THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

into the night and tried to gather his wits.
    He’d never been so unnerved in his life. Aye, her turning specter before his very eyes had nearly stopped his heart, but that dinna compare to the last.
    The verra worst occurred when—kenning his fear and possible intent—she’d pleaded not for God’s mercy nor for his, but had used what could have been her last breath to demand an explanation from God for what she truly believed to be His betrayal.
    No faint heart, his lady.
    He’d seen many a brave man die and never before had heard such. Ack! His skin still pebbled like a plucked fowl just thinking on her temerity in calling God to task. ‘Twas also at that very moment—-when she keened her demand—-that he kenned fully that she had spoken nothing less than the truth from the first moment he’d laid eyes on her.
    He had no need to fear his enemies. He would be the undoing of himself.
    And he couldna blame her if she decided to disappear for all eternity. Nay, given all the angst he’d caused her, he could only expect it.
    Why the thought caused a dreadful tightening around his chest he’d not dwell on. He had yet to tell her a painful truth and he owed her that much before she left him.
    He stepped forward to stand at her back. “Beth, I do believe all ye have said.” He heard her sharp intake of breath. “Aye, I ken ye are not wode but from another time and place.” He studied the stars as he gathered courage to say what must be said.
    “‘Tis been difficult for me to accept yer tales. For if I believed in sky scrapes and plum mink, then I had to believe I willna be laid to rest when my time comes, but will haunt these halls for all eternity.” He took a deep breath. “’Twas far easier to believe ye coddled in some fashion than to admit I am doomed for what I have done, for the lives I have taken.”
    Beth spun and found him rigid, his gaze glassy with unshed tears as he stared blindly over her head into the night.
    Oh dear God!
    She placed her hands on his chest and felt furious beating beneath vibrating muscle. He was terrified—not of her—but of the future.
    She hadn’t thought him a religious man, but given the time and the Church’s influence on their everyday lives—-the in-house priest, the daily vespers so many attended—she should have seen this coming. Should have understood the impact her words would have on him.
    “I’m so sorry. I never meant...”
    He slowly, gently, brought his powerful arms around her while his eyes remained on the stars. “Nay, Beth. Ye’ve not done anythin’ to be sorrowful for. Ye told only the truth.” He then looked at her, a small grin playing at one corner of his mouth. “‘Tis by my own doing—-my own hand—-that I shall have no peace.”
    “But it makes no sense. You’re honest, a man of character. Surely, there must be more to this—”
    “Sweet Beth.” He kissed her forehead. “Ye wish to ease my mind, but why? I am nay digne of ye forgiveness.” His tears escaped the confines of his thick lashes. “I nearly smote ye with my sword.”
    “You were upset. Fear of the unknown can—”
    He pressed a finger to her lips. “Too, I’m a widower thrice and carry that blame. And lest we forget, I’ve killed in battle more men than we—-together—have digits.”
    She hadn’t meant for her eyes to grow wide in shock but they did, and he murmured, “Aye, lass. At last count the number is close to sixty.”
    “Oh.” It came out as a squeak. What more could she say? That isn’t so great a number? Or he really shouldn’t worry because he’ll be a relatively pleasant ghost, who only has a tantrum now and then and has much more mourning yet to do? Oh God.
    “My lady?”
    “What?” She’d been woolgathering.
    “I asked if I had issue. Did I at least leave an heir?”
    Matters were definitely going from bad to worse.
    She ran a tentative finger along his finely crafted lips then caught a tear as it trailed down his smooth well-chiseled cheek. He’d kept his face shaved only because she preferred it.
    Please, God, let what I’m about to tell him be so.
    Aloud she whispered, “I suspect that very problem is the cause for my being here.”
    His moan escaped before he could collect himself. He then nodded resignedly and threw back his shoulders. It was an admirable job of sucking up, but defeat still lurked deep within his eyes as one corner of his mouth quirked into a grin. “So be it.”
    She took his right hand in hers and