Chapter 22: A Fine Romance – Part 1.
The next few days seemed to pass quickly and as they did, Maria began to notice the change in Georg. Firstly he cancelled practically all his business meetings. The only one he did attend, he took Friedrich with him and afterwards the young man came gushed relentlessly over how much his father had taught him about the business while they were in town. It pleased Maria to no end seeing Georg continuing to bond with his eldest son like they had done together whilst in the mountains almost two months before.
The next thing Maria noticed was how attentive Georg was towards their children. One morning Maria overheard Georg in a great debate with Brigitta over the latest novel she was reading. And apart from showing Friedrich around the business, Georg took both boys horse riding every morning before breakfast much to Kurt's delight. Kurt had expressed a great desire to go horse riding again after the ride he had done with Georg in Switzerland. Kurt confided in Maria how pleased he was that his father was taking a genuine interest in the things he enjoyed.
Then Georg took the three older girls on an excursion to the British Museum as Louisa had expressed a desire to go after one of Nanny Jones's lessons. All three girls came back from their day out with Georg chattering away with excitement over all the things they'd seen: from Egyptian to Greek to Roman to Turkish artefacts. But not to be forgotten were Marta and Gretl. One afternoon Maria was looking for the young girls only to find them in the nursery playing tea parties with Georg. Maria stood at the door quietly watching Georg pretending to drink copious cups of tea from a teacup the size of a thimble and sitting on a chair so tiny that his bent knees practically touched his shoulders. It made Maria happy to see how Georg was strengthening the bonds between him and the children.
Besides spending time with the children, Georg also seemed to be working on a secret project with them. Every so often Maria would walk into a room and seem the eight of them huddled together discussing something important. Maria pretended to be oblivious to their schemes but soon she worked out their secret plan when several precious gifts miraculously appeared out of nowhere.
One morning she found a love poem, written in Georg's elegant handwriting, hidden inside the pocket of her dress. She was certain it was Louisa who had put it there, for who else could sneak something into her pocket undetected? Following that, her afternoon cup of tea was served alongside a crisp apple strudel that looked suspiciously like the ones Liesl would make for her back in Salzburg. Then the next day when she arrived for breakfast, Maria almost sat on a pinecone that had been strategically placed on her chair. Maria giggled to herself as she picked up the spikey object and placed in on the table next to her cutlery. She took a quick glance around the room trying to work out who the culprit was. Georg met her eyes for a brief moment then he buried himself back into his morning newspaper, furiously trying to suppress a smirk. Maria knew instantly that he was the one who'd placed the pinecone there and her heart was warmed by his sweet gesture especially since Georg had once told her that he fell in love with her the night she'd sat on the first ridiculous pinecone.
Finally, one evening as she left the suite to go downstairs for dinner, she found a brown paper package tied up with string left outside her door in the hallway. Intrigued to the contents, Maria quickly opened it. Inside was a beautiful sterling silver music box that played a short refrain of Edelweiss. Maria wondered how on earth Georg had managed to find such a treasure and she cherished not only the gift, but also the thought behind it. Maria smiled to herself. Not only had she loved the many simple and thoughtful gifts Georg had arranged for her, but also she loved the way he'd involved the children in giving them to her.
They began to spend more time together as a family. One afternoon, Maria arrived in the garden to find that Georg had set up a picnic on the grass for them all to share. It reminded her of the many picnics they'd go on up on the Untersberg, and it made her miss their home in Salzburg terribly. But after a fun afternoon eating and playing games, not to mention Kurt's hilarious impromptu juggling performance, Maria completely forgot her homesickness and just relished in the time she got to spend with her family.
But as much as Maria appreciated the time they spent with the children together as a family, what she really enjoyed was spending time with Georg alone. A few quiet walks through the gardens or a taking tea together, they would just talk, or more specifically, Maria would talk and he'd listen. Georg would hold her hand or slip one arm around her waist as they walked and his attentiveness made Maria feel cherished and valued.
His loving and caring romancing of her was definitely having an effect. Maria found herself beginning to trust Georg once again and the hurt she'd felt after their argument was slowly disappearing. After all the angst of the past month or so, Maria found herself relaxing while she was in his company and enjoying every second they'd spend together.
Georg and Maria had resumed their English lessons after a few days break. He was fiercely focused on getting through as much grammar and vocabulary as possible in the hour that was set-aside that he'd barely notice anything else going on around him. However, something would always side-track Maria and Georg would have to work quickly get her back on task.
But one particular morning, Maria felt especially preoccupied. Because she'd asked for time and space away from him at night, Georg was respecting her wishes and still sleeping over in the guest quarters. Also apart from a kiss on the cheek to say goodnight each evening, he hadn't touched or kissed her since their argument and part of her appreciated his restraint. But since he had been romancing her, she found herself longing to be near him and she craved his touch. Now sitting so close to him, breathing in the smell of his aftershave and listening to his rich baritone voice pronounce the foreign words so effortlessly, she couldn't help but be distracted.
"Maria?" he asked as she stared at him dreamily. "Are you paying attention?"
"Hmm?" She looked up in surprise. "Yes, of course."
She blinked several times and shook her head faintly trying to regain focus, but it was impossible. As Georg showed her the correct position of her lips and explained exactly where she needed to place her tongue so that she'd pronounce the sounds properly as to smooth out her thick German accent, all Maria could do was watch his mouth and dream that she was kissing him again. She closed her eyes and began to imagine that he'd put down the English grammar book, sweep her into his arms, kiss her passionately and then…
"Maria?" Georg voice suddenly interrupted her daydream and she opened her eyes. "Are you alright? You seem a million miles away."
Maria blushed furiously. "Yes, q-quite all right," she stammered. He looked at her quizzically, almost as if he knew what she was dreaming about. "Should we take a break?" he asked.
"No, no. I'm fine," she replied, trying to compose herself. "Please, let's continue." Georg nodded but for a split second before he glanced back at the grammar book in his hand, Maria saw a look of burning desire for her in his eyes and she wondered whether he was finding it as hard as she was at keeping away from each other.
Part of her wanted to ask him back into their suite as she missed the warmth of his arms around her at night and missed he way they'd make love, but the other part of her still felt a little wary of letting him back so soon. Even after the amount of time they'd spent together recently and the number of conversations they'd shared, never once in all of that time had they spoken about Agathe. Maria wondered Georg was still struggling with his late wife's memory and she still felt hurt and confused after Georg had called out Agathe's name while making love to her. She wanted to talk to him about it, but didn't know how. She hoped he'd bring it up, but he never did. But despite all her worries, Maria couldn't deny Georg's devotion to her or just how hard he was trying to win her back. She loved Georg, and she knew he loved her in return and maybe that was enough?
Maria just tried to focus on how lovely it was spending time with Georg during they day. It reminded her of how happy they were on their honeymoon in Paris and thoughts of Georg began to fill her dreams at night.
She felt sleepy; it was hard to open her eyes. But she felt warm and safe and secure. She stirred and rolled over then half-opened her eyes. He was there! She gazed into his deep blue eyes, and he smiled at her. Tenderly he caressed her face, brushing a few wispy strands of hair off her forehead. "My love," he whispered. She closed her eyes again as his lips grazed over hers…
Maria awoke, the sensations of the delightful dream of Georg still washing over her. For a brief moment, she detected the faint smell of his aftershave and she wondered whether she hadn't been dreaming and that he was, in fact, there in the room with her. Maria sat up and glanced over to his side of the bed but it was empty. However, left lying on his pillow was a single, long stemmed pale pink rose.
She picked it up and looked wildly around the room. "Georg?" she called out, hoping he'd still be there, but their suite was empty. Maria sighed and looked down at the rose in her hands. Pink. She giggled. She was sure Marta must have told him what her favourite colour was.
Smiling to herself and feeling eager to find Georg and thank him for his gift, she hopped out of bed to take a quick shower.
XxXxXxXxXx
Georg finished his shower and began to dress. He felt pleased with himself for having snuck into the suite while Maria slept to leave the rose for her. While he had hoped to be in and out without her noticing him, as he approached the bed, he couldn't help but stop and gaze at his sleeping wife seeing how beautiful and peaceful she looked.
He missed her, but he was trying to give her the time and space she needed. Nonetheless, he had been enjoying their quality time together over the past few days. Romancing her was a pleasure and he loved seeing the way her eyes lit up as he and the children bestowed their many little gifts upon her. But keeping his hands off her was getting more and more difficult. His dreams were filled with thoughts of her and he longed to take her in his arms and kiss her. Georg had a feeling she felt the same way, but until Maria gave him a clear signal that she was ready to take him back, he had to restrain himself as much as possible.
But that morning he just couldn't. Seeing her lying asleep so peacefully, he stopped and sat on the bed next to her. She stirred as he swept some hair off her face and he kissed her gently as she dozed back off to sleep. He watched her sleep for a few minutes before returning to his room.
As Georg finished dressing, he realised the tie he wanted to wear that day was still in the walk-in-robe of the suite. He glanced at his watch and, deciding that Maria would most likely be awake by now, headed over to the suite.
He knocked on the door several times but there was no answer. He opened the door and called out, "Maria?" but he got no response. All he could hear was faint singing coming from the bedroom. Georg opened the bedroom door and leant against the doorframe, watching the scene in front of him.
Maria was dressed only in her underwear and robe, her back towards him and was singing to herself while she held several dresses, still on hangers, up to her body as she was deciding on what to wear.
"The hills fill my heart, with the sound of music…" she sang as she swayed her hips in time with the song. "My heart wants to sing every song it hears…" She did a little waltz then pirouetted around just to see Georg standing there watching her, a playful smirk on his face.
At once she stopped singing and her face went bright red. "G-Georg," she stammered, a little embarrassed to be caught. "I didn't hear you come in."
"I knocked several times, but you clearly didn't hear me," he replied playfully, giving her one of those wicked half-smiles she found so adorable. "You're singing again," he noted. He hadn't heard her sing in the longest time, not since they'd been at the manor, but it sounded lovely.
"Well I sing when I'm happy," said Maria, her eyes sparking with delight.
"And you're happy?" he asked cautiously.
"Very," she paused as she took a step towards him, "and it's because of you. Sneaking in here like that." She nodded towards the pink rose, which had been placed in a vase next to the bed. "Thank you."
"I didn't think you woke up," Georg remarked.
"I didn't really. At first I thought I was dreaming, but then to find you actually had come into the room to leave that for me…" Her voice trailed off and and she gazed at him, Maria quickly found herself becoming lost in his deep blue eyes. "It was very sweet," she finally managed to whisper.
"It was my pleasure," Georg murmured as he reached out and softly caressed her cheek with one hand. She closed her eyes, relishing his touch. He gently pulled her close to him with the other hand. Maria's heart being to race and her breath hitched in her throat as she felt him tilt her chin up just slightly. But just as his lips were about to meet hers, they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Georg let her go with a groan of frustration as Hannah entered the suite to help Maria prepare for the day. The maid stopped in her tracks at seeing Georg with Maria.
"I'm so sorry Captain, Baroness. Should I come back later?" Hannah asked.
"No, not at all," Georg replied pleasantly. "I just came to get a tie, that's all." Their intimate moment gone, he strode past Maria to the walk-in-robe to find the tie. Maria quickly decided on which dress she was going to wear that day and had just finished dressing as Georg returned, tie chosen and knotted around his neck.
Maria gravitated towards him and immediately straightened it. "Did you remember today is the day we are going to meet the young man that Liesl is so taken with?" she asked him.
Georg rolled his eyes. "No I haven't forgotten. What time?"
"10am. Lady Whitehead is insisting on join us as well, but I feel that meeting Daniel is something we should do together as parents alone."
Georg nodded. "I agree. I'll speak with her. It'll be fine, I promise." He kissed her on the cheek as he left the suite, leaving Maria with Hannah to finish getting ready.
XxXxXxXxXx
10 o'clock came around and Maria and Georg waited together in the parlour. Nanny Jones had taken the rest of the children for the morning while Lord and Lady Whitehead had reluctantly gone into town. Lady Whitehead had not been pleased to be excluded from the morning tea but Georg was very firm that it was not her place to be approving of potential beaus for Liesl.
Maria watched Georg in amusement as he impatiently paced the room. "You're going to wear the carpet out if you keep that up," she commented.
"He's late. And you know how much I detest people running late."
"I always run late," remarked Maria dryly.
"I've gotten used that," he huffed. "But it used to annoy me dreadfully before we were married."
Maria opened her mouth to make a smart retort but just then the door opened and Liesl walked in with a young man who Maria instantly assumed was Daniel. She could immediately see why Liesl was drawn to him. Tall, thick dark wavy hair, blue eyes, aristocratic visage, strong jaw: he could have easily passed for a young Georg. He looked nervous, while Liesl was clearly very excited.
"Mother, Father, let me present Daniel Collins to you," Liesl introduced. "Daniel, these are my parents: Captain von Trapp and my step-mother, Maria."
Daniel held out his hand to Maria. "Baroness, it is my honour. Liesl has told me so much about you."
Maria laughed. "Oh I hope only good things!" She glanced at Liesl who immediately nodded in confirmation. "Please, call me Maria." Daniel smiled and Maria could see his nerves reducing.
Daniel then held out his hand to Georg. "Sir, thank you for letting me see your daughter."
"Well I haven't agreed yet," Georg scowled before adding coldly. "And you may call me Captain."
"Yes Captain," Daniel quickly replied shooting a glance towards Liesl.
The four of them stood in silence, an icy tension in the air. Maria could see how uncomfortable Liesl looked after her father's less than enthusiastic welcome to Daniel. Breaking the silence, Maria began asking Daniel questions about his family and how he'd met Liesl while Georg continued to pace the room. After a few awkward minutes, Maria suggested that Liesl and Daniel take a walk in the gardens and she'd ring for tea to be served in about ten minutes.
As soon as Liesl and Daniel had left the room, Maria whipped around and glared at Georg. "Georg! What's come over you?" she asked him hotly.
"I don't like him," he announced definitively.
"You don't even know him!" Maria cried in exasperation before she let out a defeated sigh. "Georg, I know you aren't keen on the idea of Liesl dating, but please, the least you could do is be civil." Georg rolled his eyes and huffed something to himself under his breath.
"Honestly Georg: 'you may call me Captain…' What was that?" she scoffed. "Are you trying to intimidate him?"
He looked hard at her for a moment before realising how ridiculous he was being. A smile came across his face. "Do you think it worked?" he asked half in-jest and Maria could tell he was loosening up a bit.
She giggled. "No, not at all. That line didn't work on me when you used it the day we met, and I don't think it'll work on him either."
"Pity," he smirked and Maria burst out laughing. "Alright." He held up his hands in defeat. "I'll be nice when they come back in. For you."
"No, you'll be nice for Liesl. It means a lot to her, you know." Georg nodded, knowing she was right.
As they waited, Maria got out some needlepoint she'd been working on while Georg resumed his pacing. Every once in a while he'd stop and look out the window, then pace again.
"What are you looking at?" Maria finally asked him after he'd glanced out the window for the tenth time. "I hope you're not spying on Liesl and Daniel."
"No, of course not," Georg replied a little guiltily. "But they have been gone for a while," he added as he continued to look out the window. He had a clear view of Liesl and Daniel walking in the garden below.
"Should I call for tea then?" Maria asked.
"Yes, good idea," replied Georg airily, as he was a little distracted with what was going on out the window.
As Maria rang the bell for tea, Georg suddenly gasped. "He's kissing her!"
"What?" Maria cried and rushed over to the window, practically pushing Georg out of the way in order that she could see what was going on outside. Georg was right, Daniel had his arms around Liesl and was kissing her, and Liesl didn't seem to mind a bit.
As Maria watched them open mouthed, she heard Georg chuckle from behind her. "And you told me not to spy on them," he laughed.
"I wasn't… I mean you told me that they were… Oh!" Maria gave him a playful slap on the arm.
"Now," Georg began as his mood returned to being serious, "you were the one who told me I had to be nice when they came back in. How do you want me to handle this? Congratulate the boy for taking liberties with our daughter or…"
"Georg, settle down. It was just a kiss! Liesl is a sensible girl, I highly doubt she'd let it go further than that."
"But still, they barely know each other and he's already kissing her."
"Georg," Maria slipped her arms around his waist, trying to reduce his irritable mood. "They're young, they're in love. You remember what that was like?" She pulled him closer to her and looked adoringly into his eyes. "You know, those first few days after a declaration of love." He smiled at her remembering how elated he'd felt after telling Maria he loved her that night in the gazebo. "And you must recall how we could barely keep our hands off each other…" she added, her voice suddenly low and slightly husky.
As Georg looked at Maria, he could see the desire for him in her eyes. He felt the same feelings stir within him. "I can barely keep my hands off you now," he murmured honestly in return, momentarily forgetting their temporary estrangement.
Maria looked surprised at his admission but didn't pull away. He was about to apologise for being so forward when he should have been giving her space. But before he could say anything, it was Maria who made the first move. She ran her hand through his hair before lifting her face towards his as their lips met in a gentle kiss.
Maria let out an involuntary moan as their kiss deepened, their tongues touching and dancing together slowly and sensually. Georg wrapped his arms around her as they kissed again and again until they pulled apart both breathless. She gave him a little smile as he kept his arms firmly around her, not willing to let her go just yet.
"Maria," Georg began, suddenly feeling nervous as a schoolboy. "I was hoping, I mean I'd like to take you out tonight. Just the two of us, somewhere special, romantic... Would you consider…?"
Maria smiled. "Yes, I'd like that. It sounds lovely." Georg was just about to give her another kiss when the door opened and the maid came in with the tea. They pulled away from each other.
Only a minute or so later Liesl and Daniel arrived back in the parlour. Maria noted that Liesl couldn't keep the smile off her face and Maria was happy that Liesl had met such a nice young man. He was polite, well spoken and genuinely seemed to care about Liesl. Even Georg was friendlier towards Daniel, and the four of them chatted so pleasantly together that by the end of the morning, Georg was shaking Daniel's hand and giving his permission for Daniel to see Liesl again.
As Georg left the parlour to show Daniel out of the manor, Liesl threw her arms around Maria. "Oh isn't he wonderful, Mother?" she exclaimed.
Maria agreed, but while she knew Liesl was referring to Daniel, Maria's thoughts were only on Georg and the romantic evening ahead he'd planned for them.
A/N: Sorry everyone will just have to wait a little longer to find out whether Maria and Georg are reunited properly. Next chapter, I promise! Until then, please leave me a review – they are such a great encouragement and I love each and every one of them!