chapter 5: summer's a knife
Disclaimer: I couldn't help myself; this is all good fun. Based on "Cruel Summer" by Taylor Swift. I own nothing.
So cut the headlights, summer's a knife
I'm always waiting for you to just cut to the bone
Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes
And if I bleed, you'll be the last to know
"Fraulein," he called and smiled inwardly when she turned back, eyes betraying her lust. "I'll see you after dinner?"
She gave him the most brilliant smile and a deep wave of warmth filled his chest, temporarily forgetting the strain in his trousers. After Maria left, Georg took a steadying breath.
He never felt so unraveled before. She did something to him Georg doubted she was even aware of. He melted her in a way he had never been before. Despite the tangible sexual tension between the two, there were moments of painful tenderness. He couldn't help but run his fingers against her forehead, down the slope of her nose after they finally reunited later that night, limbs tangled, wrapped in the silky sheets of his bed.
Although it went against all of Georg's better judgement, he knew he would marry Maria. He wouldn't let her go, not only because it was the right thing to do, but because he loved her.
The realization snuck up on him a week after their argument on the terrace. Between their rendezvous at night and the gentleness and care she showed his children during the day, he couldn't imagine spending his life with anyone else.
His relationship with Elsa was a farce, although they did feel a sort of fondness for each other, they didn't love each other. Never would. However, he also refused to embarrass or publicly disrespect Elsa. It was no secret all Salzburgian society expected the two of them to be married by the end of the summer, and he knew the situation had to be delicately handled. She had been far too understanding and good to him in the aftermath of Agathe's death to simply abandon her.
So, Georg realized it would be possible to still have Elsa at the villa to prepare Maria for entering society if she chose to accept Georg's hand in marriage. Then, Maria could be accepted into larger society, and Elsa would be the benevolent leader of society, welcoming in Georg's new bride, increasing her own status and encouraging respect.
It was a win-win situation.
However, he still needed to speak to Maria first before asking Elsa. He needed to confirm she felt the way he did, though he was fairly certain. Her eyes betrayed her true emotions, or perhaps he could just read her easily. Regardless, she loved his children unabashedly, and he there was no way they would let her go either.
An overwhelming sense of excitement bubbled up in his chest. He felt as giddy as a schoolboy—something he never thought he'd experience again. Maria restored so much more than his relationship with his children.
Before he could get caught up in his emotions, he shook his head and sighed. He needed to go back inside to check on Elsa's train, which was arriving the next day.
After the children found Maria outside the garden, they swept her up in an intense game of tag that left all of them breathless and in need of baths before dinner. As Maria walked through the gallery to reach the children's nursery, she noticed the animated chatter of several maids dusting on the first floor.
"Did you finish setting up the other guest room?"
"Yes, but Frau Schmidt didn't say who it was for, the Captain will be making an announcement tonight."
"I bet it's the Baroness Schraeder, wasn't she supposed to come several weeks ago?"
Maria's heart stopped.
She completely forgot about the Baroness. Georg made no mention of her. In fact, they hadn't spoken about anything, really, which was the basis of the anxiety that settled in her stomach.
What could she expect from him? Nothing. There was no indication he loved her like she loved him or that he was interested in making anything official between them. The Baroness was titled, beautiful, and rich. Maria was a dirt poor, soon-to-be-failed nun and no family or money to speak of. Why would Georg choose her? Sure, she loved his children and there were moments where she swore Georg looked like he loved her, but that was nothing to count on.
And when had he become "Georg" in her mind? He was supposed to be Captain. She shouldn't be acting like this, especially not around the Baroness or even Herr Detweiler now.
She couldn't face him. Not like this.
"Oh! Father, I forgot to tell you," Brigitta exclaimed as she sat down at the table.
"Yes, darling?"
"Fraulein Maria won't be joining us tonight for dinner. She's not feeling well."
Georg frowned. She seemed perfectly fine earlier.
"Thank you for telling me, Brigitta. Franz, can you please have one of the maids send up a tray for her?"
"Yes, sir."
"Liesl, would you lead us in prayer since your Fraulein will not be joining us?"
Liesl sat up a little straighter with the acknowledgement and led them in the prayer Maria had taught them, adding an extra thought for their Fraulein at the end. Dinner continued in uncharacteristic silence before Georg cleared his throat.
"Children, I have something I'd like to share with you."
Seven pairs of eyes settled on them, and he patted his napkin on his lips before clearing his throat.
"Do you remember how I told you Baroness Schraeder was supposed to join us several weeks ago?"
They nodded expectantly.
"Well, some business matters she needed to deal with delayed her, but she will be here tomorrow."
Liesl and Brigitta's eyes shown with excitement while Louisa let out a disinterested huff.
"Why is she coming, Father?"
Georg laid eyes on his second youngest and smiled. Ever practical and curious, Marta waited patiently for his response.
"She wanted to visit me here and meet you all after I spent so much time in Vienna. She's very excited to meet all of you," he added, glancing over at Liesl. "She pointed out it would be time to start preparing you for your debut."
Liesl gasped before covering her mouth with her hands.
"I know I've been reluctant to have these discussions, Liesl, and for that I am sorry, but I hope under the Baroness's tutelage you will find yourself well prepared to make your debut into society next year."
"Thank you, Father!" the teenager exclaimed, tears filling her eyes.
Georg beamed with pride at her enthusiasm and wished he could exchange a knowing glance with Maria. This had been at the forefront of many of their discussions about the children during their weekly meetings. Liesl expressed much distress at her lack of preparation.
The children murmured amongst themselves, and they began chatting excitedly about what she might be like. Georg smiled to himself, Elsa admitted she was not much of a children-person, but she would make an exception for his, especially Liesl as she neared her debut into society.
The conversation remained on the Baroness and her impending visit along with the activities and show the children could put on for her since they had been practicing with the puppet set Max ordered without Georg's knowledge.
He tried not to wonder too much about Maria, wishing she had learned about the Baroness's visit along with everyone else, to avoid any surprises; however, maybe this worked better so he could clarify Elsa's presence at the villa. In addition to assisting Liesl in preparing for her debut, Elsa agreed, if Maria accepted, to show her the ropes of higher society.
Oh well, he'd tell Maria tonight when checking on her after everyone went to sleep, if she was still feeling poorly. After dinner, Liesl and Brigitta continued to chatter about the Baroness' impending arrival while the others kept each other busy with games out on the terrace until it was time for bed.
Marta and Gretl rushed down the hall to say goodnight to their Fraulein, and Georg wished to follow them; however, it would be far too inappropriate. He would never check in on any other staff member like that. So, he made his rounds in the older children's rooms. All but Brigitta were curled up in their beds, ready for sleep, while the bookish brunette still sat on her favorite windowsill, devouring her newest book.
Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long for Maria to appear in the nursery doorway, clearly feeling better. Her surprise was not lost on him as their eyes met. Her jaw dropped slightly, like the first time he blew the whistle.
"Hello, Fraulein," he greeted with half wave. "I trust you are feeling better now?"
"Oh, yes, sir." She quickly broke eye contact and busied her hands with braiding Gretl's hair, like she did every night. "Thank you for asking. And sending the tray up."
"Of course." He hoped his voice contained the warmth he wanted her to feel, suddenly needing to assure her. She seemed skittish—avoiding eye contact even after she finished Gretl's hair and moved on to Marta's.
"Is there anything else you need, sir?"
"Er, no, Fraulein. If you feel up to it, I would like to speak to you in my study later."
She wordlessly nodded and continued to braid Marta's hair. Georg took that as dismissal. He bid his daughters good night with a kiss on each forehead and retreated to his study, wanting to get his thoughts in order. He sensed something was troubling her and he darkly wondered if she was second-guessing their previous conversation.
He couldn't necessarily blame her. She was a young woman with deeply held religious beliefs. Did she resent him for not protecting her from himself while she is under his roof? Is that why she was avoiding him? Did she think he couldn't control himself around her? Did she not think their actions were worth the consequences?
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts and he stood to quickly reach the door. His heart dropped as he registered the expression on her face—pensive and closed off. For the first time, he felt as though he couldn't read her.
An unfamiliar sense of dread settled in Maria's chest as she descended the steps. If he wasn't going to cut to the bone, she would. There were so many things left unsaid, and although Maria wasn't a prideful person, she couldn't let him have the final word. If she ended things on her own terms, she could still save face and finish her duty to the children.
She felt guilty for skipping dinner, but she needed to get her thoughts in order. The children made up for her absence and confirmed her suspicion that the captain would announce the Baroness's arrival. Their excited chatter about a ball at the end of the summer filled Maria with a sense of contempt she hadn't felt before. Based on the conversations she had with Liesl about high society events, it would most likely be an engagement ball for the Captain and Baroness. Maria knew she had no right to be upset, the captain had promised her nothing, and she didn't express any desire to truly be with him either. Secretly, she longed to profess her love for him, but that time had passed, and it was time to make her exit.
Although she desperately wanted to run away without a word to anyone, she knew she couldn't do that to her charges. They meant far too much to her, and even though her heart broke at the thought of leaving the captain, it shattered when thinking about leaving the children. But it had to be done.
With shaky hands, she knocked on the door to the Captain's study and waited for his usual terse command to enter. To her surprise, the warm light of his study flooded her vision, and she was face-to-face with him.
"Good evening, Fraulein."
"Good evening, Captain," she breathlessly responded, already feeling her resolve slip.
He was like a flame, and she was the helpless moth, drawn to his deadly heat. Instead of getting lost in his deep blue eyes or the scent of his cologne, she brushed quickly past him, stopping behind one of the chairs.
"I have a few things to say," she firmly stated, and nodded expectantly to his desk.
He raised a curious, but amused eyebrow. The situation would have been comedic and rather flirty if the conversation she wanted to have with him were different. Once he settled in his seat behind the desk, she gripped the back of the chair, needing something to steady her so she wouldn't bolt from the room.
"I think it would be best if we—er—stop what we've been doing."
The expression on the Captain's face shifted, it was unreadable, distant, like when they first met. The silence hung between them like the heavy humidity before a storm began. He raised his hand to his chin and stroked it, in deep thought before he looked at her with his piercing blue eyes.
"Is that what you want?"
"Yes," she answered quickly, hoping he didn't notice her voice shake. "For the—"
To both of their surprises, the study door opened, Max Detweiler's slight frame and overwhelming presence filled the room.
"Good evening, Georg! Oh, hello Fraulein, I would say I'm sorry for interrupting but quite frankly, I am more focused on getting into the wine cellar and having a drink."
"Just one moment, Max—"
"That is quite alright, Herr Detweiler," Maria interjected, "I was just leaving. Good night, Captain."
Hi! There's one more chapter after this. It should be up by next weekend! Thank you for sticking with me through this story! I'm sorry if it wasn't what you wanted (it certainly isn't what I planned), but I promised myself I'd finish it regardless!