A/N And, I'm back! Thank you to everyone for the reviews. I had some of this written when I wasn't sure if I was going to continue or not, but I've decided to keep going. There will only be maybe one or two more chapters after this one.

Chapter Two

Even since discovering the letter two days ago, the children had become obsessed with trying to find the so-called treasure. It was a good distraction that was for sure. With the Captain's party getting closer and closer, the children had become more unruly than usual with all the excitement and it had been hard for Maria to contain them all. The older ones had talked of the parties that used to be held here when their mother was alive, which then started arguments about what colour dress their mother had worn and what kind of music had played.

Then the little ones would start crying because they couldn't remember anything – or in the case of Gretl, hadn't even been alive long enough to have had the chance to experience one anyway.

It had certainly been quite the task. After all, Maria was one person and there were seven children. She had asked the Captain for help and he had refused on the grounds that she was the governess – once again, she was certain it was just to irritate her further. Maria had done her best to keep them entertained but it seemed no matter what she did, it always ended in tears. Even the song she had been teaching them to sing for the party hadn't been enough, it hadn't taken them long to learn the words and the dance routine. And so once that had been mastered, it was back to arguing.

They had even gone to her mountain but not even that had been enough – there was just more room for them to squabble. However, with this letter, their attentions were focused on scouring every inch of the villa and grounds in search of some long lost jewels or money. Maria was determined herself to find answers and so that was why she now found herself standing outside the door to the attic. She hadn't even realised she had walked up here until she found herself staring at the heavy wooden door.

Ever since her little talk with the Captain two nights ago, she'd been plagued by thoughts of all those things that she did want. And despite all her protests to the contrary, Maria found herself wishing she did have a small fortune so that she could spend it on some lavish dress and go dancing like she had always wanted.

She snorted and pushed through the attic door, no matter what the Captain said she would not be dancing at his party. She was the governess after all. Who would even dance with her, anyway?

Making her way through the dusty and messy attic, Maria tried to think of where to start looking for some more clues. Deciding to begin with where they had found it, she headed for the old dressing table and sat down on the worn chair in front of it. The dressing table was white and chipped in places, and the large mirror was severely cracked. Glancing at her reflection, multiple Marias looked back at her. She starred at herself in the broken glass a moment and sighed. No gentleman would want to dance with her, she thought as she stared forlornly at her hair and makeshift clothing.

She rummaged carefully through a few drawers but found nothing but a few broken hairpins and some old makeup that clattered as she opened the draw.

"Any luck?"

Snapping her head up from the draw, Maria looked into the cracked mirror and saw several Captains watching her. He was leaning against the jamb of the door until he pushed off the frame and walked towards her. Dragging her eyes from the mirror, she turned in the seat to face him.

"Uh, Captain, I am sorry-" Maria began but then she stopped as she realised he hadn't sounded angry at all.

"You know, I'm beginning to think if I want you to do something, I should just tell you explicitly not to do it," he said, watching her carefully.

He had the infuriating smirk on his face that made Maria feel like a small furry animal caught in the gaze of a hunter. She felt an angry blush colour her cheeks and her brow furrowed of its own accord. A sensible part of her brain told her he was just trying to rile her up and not to react but the other part – which seemed to dominate most of the thinking – told her she should just get really angry instead.

"Captain, you never told me I wasn't supposed to come up here," she said hotly.

"Put your weapons down, I do not feel like having an argument with you," he said with an arrogant wave of his hands.

Georg couldn't help but let the smirk on his face stretch into a grin as her face went redder at his dismissal of her. Damn, she was just too much fun. She made an odd squeaking noise – something he realised she did when she was biting her lip in an effort not to speak back. He watched as she stuck her chin out at him and eyed him carefully.

"So, any luck on your little treasure hunt?" he asked after a moment.

"No," she said slowly, turning away from him and looking back at the mirror. Her eyes found his in the distorted reflections in the glass and she added accusingly, "The children come in here all the time just so they can feel closer to their mother, did you know that?"

"Yes."

Maria turned around again to look at him. "You do?" She shook her head in confusion. "Why don't you just take some things out then?"

"Have you ever lost someone, Fraulein?"

Maria paused, noting the change of his voice. It was no longer playful, but sombre.

"Yes, I have," she replied. "My parents died when I was about seven."

"I'm sorry to hear that," he replied, and Maria's heart lifted at the genuine sincerity in his voice.

"Thank you," she said. "But I do think it would different to lose someone like a wife. I was very young when my parents died so I don't remember them much. But it means I do know how your children feel – especially the younger ones. I would want anything and everything of my parents."

There was a comfortable, yet reflective silence, as they both sat and thought. Maria wondered what it would be like to lose someone like that. To have been so in love. She couldn't even begin to imagine how much that would hurt. And then suddenly her stomach twisted into knots; here she was sitting in the room filled with the memories of his beloved wife, casually going through her things. And she felt a wave of guilt roll over at the thoughts she'd been having lately in regards to the man standing across from her.

It was ridiculous, and inappropriate, the things that had been running through her head lately. She couldn't help but silently blame the Captain for them, however. After all, he'd been the one to constantly ask her about what she wanted most. And yes, she wanted adventure, and yes, she wanted to go dancing. But what she found herself really wanting lately was a kiss. From him.

Maria was quite sure she'd left two knee indentations in the carpet of her room from how often she'd been praying lately. She shifted in her chair awkwardly and cleared her throat.

"Do you think it would be all right if I took some photos out?" she asked, glancing up at him from her seat. "To put in the nursery?"

Georg stared at her for a moment. It was so odd seeing her sitting at Agathe's dressing table. Yes, it was chipped and the glass was heavily shattered from the move, but it was still Agathe's. It was startling to think that only two months ago he'd have been in an uncontrollable rage at the thought of someone in the attic, let alone someone sitting where his governess sat. But all he could think about was the governess seated at a fully upholstered dressing table, wearing something lacy while she spritzed herself with whatever it was that made her smell so utterly delicious. He could picture it so easily; the sun would be shining through the windows and lighting up her golden hair. And then she'd turn around and give him that adorable smile of hers as she tilted her head to the side.

And in this vivid daydream, this table was in his room. And he was wearing very little. He shuddered.

"I don't think so, Fraulein," he said smoothly, and then added as her brow creased again in irritation, "I will choose some photos."

"Oh, that would be lovely then," she said, giving him the same smile he'd just been thinking about.

"Now, I think it's best you return the children," he said, his voice returning back to its usual mocking tone. "I don't pay you to dally about all day."

With a roll of her eyes, Maria stood and left the Captain in the attic. It was so hard to tell what kind of a mood he was going to be in, and even then, he seemed to switch between them faster than Kurt switching between what dessert he wanted. One minute he would be teasing her, the next minute he'd be yelling and then a moment later he'd be laughing. Sometimes she didn't know whether she truly wanted to kiss him or just hit him instead.

After another unsuccessful day of searching, Maria had felt sorry for the children and so she had – with the assistance of Herr Detweiler, Frau Schmidt and a few of the housemaids – made her own little treasure hunt comprised of riddles for the children to solve. It had been simple and she had just hidden a few treats along the way for them. But it had bolstered the children's moral for the moment. She was sitting on the stone steps outside, watching the children all huddle together underneath a large oak tree, pouring over the latest clue.

A shadow appeared, blocking the warm sunshine and Maria looked up to see the Captain standing above her. He was watching the children until he looked down at her, wetting his lips before he opened his mouth to speak. Maria had to instantly squash her body's ridiculous reaction to the sight of his tongue.

Oh, Lord, help me, please.

"What are my children doing, now?" he asked.

Gathering her scattered wits, Maria replied, "They hadn't had any luck with the letter so I made them their own treasure hunt."

Georg felt a smile tug at his lips and without thinking, walked down the few steps to sit next to her. She was staring at him, her mouth hanging open slightly and her head tilted to the side.

"Close your mouth, you're not a codfish."

She scowled at him and shut her mouth before opening it again. "What are you doing?"

"I'm sitting down, Fraulein," he replied casually, "Or am I not allowed to sit on the terrace stairs in my own home?"

"Wha-?" Maria began. "Don't you want to go sit up there with the Baroness and Herr Detweiler?" She gestured to the terrace table where his guests sat, both of whom were watching them.

Trying to move imperceptibly, Maria inched herself across the step away from the Captain. The summer breeze was blowing across the stairs and with it was his scent. It was the same smells she got when she went into the study but more… intoxicating? Her brain felt slow enough as it was from the summer sun, let alone the tantalising scent of the man next to her.

It made her realise she had never been this close to him before. Not even when he'd been with her up in the attic, he'd still been at least a few feet away from her. And then at other times, there had always been the reassuring presence of his desk between them. How she missed that desk right now. What is wrong with me? She thought. I'm going to be a nun and all of a sudden I can't think properly because he sat next to me on the step. It must be the heat.

With all her willpower, she retuned herself back to reality.

"You will ruin your suit," she said.

"Hmm?" the Captain said. "I have plenty of suits. But if it makes you feel better-" With great ceremony, he shrugged out of his jacket, loosening his tie as he did so. The stark whiteness of his clean linen shirt was slightly blinding in the afternoon sun, Maria blinked a few times as she watched him carefully fold his jacket and place it carefully to the side.

"I've never seen you without a jacket before," Maria heard herself say. "You look strange."

He grinned at her. "Surprisingly, Fraulein, I am not sewn into this suit."

Maria's nose wrinkled as she smiled. "There goes my theory."

Intrigued, Georg asked, "What theory?"

Clearly, sanity had decided to vacate Maria's brain as she replied. "Oh, I just thought you lived in a suit. I figured you slept in one too."

If she had been anyone else, Georg would have leapt upon that sentence without a thought. If she had been Elsa – or any other woman for that matter – he would have said something flirtatious back. He would have remarked upon the fact that she thought about what he wore to bed. But thankfully, some of his restraint was still evident as he simply just smirked at her.

After all, she was the governess who was to be a nun. And he could not let her innocent words get to him – or at least, he couldn't let it show that they did.

"Did you make up the clues?" Georg asked finally, returning his gaze to the children.

He had noticed her effort to slide away from him and so he slid closer, watching her from the corner of his eye. It was still a perfectly respectable distance. But his hand was right next to hers and he was incredibly tempted to just let his hand close the distance.

He was also very much aware of the feel of two pairs of eyes boring into the back of his head. He knew Elsa and Max would be watching them. But, he should be able to talk with the governess to his children if he wished. And, like he had told Fraulein Maria, they were his steps and he could damn well sit where he liked.

"Uh," she said, "I made up some. And then I had some help."

"Oh?"

"Herr Detweiler made a riddle, also Frau Schmidt. The housemaids – Anna and Sofia – they also gave me a hand," said Maria, starting to feel less tense. She was slowly becoming accustomed to his proximity. However, she was very much aware of how close his hand was to hers. If she even twitched her hand slightly she knew it would touch his. The knowledge was excruciating. "Everyone was very helpful."

She turned her head to face him and gave him a smile.

"You didn't ask me to contribute a riddle," the Captain said, raising an eyebrow at her.

Maria raised her chin and said smoothly, "Your entire personality is a riddle, Captain. I thought you overqualified."*

There was a bark of laugher from the Captain, causing Maria to jump slightly. Her hand moved to steady herself and landed firmly right on top of his. She removed it instantly and felt the blush rise up her chest and colour her face at the jolt that had shot through her.

"Sorry."

Georg smirked at her. "No harm done." He glanced back over to the children who were now heading with purpose towards the stables. "So, Fraulein, ready to be swept away tomorrow night?"

Maria's brow creased in confusion. "I'm sorry?"

"The party," said Georg, "Remember, I said you'll have a chance to get your dance."

Maria scoffed and rolled her eyes at him. "You know full well I will be too busy looking after your children to be dancing. Besides, who'd want to dance with me?"

"O-ho, I'm sure they'll all be lining up," Georg said, his eyes full of mischief. "Who can resist a girl in drapes, after all?"

Her brow furrowed deeper as she glared at him. He'd hoped to get a smile from that comment but she turned decidedly frosty as she stood up, dusting the skirts of her dress as she did.

"Very funny, Captain," she said. "I better go check on the children."

Georg just watched her flounce off in the direction of the stables and stared a moment before standing himself, grabbing his jacket and heading back to the terrace where Max and Elsa sat.

* Emma (1996 film version)