Like she often found herself doing, Maria was wondering why it always took so long for God to make His will known to her. These days, waiting and wondering seemed to be all she ever did. Stopping under the shade of a large oak, she dropped her bags and wiped her brow with the back of her hand. She was certain most other people understood far sooner than she did whatever it was He had in store for them. If she had an inkling of what His plans were, she might be able to make some plans of her own.
There wasn't another bus back to town for ages, and she'd been too late to get a lift with Sofia's neighbour, Herr Whatever-his-name-was. But where would she go, anyway? Sofia's parents weren't expecting her. Besides, she barely knew the girl. Frau Schmidt saw to it that the maids were kept busy at all times. Idle hands are the Devil's workshop. It had been one of Sister Berthe's favourite sayings too. Who knows, there might be some truth behind it all.
Even if she had caught a lift, given she couldn't be dropped off at Sofia's house, it was probably best she wasn't left alone with their neighbour. Sofia had said herself he was a bit odd. And returning to the Abbey was completely out of the question. As terrible as it sounded, she'd rather sleep on a bench in the Mirabell Gardens than return to the sisters. She sighed. Not for the first time, she found herself with very few options.
The Reverend Mother was usually right, but this time her sixth sense seemed a little off. Unfortunately, God had not only closed a door, but it also seemed He might have closed the window as well. Surely, there was another window for Him to open.
But who knows? Perhaps she was jumping to conclusions. The Captain might not really be engaged to Baroness Schraeder. Until there was more to go on, more than Sofia's gossip, perhaps she should keep the faith – rely on Reverend Mother's judgement and place her trust in God, whatever His will. Not that she had any clue what that might be…
Taking a deep breath, still struggling to decide, she picked up her bags. Looking around, searching for an answer that didn't exist, she pushed back her shoulders and took one heavy step, and then another…
oOo
Georg placed the decanter down so heavily, it landed on the side table with a thud, managing to disturb the stack of clean glasses placed carefully to the side. Not that he noticed. Already partway across the room, he was keen to resume his position at the window. Coming to a stop, he reached out with a forefinger, pushing the sheer curtain to the side. The children must still be moping around the terrace, perhaps brooding by the landing. Not that he could see them from his vantage point. No doubt, they'll be feeling sorry for themselves for some time yet.
He sighed at the pane of glass. There was a time, not that long ago, when he wouldn't have given the children, nor the punishment he meted out, a second thought. That's what you've done to me, Fraulein. Squaring his shoulders against the guilt, he tried to convince himself he was doing the right thing. It was hard to know, having come to rely on her reassurances and encouragement. Everything seemed to fall in its right place when she was here.
Frowning, he silently cursed himself. What the hell was he doing? He'd managed to stop thinking about her for at least five, maybe ten minutes. He wondered for the hundredth time today where she might be, what she was doing. Why did you leave us, Fraulein…?
Feeling restless, he took a sip of brandy, hoping it might chase away thoughts of her. It made him feel more miserable. Tightening his jaw, he reminded himself, it wouldn't do the children any good if their misadventures went unpunished. As much as he hated himself for adding to their misery, they had to learn right from wrong. Still, he couldn't help but feel sorry for them. He scoffed at himself. God, he was a fool. It was easier to feel sorry for them, than admit to feeling sorry for himself. They all missed her, but they all had to move on. What else was there to do?
Not willing to dwell on that question, he took another sip of brandy. This time, he swilled the dark liquor in his mouth, delaying the inevitable burn on the back of his throat. Another five minutes and he'd call them in for dinner. Straining his eyes toward the lake, he wasn't sure what he was hoping to see. Perhaps he was simply happy not to see the children. At least some other wild idea hadn't taken hold of them.
"Oh, Georg!" Elsa huffed from where she was draped on the settee, an ivory holder with a smouldering French cigarette in one hand, a glass of sparkling wine in the other. "I wish you would stop prowling around the windows."
"Prowling…?" The curtain fell back, fluttering into place as a guilty hand hurriedly dropped to his side. Frowning, he spun around to face her. "I don't want the children wandering off again," he muttered under his breath, turning back to stare at the world outside.
"Why don't you just call them in for dinner, darling?" Elsa persisted. "After all, you're going to let them eat eventually, aren't you?"
"They need to learn a lesson," Georg answered over his shoulder without turning. Having finally convinced himself he was doing the right thing, he didn't need Elsa questioning his judgement as a father. And he'd be damned if he was going to admit to her, he'd already decided to wait a few more minutes, then call them inside.
"Well, I just wish you wouldn't ignore us," Elsa pouted, but her words went unanswered. Honestly, the sooner she broached the subject of boarding school, the better. The children were proving to be far too distracting. After a summer spent running wild with that bloody nun, Georg could hardly blame Max if the children spent the afternoon gallivanting around the countryside, making up just prayed they'd gone unnoticed in Salzburg. What on Earth would people think? "Hmph, I might as well go freshen up for dinner," she added pointedly to Max with a roll of her eyes, despite her comment being aimed squarely at Georg.
"What…? I was just getting to the best part," Max sounded wounded, despite being secretly relieved Georg had decided to ignore them. Despite his best efforts standing in as governess for the afternoon, the man had been decidedly ungrateful and was still prickly. "Don't you want to hear how I plan to snatch that promising quartet right out of Sascha Petrie's hands?"
"Of course, I do, Max," Elsa soothed with a bright smile. Honestly, life in the countryside would be even more dull without darling Max. "Oh, do go on…"
"Well, I've managed to secure a secret meeting with them tomorrow afternoon," Max declared triumphantly, rewarding himself with a sip of Georg's finest brandy.
"Oh, how wonderful!" Elsa gushed, her interest in Max's story suddenly piqued. Another opportunity to go to town with Georg! This time, they might visit a jeweller, and arranging a formal announcement in the local newspaper wouldn't go astray. Of course, she couldn't come across too direct and pushy. "Ge-org…" she called out across the room.
"Hmmm…" Georg didn't turn at the sound of his name.
"Max needs to go to town tomorrow, do you think we could go, too?" Elsa asked tentatively.
"Tomorrow…?" Georg half-turned.
"Well, I was thinking, it might be a good chance for a dress fitting," she explained.
"Won't it be too soon for one of those?" Georg frowned out the window. For God's sake, they'd only just left Frau Koenig's boutique.
"They should have something by the afternoon," Elsa had made it clear to Frau Koenig, her sundress was a priority. After all, the dress was a key part of the garden party she'd already started planning for the weekend.
"We'll see…" Georg answered evasively, trying to hide his annoyance. After all, today's nonsense only began when they took off to town and left the children alone. And, of course, there not being a governess didn't help. He tightened his jaw. Fraulein, why did you leave…? His fingers tapped the near-empty glass in his hand. Dammit! She'd crept back into his thoughts, again...
Gulping down the last of the brandy, he went to turn from the window, but something in the distance caught his eye. What was that movement? Pushing back the curtain again, he held his breath. Staring past the garden, beyond the path, across the lawn, he searched in the shadows of the trees. Surely, it wasn't that damn telegram boy back again. Hadn't he made himself clear? Readying himself to do battle with the lad again, his fingers tapped impatiently against the tumbler in his hand.
Holding his breath, he waited, watching for any movement. But all he could see was the breeze gently shifting the branches of the trees. The seconds passed – one, two, then a third. Still, there was nothing to suggest it had been anything, other than his imagination.
Narrowing his eyes, deciding he'd been seeing things, he wondered if Elsa might be right. Perhaps it was time to call the children in for dinner. They'd probably been punished enough. Just as he was about to let go of the curtain, something caught his eye. He froze.
There it was again…
oOo
Cloaked by the ancient oaks, Maria's steps were slow and weary. She'd been telling herself, she was keeping to the shade simply to avoid the sun. It still held some of the day's heat, even though the afternoon had all but slipped away. But she wasn't convincing anyone, least of all, herself. Maybe, if she stayed in the lengthening shadows, she'd go unnoticed. Desperate to lose herself, wishing she was invisible, she just wanted to hide from everyone. The Reverand Mother, the gossiping maids, Baroness Schraeder, the rest of the world, and him. She especially wanted to hide from him…
She still hadn't settled on a plausible explanation for leaving the family, or why her departure had been so urgent and sudden, there hadn't even been time for proper goodbyes. Sofia seemed sceptical when she explained there was something important to take care of at the Abbey. If it was that important, surely, it would require the attention of more senior people, rather than a lowly postulant.
And now, she wasn't even one of those. The Reverend Mother must have realised all along how badly she was suited to life at Nonnberg, she'd just kept her there out of kindness. Too foolish to realise she had limited prospects of becoming a nun, she'd kept on telling herself it was her calling in life. She hadn't accepted the truth, even when the Reverend Mother sent her out into the world to try her hand at being a governess.
Well, they all know how that ended…
She'd made a mess of everything. How could she have been so foolish? Telling the Reverend Mother the Captain loved her, as if it were true. Was it…? She didn't know, didn't have a clue. And now, there was a chance he might be engaged to Baroness Schraeder. Sofia had told her they were engaged, even though there hadn't been a formal announcement. Surely, it was just the latest gossip doing the rounds at the villa. It couldn't possibly be true, could it…?
Squinting at the sun, now hanging low above the horizon, she decided it must be getting late. Late enough for the family to be sitting down for dinner. She felt a pang of sadness tinged with guilt. Sadness at not being part of the family, and guilt for having been late to dinner more times than not.
Fraulein, would it help if we did away with set times for meals?
His clipped tone reverberated around her, making her wonder if he'd ever leave her, or would he go on haunting her forever.
Perhaps, Fraulein, we could wander into the dining room to graze whenever the mood takes us? Kurt had seemed especially keen on that suggestion.
Stopping to catch her breath, she closed her eyes for a moment. Finding herself back in the dining room, she was hurtling toward the dining table, the silence broken by her banging and clattering. Falling over her feet, everyone's eyes were turned in her direction and followed her as she found her seat at the far end of the table.
She'd quickly learned, a smart reply would only provoke another sharp response. Instead, she'd answer his eye roll and sigh with a quick shake of her head. An apology, just like yesterday's and similar to the one she'll no doubt be offering tomorrow. Hoping that would be the end of his reprimand, it rarely was. He'd continue his teasing – well, she told herself, that's what it was – poking and prodding until finally drawing a response from her of some kind.
The sting of tears forced her eyes open. Although it had only been a handful of days, she missed the family terribly. The pain of leaving would eventually pass, and hopefully, the memories might start to fade, it would just take time. But until then, she'd cherish every moment of their summer together. The thought of not being part of the children's lives was almost unbearable. And then, there was the Captain…
Her feet stopped suddenly. She froze, holding her breath, not making a sound. What was that she heard?
Nothing… The birdsong from the surrounding treetops was the only sound disturbing the silence.
She must have imagined it. Taking a few more steps, she stopped again, straining her ears.
There it was again…
oOo
Georg stared out the window in disbelief, his feet fixed to the spot. In the distance, emerging from the shadows… surely, not. He blinked hard once, and then twice. There must be some mistake…
It couldn't possibly be, could it…?
Reaching out, he steadied himself against the window frame. It must be a dream. Perhaps he was hallucinating. "What in God's name…?" he muttered under his breath.
"What was that, Georg?" Elsa called out across the room, but there was no answer. Not bothering to hide her annoyance, she nodded at Max to continue.
"…the trick will be, trying to keep tomorrow's meeting under wraps…" Max had barely skipped a beat, continuing to outline his clever clandestine plot to secure signatures from the as yet unheard-of quartet with their untapped potential. He smiled at their potential to bring him all the riches and fame he deserved. "Unfortunately, that Sascha Petrie has eyes in the back of his head! I'm sure he has spies planted all over the place…"
But Georg wasn't listening. His heart was already racing, excitement coursing through his veins as he watched her appear like a vision from the shadows. Short blonde hair, battered guitar case in one hand, tired carpetbag in the other. Utterly enthralled, he remained entirely motionless, clueless as to what he should do next. He'd dreamed of this moment every night, had been haunted by her every waking hour since the night of the party. Probably, long before that night if he were being honest. And now, like an apparition, here she was. This had to be a dream – his mind playing games. A fantasy coming true…
Narrowing his eyes, from the distance, he could see she wasn't wearing that hideous grey dress. Not that he cared. She could arrive in a hessian sack and he wouldn't care less. Instead, she was wearing something new, a fetching blue-green dress. So, that had been her in town this afternoon. For a mad moment, he realised the enormity of their paths having almost crossed. If Elsa hadn't called out from Frau Koenig's doorway, just a little longer, and he would have caught up to her, spoken to her. But that no longer mattered.
Oh, God, she was here!
Watching her hesitate, his breath caught. By the time she came to a standstill, he wasn't breathing at all. Fraulein, what's happened? You were always so certain, always knew what to do next. What was wrong, now? It might not make any sense, in fact nothing about Maria appearing on the path by the lake made sense. But only one thing mattered. She'd returned to them. He had to see her, had to talk to her. But his feet refused to move. He couldn't make a mess of things…
Straining her ears, Maria was sure she must be hearing things. It sounded like the children singing. Taking a few quick steps, she stopped again. As their voices drifted toward her, there was no mistake. My Favourite Things…? She smiled, then quickly wondered why they chose to sing that song. Why were they trying to cheer themselves up?
But she didn't dwell on that question for too long. Being so close to the children, her heart felt like it was going to burst. She'd missed them, but hadn't realised just how much.
Although the trees were still blocking her line of sight, she guessed they must be on the terrace. Her feet started moving, her heart racing with excitement. Without thinking, she started singing along. Rounding the trees, she gave up on keeping to the path, cutting across the lawn instead to save time. The low-lying branches along the lake's shoreline obscured her view of the villa, but her eyes searched for the children, nonetheless.
As the house came into sight, their signing grew louder. She quickened her steps, trying to see beyond the oak trees to the terrace. Surely, she was imagining things! They should be having dinner, not outside singing. Still, the sound of their voices made her realise how desperately she'd missed them all…
Georg finally shifted his feet, his body turning slowly as his eyes followed her across the lawn. Now he was practically resting his cheek on the pane of glass, squinting sideways through the window, trying to follow what caught her attention. The children…? He smiled as Louisa came into sight, barrelling towards Maria, with her brothers and sisters following close behind. Maria was smiling, and laughing, he couldn't see the children's faces, but he knew they would be too. His heart bursting with joy, a smile still tugged at the corners of his mouth. She'd returned to them. Fraulein, you've returned…
Maria's heart surged when she saw all the children, running towards her, their faces alight, their excitement matching her own. Dropping her guitar case and bag on the grass, she held her arms out wide as they rushed to meet her. Louisa reached her first, hitting her with such force, embracing her so hard, they almost fell over. She wrapped her free arm around Brigitta, as Kurt and Friedrich arrived. Oh, how could she have left them? Pulling Friedrich's hat playfully down over his eyes, she blew Liesl a kiss. How would she leave them again? Not wanting to confront that thought, she dropped to her knees, hugging darling Marta and sweet little Gretl. She couldn't think about leaving, not now.
"Oh, children, I'm so glad to see you!" Surely, her heart was going to burst.
"We've missed you," Marta announced.
"Oh, I've missed you," Maria replied. More than she'd realised.
Barely gone four days, surrounded by the children again, it felt like she'd been away for weeks. Was it her imagination, or had the children grown taller, looked a little older? Although, it seemed some things would never change – Kurt was hungry, Gretl had a finger wrapped in a bandage, Liesl was counting the hours since the last telegram. There was so much to catch up on, she decided as they turned towards home.
"I'll be glad when school begins…" Liesl explained.
"Oh, Liesl!" Maria held onto Gretl and Marta's hands as they walked towards the terrace. "You can't use school to escape your problems!" Not like I've been using the Abbey. She glanced at the villa looming large. "You have to face them!" she declared defiantly, as much for her own benefit as Liesl's. Time to face your fears, Maria…
Time to face the Captain…
As if in a trance, Georg had been watching Maria and the children. The smiles, the joy, the love they all shared. He was sure his heart was going to explode right there in his chest. She was back! Like the children, he wanted to yell and shout, run outside, race to her, catch her in his arms, twirl her around, beg her to promise never to do anything so foolish again and leave them.
Surely, she was here to stay... She had to stay.
But first things first, he had to talk to her, had to get closer. His feet started moving away from the window.
"Would you fix me a drink, Georg, darling?" Elsa held out her empty wine flute.
But Georg didn't hear her. As if in a trance, he walked straight past her and Max, into the foyer. Realising he still had a glass in his hand, he slowed his steps and placed it on the side table beside a vase of yellow roses. The door to the terrace was ajar from earlier, so he hung back in the shadows. How often had he hidden in the shadows, watching her and the children? Hearing their voices and laughter in the distance, it was always the same. Like a moth to the flame, he had to get closer. Pulling open the door, he stepped out onto the terrace.
Barely through the door, he came to a standstill. Closing his eyes for a moment, he immersed himself in the joyous sounds that had been dormant since she'd left. Sounds, he was now realising, he'd missed desperately. The sound of the children's excitement and laughter – sounds of her. Her voice, almost impossible to hear over the chatter and laughter of the children, was like a chorus of angels. Just her mere presence, just her being here, made everything in their world seem right once again.
Opening his eyes, he stepped carefully to the edge of the terrace, not sure why he was trying to remain hidden. Perhaps he didn't want to break the spell. Oh, God, he'd missed her… He couldn't hear what they were saying from where he stood, it was all just a blur of chatter, but it didn't matter. He was content to simply watch as Maria and the children made their way along the path to the terrace. Coming toward him, coming home…
Maria smiled at the children, glancing over her shoulder at the boys carrying her bags, she nodded her thanks. The Captain would be so proud of his young men. The Captain… Her heart flipped at the thought of him. "Oh, I have so much to tell you all!"
"We have things to tell you, too," Louisa explained, as they stepped onto the stone paving at the edge of the landing.
"I'm sure you do…"
"The most important thing," Brigitta cut in, "is that Father is going to be married…"
Georg frowned from the shadows at the top of the terrace. What had Brigitta just said? Like a light going out, Maria's entire demeanour suddenly changed – from pure happiness to defeat. Oh, God, had the children told her about Elsa? Had she just learned they were engaged…
"Married…?" Maria's heart dropped like a dead weight. So, Sofia had been right all along…
"Yes…" Louisa nodded. "To Baroness Schraeder."
Maria turned dumbly to Louisa, who nodded again. "Oh, I see…" But she didn't. The only thing she could see, was how foolish she'd been and how painful it was to now be forced to face the truth. Had she honestly thought the Captain could fall in love with her? The Baroness had been right all along. Whatever he'd thought of her the night of the party, when she danced in his arms, when they'd very nearly kissed, the Captain had forgotten about her already.
"Oh, Father! Look!" Friedrich called out to the top of the terrace. "Fraulein Maria's returned!"
In an instant, all the children were calling out in excitement. The Captain must be on the terrace. Just the mere thought, filled Maria with dread. She turned slowly, her heart racing, her stomach lurching. Unable to look directly at him, her mouth was dry. She could barely swallow. For a moment, the world stopped spinning and time stood still. Breathe, remember to breathe…
Taking a deep breath, she bravely lifted her eyes, looking up the steps to the top of the terrace. He was staring down at her. Under his steady gaze, seared by the intensity of his dark and dangerous look, the air was sucked from her lungs. His barely tamed hair was swept back, while a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. It was that half-grin of his that always had you wondering what he found so amusing. Gosh, he looked more handsome than ever… Even more handsome than she'd remembered.
Strangely, the top button of the Captain's jacket was undone. Why had he forgotten to button it up? He was always so particular about his appearance, but today things seemed a little out of place. The Captain looked a little dishevelled. She swallowed nervously, wondering why he still hadn't blinked. "Good evening, Captain," she called out to him at the top of the steps, trying her best to appear unaffected, but inside, she was slowly dying.
For a moment, Georg couldn't come up with a response. He couldn't think of a word, let alone string two together and hope they might make sense. Biting back a smile, having resigned himself to never seeing her again, he revelled in her return. She was home! His heart was soaring. She'd come back to them! Drinking her in, he noticed she looked tired and drawn. If he wasn't mistaken, she'd lost weight, appeared a little too thin. His fingers stopped flexing and curled into a tight fist. Didn't they feed her at the Abbey?
Clearing his throat, he sensed the children staring at him expectantly, waiting for him to say something. Anything. But he only had eyes for Maria. For God's sake, say something, you fool!
"Good evening…" he eventually blurted out, giving her a nod that was so awkward, he came across sounding pompous and looking ridiculous. His heart tightened as she looked at him sadly. She was frowning. The children must have told her.
He needed to talk to her, had to explain. But more importantly, he needed to find out why she'd left and tell her to stay. Although, not with seven pairs of eyes looking on.
"Alright everyone, inside!" he clapped his hands. "Go and get your dinner!"
Cheering, the children raced up the steps toward him, brushing past on their way inside. A stranger looking on might have assumed they hadn't been fed for a week, but he didn't call out to them to stop running. Somewhere behind him, stomping feet drifted off in the direction of the dining room, and the cheering subsided. They were alone. Just the two of them. It was as if the rest of world no longer at this moment, he couldn't care about anything else. Nothing, just her…
He was still smiling like a fool, but he couldn't help it. He'd resigned himself to never seeing her again. And here she was, swooping in on angel's wings to rescue them again…
Instinctively, one foot shifted to the step below, his need to get close to her shifting gears from urgent to overwhelming. It suddenly hit him – the last time he'd seen her was the night of the party. That night, the feel of her in his arms, her scent, those lips he'd very nearly kissed – he needed to get closer. His other boot landed on the step beside the first.
"You left without saying goodbye…" to me… Somehow, he stopped himself from adding those two words. It may have sounded like an accusation; but it wasn't supposed to. It was said with too much concern and kindness to carry any blame or criticism. Seeing her now, it hit him, just how much she had hurt him… them. "Even to the children…" he added, pain momentarily etched on his face as he took another step down toward her.
"It was wrong of me," Maria apologised, wishing the Captain would stop moving closer. She didn't want him to see the tears welling in her eyes. Don't cry, not out here. "Please forgive me…"
Confused, he frowned. Why was she asking for his forgiveness? He'd forgive her today, and tomorrow, and every other day after that. There wouldn't be a day nor a reason he wouldn't forgive this woman. She'd brought him back to his children, had coaxed his dead heart back to life. Still, there was one thing he needed to know. He took another step down, pausing, his fingers twitching, burning just to touch her, to feel her. "Why did you…" just run away without a word?
"Please, don't ask…" I was such a fool to think you might have loved me. "Anyway, the reason no longer exists…" Because now it's obvious you don't love me… how could I have been so wrong?
The reason no longer exists…? He frowned at her again, no closer to learning the answer to his question. Tentatively, he took another step closer. His eyes never left her, not even daring to blink in case he opened his eyes and she was no longer standing before him. He tried to avoid any sudden movement, not wanting to startle her or do something stupid. What no longer existed? It made no sense. She was too far away, he had to get closer, had to…
"Fraulein Maria!"
Georg's head snapped around to see Elsa at the top of the steps, smiling radiantly as she made her way down, towards him. His heart sunk like a stone breaking the surface and plunging to bottom of the lake.
"You've returned!" Elsa continued smiling at Georg, descending gracefully to join him partway down the steps. Taking his hand, she pulled it behind her possessively. Let the little nun think he placed his arm around me. "Isn't it wonderful, Georg?" she leaned against him, further staking her claim.
Maria had been wondering if her humiliation could get any worse, but now, she realised, it just had. She was being forced to congratulate the Captain and Baroness Schraeder on their engagement. Don't cry, don't let him see you cry. She had to get away, had to get to the safety of her room. They felt like lumps of lead, but she forced her feet to start moving towards the bottom of the steps.
"May I wish you every happiness, Baroness," taking a deep breath, she bit down on the ball of tears as she negotiated the first step, and then the next. "And you too, Captain…" she forced the words from her mouth, stopping to nod up at him sadly – I stupidly thought you loved me – then quickly looked away. It was easier to look at the Baroness, rather than be interrogated by the Captain's searching eyes.
Georg's heart was still in the pit of his stomach. So, the children had told her. He looked at her apologetically, desperate to atone for his betrayal, but she refused to meet his eyes. Fraulein, please look at me…
Maria met Baroness Schraeder's eyes – an acknowledgement that she'd been right. The Captain had got over her soon enough. "The children tell me you're to be married…" she added, by way of explanation, realising that little she'd said so far had made any sense.
"Thank you, my dear," Elsa nodded graciously, hiding her surprise and annoyance at the nun's return. She was sure she'd seen the last of her the night of the party.
Maria smiled at the Baroness, then quickly looked away. Concentrating more than was necessary on the terrace steps, she started making her way up them, quickening her pace – almost sprinting – as she passed the happy couple. Once again, she bit back on the ball of emotion rising in her throat, praying the tears wouldn't fall.
As she suddenly rushed past, Georg realised he still didn't know why she'd left, and he had even less clue as to whether she'd be staying. He couldn't lose her again! Pulling his hand out of Elsa's grip, he turned towards Maria. Taking a step up the terrace, closer to Maria and further distancing himself from Elsa. He frowned at her hastily retreating from him. It was as if she couldn't stand to be anywhere near him.
"You are back, to err…" he called out, taking another step closer. She stopped but didn't turn around immediately. "To stay…?" he added, dreading her response.
Frozen to the spot, Maria realised she had to turn to face him. Don't cry, don't let him see you cry. She needed to steady herself. It felt like she was going to faint. Taking a deep breath, willing her tears not to spill over, she reached her hand out and blindly found the balustrade. She slowly turned around to face him. To face the humiliation. She shook her head. Didn't he understand – she couldn't stay, not now. "Only until arrangements can be made for another governess," she'd said it. She'd told him. Surely, he'd let her go now. Please let me go…
Georg looked at her dumbly, unable to think, barely able to breathe. She would be leaving again…? He watched as she turned and walked hurriedly through the doorway, disappearing inside. How could she leave them? He needed her to stay. The children needed her to stay…
Elsa stood on one of the steps below Georg. Her eyes had been on the girl, but now she turned to Georg, furious that he had all but ignored her to chase after that bloody nun. She could only see part of his face, but it was obvious by the way he'd set his jaw, by the way he'd almost pleaded with the girl to stay. Oh, God, Georg is still in love with the governess…
Everything she'd done, everything she'd worked so hard for, it was all starting to unravel out here on these stone steps in this Godforsaken countryside. She'd have to think of something, come up with a plan. She wouldn't let Georg go, not without a fight…
Seconds slipped by before Georg suddenly remembered where he was, who he was with. Turning to Elsa, he forced a pained smile. Reaching for her hand, he patted it absentmindedly as they walked up the steps together. One thing he was certain of. He'd have to think of something. He couldn't let Maria go again…
oOo
The FF site has been having a massive fit in recent times… Except through reviews, it's impossible to know if anyone is even reading these days. So, a huge thank you to anyone who's hanging in there and still reading and following my story! And big cyber hugs to those who have left reviews.
I don't own TSOM, just having a lend…
"Immerse your soul in love"