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“Well, why don’t we ask…the children?” “They will be thrilled” Georg smiled softly, brushing his thumb along her cheek. “I hope so” Maria replied, “Governess is one thing, but mother is entirely different” “You didn’t see the gloom that cast over this home while you were away, my dear”, Georg stated. He smiled directly into her eyes, letting her know how seriously he meant his words. “To have you here forever is beyond all of our wildest dreams” “I hope they can forgive me. I should have said goodbye. I was afraid you’d see through me.” She confessed. “I was beginning to see what it was I may have been feeling for you. I was confused. I had never had feelings like these before. If it was to be revealed, then what kind of a role model would I have been then? So, I returned to the only life I knew. To hide from these feelings” Georg listened, understanding perfectly. “I secluded myself in my room, praying for forgiveness but I soon learned that one can’t hide from feelings, for you take them with you.” Maria continued, “Eventually the Reverand Mother called for me to discuss what was tormenting me. All my worries came pouring out. She is so wise. She told me exactly what I needed to hear” She looked up in his eyes as she continued her story, “She told me that the love of man and woman is holy too and that I need to live the life I was born to live. I can’t deny that being with you and the children feels more like home than anything else ever has. Even the abbey.” “I suggest we tell them as soon as possible, for I can’t possibly imagine keeping my feelings restrained now that you know the extent of my love” he whispered dragging his fingers lightly up her arms, under those flutter sleeves he has admired from afar for far too long. She smiled in reply, before kissing him fully in response to his touch. She then rested her head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent, enjoying the closeness she so recently thought she’d never experience. “Maria? You’re cold?” He pulled away to look at her. “Hmm?” she half consciously murmured. She had barely noticed the drop in temperature. “Come, there’s a fire in my study” he took her hands and led her out of the Gazebo. Linking his arm with hers and placing his hand over hers, he walked her towards the villa. He noticed apprehension in her face and said “I doubt many people are still awake. You already put the children to bed and tomorrow after we talk to them, everything will be announced anyways”. As they entered, Frau Schmidt, in the process of turning off lights for the evening, tried not to display any reaction to the sight. The captain walking so intimately with the governess. She had known the captain and his family for many years. There was no doubt that Fraulein Maria had been the best thing to happen to this family. He was a good man and surely, he was going to do right by both Fraulein Maria and Baroness Schraeder. No, there must not be anything inappropriate occurring. One thing is for sure, the next few days should prove to be interesting and happy at that. “Frau Schmidt, could you please bring tea to my study?” “Yes, captain.” “Maria, please make yourself comfortable.” He said to Maria in the doorway of the study. Then, turning back to Frau Schmidt, “Frau Schmidt, please keep this to yourself until we’ve had a chance to speak with the children tomorrow.” Frau Schmidt nodded smiling in reply, knowing very well that the captain was not referring to the tea. Taking a seat next to Maria on the sofa, Georg placed his arm around her, and she snuggled her head into his neck for only a moment, knowing Frau Schmidt would soon be arriving with the tea. “Well, Elsa has been safely delivered to the hotel in town, and a driver has been arranged for her return to Vienna. She thought it best to slip out immediately….” Max walked in abruptly, paused, then smiled. “She said that if you knew what was best for you, you were finding Fraulein Maria. I see you found her.” He smirked. Pouring a drink of Brandy from the cabinet, Max sat across from the new happy couple and asked, “So will there be a new announcement soon?” “We will speak with the children tomorrow, Max, and then we can say more” Georg replied smiling. Then as a 2nd thought he added, “but yes, that is my intention” wanting to make clear that there was nothing indecent occurring. “Aha, so my presence will still be required as chaperone” Max exclaimed, “How lovely for all of you”. Maria giggled. She had already found that she liked Max’s playful humor and suspected the captain…Georg may also, despite the roll of his eyes that generally followed. “Oh sweetheart, please do not encourage him” Georg said to Maria but with a smile showing he was indeed playing as well. The tea had arrived, and Maria had warmed up. The pleasantries continued and while Max’s presence had made things not quite as lovely as the gazebo had been, Maria was still in a state of bliss. Her captain did indeed love her in return and wanted to marry her. She was sitting close to him, and they were to be making plans for their wedding soon. In her new relaxed, content state, she stifled a yawn. Max teased “You see Georg, you’re already boring the poor girl”. Maria was quick to reply “Oh no, Herr Detweiler, I just had such a long day. I woke up expecting to take one set of vows, journeyed back to the family I love, juggled feelings of confusion to now ending the day with the excitement that I’ll be taking an entirely different set of vows”. “That is quite a day and please, call me Max” Georg nodded appreciation to Max for understanding the turn of events. Smiling, “Come, darling, I will walk you to the stairs so you can get some rest. Max, I will likely retire soon as well. Tomorrow will be a big day.” Max started collecting the tea tray to bring to the kitchen, no sense leaving extra work for the staff to start their day with tomorrow. They would soon have plenty of extra work with the wedding arrangements. At the stairs, Georg caressed Maria’s cheek and spoke softly “Goodnight, sweetheart” followed by a kiss on her lips. She responded eagerly, much to his happiness. Lifting her arms around his neck, he brought her in closer, his arms around her torso, holding her against him, neither of them wanting this glorious night to end. Max returned from the kitchen and saw that the happy couple were still in an embrace and locked at the lips, just how he had left them moments ago. Yes, his chaperone duties were going to be much more involved than they had been with Elsa, he thought with amusement. He returned to the study to not interrupt but mindful of what was occurring. He did not think Georg would take advantage, he was older now and had daughters of his own after all. However, Max was on alert, just in case, considering the delicacy of the situation. As they finally separated out of necessity for air, Georg kissed her face gently and whispered, “sweet dreams, my dear”. “Good night, Love” Maria replied and began walking up the stairs, half dazed. She looked down at her captain the way she had the day he asked her to stay. He was returning to his Study with happiness in step. Was he whistling? What was that she could faintly hear? Was it the Laendler? She smiled and continued to bed, knowing tomorrow would be an exciting and hopefully lovely day. “You know there will be talk” Max said to Georg as he entered the study. Georg looked at Max. If there was one thing Max understood, it was gossip. Georg sighed. Max was right, Aristocracy was filled with bores who had nothing better to do than make up stories to entertain themselves. After courting Elsa and then suddenly being engaged to another who had been living under his roof, there would most definitely be talk. “Well, then we must do whatever we can to prove the talk wrong” Georg replied. “But tonight, we celebrate”. Pouring himself brandy, he and Max toasted the best thing that had happened to this family in years before they retired for the night.