Page 82 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

“I am relieved to hear you say it,” he replied, his voice nearly a whisper.

“You doubt it?” She tilted her head. She had not intended to fall in love with him, but how was it possible that he did not see his own appeal?

“I have been taught by a true benefactress never to take my own consequence for granted.” He grinned. “You have my eternal gratitude.”

The only other customers paid their bill and left the shop, and they were quite alone; that was, until the proprietor approached them with a familiar slip of paper in hand.

“Miss Bennet?” He handed her what appeared to be their bill. “With our gratitude for your patronage, madam.”

Darcy was suddenly suspiciously interested in scraping the last of his ice from the small bowl with his spoon as the proprietor left them in haste and hurried his daughters into the kitchen.

Elizabeth was surprised. She had, of course, offered to reward him with an ice in Lady Barry’s drawing room, but this was the first time he had ever allowed her to pay. Not that she objected.

Elizabeth opened the slip, expecting to find a total of numbers.

Miss Elizabeth Bennet

Tea for two

1 Lemon Ice

1 Pineapple Ice

1 order of Marzipan

1 order of Prawlongs

1 order of Candied Peel

1 order of Chocolate Drops

1 Gentleman’s Heart, lost beyond recovery

Amount Due:

Your hand in marriage

Elizabeth gasped, then stared. She raised her eyes to find Darcy nervously avoiding her gaze. His predicament warmed her heart, to see his composure entirely lost. For her.

“What interesting accounting,” she said when she finally found her voice.

“Indeed?” he asked, finally meeting her gaze.

“It appears that I have created a most impossible debt,” she continued. “I believe it can only be settled as solicited.”

“Truly?” he beamed.

Elizabeth grinned back. “Yes, Mr Darcy.”

“You will be my wife?”

“I will.”

“I believe this is the most favourable…certainly the most important business that I have ever negotiated.” He reached across the table and covered his hand with hers. “Thank you, Elizabeth. You do me the greatest honour, for I love you more than I could ever possibly express in a sweet shop.”

There was a strangled sound of feminine delight from behind her, and she turned to find the proprietor and his daughters peering around the door of the kitchen. Darcy beckoned to the man.

“My efforts have met with great success, and we can do nothing but thank you for your assistance in the matter,” he said as the man approached them, beaming. “If you will bring the actual bill, we shall take our leave, for I must speak to Mr Bennet.”