Chapter 25: A Grand and Glorious Party
The next few days passed quickly. The manor was in a flurry of organised chaos as the dustcovers were removed from the chandeliers, rugs were rolled up and put away, vases and vases of flowers were placed around each room, and every corner of the manor was scrubbed until it was sparkling clean. With all the busyness of the final preparations for the party, all the staff seemed stressed, especially Lloyd. His usual bad temperament turned even sourer as the day of the party approached and everyone would be ushered out of the manor each morning just to keep out of his way.
Maria didn't mind particularly. After almost two months being cooped up at the manor, she was enjoying her newfound freedom as she travelled into town with Georg each day. Ever since their reconciliation several days before, their relationship was better than ever. He'd moved back into their suite and although they would spend their days with the children as a family, the nights they made for each other. He was loving and attentive and he made her feel more cherished than ever. Maria loved falling asleep in his arms after they'd make love, and loved waking next to him where they'd make love again before rising and starting the day. Maria felt very happy.
The only dark cloud was the glares and foul looks Lady Whitehead would send her way every time Maria saw the woman. She tried to put it out of her mind, but it was starting to unsettle her somewhat. But the fact that Georg had already started making enquiries about renting a large house close to town reassured Maria that it would be only weeks before she didn't have to face Lady Whitehead each day.
Finally the day of the party arrived. Before breakfast, Maria made her way to the nursery to return Gretl's doll which she'd mended the night before. As she opened the door to the nursery, she heard Louisa and Brigitta in a bitter argument with Nanny Jones.
"Children, that's the decision that's been made," Maria heard Nanny Jones tell the girls fiercely.
"Well, we don't like it," cried Brigitta defiantly.
"The answer is no," Nanny Jones replied in such a stern tone that Maria at once shut the door and rushed into the room just in time to hear Louisa call the older woman an extremely rude name in German.
"Louisa!" Maria exclaimed. "Your language! Apologise to Nanny Jones at once."
"Why should I?" Louisa retorted, her eyes blazing with fury. "She didn't know what I said."
"No, but I do," Maria replied quickly. "You're just lucky your father didn't hear what you just called her."
"Well, she deserved it!" Louisa cried, running off into the adjoining room, slamming the door behind her.
Maria looked flabbergasted at Nanny Jones and then to Brigitta who seemed just as upset as Louisa. "Can someone please tell me what's going on?"
"Ask her!" Brigitta glared at Nanny Jones then spun on her heel and followed in the path of her older sister into the adjoining room. Maria jumped slightly as the door was slammed for a second time.
Maria let out a deep breath then turned to Nanny Jones. "Nanny Jones, please. What happened?"
The older woman looked at Maria expressionless. "I was only delivering a message, ma'am."
Maria raised her eyebrows, her patience starting to wane. "And what message was that?" she asked impatiently.
"Only that her Ladyship has forbid the younger children from attending Miss Liesl's party tonight."
"What?!" Maria exclaimed loudly. "No, that can't be right." When Nanny Jones assured her that it was what she was told, Maria quickly left the nursery to find Lady Whitehead to sort everything out.
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Georg arrived downstairs to the sounds of heated voices coming from the parlour. As he entered the room, he heard Maria's distinct voice arguing with Lady Whitehead.
"It was assumed they would be attending…"
"Why was it assumed?" Georg heard Lady Whitehead retort quickly. "I never extended the invitation to them."
Maria was infuriated. "But don't you see just how disappointed the children will be?"
"Maybe so, but that isn't the point," Lady Whitehead argued back. "They are too young for a party such as this, and besides, it wouldn't be proper."
"Wouldn't be proper?" Maria repeated in disbelief. "Why you…"
"What's going on?" Georg interrupted before Maria could finish her sentence.
Maria spun around to face him. "Georg, she said the children aren't allowed to come to the party tonight."
"What?" Georg's head snapped up and he turned directly to Lady Whitehead. "Elizabeth, you can't be serious!"
"Georg, as I tried to explain to Maria," Lady Whitehead replied in an incensed huff. "It just isn't proper for the younger children to be 'out' at the same time as their older sister. This party is for Liesl, not for her brothers and sisters."
Georg tried to reason. "Elizabeth, they have been looking forward to this party for weeks…"
"That's exactly what I just said," Maria interrupted. Georg shot her a look telling her to be quiet and that he'd handle it. Maria clenched her fists by her side about to protest; but another look from Georg stopped her. Instead she shut her mouth and remained quiet.
"Georg," Lady Whitehead said with a dismissive sigh. "This is my house, it is my decision."
"But they are my children," Georg asserted. "And I insist they come to the party."
"But they are too young for a party like this. They'll be a lot of trouble…"
"All the children came to the grand party I threw back in Salzburg. They won't cause any trouble, I assure you."
Maria stood biting her lip, trying to stay silent as she listen to Georg and Lady Whitehead argue over the children attending the party, but she found it next to impossible not to say something.
"Can I make a suggestion?" Maria interrupted. At once both Georg and Lady Whitehead stoped and turned to her, Lady Whitehead glaring at her with eyes like daggers and Georg looking annoyed at her interruption. Maria took in a deep breath before she spoke. "How about this as a compromise? All the children attend the party, at least for the beginning and the formalities before the younger children go off to bed. But Friedrich, and I think perhaps Louisa are old enough to stay for the rest of the party."
"That sounds like a good idea," Georg agreed.
Lady Whitehead clicked her tongue against her teeth as she contemplated Maria's suggestion. She glanced at Maria and then at Georg, whose expression was so set that she realised it was futile arguing further. "I suppose I'll accept that compromise," she muttered through gritted teeth. Before either Maria or Georg could say anymore, Lady Whitehead swept out of the room.
After she left, Georg ran his hand through his hair and sighed in exasperation. "Maria…"
"Yes, yes I know," she replied quickly, pre-empting what he was about to say. "I should have let you handle it, but I just had to say something."
"Hmm," Georg hummed sounding unimpressed. "Yes, you usually do."
At once Maria's eyes narrowed. "And what's that supposed to mean?" she asked hotly.
Georg, who not wanting to get into an argument with Maria, quickly back stepped. "Nothing, nothing, forget it." He bent his head to kiss her cheek, but Maria pulled away, bristling at his touch.
Maria took a step backwards. "If that's the case, I suppose I'll go and tell the children the good news," she said coldly.
"Maria," Georg called out after her as she stormed out of the room. Women! He thought to himself in exasperation. Yet Georg knew that his wife was a very passionate woman who had no reservations about speaking her mind and that was one of the things he loved about her, and he was aware just how much the constant bickering with Lady Whitehead had been getting under Maria's skin. It was no wonder Maria was frustrated by Lady Whitehead trying to prevent the children from attending the party. Shaking his head, he made his way to the breakfast room. He knew he'd sort it out with her later.
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The rest of the day flew by. Georg found Maria on the terrace after breakfast and apologised for his flippant remark and his attitude. It did help that he swiped a rose to give her from one of the large vases of flowers on his way outside. They kissed and made up before Georg left to go into town for a last minute business meeting.
Georg's meeting ran overtime and there was quite a lot of traffic leaving town so he wasn't back at the manor until very late. By the time he entered their suite, Hannah had just finished doing Maria's hair and makeup in preparation for the party. Maria hadn't put on her ball gown yet but was still dressed in her robe. She looked so alluring that as soon as Hannah left the suite, Georg pulled Maria into his arms and kissed her passionately.
Maria laughed then swatted him back. "I know you want to make up for this morning, but not now. You're very running late – you better get in the shower and get dressed." She kissed him tenderly on the lips. "And besides, you'll mess up my hair!" He chuckled as he peeled off his clothes and walked off into the bathroom to shower.
Ten minutes later, Georg emerged from the bathroom showered and shaved, a towel wrapped around his waist. He stopped short at seeing the vision in front of him. Maria was now dressed in a long, pale blue ball gown of satin and chiffon with long white gloves that reached almost up to her armpits. The dress had thin straps that ran over her shoulders, a tightly fitted bodice and a flowing skirt that splayed out when she spun around. She looked breathtaking! Maria already knew how much he liked the dress as he had helped her choose it several days before. Maria had been putting off finding a gown to wear for the party for several weeks as she didn't quite know what would be appropriate but during one of their trips to town earlier that week, Maria had seen the dress in an elegant boutique and had fallen in love with it. Georg encouraged her to get it because he loved the colour. He said it reminded him of the dress she'd worn firstly on the night of the puppet show and then again the night he declared his love for her.
"Darling, you look lovely," he told her before he kissed her lightly. "Absolutely magnificent!"
"Thank you," she smiled. "Now," she said running her eyes over his near naked body, trying to not let herself get too distracted. "You better hurry and get dressed. The first guests are due to arrive in a little under half an hour." He nodded. "Now, I'm just going to go and check on Liesl and the other children. I'll meet you downstairs?"
Maria gave him another kiss before she left the suite. She firstly checked on the younger children then made her way to Liesl's room. As she entered, it was her turn to stop short and gasp at the sight in front of her. Liesl was dressed in a beautiful long white gown, short puffed sleeves of lace and chiffon, matching white gloves and her hair piled in an elegant updo on top of her head. Except for her dark hair and blue eyes, she was the spitting image of her mother. "Oh Liesl," Maria breathed.
"Do I look alright, Mother?" the young woman asked hesitantly.
"Alright? Darling, you are beautiful!" Maria swept forward and embraced her stepdaughter. "Truly lovely!" Maria smiled. "You look like your mother tonight, you know," she remarked genuinely, remembering the portrait of Agathe hanging downstairs in the music room.
Liesl wiped a tear from her eye. "Do you really think so?"
"Yes, absolutely," said a voice from behind Maria. Maria turned to see Georg standing behind her in the doorway. She wasn't expecting him to be ready so soon. Usually he took much longer than only a few minutes just to do his hair. He was dressed in his tuxedo, his Maria Theresa cross pinned at his throat.
Georg walked further into the room and stood right in front of Liesl. He made a spinning motion with his hand. "Turn," he commanded Liesl. At once she spun on the spot, her white gown bellowing out as she pivoted. When she stopped spinning, he smiled. "You're all grown up – practically a woman now. I am very proud of you, Liesl."
"Thank you Father," replied Liesl happily, wiping another tear from her eye. It was at that moment the young woman noticed her father's attire.
"Father, your medal," said Liesl pointing at his neck. "I didn't think you still had it."
"I packed a few sentimental objects before leaving Austria," he explained. "Including this." Georg reached inside the breast pocket of his jacket and retrieved a black box. He handed it to Liesl who opened the box with curiosity. Inside was a string of pearls.
"These were your mothers," Georg explained. "I'm sure she would have wanted you to wear them on such a special night such as this."
"Oh Father!" Liesl flung her arms around Georg's neck, hugging him hard. Maria then secured the string of pearls around Liesl's neck and then they were all ready to go downstairs to receive the first lot of guests.
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As the three of them arrived downstairs, Lord and Lady Whitehead were already in their positions to receive the guests. Lady Whitehead beckoned Liesl over and positioned her in pride of place to be introduced. Georg took Maria's arm and motioned for her to stand next to him in order for them to welcome the guests as well.
At once Lady Whitehead turned and looked at Maria aghast. "My dear," she remarked. "I'm sure your presence here isn't necessary. Perhaps you should attend to the younger children, since you were so insistent on them being allowed at the party."
Georg narrowed his eyes. "No Elizabeth, Maria, as Liesl's mother, should be here also to welcome the guests."
"Stepmother," Lady Whitehead quickly corrected him. "And besides, all of the guests tonight are English. While I do concede that Maria's English language skills have vastly improved since you've been here, I don't believe she is quite up to the challenge of conversing with all our distinguished guests as they arrive."
Maria opened her mouth to protest, but Georg placed one hand on her arm. This time Maria stayed silent, allowing Georg to handle the entire situation. "Elizabeth," he spoke sharply to the older woman. "As you said, Maria's English language skills have improved dramatically, I am aware of this as I've been teaching her myself. And despite what you may believe, I think Maria will be completely fine. Besides, I'll be right here to help her if there are any problems in comprehension."
"But…" Lady Whitehead began to object.
"But nothing," replied Georg. "It is Maria's right to be here, and my wish. And that's my final word on the matter."
For the second time that day, Lady Whitehead was unable to argue with Georg further about Maria and it was starting to infuriate her. But there was nothing else to be done other than to accept that Maria would be present for all of the formal introductions for just at that moment, Lloyd opened the front door to allow the first of the guests into the manor. Georg smiled at Maria and gave her a wink, silently thanking her for allowing him to handle the situation with Lady Whitehead.
Lloyd announced each guest before Lord and Lady Whitehead greeted him or her. Lord Whitehead then introduced each guest to Liesl, before Georg and Maria then greeted them as well. To Lady Whitehead chagrin, Maria was not only well received by all the guests but many of the women flocked around Maria wanting to speak with her and get to know her better. Not only that, Lady Whitehead heard many whispers as each guest passed about how lovely the young woman was that Georg had married. The only person to pass by Georg and Maria without a further word, apart from the formal greeting, was Camilla. Camilla hadn't especially wanted to attend the party after Georg's repeated rejections and seeing Maria standing next to him welcoming all the guests made her feel especially sullen. She slinked past them over to a quiet corner of the ballroom.
One by one the guests filed past the line up before being ushered into the grand ballroom where several waiters served drinks and canapés. There was a string quartet playing music and many couples had already begun waltzing around the ballroom.
From the room adjoining the ballroom, the younger children watched the party come to life.
"The women look so beautiful," Brigitta remarked with a sigh as a couple of elegant ladies walked past the doorway through which the children were watching the party.
"I think they look ugly," Kurt replied straight away.
Louisa laughed at him. "You said that last time we went to a party Kurt."
"Yes, well, I still think that," the young boy answered.
"And I bet you're still scared of those women too," Louisa teased him. Everyone immediately laughed at Kurt. His round face turned red and he quickly shut his mouth.
"How long do you think it'll be before we get to see Liesl?" Gretl asked feeling impatient.
"Not sure, Gretl," Louisa replied. "But most of the guests have arrived I think. Oh wait, there comes Mother and Father, so I suppose it can't be long."
As Maria and Georg entered the ballroom, Maria spied the six children and gave them a wave. Excusing herself from Georg, she came and joined them. Maria chatted with the children for several minutes before a bell was rung signifying the start of the formal proceedings for the evening. Maria left the children and returned to Georg's side just as all the flutes of champagne were being handed out for the toast.
As a flute was thrust into her hand by one of the waiters, Maria caught Georg's eye. He frowned. He bent his head just low enough to whisper in her ear. "Maria, it's champagne. You know what that does to you. Perhaps you shouldn't…?"
"Georg, it's fine," Maria whispered back. "It's only a sip or two for the toast. I'll be careful." She squeezed his hand. "Don't worry!" Georg opened his mouth to debate the issue but before he could, Lord Whitehead began the announcements.
"Thank you all for coming here tonight to meet my granddaughter Liesl." Lord Whitehead stepped forward into the center of the room, holding his hand out towards Liesl. The young woman took his hand joined him in the middle of the room so all the guests could see her. "Lady Whitehead and I are very proud of the young lady that you have become and we extend a special credit to your father, Captain von Trapp, for raising you himself after the passing of our dear daughter several years ago." Lord Whitehead inclined his head towards Georg who gave a faint nod in acknowledgement. Lord Whitehead then directed his attention back to Liesl. "Liesl, we have been extremely happy to have you spend these last few months with us and I am now honoured to present you to our wider society."
He paused and raised his glass. "To Liesl!" All the guests echoed the toast then everyone drank from their glasses. Maria felt Georg's eyes on her as she took the tiniest sip of champagne before she disposed of her flute to a passing waiter.
As the toast was over, the string quartet began to play again and Daniel Collins approached Liesl to claim the first dance with her. After she curtsied, he swept her into his arms in a waltz and all the guests watched them dance until Lord Whitehead took Lady Whitehead's hand and the elderly couple joined their granddaughter on the dance floor. Georg took this to be his cue and he offered his arm to Maria and he spun her about the room as they joined in the grand waltz.
After the first dance, Maria and Georg left the dance floor because Georg wanted to introduce her to some of his business associates. Very quickly, however, Maria was dragged away by some of the women who immediately began quizzing her about Georg. They were curious about the young woman who had stolen the dashing Captain's heart so many years after his first wife had died.
There were many young men, besides Daniel who wished to dance with Liesl and very soon her dance card was full. A waltz one moment, then a square dance here and a folk dance there, very quickly the young woman became tired and wanted a rest. Giving her apologies to the next young suitor, Liesl excused herself and went and joined her brothers and sisters who were beckoning her over. After a few minutes of chitchat and a whispered conversation, the six younger children nodded excitedly to each other as Liesl approached the string quartet and gave her request.
Maria was in deep conversation with a Lady Prudence Crawford when she heard the strains of a familiar tune. She cocked her head to listen more carefully for a moment before she spun her head around, searching for Georg with her eyes until she found him. He seemed as confused as she was as to hear the traditional Austrian folkdance being played at an English society ball and he gave her a questioning look.
"Did you?" Maria mouthed at him across the room. He shook his head and shrugged as the opening bars of the Laendler were replayed, almost as if the conductor of the string quartet was waiting for him to do something. Just as Georg was trying to work out who had requested the Laendler, he heard the sounds of laughing children coming from the doorway of the adjacent room. He spun his head around to see his seven children with broad grins on their faces. Now everything made sense.
"Go on Father, ask her to dance!" Marta called out. Trying to stifle a chuckle at the nerve of his children arranging something like this for him and Maria, he made a big show of pulling his gloves out of his pocket and putting them on. Taking several steps across the room, he held out his gloved hand to Maria who took it graciously with her own.
All the guests moved to the edges of the ballroom to allow the couple to dance. At once it felt like there was no one else in the room for the couple dancing had eyes only for each other. Maria kept her eyes fixed on Georg the entire time during their first promenade and she smiled at him brightly as they joined hands to step hop several times before the turn under, which they performed effortlessly. Maria pirouetted many times around as Georg held her arm up high above her head, catching her at the end of her final spin to promenade again with her, but this time their arms linked across each other's bodies. Georg could feel the heat of Maria's body against his as they moved together, the smell of her perfume flooding his senses as they twisted around to face each other again.
Waltzing from side to side, Maria's head followed the actions of her body, while Georg kept his eyes firmly planted on his wife. They spun again then smiled at each other as they repeated the movement. Their bodies pressed up close together again as their arms moved high above their heads then outwards before Georg's hands came to rest on Maria's hips as they revolved once again.
Georg stood still and clapped Maria as she twirled around him, her long light blue gown flaring out as she spun, a broad smile on her face. She was clearly enjoying herself. Georg couldn't help but let his eyes wander over his wife's slim body as she danced, marvelling how beautiful she looked. Then it was Maria's turn to be still as Georg moved around her, clapping in time to the music before finishing in front of her.
As the music changed, the light-heartedness of the dance disappeared to be replaced by an intensity of passion and desire between the couple that everyone in the room watching could feel. Georg raised his right hand over his left shoulder to catch hers and Maria turned in front of him to face him, their hands joining at their chests. They moved backwards, still holding one hand while the other moved high in a circular arc.
Georg pulled Maria into his arms to spin, change direction, and then spin again in the opposite direction. Georg was relishing in the sensation of Maria's soft body in his arms. He remembered the last time they'd danced the Laendler together and was pleased for the chance to finish what they'd started together all those many months before back in Salzburg. Their bodies were pushed tightly together, each feeling the warmth of the other's breath on their face. Maria thought back to when she'd danced the Laendler with Georg that time before. Then, she could barely bring herself to look up into his intense, fiery gaze for she'd been fearful of her growing feelings for him. But this time it was different. She wanted to look deep into his eyes, to become lost in them as they spun together. Her heart felt like it was going to burst and after everything they'd been through together, she wanted to tell him with her eyes just how much she loved him.
Finally they stopped spinning and held each other close, their hearts beating wildly together as they gazed into each other's eyes. Time seemed to stand still as they stood holding each other and looking into each other's eyes. Both couldn't look away, and once again the power of Georg's piecing gaze took Maria's breath away. It was overwhelming!
Maria began to back away from Georg but he held her firmly to him. He inclined his head slightly and moved his face closer towards her. And as his face reached hers, Maria closed her eyes and parted her mouth slightly as their lips met in a tender, yet sensual kiss.
The spell between them was broken as all the guests erupted in a loud applause; the loudest cheers coming from the children. Maria let out a little laugh and she felt her face flush pink as she and Georg pulled apart. They gave their audience an impromptu bow and curtsy before the quartet started playing another tune. Without skipping a beat, Georg whisked her back into his arms and Maria laid her head on his shoulder as they slow-danced together.
There were many whispers around the ballroom about just how elegant and romantic both Georg and Maria looked as they danced together and how very much in love they appeared.
However there was one person who didn't share those sentiments and that was Lady Whitehead. She had been in a conversation with an old family friend and had been about to find Liesl in order to introduce her when she'd heard the unfamiliar tune of the Austrian folk dance being played. She'd looked up just as Georg was approaching Maria to ask her to dance. Lady Whitehead watched the spectacle stony-faced, however all the while her inner irritation at Maria was rising. Firstly the young woman was always saying something, anything and everything she thought or felt, then the way that everything Maria wanted, Georg made sure she got. Lady Whitehead remembered the argument over the children' attendance at the party that morning, and then the second argument concerning Maria welcoming the guests. Now seeing Maria dance with Georg and take all the attention away from her party was the final straw.
Lady Whitehead had had enough of Maria for one night and she knew it was time to get rid of her.
She watched Maria and Georg finish their dance together before Maria left Georg to join the younger children. Maria spoke to the little ones quietly before escorting Kurt, Brigitta, Marta and Gretl over to Georg who said goodnight to them before Maria disappeared from the ballroom to take the children upstairs to bed.
Lady Whitehead knew she had to act quickly before Maria came back. She spied Camilla still sulking over the other side of the ballroom. Sweeping her way across the room, she collected a pair of champagne flutes from a passing waiter then joined Camilla.
"Enjoying the party, dear?" Lady Whitehead asked Camilla as soon as she was by her side.
Camilla scowled. "No, not particularly. Especially not after that." Lady Whitehead knew Camilla was as displeased by Maria and Georg's performance as she was.
"Well, everything is about to change," Lady Whitehead assured her.
Camilla gave her a curious look. "Why? What do have in mind?"
Lady Whitehead didn't answer her directly but just observed Georg, who was introducing Liesl to yet another business associate, from across the room for a moment. "You still want Georg, don't you?" she asked Camilla.
"Yes…" Camilla replied a little hesitantly. She watched Lady Whitehead fiddle with the large gaudy ring on her finger. Camilla gasped when the entire top of the ring flipped open to reveal a chamber within. There was a fine white powder hidden inside the ring and Lady Whitehead tipped the contents into one of the champagne flutes. At once the sparkling liquid bubbled and frothed as the powder dissolved but after a second or two, the effervescence reduced somewhat so that there was no evidence that anything had ever been added to the drink.
"Who's that for?" Camilla asked Lady Whitehead nervously. Lady Whitehead motioned towards Maria who had just re-entered the ballroom. Camilla's eyes widened with alarm. "You're going to kill her?" she hissed in horror.
"No, no, of course not," tutted Lady Whitehead in exasperation, seemingly insulted by the suggestion. "This will just take her out of action for a while." Lady Whitehead picked up the other flute. "Now Camilla, just be prepared to make your move when it's time."
Without saying anything further, Lady Whitehead left Camilla and made a bee-line for Maria.
A/N: Sorry for the massive delay in between updates, life has been insanely busy (and I won't bore you with the details). I hope everyone has been enjoying my other story "Forbidden" in the meantime. Now that the real life busyness has calmed down somewhat, it shouldn't be so long in between updates (for both this story and for "Forbidden").
Oh, just a h/t to Mrs Meers from the Julie Andrews movie "Thoroughly Modern Millie." I always found it hilarious that she had hidden drugs inside her rings!
As always, I really appreciate all the people who have read, favoured, and followed this story. Please continue to review and let me know what you think! More to come...