Despite the minor setback of Otto's bad mood upon their arrival, Liesl was having the time of her life. It was easy to read the happiness upon her face as Maria took her on adventures around the city. They had loosely planned out their entire two weeks together, excitedly making a list of all the things they needed to do before Liesl returned home. Maria had every intention of showing her the best possible time she could have. If it all went well, she sincerely hoped Liesl would decide to attend university in Vienna…and, of course, she would be the first to offer her a place to stay. Though she kept that bit to herself, not wanting to sway her decisions in any way.
"That dress is beautiful on you. It could not be a more perfect match." Maria nodded toward the dress bag draped over the empty chair at their table. Liesl smiled happily, thoroughly enjoying their one-on-one time together.
"Thank you, I do like it very much. It's my first gown that makes me look grown." Maria laughed, taking a sip of her tea as the waiter brought their food.
While Maria hadn't found the need to sew her own clothes anymore, she had found that she'd become quite picky about the seamstresses she visited for her wardrobe. She didn't like the more upscale shops, too expensive for subpar work, and there were lower end shops that her husband advised her she would not be seen in. She supposed they weren't quite up to the standards of a Baroness. In any case, she had found herself the most perfect place to buy all of her clothes. It was a medium sized shop, not necessarily well-known, but the woman who owned it was absolute perfection. And, of course, she was able to provide perfect, well-fitted dresses to Liesl and Maria both in a short time. They would pick up Maria's dress after alterations in a couple of days.
"Are you enjoying your time here?"
"Oh yes, thank you again for talking Father into allowing me to visit." She laughed, shaking her head as she began cutting into her food.
"It was hardly talking him into it at all. He knows you're growing up and need to see more of the world than just Salzburg." Liesl smiled, watching the best friend she ever had as she began eating her lunch. She couldn't believe how lucky they were to be together. "Have I made a mess of myself?"
"Oh, no." Liesl laughed as she was caught staring, and Maria gave her a gentle smile on return. "I was just thinking about how wonderful it is to be together right now. I can't tell you how much we've all missed you."
"I've missed you too, so much. Seven children used to sound so daunting, but now I find that I quite miss the chaos." They laughed, the breeze blowing their hair a bit, as they were seated beneath an awning outdoors.
"Father missed you too." She felt her throat tighten at the words, unsure how to respond. She looked up gently to find crystal blue eyes staring back at her. "Did you ever run into each other at your hotel in Salzburg?"
"I…yes, we did." She obviously didn't need to know the details of their encounter. "Did he say anything to you?"
"No, but I spoke to him a bit before he left, and I just know he had no real business reason to stay in town." She gave a small laugh, going back to her food as if she didn't think anything of it. She was trying so hard not to think about how much she longed for him. "You missed him too, of course."
"Liesl…" She met her eyes softly, wishing she could tell her exactly why the topic was an open wound for her. There were so many things she wished she could share, but there was no way she could.
"Why did you leave us? You never gave us a real reason." She sighed, bringing her napkin to wipe her mouth, whether it needed it or not.
"I never left you and your siblings. Hurting you was never my intent. But I…I had to get out of there, I couldn't breathe." The girl frowned, not quite understanding. She supposed with being as sheltered from the world as she had always been, she wouldn't understand. "I didn't know what I was feeling at the time, but I had fallen in love with your father."
"I knew it!" Her eyes widened, and she looked about to be certain that no one else was paying attention to them. Liesl laughed, her face a bit red from her outburst. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it."
"It's fine. Certainly a thing of the past." She laughed a bit to herself, but it must not have been convincing, as Liesl gave her a knowing look. She sensed a sadness in Maria that she hadn't been able to place until that moment.
"Everything happens for a reason. That's always what you've said."
"I'm quite wise for someone who has no idea what they're talking about." They laughed together, and she was thankful that Liesl didn't pry any further on the subject of her father. Though she felt in her heart that it wasn't the last time they would have the conversation.
They spent the afternoon walking about town, taking turns carrying the various bags they accumulated at shops along the way. Liesl was adamant about getting small souvenirs for her brothers and sisters, and Maria was more than happy to oblige. She found herself living vicariously through Liesl, helping her pick out things that she could bring home. By the time the returned to Maria's house, it was nearly suppertime. They rushed to change for supper, and they found that Otto was working late, so they had the large table entirely to themselves. Neither said it aloud, but they certainly didn't mind.
Maria made her way to the drawing room after showing Liesl the study, as she wanted to call her father and check in. She left the girl alone to her phone call while she spoke to their housekeeper, making certain there was nothing she was needed for. The house really seemed to run itself, for which she was grateful, but there were occasional things she was asked to provide an opinion on. She usually went with whatever her housekeeper suggested, as the woman reminded her very much of Frau Schmidt, and she trusted her immediately. She had done her job longer than Maria had been alive, so she found it best not to question.
She sat upon the sofa, slipping off her shoes and bending to rub the arches of her feet a bit. While she had once considered herself to be a very active person, she found that she lacked a certain stamina that she once had. She smiled at herself when she realized she had two full weeks of adventures ahead of her. At least she would be able to sit when they went to the opera, she mused.
"Baroness?" Liesl popped her head into the room, and Maria laughed aloud.
"Honestly, with that…"
"Father asked to speak with you." Her heart leapt with joy before sinking with nerves. He had been so cross with her when she left the villa, she never expected that he would want to speak with her again so soon.
She made her way to the study as Liesl headed upstairs to begin her nighttime preparations, and she took a deep breath as she sat at the writing desk. She brought the phone to her ear, wishing for the confidence she had with him the entire time she was in Salzburg. It was as if he couldn't exist in Vienna with her, it was her new life. If the two worlds intertwined, she had no idea what she would do.
"Maria, I can hear you breathing." His voice held humor, and she sighed in relief, laughing a bit. And suddenly, the two worlds became one.
"I'm sorry, I'm just surprised you'd want to speak with me." He scoffed, certainly knowing why she would feel that way.
"I know." They shared a moment of silence, knowing all the things they each wanted to say, but couldn't. "I apologize for the way we left things."
"I do too. The thought of hurting you…"
"No, Maria, please. You asked me to understand, and I do. I mean, I'm trying to." She smiled, hearing the glint of humor he was attempting to provide. "At the end of the day, all I want is for you to be happy. It's selfish of me to persuade you in any way."
"You are the least selfish man I know."
"I'm working on it, at least." He closed his eyes at the sound of her breathy laugh, so gentle in his ear. There was another moment of silence, neither sure what exactly to say.
"It's good to hear your voice." She felt a bit vulnerable admitting it, but it was true.
"Yes…I feel the same way, but I'm trying not to admit it." She laughed, adjusting to sit more comfortably in the desk chair.
"I always have had trouble with speaking my mind."
"I'd argue you have no trouble at all." They shared a laugh, and suddenly time began to move at its own accord. They chatted for quite a while about everything and nothing, and Maria truly felt he had forgiven her for leaving as she had. Nothing felt tense or strange between them, it was as if they were back in the same comfort zone they had always found together. She expected he would hold onto his anger, but he really, truly seemed to understand her position.
Suddenly, she heard Otto speaking loudly to their butler, and her heart stopped. How long had she been on the phone? He absolutely couldn't know she had been speaking to Georg, of all people. He was suspicious enough of their relationship without walking in on her passing time with him in that way.
"I'm sorry, I have to go now." She interrupted him as he was asking about her plans for the next day, and she heard him sigh.
"He made it home, then."
"Yes. We'll talk again soon?" She sounded hopeful, and he knew he could never deny her.
"Of course. I'll talk to you next time I phone for Liesl." She smiled, thankful they had a cover for their conversations, while equally feeling quite guilty about it.
"That sounds perfect. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, my love." She felt her heart jump at his words, hearing him hang up the phone on his end. She hung up quickly, making certain it didn't appear that she had been on the phone, before she rushed from the study to greet her husband. She felt sick about the fact that she was walking on air.
Georg sat back in his chair, taking a long drink of his brandy. He knew he was a fool for loving her the way he did, but he also knew there was no getting over her. He had tried for a long while already, and there was no use. After his discussion with Max and his decision to remain calm and still, the answer came to him. He wondered if perhaps God was helping him out a bit, but wondered why He would help a man who had done the things he had in his life. The attempt at sabotaging a marriage was on the top of that list.
The answer was, plain and simple, she needed stability in her life. She had a husband who was temperamental on his best days, and she had a world that she still wasn't certain where she fit in. If he could be anything for her, he could be the sturdy, safe place that she needed. If she decided to remain married and faithful to her husband going forward, then he would respect that and love her all the same. His sole responsibility was to be certain she was protected and loved. And was sure he could handle that, if it was God's will. If it was as close as he was ever allowed to get to her, he fully accepted his fate.