A Night For Dancing

The level of light didn't change when Rose stepped from the twilit street into the Book of Dead Names. A quick glance around revealed a short hallway lined with coats, hats and shawls. Rose nervously slipped her own light jacket off and hung it up on a peg,the emerald green playing against a white fur coat that hung on the next peg over.

Rose moved down the dim hall towards the soft golden glow of the room beyond. As she stepped into the room Rose drew in a breath in wonder at what she saw. A magnificent chandelier spilled warm light over the large room, the very outer edges of the light just stopping short of private tables and nooks that were separated with heavy velvet drapes, tied back to reveal beautiful tables. The tables were filled with people talking quietly in twos and threes or playing a variety of games; each table was softly lit with a small candelabra that hung from a nearby pillar. The sections of wall that was not taken up with rich velvet were lined with books, many of them worn and valuable. Along one wall ran a short bar which ended in a small recessed area that was occupied by a four piece band. The music that filled the room was slow and had a slightly jazzy edge to it. The middle of the room was taken up by a dance floor, the wood shining beautifully in the candle light.

After a slight hesitation Rose moved along the perimeter of the room towards the bar where she slid into a seat with relief. A moment later one of the three men that staffed the bar approached, "What can I get for you Miss?" he asked.

"Just some water for the moment please," Rose said, trying to keep her tone level.

The man nodded politely and moved away, returning a moment later with her water.

Rose gratefully accepted the water and sipped at it as she turned to look at the room; she was sure that this was the place, he had described it so well that even had she had never come here she was sure that she could have pictured it in her mind. Rose set her glass down and smoothed the skirt of her green dress, her eyes continuing to watch the room. A nearby grandfather clock struck nine o'clock, its deep resonant tones carrying through the room. As it finished chiming the hour Rose felt a warm hand on her shoulder. Rose smiled and turned to the man behind her.

Warm pale green eyes looked out of a handsome face, the barest hint of red stubble shadowed a strong jaw and a soft smiling mouth. Rose quickly looked him up and down, revealing a well cut suit that hung perfectly from his slender frame.

"Hi," he whispered, his mouth quirking into a half smile that sent shivers down Rose's back.

"Hi," she whispered back, leaning into his touch as he traced her jaw.

"I wasn't sure you would come," James said; he couldn't stop looking at her.

Rose didn't want to tell him just yet that she would always come when he called her.

"Will you dance with me?" James asked as he took her hand.

"Of course," Rose said and let him lead her to the dance floor.

A familiar song floated across the room as James pulled her into his arms and flowed smoothly into the waltz; Rose following his every movement, though her eyes never left his face. They had the whole floor to themselves and they took advantage of it, moving gracefully around the floor in time to the music.

As the song ended another filled the room after a brief silence. James pulled Rose closer to him, one hand holding hers against his chest as his other hand softly stroking her hair.

Rose sighed in content as she let her eyes fall closed and her head rest on his shoulder as they swayed slowly. She breathed in his scent; letting him fill all her senses; his quiet heartbeat that she could feel in his chest, his warm body close to hers.

"Rose?"

Rose could feel his voice in his chest, "Hm?"

"Rose, Will you marry me?" James asked as they drifted to a stop with the end of the song.

Rose's heart skipped a beat and she raised her head to look into his eyes, wanting to know for sure that he meant it. Rose kissed him softly, "yes she whispered."