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She was taken aback by his solemnity and sudden declaration of love. But still, she couldn’t quite bring herself to reciprocate.
‘Well, I admit, it’s a tempting offer.’
He leaned across the table, took her hand in his and kissed it. ‘Are you going to make me beg?’
‘Perhaps…how much do you love me?’
‘With all my heart, Minki.’
‘Do you really, Max? You’ve never said it before…’ Behind her smile, she was trying to decide if he really was the man for her. She was a strong, independent woman, with a mind of her own; she would never be happy as a mere accessory to a man. Would Max accept that? More importantly, did she truly love him as she had loved Peter?
‘Is there someone I should ask for permission?’ he asked.
‘How ridiculously old-fashioned you are, Max.’
‘Your father perhaps?’ he persisted. ‘You rarely mention him, but I know he’s still alive – you went to visit him a few months ago.’
‘You can ask him, I suppose. He’d like that. He’s a very traditional sort of man – I suspect that’s why we never really got on. He was appalled when I said I wanted to go to university. He would have preferred me to stay at home and look after him and the house. But, unfortunately for him, that was the last thing I was prepared to do.’
‘I have some sympathy with your father.’ Max smiled.
‘Whatareyou talking about?’
‘Well…most men like the idea of a beautiful woman taking care of them.’
‘If it’s a housekeeper or mother figure you’re looking for, Max – you’ve got the wrong woman. May I have a cigarette?’
She reached across the table for his silver cigarette case, at the same time as Max reached into his pocket and removed a small leather box. He laid it on the table between them. ‘I want neither a housekeeper nor a mother, Minki. I want you…’ He opened the box, revealing a diamond solitaire ring.
‘Oh, Max…it’s very beautiful.’
‘Like its wearer,’ he replied, placing the ring on her finger. She held out her hand, admiring the ring sparkling in the lights of the restaurant, while considering how to respond. The ring was certainly impressive, but Minki had never been the sort of woman to marry only for money.
Suddenly, Max was kneeling at her side. The whole restaurant seemed to turn and look at them.
‘Oh, Max, this is embarrassing,’ whispered Minki. ‘Do get up.’
But he refused to move, instead taking her hand. ‘Minki Sommer – I would be honoured if you would consent to be my wife.’
Minki gazed into his clear blue eyes and felt her resolve weakening. It would be perverse to refuse him – marriage to Max to would be so easy…so comfortable.
‘You understand the sort of woman I am, don’t you?’
‘What do you mean, exactly?’ he asked.
‘Independent, opinionated. I won’t just be your wife – I have a career, and a mind of my own.’
‘I know, Minki…that’s why I love you. Please say yes.’
She smiled. ‘Oh, all right, Max. Yes, I’ll marry you.’
‘Well, that’s a relief,’ he said, rising to his feet. ‘For a moment or two there I thought you might turn me down.’
‘Well…it was a possibility, I suppose. But I do love you, Max.’ The moment the words were out of her mouth she realised that it was true.
‘You’ve never said it before.’
‘Neither had you, Max – until tonight.’
