THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

venison burning or the—”
      As she grabbed up her skirts readying to run for the door, he caught her elbow. “Nay, my lady. The preparations below go well. ‘Tis something else entirely I want to share with ye.”
    “Oh.” She dropped her skirts and craned her neck to silently study him for a moment. She released a hiss of air before saying, “Husband, I haven’t time for conversation right now. I’ve too much yet to do for the banquet.”
    Augh. She still wasn’t inclined to make this easy for him despite all his gifts. “Beth, please. ‘Tis of great import and will only take a wee moment of yer time. Please? ‘Twill please ye, I promise.” He gave her his most beseeching look. As she eyed him warily, he kenned her skepticism. Given all that had transpired between them, he’d be reticent, too, if their roles were reversed.
    She huffed. “Aye, as ye luste, but later. Right now I need to get about my work.”
    He exhaled audibly and smiled. “Ye willna regret agreeing, my lady wife.”
    ~#~
      Heads turned an hour later when he led Beth through the crowded bailey. As he guided her toward the thatch-covered stable, her brow remained furrowed and he urgently prayed this gift—his most prized personal possession—would finally break down her defenses and incline her toward peace.
    As he pushed a pitchfork out of their way, Beth glanced about. “Duncan, if you’re about to show me the kittens, I’ve seen them. They’re bonnie, but—”
    “Nay, dear wife, ‘tis nay a kit I luste to give ye.” He drew her to his side as he rounded a mound of hay and released her hand. “‘Tis this.”
    Beth blinked and stepped forward to examine his pride and joy, to touch the deep green globes hanging off the wee bowed branches. “What is it?”
    “A lemon tree.”
    “A lemon...” She faced him, eyes round and mouth agape. “But how...I mean why is it hidden here? Doesn’t it need sun? And how did you come by it?”
    He couldn’t help but grin at her. Aye, ‘twas good, her wondrous look. “‘Tis brought out at sunrise but kept out of the wind and then returned at gloaming to this barn where the cattle help keep it warm.” He stroked one fruit with a gentle finger. “I’ve been coddling the wee thing for two years, hoping it would finally bear fruit. ‘Tis most precious to have somethin’ so fragile thrive in this harsh place, nay?”
    Beth, fingers to her lips, murmured, “Lemons. I can’t believe it.”
    He took her left hand in his. “‘Tis for you. My gift. I...” When she tried to extricate her soft hand from his calloused one, he held fast and murmured, “Nay, Beth.” He fingered the gold and ruby band that bound them together and swallowed the sudden thickness in his throat. Inexplicable fear had him tripping over his well-rehearsed words.
    “I...I like ye verra much, my lady. Aye, verra and I am most humbly sorry for my brutish treatment of ye in the solar. ‘Tis not my normal way. ‘Twas fear that turned me into a beast, ye ken?” He looked up from her hand to her face and took a deep breath, pleased to find her gaze—-now questioning—firmly locked on his.
    “I have cursed myself far harder and longer than ye could in two lifetimes, lass, once I kenned your true intent for the blade. And ye must ken that what ye saw in the upper hall—-with Flora—‘twas naught of my doing. Nay. I wouldna. ‘Tis not an honorable man’s way.” He dropped her hands and heaved a sigh. “‘Tis all I have to say.”
    Beth took a deep breath, stunned by the sincerity in his voice. Could she believe him? His hands shook as they’d held hers. Apologizing hadn’t come easy for him, and yet he cared enough about her to do it. Now her dilemma was whether or not to believe him. Did she dare hope?
    Her heart cried yes, believe every word, but her brain balked. Hadn’t she been hurt enough? Didn’t every man caught cheating proclaim innocence? Yes. Yet her heart kept insisting, “He said he likes you verra much .”
    She reached up and stroked the brocade jerkin on his chest. Just nights ago his chest, so broad and beautiful by the glow of the solar’s fireplace, had brought her to tears. She heaved a sigh. If only he hadn’t allowed—-wanted—Flora to remain within the keep.
     
    ~#~
    Duncan’s fingers halted their exploration of the intricate design on the large Broach of Lorne, the only thing of value his father had left to his keeping. His thoughts were on Beth, his troubled