Thanks to everyone for the kind reviews and comments! Glad you like the concept … not quite sure where it will take me yet, but I have a few ideas….
BTW, you might want to read my previous two MM stories, After The Ball and The Lesser Sin, since this story kind of continues on from my version of what happened with these two on New Year's night.
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February 2, 1900
Dearest William,
Finally, a moment to scribble a few words again. The past week has been a whirlwind and I have barely had a moment to sit and collect my thoughts. I hope you don't find this letter utterly disjointed and nonsensical!
I arrived in Vienna in something close to a blizzard, and gave up hope of locating my temporary flat that afternoon as the city was paralyzed. Not a cab to be had, and walking seemed like a foolish prospect with my luggage, so I hunkered down in the railroad hotel, which was a bit tattered around the edges, but comfortable enough. I was able to telephone the next day, fortunately, and get directions. I met Ruby's acquaintance near the address to obtain the key – a mysterious young man named Horatio, whose English was excellent and who, from the way he enquired after Ruby, must be one of the paramours she seems to have tucked away in every city! No matter … nothing she does shocks me anymore, and I'm sure she has Father quite convinced that she is occupied in some sedate secretarial job somewhere …
The flat only confirms my suspicions: it has the distinct air of a lover's retreat. Horatio assured me, however, that I have its exclusive use while I am in Vienna and that I need not fear any (as he put it) unexpected visitors. It's entirely possible that he has more than one of these boudoirs set up in the city!
Inhabiting this little place, with its lush furnishings, mirrors, and yes, a ridiculously enormous bed … I can't help but think of you and fervently wish you were here to share it with me. Forgive me, I know I'm being naughty. It's something that sleeping in silken bed linens just seems to bring out in me!
Of course, as one would expect of a boudoir, there's little in the way of a kitchen here, so I suspect I will be eating out quite a lot. I did locate the bakery, and as promised it is a cornucopia of decadent desserts filled with whipped cream, but luckily it also has fresh French-style baguettes and hard cheese, which make a fine lunch for a studious sort like myself. Since there's also nothing much in the way of a desk or proper table in the flat, you may picture me in the middle of the enormous bed, with my textbooks and notes strewn all about, chewing industriously on a crust and leaving crumbs all over those luxury sheets.
I find myself missing you more each day and long to hear your voice, even if it's only on paper. Please write me at Dietrichsteingasse 47, flat #4, Vienna. I'll save my initial encounter with Dr. Freud for my next missive.
All my love,
Julia.
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February 25, 1900
Darling Julia,
I am indeed picturing you in the "enormous bed". Will you forgive me if I don't include the textbooks or the crumbs in my mind's eye? I would rather … well, let me just say that your absence is keenly felt.
It has been so wonderful to receive each of your letters. It has made me realize that we have never really corresponded, unless you count telegrams to and from Buffalo – terse and awkward and not at all to my taste. I intend, with your permission, to remedy that while we're currently apart. I have a rather romantic notion of you keeping a little bundle of letters, tied with a ribbon, and taking them out to re-read some day decades in the future, when we are both gray-templed and quite past our prime. So I will endeavour to say something in each which will make them worth keeping tucked under a mattress, though perhaps not one quite so well-enjoyed as that in your current sleeping quarters!
I hope you have some idea just how much joy you brought back into my life on New Year's eve. It is as if I have been living in a photograph, all shades of gray, and now have stepped out of the frame and into the sun.
I realize I am not a demonstrative man as a rule, and I know my reticence has been an obstacle in the past, but in these letters I vow to tell you everything that's in my heart, as plainly as I can.
But for now, my love, I must be short. It's early morning, and I had hoped to have a few more quiet moments in my office to pour out all my thoughts, but George has just informed me of a crime scene. Something involving a supposedly ghostly apparition …
Be well, stay safe, and know you are always, always in my dreams.
Your William.