?"
"Oh they're all right, Captain!" she assured him cheerfully. "They're just happy!"
At this, the sound of their tears only increased in volume. Rolling his eyes, Father shook his head and proceeded to drain his wine glass.
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By the time dessert was served, the children had composed themselves once more. The dinner table was again quiet, though the atmosphere was subdued, when Franz came in with a telegram. Immediately, Liels perked up, asking the butler breathlessly who had delivered it. Franz, looking slightly puzzled, told her that of course it had been "that young lad Rolf."
Liesl sighed and looked so dreamy-eyed for a moment that Louisa would have kicked her, if she had been close enough to reach. Could her sister be any more obvious? Father wasn't stupid!
"Father, may I be excused?" Liesl asked, assuming a would-be casual tone.
Father made a noise that was half "mmm," half grunt. Whatever it had been, it was clearly a no. Not bothering to give his oldest daughter a verbal reply, he folded the telegram and announced that he would be leaving for Vienna the next morning.
"Not again, Father!" all the children burst out before they could stop themselves. At his severe look, they hastily went back to their desserts.
Liesl stood up as if to pour herself a glass of water. Father didn't turn his head, but something about the way his eyes flitted sideways told Louisa that he had noticed. Be careful! Louisa silently implored her sister.
"How long will you be gone this time, Father?" Gretl finally ventured.
Father replied gruffly that he wasn't sure, but Louisa had only one thing on her mind: he was going to visit that woman again! "To visit Baroness Schraeder again?" she demanded.
Friedrich hissed at her to mind her own business, but Father only gave her a considering look and said that yes, he was.
"Why can't we ever get to see the Baroness?" Marta spoke up.
"Why would she want to see you?" Kurt shot back.
Father, ignoring their arguing, announced that in fact they were going to see the Baroness, because he was bringing her back with him for a visit.
"Good!" Louisa's siblings murmured. She, however, stayed silent. She wasn't at all sure that Father's bringing a lady friend home was a good thing. She wanted Father to stay home more often, but not if it meant he'd be spending all his time with some strange woman! As if any woman he spent time with could come close to Mother!
Liesl took advantage of the noise to cross behind her father and leave the dining room. Louisa noticed that the governess's eyes followed her, and silently vowed that if the woman so much as thought about telling Father, she was going to find a lot worse than a frog in her bed that night!
She was distracted from her worry when Father announced with a roll of his eyes that Uncle Max would be coming as well. Uncle Max! Now that was something to be excited about! Things were always more fun when Uncle Max came. He could always be counted on to disrupt the monotony of whistles and marching, and his infectious sense of humor could make even Father laugh. Best of all, they got to see Father so much more when Uncle Max was around. He couldn't run off to Vienna or bury himself in his study when he had guests! That almost made up for the fact that he was going away again. Almost.
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Later that night, Louisa glanced over at the empty bed next to hers. Liesl still wasn't back, and she'd heard Father tell Franz to lock the doors early.
After dinner, Father had disappeared into his study as usual, and the children had gathered in the common area between their bedrooms that they all referred to as "headquarters." Well, unless Father was nearby, in which case it was the schoolroom.
Gretl had announced loudly that she didn't want to have any part in any new pranks, protesting that this governess was much too nice for them to do mean things to her. The older children had shushed her, afraid of being overheard, but none of them had truly disagreed. Surprisingly enough, it had been Marta who really put her foot down, insisting that if any of them tried to do anything nasty she would go straight to Father.
It was rare enough for the little girl to speak up like that that Louisa had been taken aback. After Fräulein Maria's response to the frog incident, though, she did understand her younger sisters' feelings. This new governess was tricky! Tattling on them to Father would have been one thing, but making them feel guilty? This one didn't play fair! No doubt about it, Fräulein Maria was nothing like their previous governesses.
Reluctantly, the older children had agreed that they'd hold off on any more pranks for the time being, at least until they'd found out a bit more about her. Besides, as Friedrich had pointed out, it wasn't as though they could get her fired while Father was in Vienna anyway.
The children had stayed up late, discussing this new woman's nerve in standing up to Father, until the sound of footsteps outside the door had sent them scurrying silently towards their own bedrooms, diving under their covers and pretending to be asleep.
"Good night, children." A dry voice from the hall let her know that Father wasn't fooled. It wasn't too late, though. Only Marta and Gretl were actually supposed to have been in bed, and Father had sounded more amused than angry.
Now Louisa lay in the dark, praying with all her might that Father wouldn't come in and notice Liesl's absence. He might be willing to overlook them staying up and talking a few minutes past their bedtimes, but running around outside in the dark? With a boy? Her sister would be in huge trouble if Father found out.
Just as she was drifting off to sleep, Louisa heard the clip-clop of raindrops on the roof.
A/N: Feedback is very much appreciated!