Chapter Four
"You look beautiful," Maria told Liesl as she spun around in her new gown. She had some of her hair pulled back in a braid and the rest loose around her shoulders. She had put on a touch of lipstick that Maria insisted she blot down until it was just over the natural shade of her lips. The Captain was having a hard enough time with his little girl going to her first party, never mind her wearing make-up.
"So do you, Fraulein," Liesl replied. Maria had curled and fluffed her hair, so it looked fuller and adorned it with a fascinator she found on an old hat in the dress shop. She had pinched her cheeks to make them have a more natural blush and used just a touch of lipstick herself. "I wish my hair was golden like yours."
Maria smiled, "I don't think any woman likes her hair. I wish that I had full hair like you do. That's why I wear it short, it's terribly hard to manage longer."
"The car is ready," Brigitta piped up. "I wish I could go to the party too. I can't wait until I'm old enough!"
"Don't rush your life, Brigitta," Maria advised. "You'll be old enough for parties far too quickly, and then well, you'll be old enough to marry or too old to marry."
Liesl was the only one that understood what Maria had said. She told herself she would be on her best behavior that night so Maria could relax and perhaps find someone that would make her happy.
Liesl could have sworn that Maria and her father had some feelings for one another, but they only seemed to behave as friends. Tonight, she hoped, would turn Maria around.
Maria went down the back stairs. She didn't feel like herself in a gown and didn't want to encounter the Captain. She knew he'd be waiting to see Liesl off by the grand staircase. She smiled at Liesl, "I'll be right down. Be careful walking down in those shoes, you aren't used to heels. Neither am I."
Liesl nodded and twirled once more before she headed for the steps.
The Captain was at the foot of the steps, he was thinking he would see both Liesl and Maria off. Part of him loathed himself for not going to the party with Liesl, but his political convictions were known and made him vulnerable to verbal attack. That would detract from the experience and Liesl deserved a good time. She deserved to remember her first party because of how much she enjoyed it, not because of how her father got into a fight with half the guests.
The Captain heard only one set of footsteps on the stairs. He looked up to see Liesl, his first baby girl, at the top of the steps in a gorgeous gown, looking so grown up. She moved like she was floating on a cloud, so much poise and grace.
The Captain's breath caught in his throat as Liesl approached him. "What do you think Father?" she asked and for a second, he felt like she was still six years old showing him a drawing she had made.
"You look just like your Mother," the Captain said with a sad smile. "Really, my sweetheart, you are radiant. You stick very close to Fraulein Maria tonight." He looked around. "Where is Fraulein Maria?"
"She went out the back," Liesl replied. "I don't think she likes how she looks, but she look so beautiful."
The Captain offered Liesl's his arm, "I'll walk you to the door," he stated with a gallant bow.
"I'd be delight, kind Sir," Liesl dropped into a deep curtsy.
The Captain had an ulterior motive for walking Liesl out to the car. He hoped that he would be able to see Maria dressed up and offer her some reassurance if she was nervous. To his disappointment though, she was already in the car with her wrap covering the gown.
"Be careful, both of you," the Captain warned. "If you need anything, telephone me and go to Franz immediately. Franz, you are not to leave the party for any reason, you stay close by."
"Yes, Sir," Franz replied. The request wasn't a difficult one, Franz would have many comrades at the party to socialize with. It was much easier for him to move in his own circles when the Captain didn't accompany him on an errand or task such as this.
The Captain closed the door of the car and watched Franz drive them away. Two women…Women? That was going to take some getting used to…two women he loved with all his heart into the lion's den. He turned and headed back inside. He needed a drink.
The von Klauss villa was just as elaborate as Liesl imagined it would be. The home was adorned in elaborate chandeliers and lit very softly. The grand hall was full of people waiting to be announced to the Baron and his wife, then to enjoy the company of their children. Liesl saw many of her school acquaintances at the party with their parents or brothers, very few had formal escorts.
"Presenting Liesl von Trapp," said the footman introducing the partygoers. "Daughter of Captain von Trapp and companion, Fraulein Maria Rainer."
Liesl's curtsy was flawless, she fit into this world seamlessly. Maria offered a curtsy of her own and bestowed the Baron and Baroness von Klaus a beautiful smile, though she felt very self-conscious in the setting. Being showcased as she was, even for a moment, brought Maria many memories she would rather forget.
Liesl came and took her hand once the reception was over. She smiled at Maria, "That was so nice. I felt so grown up!"
"You are grown up," Maria replied. "Soon you'll be having a reception at your house and all of your friends will come see you."
Liesl and Maria moved the ballroom where dancing was already going on. Liesl found a group of girls that she knew leaving Maria to fade into the background as the chaperones were supposed to do. Observe but not obstruct.
Soon enough the Baron and Baroness were announced to formally open the dances for the evening. A tall, husky boy with short, dark hair approached Liesl. Maria watched like a hawk as he bowed before her and asked her to dance. Liesl smiled and accepted his offer after a quick sideways glance at Maria.
Maria recognized the young man from town, Liesl had spoken to him at the book shop a few times. He seemed that he wanted to be some type of historian, he was always studying the empire and it's past.
The last thing Maria expected that night was that she would be approached for a dance. With Liesl enjoying herself with a young man that was treating her exceptionally well, Maria chose to get herself a glass of punch and try to relax just a bit. Her nerves were getting to her, she needed to take a deep breath and relax.
She took a cup of the reddish liquid from a passing tray along with a bite size canape. "I enjoy those as well," a male voice said from a few steps behind her.
At first, Maria wasn't sure if he was speaking to her or not. "Do you care for cucumber?" Now, she was sure.
Maria turned around to see a very tall, dark eyed gentleman in an elegant black tuxedo smiling and offering her another canape. "I am so sorry, but I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure of making your acquaintance. I'm Jakob Braun." He bowed gracefully then rose and offered Maria his hand.
"I'm Maria Rainer," she replied quietly. "I'm a pleasure to make your acquaintance Herr Braun."
"I don't recall having seen you before at one of these," Jakob said. "Are you new in town?"
"No," Maria replied, straightening her back, though it did not have the desired effect. Instead of making her look more confident, it enhanced her breasts. "I, um…I'm here with Liesl von Trapp, I'm her governess you see. The Captain, he…"
Maria couldn't find her voice. There was something in his bearing that unnerved her. Was Herr Braun handsome, my yes, but was he attractive? Maria finished the cup of punch in her hand and placed the empty cup on the tray.
"Ah, yes," Jakob replied. "I'm not surprised the Captain chose not to socialize with us this evening. The last few times he graced us all with his presence things ended unpleasantly."
"Well, the Captain is a man of conviction," Maria defended. "No one should be forced to be less than they are."
The orchestra began to play a lovely Strauss waltz. "Would you care to dance, Fraulein?" Jakob didn't wait for her to reply. He reached out and took her hand into his and pulled.
"Uh, I really should check on Liesl," Maria replied and pulled her hand back.
"Just one dance, Liesl will be fine I'm sure," Jakob countered. "This is a lovely piece, one of my favorites."
"Yes, it is nice, but I really don't think…"
From across the ballroom, Heinrich Mueller was watching the exchange. He recognized Maria immediately as the Captain's governess, the very same one that he had admired when she was shopping for dress material. He could tell by her body language that she was uncomfortable with the rather strong advances of Jakob Braun and very much out of her depth when it came to a world of men. When he saw Jakob pull on Maria's wrist, not aggressive but still unwelcomed, he moved across the room to intervene.
"Maria, there you are," Heinrich greeted. "I see you've made the acquaintance of Herr Braun. He's a very good friend of the Baron von Klauss and was a friend of my father's. Excuse us please Jakob, but the Captain has requested I look out for Fraulein Maria and his daughter tonight as he was unable to join us. Maria, a dance before we go find Liesl?"
Maria didn't know how to react at first. Herr Mueller was as much of a stranger to her as Jakob Braun was but had seen him with the Captain when they were on the town shopping for the dresses. He felt better than Herr Braun did with he gently touched her arm. She offered him a shy smile, "Yes, I'd be delighted."
Heinrich whisked Maria away from Jakob Braun and into his arms moving effortlessly to the waltz. "Thank you," Maria murmured. "I don't know what came over me. I usually don't have any shyness or…"
Then she realized where the uneasiness came from. It was his lapel pin. He wore a swastika lapel pin identifying him as a member of the Party. Herr Braun was a man that would be a natural enemy to the Captain and offensive to him and by extension to her. She could never associate with someone like that.
"He's not the easiest person to like," Heinrich replied. "Rich, my yes, and handsome, but he's a strong personality, not entirely unlike the Captain."
Maria pulled back and almost ended the dance. "It's not an offense to the Captain, Fraulein. Just an observation that both men know their own minds. My father knew no truer friend than Captain von Trapp."
Maria relaxed and began to follow Heinrich's lead once again. "He is that," she agreed. "A true friend."
Liesl had paused her dancing to get some refreshment and saw Maria being whisked around the dance floor. She appeared to be smiling and even laughing. Liesl was glad Maria was enjoying herself. She had been concerned about that, but they seem to be unfounded as when the music changed, Maria continued to dance.
For her part, Maria was enjoying Heinrich's company. He was a very fine dancer, an intelligent speaker, and humorous storyteller. On top of that, he was handsome and a gentleman. While Heinrich swirled her around the floor to waltz after waltz, she found herself relaxing, laughing, and enjoying herself. Still, she couldn't let her guard down, she felt the imposing eyes of Jakob Braun on her each time she passed him on the dance floor as he bounced from partner to partner.
"Fraulein Maria," Heinrich said after their fourth dance. "The dinner should be served soon. Would you be my dinner partner?"
"Oh," Maria blushed. "Herr Mueller, I must find Liesl and dine with her. I'm responsible for her after all and I've left her unsupervised long enough."
Heinrich nodded and bowed to Maria. "Fraulein von Trapp is just along the wall, I believe she has been supervising you, Fraulein."
When Heinrich referred to her simply as Fraulein and not Fraulein Maria, she got a flash of the Captain in her mind's eye. Heinrich was much like him. It wasn't much of a wonder given his father had moved in the same circles as the Captain. Both were well-mannered and refined gentlemen, though the Captain had more flare, more fire, more…just more.
Maria joined Liesl and the two women linked their arms together. "Are you having a nice time?" Maria asked as they heard the dinner bell ring.
"I am," Liesl smiled. "I've met two very nice young men; everyone has been so polite. I see you have made a new friend as well?"
"Yes," Maria replied. "Herr Mueller is the son of a late friend of your father's. He's very kind, though I do feel it is already quite late and after the meal we should make our apologies and head for home."
Liesl could tell that despite connecting with Heinrich, Maria still felt uncomfortable. Liesl didn't want that for Maria, she loved her and respected her too much to push it. "Of course, we can," Liesl replied. "The older men will leave after for brandy and cigars, so we can just say that Father insists since it's my first adult party that I be home by 10pm. No one here will doubt that for second. Father's rigidity and temper have been referred to more than once tonight."
"Liesl," Maria quickly responded. "You must not betray your father's sympathies too clearly. He can handle that himself, all you should say when anyone mentions his feelings is that to love him is to accept him and you could not ask him to change his heart. Let them wonder what is really there on their own."
Liesl nodded and gave Maria a side hug. Liesl could tell why the Captain had chosen not to come to the party that night, it was very politically charged. She loved her father for the sacrifice, he wanted her to enjoy herself, and she had. It was time now though, to enjoy the meal and go home. The party was nearly over.