After lunch, the children went into the schoolroom for their study hour. Maria didn't have too much to do during this time, just to occasionally help Marta and Gretl and to make sure Kurt and Frederich were not falling asleep. This day, she barely paid attention to the children, still stuck on cloud nine. The children occasionally sneaked a curious glance at their governess, wondering why on Earth she was so happy.
But as Maria kept thinking about going to the opera with Georg, a thought hit her like a brick from above: what did one wear to the opera? Wasn't it a place where formal dress was required? Like the party for Elsa? Maria had nothing like that to wear! What on Earth was she going to do?
"Children, would you excuse me for a few minutes?" she said and hurried out of the room, not wanting the children to see her new anxiety.
Maria headed towards Georg's study; he'd had some paperwork he needed to do. The only thing she could think of to do would be to ask for some more material so she could make herself something proper for the occasion. But before she could come near his study, she stopped herself. Suddenly, Maria felt embarrassed. If she'd come from a background like his, this wouldn't even be an issue. No, she couldn't bare to face Georg and remind him of her economic status. There was still some pride in her. No, she couldn't turn to him in this matter. Besides, how much did he really know about ball gowns, anyways?
The sound of merry whistling on the stairs made her look up. Max was walking down the stairs. Knowing this might be her only hope, Maria called out.
"Max?" she called, and he immediately stopped when he spotted her.
"Hello!" he said as Maria approached him. He immediately noticed her anxious look. "What is it, Maria?"
"Um, I'm not sure you can help me but I can't think of anybody else," said Maria.
"Well, let's walk," said Max kindly, looping his arm through hers. When they had reached the terrace and begun their walk, Max said, "Now, my dear, tell Uncle Max what's bothering you."
"Well," began Maria, instantly feeling a reassurance that she had done the right thing approaching Max. "For my birthday, Georg has bought the two of us tickets to the opera."
"Oh, how wonderful!" said Max enthusiastically. "So that's why you were so happy at lunch and why Georg looked so pleased with himself."
Maria laughed but then thought of her immediate predicament. "The problem is that I have absolutely nothing to wear. I don't even know what I would be required to wear to an opera!"
"Hm," said Max, thinking of what a solution could be. When it came to him, he stopped walking, stopping Maria with him.
"I know the perfect person!" said Max triumphantly. "Come with me, I need to make a phone call."
Maria, deciding to just play along for her own good, followed Max's hurried pace back into the house.
The next afternoon, Max drove Maria into Salzburg to meet the person he had called, who thankfully was in town for a week. He had only told Maria that she would be meeting a good friend of his that would be able to help her. But once he had pulled up outside a shop in the upper-class fashion district, Maria instantly spotted who he'd been eluding to.
Why didn't I think of her before?
After giving Max a grateful kiss on the cheek, Maria exited the car and hurried towards Elsa Schraeder, who looked just as classy and elegant as ever in her lavender dress and blazer. "Hello, my dear!" said Elsa, giving a genuine smile and reaching out her hands to take Maria's, pulling her in to kiss both cheeks.
"Oh, Baroness – I mean Elsa, I've never been so happy to see you," said Maria, who could already feel the relief washing over her. "I hope you didn't come down from Vienna just for my sake."
"Don't worry, I'm in town this week for a few parties I've been invited to. It is no trouble at all."
"Well, I'm very glad to hear that," said Maria, and she meant it. If anybody could help her in this situation, Elsa was the perfect person.
"Now," said Elsa, hooking her arm with Maria's and leading them down the street. "Max told me that you and Georg are going to the opera next week."
"Yes," said Maria, who was reminded of the awkwardness of the situation. Elsa, after all, had once become almost engaged to the man who was courting her. But Elsa seemed completely at ease, so Maria decided to be too. "A gift for my birthday. The performance is on the fourteenth, the day before my birthday."
"What is the show?" asked Elsa.
"Um . . . Tristan and Isolde, which I've never heard of before and know nothing about," said Maria.
"Ah," said Elsa. She knew the title, possibly seen it once before in Vienna, but that had been years ago and didn't remember much about it. "So, Max said you needed help finding something appropriate to wear for the event."
"Exactly," said Maria. "After all, you have seen my wardrobe and know I own nothing that would be half as appropriate. My first thought was to go to Georg and ask for some material to make myself something, but that instantly seemed like a bad idea. Aside from not wanting to ask him for something expensive, I realized that I had never made a gown before, and wouldn't know where to begin as far as making something suitable."
"Well, don't worry, Maria," said Elsa reassuringly. "I'm taking you to see a dear friend of mine, a wonderful couturier who can design anything for anybody. She'll know exactly what you need."
"Oh, that sounds lovely," said Maria, as a new worry settled in her mind. "But I'm not sure I'll be . . . well, my wages may not be able to cover –"
Elsa stopped outside their destination to look at Maria kindly and firmly. "This is a birthday gift from me to you, no objections. Is that understood?"
Maria was about to object before Elsa had finished her sentence, but she could see in Elsa's light blue eyes that there would be no room for argument. Swallowing her silly pride for once, knowing that she needed this gift, Maria gave Elsa a look of complete gratitude before being led into the shop.
Immediately, Maria noted the almost Victorian decoration of the inside of the shop, but the colors were warm and the décor was lovely, so she decided not to be intimidated but intrigued.
A small tinkling bell sounded as they opened the door, and a woman who looked Elsa's age with rich chestnut hair came into view with a genuine smile at the sight of them.
"Elsa!" she exclaimed, and the two women greeted each other. "What a nice surprise! What brings you here today?"
"Not for myself, but for a friend of mine," said Elsa, motioning for Maria to come forward. "Helena Vera, meet Maria Rainer."
"Lovely to meet you, Miss Rainer," said Helena, reaching out to take Maria's hand. "What can I do for you today?"
The woman, though dressed as elegantly as Elsa, had an almost motherly air about her, though she didn't look a day over thirty-five. Maria was instantly put at some ease, though some nerves were still there. "Well, in a week I will be going to the opera, and I have nothing appropriate to wear."
"Ah," said Helena, and Maria could see a spark come to her eyes as she looked the young woman over, as if she were already inspired and beginning to imagine what she would create for Maria. "Well, not only will you need a gown, but some white gloves and the proper shoes. Do you have anything specific you want for your dress?"
Maria thought, and two images came to her mind. The first were the Grecian statues on the terrace outside the ballroom, where she and Georg had danced that fateful dance. The second was an illustration in the book Georg had read the Hero and Leander poem from. The picture was of Hero, in a lovely gown on top of the lighthouse, looking out for Leander. "Well . . . I wonder if you could possibly reflect Grecian drapery in the design. I've seen illustrations and sculptures of that and I like it very much. Other than that, I would like the gown to be simple and modest; I've never worn such a formal gown before."
"Well, my dear, I completely understand," said Helena, who's head was immediately switched into gear of the beautiful gown she could create for this lovely young woman.
"May I add my own suggestion?" pitched in Elsa, and the other two nodded. "I think the color should compliment your lovely eyes, don't you think, Helena?"
"Absolutely," agreed Helena, and held out her hand to Maria. "Come, my dear. We'll take your measurements and pick out the fabrics."
Five days later, the day before her date with Georg at the opera, Maria went back to Helena's for a final fitting. She'd been so pleased to hear that Helena – with the help of her assistants – had managed to make her gown in the span of these few days. But they were, after all, professionals.
Standing in the tiny dressing room that was curtained off, Maria managed to zip up the back of her dress. It fit her like a glove, which felt so good, knowing this was made for her. Looking down, she smoothed over the lovely turquoise fabric. The color was so lovely and vibrant in her eyes. Taking a deep breath, Maria parted the curtain and came out of the little cubical.
Waiting for her were Elsa – for it was her last day in Salzburg – and Helena. They gasped and smiled at the sight of Maria.
"Oh, how lovely you look!" said Helena, motioning towards a stool in front of several long mirrors. "Come and stand here, Miss Rainer, and I'll just finish the hem."
Maria obeyed and got up on the stool. Only then could she get a proper glimpse of herself, and now it was her turn to gasp. Helena had created a truly beautiful gown for her that exceeded any images and expectations in her mind. She'd listened to all of the suggestions, requirements, and concerns that Maria had presented. Everything had come together in complete harmony. "Oh, Frau Vera, it's so beautiful!"
"And you are beautiful in it," replied Helena, bending down to finish hand-stitching on the hem.
"And I know for a fact that Georg will find you beautiful in it," said Elsa, giving a smile in the mirror for Maria.
Maria blushed and lowered her head. Looking up at Elsa again in the mirror, she shook her head slightly as she spoke. "I must say, Elsa, it's quite a relief that you have no problem with me being courted by him, after everything that happened."
Elsa reached out and took Maria's hand. "I will admit that when I first met Georg a year ago, I thought we might be good together. We were both lonely people, widower and widow, and everyone seemed to think we made a perfect match. And when he invited me to the villa, it was all too clear that's what he was thinking as well. But once I arrived, it became abundantly clear that it was not me he had been searching for, and he realized it too. We never felt anything for each other that a potential husband and wife should."
Maria looked at Elsa and the sincerity in her eyes. More than anything, it gave Maria another reassurance that she was doing the right thing, allowing Georg to court her. The fact that the children seemed to have no problem with it was a help, as well.
Elsa looked at this young woman and assessed the situation with that brilliant insight she had. From what she had heard from Max and the little Maria had said about her relationship with Georg, Elsa could see that nothing serious had happened yet. Though Max had not told her explicitly, Elsa could deduce that Georg knew of his love for Maria. After all, he had been through this before. As for Maria, Elsa could see that Maria loved Georg, but she obviously either wouldn't acknowledge it or didn't know.
Her conclusion was that both of them were frightened, even if marginally. Georg was frightened of moving too fast or hurting her; Maria was afraid of a world that she was not familiar with. Both were reasonable, but Elsa hoped that their fears would disappear as their feelings, which couldn't be hidden, unfolded before their eyes. And if Elsa could help in this small way, for her old friend and her new one, that pleased her.
The moment of understanding passed between the two women, and Helena smiled in silent observance. Elsa had told Helena her side of this whole story, and dearly hoped for this young lady to be happy. She certainly looked radiant in this gown, and her eyes sparkled at the mention of Captain Von Trapp. Helena wished them both the best.
"I love what you've done with the fabric, Frau Vera," said Maria, turning to the side as Helena motioned for her to do so. "It's exactly what I hoped for and more."
"Well, Grecian draping is always pretty, and a technique I've used for a long time," said Helena. "What a great idea to use it for this gown!"
"And the color is absolutely perfect," said Elsa, walking around to the other side, seeing it from another angle. "This turquoise makes your eyes sparkle like aquamarines!"
Maria lowered her eyes at the compliment, but then looked at herself again. She was grateful that the V-necklines in the front and back were not too plunging. It was the most beautiful dress she had ever worn.
"How can I ever thank the both of you?" she murmured as she looked at her reflection.
Elsa just shared a smile with Helena. The former was thinking, You can tell me all about Georg's reaction to him seeing you in this dress.
The latter thought, Come to me to design the wedding dress.
When Maria arrived back at the house, she carried her dress which was safely encased in a black covering on a hanger, she made to go right up to her room. But a beautiful sound from the distant music room made her change in her tracks. She would know that instrument anywhere: the piano. Remembering that Dominik had meant Georg browsing for piano music, she smiled and tip-toed towards the entrance.
Peeking in, Maria saw him sitting at the beautiful grand piano, playing a beautiful piece masterfully (in her opinion). She tip-toed again towards the sofa near the door, carefully setting down her wrapped dress and seating herself down to listen. She was sitting at an angle where, even if he could not see her, she could still see his right hand playing. Maria had learned a long time ago that she could never get tired of watching hands at work: whether distant memories of her father carving to Dominik learning his scales, this was a sight that always fascinated her. And Georg's hands were beautiful. They were one of the first things she had been attracted to about him. And now she knew for herself how strong, warm and gentle they could be, whether holding her own or caressing her face.
When his piece had finished, Maria clapped quietly. She giggled as he almost jumped on the bench and turned around.
"Sneaky little witch," he muttered, but he was smiling.
Maria giggled again. "I'm sorry, I hated to disturb you while you were playing."
"Haven't I told you before that you are never a disturbance?" he asked, his gaze on her warm and loving.
She blushed and looked into her lap. "I believe so. I'm just used to being a disturbance I suppose."
Georg got up from the piano and approached her, offering his hands to her. Maria took them and he helped her up. After kissing her brow gently, he asked, "How was your trip into town?"
"It was lovely, my dress is all finished," said Maria, motioning to what she had brought in. "Is it time for dinner?"
Georg reluctantly let go of one of her hands and pulled out his pocket-watch to check. "Hm, very nearly."
"Then we should probably get ready for that. Where are the children? With Max?"
"Yes, I believe they're out on the terrace, singing . . ." Georg suddenly got a look of mock-horror on his face. "Oh, dear God, what have I done?"
Maria burst into a full laugh, and Georg smiled at the sound. He loved how he could make her laugh, and how she could make him laugh in turn. "Well, I'm going to put this dress in my closet and wash for dinner." But before she let go of his hand, she entwined her fingers with his as she said in a rich voice. "You play beautifully, by the way."
He kissed her fingers before letting her go. Whatever dress she had gotten, he couldn't wait to see her in it, and how beautiful she was sure to look.