The words were carefully penned to express his heartfelt wish. One dance. That wouldn’t be too much to ask for from the woman that he dreamed of holding in his arms. Signing his name, he nodded approval. It was time to let her know. This wish had been simmering for years and now she would finally know. He carefully put the small card into the envelope and slipped it shut. Setting it beside the candle on his desk, he hurried off to complete the needed preparations.

Little did he know there were eyes watching him. Two of them, with furry paws eager to grab the envelope. Arthur scampered out of the chamber, gleefully holding the card.

* * *

Jamie set her pack down long enough to grab a drink from the cool water trickling down the side of the falls. Small paws slipped the envelope into her pack and quietly slipped away. The note was first noticed when she returned to her chamber and started putting supplies away. She puzzled at seeing the note that was only addressed as “To you”. Her eyes grew wide as she read and her cheeks reddened. The card was only signed “from me.” She didn’t recognize the handwriting but something seemed off about it. The printed words had a fancy tilt to them as if the writer had put special care into making them stand out. Not your average note to be sure. Looking around, she quickly tucked the card into the nearest book to figure out later. She had to get back to the work site.

While Jamie was out, Father came looking for her… well for the book he loaned to her, to be more precise. He didn’t find her, but he instantly recognized the book sitting on the table and picked it up. Good thing he found the copy in time, as Mary wanted to read a poem from this volume to the children this afternoon. Father hurried to Mary’s chamber.

Father caught Mary just as she was picking up her lesson plans. “Mary, I’m glad I caught you. Here is a very special edition that I thought you might like to look over. ” He handed her the book, not noticing the tip of an envelope sticking out from the bottom. Mary thanked him and proceeded to the children’s chamber. On the way, Kipper and some of the older boys ran past her, almost causing her to drop her supplies. Thankfully, only the book sitting on top, the one that Father had given her, fell from the pile. As the book fell, the envelope slid out to the floor. Mary blinked in surprise. She read the note addressed “To you” and signed by what must be a secret admirer. Wait… not a secret, after all Father had been the one to personally give her the book. A smile spread across her face. A dance, huh?

Tucking the note into her sweater pocket, she began to hum to herself as she walked on to the children’s chambers.

* * *

The original author of the note returned to his chamber and frantically searched for the note he had left on his desk. Catherine would soon be coming Below for the Valentine dance and he had finally put his heart into words, but now the words seemed do have vanished.

* * *

Mary had become so busy with the children that she temporarily forgot about the note she had slipped into her pocket. Catherine had come below and it was more chilled than usual Below that night. Mary handed Vincent her sweater and prompted him to offer it to Catherine. Vincent slipped the sweater over Catherine’s shoulders and softly kissed her cheek as he excused himself to go help with the final set up in the Great Hall.

Catherine volunteered to go collect the candles from Rebecca and, on the way, slipped her hand into the pocket of the sweater. Surprised to find the note, she grinned at the simple words. True, it was unusual for Vincent to print and not use his gliding cursive, but no matter, she, of course, would grant his request for a dance to the first song played.

* * *

About an hour later everyone was gathered and the first song was starting to lift music through the large chamber. Mary made her way to a slightly surprised Father as she took his hand and led him forward. Catherine slyly grinned at a pleased but unsure Vincent. Jamie scanned the crowd looking for who had written to her for his dance, and Mouse fidgeted nervously at the edge of the crowd.

“I’m ready for that dance you asked about…” Catherine whispered to Vincent.

“Catherine? ” He stared at her, puzzled.

“In your note…” She pulled it out and showed it to him. He shook his head.

“I did not write this,” he admitted.

Mary caught a glimpse of the note and hurried over. “Oh my , I’m sorry my dear. I forgot that in my sweater.” Mary turned to Father. “It was a sweet way to get my attention, Jacob, but surely you could have just asked.” Father blinked in surprise.

“Surely you do not think I…” he trailed off at her saddening expression.

Jamie had been watching and spoke up. “I’m sorry, Father, you must have picked that up from my chamber. I had slipped it into the book but didn’t think you would need it back so soon.”

They all huddled around, confused expressions playing across everyone’s faces.

“But then who wrote it?” Catherine asked. “And who is the you it was intended for?”

Mouse inched closer. “Mouse wrote.” All eyes fell upon the chagrined blond-headed Mouse.

“Mouse? ” Vincent gently queried. The younger man looked up nervously.

“For Catherine.” he admitted. “Just want one dance. Vincent the rest. Promise.”

Catherine suppressed a chuckle and gently smiled as she nodded to Vincent and then rested her hand on Mouse’s shoulder. “I would be honored.”

Everyone watched as Mouse beamed with joy at having his dance with Vincent’s Catherine.

Arthur chittered in the corner, a twinkle in his eye.