Maria knocked purposely but not forcefully. Elsa appreciated that. So she bade her come in, hoping that her voice did not tremble. Maria had followed her to her room on swift feet, so light that Elsa wouldn't have known that she was there otherwise. They spoke in low tones. Elsa feigned nonchalance. Sat at the dressing table and brushed her hair.

'I'm sorry if I upset you, Baroness. Had I misunderstood your words? Please tell me so I know where I stand with you.'

Such a direct manner. Elsa knew it was silly to be frightened but she was on edge. Maria was so earnest and so kind to her. She seemed to want nothing of the kind of thing Elsa was used to society wanting from her. And that confused her.

'Why are you staring at me, Maria?'

'You look so beautiful.'

Elsa's brush strokes became slower as she looked at Maria in the mirror. She paused.

'That is very generous of you.'

She was back to being formal. Maria sensed that if this conversation did not go well, the Baroness might withdraw completely. She had revealed the reason for her sleeplessness but couldn't follow through with her feelings.

'When was the last time someone told you that?'

Elsa kept her voice even. Her hands started trembling.

'Georg. At the ball.'

'But truly?'

'You. You have. Remember how you looked at me and told me I was the most beautiful woman in the room?'

Maria felt hope flutter. The Baroness had remembered.

'Before then.'

Maria's challenge was starting to unnerve her.

'Does it matter?'

Maria stepped forward and stilled Elsa's hand on the brush. Elsa flinched.

'What do you want from me, Maria?'

'I desire nothing more than your company. I've seen your sadness and I hope I've made you feel a little more light-hearted this summer. And it didn't cost the earth.'

'I don't need reminding of that, Maria.' Elsa's tone was resigned.

'Am I wrong in thinking that sometimes you can be shy and unsure of yourself?'

Elsa froze in panic. Nobody had spoken to her like that before.

'I hope you don't mind me saying this Baroness but your loneliness brims over. I can imagine that it spills over considerably. You conceal it well.'

Elsa started to tremble in anger. She hated the thought of someone finding her weakness and manipulating her with it.

'I do mind you saying.' She hissed. 'I have never been spoken to like this before. Do not say another word.'

Maria hesitated. She had hit a nerve.

'I need you to leave my room.'

'If it means you will spend the rest of the night in distress, I'd rather not. Did you really mean what you said? If so, perhaps you might like me to stay. I don't mean to sound presumptuous.'

Of all the people to see through her, it would be this ridiculous creature. Elsa's trembling turned to fear. She'd worked so hard on appearing impervious, she couldn't have anyone undo that now.

'I understand that you feel vulnerable. I wouldn't reveal any of your secrets to anyone. I suppose I hate the thought of you suffering in silence. Even in the privacy of your room.'

Maria drew up a chair and took a trembling hand in hers. They sat there until Elsa's breaths had evened out and she had stilled the tears within.

'I apologise for my tone. I was frightened. As you have guessed. You've noticed a lot about me and it does not make me entirely comfortable.'

'I'm sorry about that. I suppose you notice things when you're in love.'

For she was. She'd realised it now. The way she took every opportunity to observe the Baroness, speak to her, enjoy making her happy. The genuine smiles bestowed upon her made her feel giddy. And she could not stop thinking about her. She'd never felt like that before.

Elsa glanced at her with uncertainty. What a declaration! She was unused to such uncomplicated sincerity.

'Maria you darling creature. How can you say that you could you love me, a high society woman with a tendency to be cruel?'

Maria's heart soared at such fond words.

'I have enjoyed sparring with you, Baroness. And I've made you laugh in return. So you are hardly as cruel as you think you are. Otherwise you'd be so much more scathing, more arrogant in your status. But you aren't. Forgive me Baroness, I am not a lady. Not like you. I don't have your refinement. But I don't need to be to see how you feel.'

Elsa sighed. She could put it off no longer. She felt constrained. How she longed to let go.

'It's because you are not a lady that I like you.'

What an odd thing to say.

'I enjoy your company. Your outlook on life hasn't quite won me over, I suppose I am too cynical for that. But I appreciate it. The way you make me feel.'

Maria felt her breath quicken. She was sitting so close that she could see the trace of an earlier tear on Elsa's skin.

'How do I make you feel?'

'I'm not sure how to explain.'

Elsa did not say anything more on the matter that night. She took Maria's face in her hands and kissed her soundly.