A/N: This is the last chapter. Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, or added the story to their story alerts or favorites. I would not have written past the first chapter without your encouragement. Reviews, as always, are encouraged and will be gratefully received.

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Chapter 5: Declarations

Maria paced the grounds outside the gazebo, wringing her hands. She’d never felt so uncertain in her life. What was happening between the Captain and the Baroness? Would the Captain feel it necessary to ask Maria to leave? The Captain had asked her to trust him, and she did. But she knew they had crossed a line that should not be crossed. They had not planned it, but neither one had stopped it either.

Maria still could not believe how much the Captain’s physical nearness affected her; she’d never felt anything like it. Was it merely an infatuation? No, she was certain it was more than that. She had too much respect for him to be simply infatuated with him. He was a man who could accept when he needed to change. He was a man who loved his children deeply. He was a man who honored the best ideals of his country. He was intelligent and witty and fiercely determined. He was a man of hidden sensitivity. He was a man a woman could love for the rest of her life. Did she love him? She searched her heart for the answer and thought, ‘Oh, yes, yes…I love him with all that is in me.’ She had found the life she was meant to live.

Maria heard a door opening and turned to the house. There he was, walking toward her, looking so handsome and strong. Already she could feel her heart begin to pound. She waited for him to reach her. He stopped a pace from her and held out a hand. Without even thinking, she reached out and took it. He led her to a bench and they sat. He wrapped both hands around hers and studied her for a moment before he spoke. His expression was so serious; Maria was afraid of what he would say.

“The day you first came to this house wearing that hideous dress, I caught you in a ludicrous act of playacting. You seemed a young thing, hardly older than Liesl. I could not imagine you lasting longer than a day as governess. Then when I introduced the children, you questioned my use of a whistle to call them, and you dared to mock my use of it by asking for my signal. At your first dinner with the family, you squealed insanely when you sat down, attributing it to rheumatism. All of this on the first day.”

‘He must think me an ignorant fool,’ thought Maria. ‘I’m nothing like the Baroness; I’m not elegant or accomplished. I’m not enough for him.’ Her heart sank.

“I’ve known since that first day, but I didn’t realize the truth until recently. In fact, I didn’t realize it until you’d left.” The Captain slid closer to her on the bench, his eyes never leaving hers.

“I fell in love with you that day, Maria. In the days that followed, I only saw more to love. I love your kindness and gentleness and humble wisdom. I love the way you laugh. I love the way you love the children. I love your eagerness to greet what each day brings. I love the way you challenge me to be a better father, a better man. You are a light in my life and in this home. If God saw fit to bring you to me, I can only pray that He may see fit to allow you to spend the rest of your life with me. If that’s what you want. Is it, Maria?” the Captain asked apprehensively.

Maria thought she must be dreaming. Only this was better than any dream. He loved her! Maria’s eyes filled with tears. It was almost too much, too overwhelming. Her heart felt too big for her chest. She closed her eyes for a moment before she was able to respond.

“Captain…”

“Please, Maria, call me Georg,” he said softly, his voice a caress. Maria took a deep breath to steady herself.

“Georg.” She liked the way his name felt on her tongue. “Georg, did you wonder why I left and why I returned?” Georg nodded, still looking at her intently. “I left because I was afraid. Afraid of what I felt. Afraid of what might happen if I stayed. But Reverend Mother told me the abbey was not meant to be used as an escape, as a place to hide. She told me I couldn’t shut out my problems, that I had to face them.”

“The Reverend Mother sounds like a wise woman,” Georg said with a smile.

“Yes, she is. I’m grateful to her for sending me back, because otherwise I would not have made my own discovery,” continued Maria.

“And what discovery is that?” Georg asked. Maria could see the hopeful look in his eyes and it gave her courage.

“That I love you. I love you with all of my heart, Georg. I don’t ever want to be parted from you. If you will have me, I will be yours.”

The look Georg directed at her was filled with love and desire. Maria’s heart was in her throat. Slowly, he raised a hand to her face. He traced her cheek with a feather touch of his fingertips, continuing along her ear and down the side of her neck. Maria could not stop the shiver that coursed through her body. Georg’s eyes darkened at her movement. He leaned in and placed soft kisses along her cheek, following the line he’d traced with his fingertips. When he reached her ear, he licked her earlobe and took it in his mouth, sucking gently. Maria swallowed hard and closed her eyes. She felt the pull deep inside her.

“Georg, what…what about the…the Baroness?” asked Maria brokenly, barely holding onto her sanity.

Georg continued playing with her earlobe with his tongue, mumbling, “Leaving…broke off…engagement…” His lips left her ear, only to continue moving along her neck. Again she felt him licking, sucking and she gasped. Maria tilted her head back and gripped his shoulders, her nails digging into the fabric of his jacket. She was breathing hard now. Finally he pulled away from her neck and looked at her. His breath was just as unsteady as hers.

“Maria, I love you.” With that he touched his lips to hers, gently at first. It was not enough for her; Maria was feeling too much. She kissed him harder and hesitantly licked his lips. Georg moaned and opened his mouth to her, his tongue caressing hers. And oh, that was glorious. She was shaking with her need to taste him. His tongue probed deeper, and she was throbbing for him. She felt him pull her closer, his hands stroking her back, sending chills down her spine and heat through her body. She was on fire. She thought she might explode, she couldn’t breathe…

Georg released her mouth, coming up for air, his lips returning to the sensitive spot on the side of her neck. Her body arched uncontrollably into his, pressing against him, and again she gasped.

“Maria, will you marry me?” Georg whispered into her ear.

“Yes, oh yes. I love you, Georg.” Maria buried her hands in Georg’s hair and turned his head, bringing his mouth back to hers. She kissed him hungrily, eager to taste him again.

A sudden noise startled them, disrupting their embrace.

“Father? Fraulein Maria?” Liesl and Rolf stood before them, looking stunned.

Maria flushed scarlet, but Georg merely chuckled. “When will this curse of interruption end?” he muttered before turning to his eldest daughter.

“Liesl, Maria and I have some news…”

The End