August came, and Maria sat in the passenger seat of the car nearly shaking with excitement. She and Max were on their way to meet Georg and Dominik for an evening out. Georg had been in town on business, and Dominik had only come to Salzburg that afternoon. The four of them had planned this get-together once they'd found out the date Dominik came to town was the same night a talented music group Max loved were giving a small outdoor concert. She couldn't wait to see the both of them.

Max seemed to notice Maria's excitement and chuckled. "Don't worry, we're almost there."

"I know," said Maria, embarrassed, and absently began to smooth the folds of her dress.

"He is going to be spellbound by you," reassured Max, and Maria blushed the color of the fabric. She had worked like mad to get this dress done before this evening. It had been a challenge – never before had she made a dress like this for herself. The skirt ended just below her knees, and was light and moved with every movement. The top was fitted, and her arms were also completely exposed, though she made sure her shoulders were covered despite the lack of sleeves. It was not only a summer dress, but a summer dress of a woman who was being courted. She'd done this completely on her own, and she hoped she'd done it right.

Finally, they arrived at the small square lit with many lanterns, where music from an unseen group was playing and many people were talking and dancing. The scene was merry and bright. Excitement flooded through Maria as Max helped her out of the car, playing the gentleman. Both looked around for Georg, and eventually spotted him sitting at a table for four near a nice restaurant. When he spotted the pair, his eyes fell on Maria, and a full smile lit up his face. That smile was contagious, for she smiled radiantly back, while at the same time blushing the same color as her dress.

"Hello, Georg!" said Max merrily. "I happened to be walking along and found this rose growing that needed a home." He indicated Maria as he spoke.

Both of the courting pair laughed, and Georg, looking at the woman he loved, couldn't think of a better way to describe her. A true rose in bloom was his Maria. When he'd first met her, Georg would think of her as not much more than a girl older than Liesl. But she had proven that day she had fallen into the lake that, despite her youth, she had a maturity, wisdom and bravery beyond her years, gaining his instant respect. And now, he realized that, despite her inner strength, in many ways she was only stepping into the world of womanhood. Georg felt both lucky and privileged to be a witness to it.

"Has my brother arrived yet?" asked Maria, looking around the crowd for him.

"I haven't seen him yet," replied Georg, who still wasn't able to take his eyes off her. Maria's eyes, meanwhile, scanned the square for the curly head she was looking for. When her sights fell on a music shop, she smiled and shook her head. "I'll bet anyone anything . . ." she muttered before marching towards the shop.

Max took a seat beside Georg and said good-naturedly, "Didn't your mother tell you it was rude to stare?"

Georg finally tore his gaze away from Maria's retreating to give him a warning look. "Max . . ."

But Max just laughed. "You know I tease, and I'm happy for you. How do you feel?"

Georg let himself give a small smile. "I never thought I would feel like a teenager again, Max."

Max chuckled. "So this doesn't get easier with age and experience?"

Georg shook his head. "Only if it's with the same woman. When I courted Agathe, the guidelines and rules of propriety were clear, my road map was paved out and smooth. I not only knew where to go, but had a clear way to get there. But not so with Maria . . ." His voice drifted as his gaze found Maria again. He saw the young man he had met in the music shop come out, his face light up at the sight of her, heard Maria's happy exclamation, and watched the brother and sister share a joyous hug and reunion. As he watched them chatter excitedly to each other, Georg continued, "The circumstances are entirely different now, so in many ways I am flying blind and letting her take the lead. But at this point, I wouldn't have it any other way. Just the fact that she cares for me and is giving me the chance to prove myself is enough."

Max listened and nodded, smiling. Both watched as the brother and sister made their way towards their table, arm in arm. "Hello," he said genially, shaking both gentlemen's hands after he'd dropped his satchel by his chair.

"At last, we meet properly," said Georg as he rose to shake Dominik's hand, and everyone had a laugh. Taking the opportunity to be the proper gentleman, Georg pulled out Maria's chair for her to sit down. She flashed him a charming smile in gratitude as she sat down. Dominik cast him an impressed and approving glance, while Max rolled his eyes with a smile.

"Ria, I don't think you would have worn anything like that when we were younger," said Dominik, and Maria laughed.

"And why is that?" asked Georg, ever curious about the woman he loved.

"Because I was a tomboy," replied Maria. "I was more interested in climbing trees and running around than in dolls and lace."

Dominik laughed. "You always had so much energy; it had to come out somehow. And sometimes to my well-being." He gave a private smile to his sister, who now looked a bit embarrassed.

"What do you mean?" asked Max.

"Well," said Dominik, who looked a bit embarrassed now himself, but it faded rapidly as he explained. "I've always been shy, and still am, to an extent. And when we were children in school, that stood out with the other boys. They would tease me often for being so mousy, wanting more to practice my piano than to play sports. But whenever they got nasty, Maria was always there to fight for me with words of her own." Dominik chuckled. "Once she even chased a whole group of boys away, yelling at them, and they ran!"

He gave a hearty laugh, and Maria couldn't help but smile, even as she covered part of her face. How must she sound to Georg? But when she braved to look at him, Georg was looking at her with admiration and . . . something else. When he spoke, it was to Dominik, but he let his gaze linger on Maria.

"You know, Dominik, you are very lucky to have such a sister who loves you so much."

There was a moment of silence around the table before Dominik finally spoke. "I know I am," he said as he squeezed Maria's hand. They exchanged a heartfelt glance.

"I'd still do it, you know," said Maria to her brother, for a moment forgetting the other two gentleman to have a private moment with her beloved brother.

"I know," he replied, and after another squeeze of the hands and heartfelt glance, they turned their attention back to Georg and Max, proceeding to have a lovely late meal together. As the minutes passed, Dominik's initial shyness in any social situation faded rapidly. There were no ill feelings between Dominik and Georg, which greatly relieved Maria.

After a delicious dessert, Max turned his attention to the dancing that was going on in the market square that their table was at the edge on. "What a lively tune that lovely group is playing!" He turned to Maria. "Would you do me the honor of allowing me to show off my superb dance skills?"

Maria laughed and then turned her gaze to Georg, who simply smiled and motioned for her to go-ahead. She and Max went out into the square and began a lively dance, leaving Georg and Dominik alone at the table.

"May I offer you some advice?" said Dominik casually, looking at Georg.

"If it concerns what I assume it concerns, then by all means," he replied, returning the gaze. If someone had asked that question when he'd been courting Agathe, he would have felt insulted. But, as he'd told Max before, this situation was entirely different.

Dominik smiled, both confirming that fact and trying to put Georg at ease. "Ask her to dance; she loves to dance."

"You read my mind," smiled Georg. "But I will wait for something slower, I'm not very good at these lively dances. For me, the simpler the better."

"As long as it's a dance, she will love it," said Dominik. "But I will warn you: she doesn't have too much experience with an actual partner. I mean, we were taught the basic waltz and some folk dances at school, but that's all. Mostly she dances to her own tunes and with partners only she can see."

Georg nodded, keeping that in mind. "Anything else? Really, I want to make sure I make no more mistakes. I couldn't bear to hurt her again."

Dominik cast a glance over this man, much like a father would be looking over a boy coming over to court his daughter. It made sense: Dominik was the only family Maria had left. "Always be honest, treat her with respect, and, especially since this is all so new for her, put her at ease as much as you can. After all, you have been through this before and she hasn't. I know my sister, and that could prove a point of worry for her." He leaned forward a little, coming to his most important point. "Make sure she knows that you are courting her, not just because you like her, but because you wouldn't change anything about her."

"And I never would dream of it," said Georg sincerely. "Thank you, Dominik."

"My pleasure," said Dominik. "I want my sister to be happy, especially after all that has happened and how her world has shifted so drastically. And from her most recent letter, and what I've seen tonight, I can see that she is in a good place right now."

Georg felt relieved and sat back in his chair, and applauded with everyone else as the lively tune from the band ended. Maria and Max came back to the table tired but happy from their fun dance.

"So did Max's dancing impress you?" asked Georg, once again pulling out Maria's chair for her.

"Well, it certainly tired me out," replied Maria as she collapsed into her chair. Georg laughed.

"I told you I was skilled," said Max as he sat down, very pleased with himself. Everyone else rolled their eyes.

Time passed and the sun had completely set. The colored lanterns cast a lovely, serene light on the market square. The evening and the music were slowing down, and the band announced they would be playing the last song of the evening. At that, Dominik gave Georg a significant look, and Georg knew it was now or never. She just hoped Dominik was right that Maria loved to dance so much that she would dance with him. A part of him was afraid she may not want to – after all, the last time they had danced, he'd been unable to hide the strong feelings in his eyes and had frightened her. But he knew he had to at least ask.

"Maria?"

The woman he loved looked at him, almost shyly. "Yes?" Was it just him, or did her tone sound hopeful?

"Would you care to dance?"

Her shy look turned into a shy smile. "All right."

They both stood up and Georg offered her his arm, leading her into the square. Neither noticed the satisfied looks on the faces of Max and Dominik.

The last song of the evening was a slow, more intimate song than the previous numbers. The fact that the dance would be an intimate waltz both excited and scared Maria at the same time. But not one cell in her body wanted to turn back now. Georg offered her his left hand, and she placed her smaller hand within his warm grasp. She placed her left hand on his broad shoulder, and her breath caught in her throat as Georg's right hand reached around to rest between her shoulder blades. Their bodies were close but not touching. Still, it was enough to ignite each nerve in their bodies.

The two fell into the slow waltz, Georg leading and Maria more than happy to be led – he'd had more experience than her in this department. At first, she was nervous, but once she looked into his reassuring gaze, she forgot her nerves and, soon enough, they were moving as if they were one. Georg took delight in her smiles and giggles when he would twirl and dip her without warning. She never felt scared; his grip was always strong and warm.

As the dance went on and the tone of the song became even more intimate, everything else around them seemed to disappear, except for the music and each other. Her heart swelled when Georg, never lifting his powerful gaze from hers, moved their joined hands to rest over his heart. Suddenly, Maria felt as if her heart was being pulled towards his. Maria leaned forward, feeling a bravery that seemed to come from nowhere, and touched her cheek to his, her body just slightly brushing against his. Georg's own heart swelled in happiness, and desire swept through him at the sensation of her being closer than even their first dance had been. Knowing how to control himself, he merely exhaled deeply and contentedly.

All to soon for them, the dance ended, but they stayed in that pose until the music had completely died out and applause had begun for the band. Slowly, they moved their heads back to look at each other. Maria truly was blooming like a rose in his eyes. While Georg wanted nothing more than to press her closer to him, he settled for kissing the hand he'd held to his heart. Maria smiled, and the two regretfully headed back to Max and Dominik, her arm looped through his.

Max and Dominik had watched them the entire time, and had smirks on their faces. It was all too obvious how much those two felt for each other – they couldn't deny it even if they wanted to. Both knew better than to comment about even their dance – Maria would be embarrassed and uncomfortable, and Georg would get the urge to punch somebody.

"Well, it seems this lovely evening has come to an end," said Max regretfully, stifling a yawn.

"Yes, I should head back to my lodgings," said Dominik, picking up his satchel and turning to Maria. "But I have something to give you first."

"Oh really?" said Maria, her mind still on that magical dance.

"Yes," said Dominik. "Since I have to leave town before your birthday, I thought I would give you my gift now."

"Your birthday?" inquired Max, getting excitedly curious. A similar expression came to Georg's eyes.

"Oh, um, yes," said Maria, suddenly looking uncomfortable. "On the fifteenth. It's not a big deal."

"What do you mean it's not –" Georg began, but then he caught sight of Dominik, who's expression was strong and head was barely shaking, warning Georg not to pursue this subject. Feeling it better to trust her brother's judgment, Georg shut his mouth.

"Would you two mind if I spoke to my sister in private for a moment?" asked Dominik in a more pleasant tone.

"Of course," said Georg, and he and Max rose from their seats. Dominik also rose to shake their hands. As they said heartfelt farewells, Maria wondered what Dominik wanted to say privately to her.

When Max and Georg had headed back towards the car, Dominik sat back down and extracted a good-sized rectangle package from his satchel. Maria's eyes lit up in curiosity and excitement. "All right, what have you got for me?"

Maria was surprised to find an expression in Dominik's eyes she couldn't read. Apprehensive, perhaps? Either way, when he leaned over and whispered into her ear what it was, Maria was in no way prepared for what she heard.

Her hands went to her mouth, completely stunned, and it took her a moment before she remembered how to ask the burning question in her mind. "But . . . how?"

"I was just in our hometown recently and visited Stefan. I learned from him that the man who was more a monster than your uncle recently passed away from drinking himself to death."

Dominik paused for a moment, allowing her to take in this news. She merely sighed. "I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner . . . I just can't believe . . . he told me he'd sold it!"

Dominik shrugged. "I suppose the one shred of humanity left in him didn't want to let go of his sister. Stefan said that, just before he passed, he'd told him nothing had been taken out and to give it to you . . . if you could be found."

Tears came to Maria's eyes and hugged the package to her. Dominik wordlessly wrapped his arms around her. Maria sobbed for a moment, knowing she was safe, but soon pulled herself together, remembering that Georg and Max were waiting for her. "Thank you, Dom . . . I can't open it now, tonight, it's too . . . I'll open it when I'm ready."

Dominik nodded. "You know where to find me while I'm in town."

Maria nodded.

"Bye, Ria. I love you."

"I love you, too, Dom."

The brother and sister shared another close hug before going their separate ways for now.