Georg escorted Maria up the stairs leading to her bedroom.  To the Captain's amused relief, the house was silent.  The unusual quiet was rather refreshing, and Georg felt relaxed in the calm atmosphere.  He was too tired to be surrounded by his children and too weary to deal with Max.  The evening had been solely about him and Maria, and he was grateful that it could conclude that way.

            He looked down at her, and smiled to himself at how graceful she was, even climbing an impossibly long staircase while physically and emotionally depleted.  She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder as they reached the top of the stairs.

            She paused for a second and looked across the foyer to the opposite side of the second floor.

            "What is it?" he asked, following her gaze.  She was staring at the doorway leading to the family rooms of the house.  She shook her head and looked up at him.

            "Explain something to me, Captain," she said. "Why is the governess's room across the hall from the children's?"

            Georg laughed, and she quickly put her hand over his mouth to try to stifle the sound. "They'll hear," she whispered, giggling.

            He stepped back and studied her. "What made you think of that?" he asked.

            She blushed. "Well, I was thinking about your bedroom," she admitted.

            His eyebrows rose. "Would you like to see it?" he offered.

            "No!" she said, her blush deepening. "I was just thinking about it, and then I started to think that it was near the children's rooms. Then I started to wonder why my room would be on the opposite side of the house, since the governess should be near the children, and -"

            Georg laughed again. "And here I thought you were thinking of the opera and of me," he said, leaning closer to her.

            "I am thinking of you," she protested. "I was initially thinking about your bedroom."

            "You're very forward, Fräulein," he said. "Maybe those rumors are true."

            "Georg!" she exclaimed, and now it was he who covered her mouth.

            "You're going to wake the children, Maria," he threatened, wrapping his arms around her waist and brushing her forehead with his lips. "I don't want to share you right now."

            She sighed and put her hands on his neck, massaging it gently and making him feel lightheaded.

            "Why were you thinking about my bedroom, Maria?" he whispered into her ear.

            "Huh?"

            Smiling, he brought his hands up to caress her back. "Why were you thinking about my bedroom?" he repeated.

            She pulled back and stared into his eyes. "Oh, I was just wondering what it's like," she explained. "If you have any pictures on your bureau, which book is on your night table, what color your comforter is."

            "What I wear to bed?" he continued, charmed by the speed at which her cheeks changed color.

            "No," she said, slapping his shoulder. "I know what you wear to bed."

            "Oh?"

            "Don't you remember?" she asked. "My very first night here, you came into my room and scared the children away."

            "Oh, that's right," Georg said, nodding in remembrance. "You had disobeyed my rules."

            "Silly rules," she added.

            He nodded again and kissed her forehead. "You know something, Maria?"

            "Mmm?"

            "I'm glad you didn't listen to me," he confided, bringing his mouth close to her, tasting her sweet breath.

            She smiled brightly. "Does that mean I don't ever have to listen to you?"

            He laughed lowly and took her hands in his. "Oh, I don't know," he mused. "You might like what I have to say sometimes."

            She pulled back, her mouth dropping.  Seeing his playful stare, she laughed a little.  "I think I just might," she mused, staring down at their entwined hands.

            He kissed her forehead and turned so he could guide her to her room.  When they reached her closed door, she turned and stared at him.

            "Thank you for such a lovely evening, Georg," she whispered, her eyes bright with happiness.

            "It was my pleasure, my love," he said, leaning over to kiss her lips.  The embrace was gentle at first, but Maria stepped forward and put her hands on his shoulders.  Georg placed his hands on her back and brought her closer to him. 

The absence of bright lighting created an unearthly effect, making Georg forget where he was. All he became aware of was how Maria's hands traveled down his shoulders and back, how sweet she tasted, and how alive he felt.  He pressed himself closer to her, feeling her moan beneath his embrace.  He wanted nothing more than to pick her up and carry her into her room, concluding a wonderful evening in a perfect way. 

A low moan came from his throat, and he leaned closer into their embrace, needing more from her.  His hands moved down to her lower back, pushing her against him.  She stepped backwards a little to regain her footing, and he followed her, pressing her against the wall.  His hands moved to her hips, and his fingers slid up and down the smooth material of her gown.  He moved his mouth down to her neck, and her perfume filled his head, making him feel dizzy.  His one hand traveled up her side, while the other continued to caress her hip and waist.  He heard her gasp sharply, and then exhale in sheer, relaxed joy.  He moved both his hands up to caress her shoulders, and his fingers tingled at feeling her bare skin.  She moaned his name into his ear, and Georg felt he would lose all battles with his self control if they continued.

He pulled back reluctantly and gasped for breath.  Maria inhaled deeply, her mouth open and she, too, tried to recover her breathing.  He stared into her eyes, noting how full with desire they were.

"Forgive me," he whispered, although he didn't step away from her.

            She closed her eyes and shook her head, a loving smile gracing her face. "No," she breathed. "Don't apologize.  What a wonderful way to end the evening."

            Georg was about to say that he could think of better ways, but his voice left him at the sight of the glow to her cheeks.  Amazed and rather stimulated that he had the honor of being the first and only man to touch her in such an intimate way, he stepped back and stared at her.

            "You make me want to break the rules," he said, reaching up to stroke her cheek.

            She opened her eyes and met his gaze, and his heart warmed at the love he saw on her face. After a moment, she smiled. "Only a few more weeks," she said.

            He nodded. "Good night, Fräulein," he murmured to her.

            She kissed his cheek. "Good night, Captain," she whispered.  They held each other's gaze for a long moment as she stepped back to open her door.  She cocked her head in thought. "Is it wrong that part of me wishes those rumors were true?" she asked.

            Chuckling softly, he shook his head. "It is better this way, my love," he told her and tapped her nose. "What we have is stronger than that."

            She smiled. "I'd like to think so," she said.

            "Sweet dreams, Maria," he said, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

            "Good night, Captain," she said again before retreated behind the door and closing it.

            Georg exhaled slowly and placed his hand on the closed door.  A strong emotion ran through him, and he smiled as he brought his other hand up to trace his lips.

            Yes, he thought and nodded. She is the answer to all my prayers.

Fin