It was the early hours when Malou arrived home, and yet she could still feel Mr. Prewett's arms around her and his kiss on her lips. They had successfully made it back to the ball unnoticed and she had been able to have another dance with him. Regardless, decorum meant that they couldn't linger together all evening so Malou had spent much of the evening trying to keep her eyes to herself. He was all she could think about. Indeed it was almost as if she were in a dream and all she wanted to do was to tell Fallon.

It was still strange to not return home to the apartment, to realize that Fallon wasn't simply in the other room to spill her secrets too. Even if when she arrived Fallon was sleeping, there was comfort in knowing she was there if Malou truly needed to talk. Sometimes she might even be waking up by the time Malou arrived home from a ball like this one.

So instead of talking to Fallon she settled on letter, sitting down to write it just as soon as her maid had finished undressing her.

[Written very early Dec. 24 but sent midday]

December, 24, 1891

Dearest Fallon,

I hope you are well. I am sorry I will not be able to make dinner this week. But I have so many things I wish to tell you. Well mainly one.

I've done something terribly foolish, and yet (I think, perhaps, you will understand this) I don't regret in the least. Last night I attended Mrs. Longbottom's Christmas ball. It shall not surprise you to know Mr. Prewett was in attendance. I will not distract you with details of the ball, but know that Mr. Prewett asked me to dance. When we retired from the dance floor we found ourselves under the mistletoe and... he kissed me. Not once, but twice. Of course he did so as discreetly as possible and I am quite sure no harm will come to my reputation. But Fallon.... I could fly from his kiss alone.

Of course I was also foolish not only in kissing him as I admitted my own feelings for him. I can hardly believe my own forwardness, and yet I have not yet had time to regret my decision (it awarded me with a second kiss). In fact it feels as if I am in a dream and I do not wish to spoil it.

Is this what it was like when you kissed Jesse for the first time?

All my love,
Malou