She couldn't tell what had woken her. Maybe she had sensed footsteps? There was a shadow rippling across the fabric. Maria stuck her head out of the tent and was rewarded with the sight of a familiar figure standing to the side. Elsa had hidden her brilliant attire underneath her summer coat. Her hair shone, tumbling down in tresses of spun moonlight. Maria had a strange longing to thread her fingers through it. It looked beautifully soft.

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. I just couldn't sleep.'

'I'm a light sleeper Baroness' Maria whispered back.

'Would you walk with me?'

They walked around the garden. The Baroness seemed ill at ease.

'I don't know why I bothered you.'

'It's no bother. Was there something you wanted to speak to me about?'

'I've been restless.'

Maria guessed that the usual thoughts were hovering on the other woman's mind. She couldn't imagine how it was to dwell on something so much that it began to harm the heart.

'I really hope you will start to feel better soon.'

'Do you?'

The Baronesses' tone was wistful. The other woman could not possibly know what was on her mind.

'I wish it more than anything for you' said Maria sincerely. 'After all, you've done nothing wrong.'

Elsa wondered why she was setting her world on fire.

'I have misled you, Maria. What has ailed me for so long has faded over the months. I have been enjoying Georg's companionship. But it isn't just him that I continue to visit for. It was whimsical of me to think I would find you awake at this hour but I couldn't sleep. I very much enjoy your company.'

It was so easy to speak in the dark. Any thoughts at all. They couldn't see each other's expressions, only hear each other's breathing, their voices. Maria was elated.

'Even when I tipped you over into a lake?'

The teasing tone had returned.

'Even so. It was quite an experience. But if you wouldn't mind, not again. I'd rather risk another bicycle ride.'

'We'll go on my next day off.'

The thought of spending more time with the Baroness at her suggestion, attraction readily admitted, made Maria's heart race with excitement. The Baroness had kept holding back in her opinion of their acquaintanceship. Was it diplomacy and reserve? Maria was starting to think otherwise. It had just occurred to her that perhaps the Baroness was shy. If she was, she had been concealing it well. But it would explain why Maria had not been intimidated by her. There was a touch of bashful about the fine lady, present in moments so quick you would blink and miss it. Maria was sure she hadn't missed it.

Elsa felt their fingers touch. Was it the wind nudging them together or was it them? Being honest with each other? She felt terribly unsure of herself. The thought of knowing what they could do in the dark excited her but made her withdraw.

She didn't dare to look at Maria as she turned and touched her cheek. Elsa drew away in fright.

'I can't, Maria, please' she whispered. She fled back to the house.