Was there a part that bored you or that you didn't really like in the book?

Even a character, a scene, or anything. You could say no if nothing bothered you.

What moment from the book you enjoyed the most?

Something you liked, a specific scene, a character's quality, some detail that caught your eye.

What kind of Scottish romance would you love to read next? *

• A proud Highland warrior claims a bride at auction—only to discover she is the one woman sworn to hate him. Bought by her enemy, she must decide whether revenge or desire will rule her heart.
• A chance encounter at a glittering Highland ball turns scandalous when two rivals are discovered alone together. Forced into marriage to protect her honor, they must navigate passion, pride, and a love neither expected.

What has been your favorite Scottish romance trope this past year? *

• Brother’s Betrothed – forbidden desire sparks between sworn enemies and stolen glances
• Auction Bride – claimed by fate, bound by desire, defying expectations
• Single Father Romance – a hardened Highlander softened by love and loyalty
• Forced Marriage Between Enemies – vows spoken in anger… and sealed in passion

Is there something else you'd like to share?

Something you noticed, frustrated you, left you confused, etc.

Submit

One year later

“If ye keep pacin’ like that, ye’re goin’ tae wear a trench in the floor.”

Elinor turned from the window where she’d been watching the courtyard fill with arriving guests. Ainsley stood in the doorway, arms crossed, an amused smile on her face.

“I’m not pacing. I’m observing.”

“Ye’re pacin’. And worryin’. I can tell.” Ainsley moved into the room, automatically checking that everything was in order. “What’s got ye so nervous? It’s just a christening.”

“Just a christening?” Elinor gestured toward the window. “The entire Covenant brotherhood is here. And the priest from Edinburgh that David insisted we use. ”

“Everything is goin’ tae be fine, me lady” Ainsley’s voice was firm.

Elinor wasn’t convinced, but before she could argue further, a soft cry came from the cradle near the hearth.

Her heart immediately shifted focus. She crossed to the cradle and looked down at her daughter—three months old, with David’s dark hair and what appeared to be Elinor’s eyes, though it was still too early to be certain.

“There ye are,” Elinor murmured, lifting the baby carefully. “Did you have a nice nap? Because we have a very important day ahead of us, little one.”

The baby—Isla, they’d named her, after David’s mother—blinked up at her with unfocused eyes, then yawned enormously.

“She daesnae seem particularly impressed by the importance of the day,” Ainsley observed.

“She’s three months old. Nothing impresses her except milk and sleep.” But Elinor was smiling as she cradled her daughter.

Elinor adjusted Isla’s christening gown—white silk with delicate embroidery that had taken weeks to complete.

Ainsley moved to check the gown one more time. “This is beautiful work, me lady. Did ye dae the embroidery yerself?”

“Some of it. The seamstresses worked on the more complicated patterns.” Elinor traced one of the tiny flowers along the hem. “I wanted it to be perfect. For her. For this day.”

A knock at the door interrupted them. David entered, already dressed in his formal attire, looking both proud and slightly harried.

“The priest has arrived. And Euan just got here with Moyra and their bairns.” He crossed to Elinor, pressing a kiss to her temple before looking down at Isla. “Is she ready?”

“As ready as a three-month-old can be.” Elinor handed their daughter to him, watching as his entire demeanor softened.

He was still adjusting to fatherhood—still occasionally looked terrified when Isla cried—but the love on his face was unmistakable.

“Hello, mo leannan,” he murmured to the baby. “Today’s yer big day. Everyone’s here tae meet ye properly. Tae welcome ye intae the clan.” He glanced up at Elinor. “Are ye ready?”

“Yes.”

They made their way down to the chapel, moving slowly to accommodate David’s careful handling of their daughter. Servants and clanspeople they passed smiled and offered congratulations. Some reached out to touch the baby’s gown for luck.

The chapel was already full when they arrived. Elinor’s breath caught at the sight.

The Covenant brotherhood was indeed all there. Euan stood near the front with Moyra, their two children—a boy of almost four and a girl of almost two—fidgeting beside them.

Calum, Archibald and Lachlann stood alone.

Tristan was there too, of course, standing as one of Isla’s godfathers. He winked at Elinor as they approached.

The priest—an elderly man with a gentle voice—smiled at them. “Shall we begin?”

The ceremony was beautiful. Traditional. The priest spoke of faith and family, of the responsibilities of parenthood, of welcoming a new soul into God’s grace.

Elinor held Isla while David stood beside her, his hand resting on the small of her back. When it came time for the vows—for them to promise to raise their daughter in faith and love—Elinor’s voice was steady despite the tears threatening to fall.

“We will,” she said clearly.

“We will,” David echoed.

The priest made the sign of the cross over Isla’s forehead, anointing her with holy water. The baby scrunched up her face at the sensation but didn’t cry.

“I baptize ye, Isla Margaret MacDonald, in the name of the Faither, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

“Amen,” the congregation responded.

And just like that, it was done. Their daughter was christened. Welcomed into the clan. Blessed by the church.

Elinor felt David’s hand tighten on her back as they turned to face everyone. Saw pride and love and something that might have been wonder in his eyes as he looked down at their daughter.

“Everyone’s invited tae the great hall,” David called out. “There’s food and drink, and ye all get tae tell me how bonnie me daughter is. As if I dinnae already ken it.”

Laughter rippled through the chapel. People began filing out, most stopping to offer congratulations or to get a closer look at Isla.

“She’s beautiful,” Moyra said, touching the baby’s cheek gently. “Looks just like ye, Elinor.”

“She has David’s hair.”

“Aye, but yer features. Poor thing.” But Moyra was smiling. “How are ye holdin’ up? The first few months are exhaustin’.”

“I’m managing. Barely.” Elinor glanced at David, who was deep in conversation with Euan. “David helps more than I expected. He’s actually quite good with her.”

“Is he now?” Moyra looked surprised. “Euan was hopeless with our first. Terrified he’d break her just by lookin’ at her wrong.”

“David was like that initially. But he’s gotten better.” Elinor adjusted Isla’s gown.

They moved to the great hall, where tables had been laden with food. Malcolm had outdone himself—there were dishes from across Scotland, sweets that had taken days to prepare, and enough ale and whisky to fuel a week-long celebration.

David insisted on carrying Isla himself, showing her off to anyone who came near. Elinor watched with amusement as tough Highland warriors melted at the sight of the tiny baby, offering awkward congratulations and gentle touches to her small hands.

“I never thought I’d see the day,” Calum said, appearing at Elinor’s elbow with a cup of wine. “David MacDonald, proud faither. Showin’ off his bairn like she invented sunshine.”

“He’s quite taken with her.”

“Aye. We all noticed.” Calum’s smile was warm. “It’s good tae see, though. He deserves this. Happiness. Family. After everythin’ he’s been through.”

“Aye.” Elinor accepted the wine gratefully. “Thank you for coming. I know it’s a long journey.”

“Wouldnae have missed it. The Covenant brothers support each other. Always.” He glanced across the hall where David was letting Euan’s daughter carefully touch Isla’s hand. “Besides, wanted tae see if David had gotten soft. Verdict’s still out.”

“He’s not soft. He’s just—”

“Happy. Ye can say it. It’s nae an insult.” Calum’s expression turned serious. “He was nae happy before. Nae truly. Too much responsibility, too much weight on his shoulders. But now?” He gestured at David, who was laughing at something Lachlann had said. “Now he’s got somethin’ tae live fer beyond duty.”

Elinor felt her throat tighten. “He’s a good father. Better than I expected.”

“And ye’re a good maither from what I hear.” Calum raised his cup. “Tae family. The ones we’re born with and the ones we choose.”

“To family,” Elinor echoed.

The celebration continued through the afternoon. Children ran through the hall, chased by harried parents. Stories were shared, some true and some highly embellished.

The Covenant brothers took turns holding Isla, each offering their own advice about raising children.

“Dinnae let her wrap ye around her finger,” Archibald warned David. “They learn early how tae use those big eyes tae get what they want.”

“Start strict,” Euan added. “Establish boundaries from the beginnin’.”

“Or,” Lachlann countered, “just enjoy her while she’s wee. They grow up too fast tae waste time worryin’ about boundaries.”

David listened to all of it with good humor, occasionally glancing at Elinor.

Eventually, Isla grew fussy—too many people, too much noise, too much stimulation for a three-month-old. Elinor took her from David and slipped away to a quieter corner of the hall, settling into a chair to nurse.

Moyra joined her shortly after, her own daughter on her hip.

“Too much excitement?” Moyra asked.

“For both of us, I think.” Elinor adjusted her shawl, giving Isla privacy while she fed. “How do you manage it? The public appearances with the children?”

“Badly, most days.” But Moyra was smiling. “Ye just dae yer best. Accept that sometimes they’ll cry at the worst moments. That sometimes ye’ll be exhausted and overwhelmed. And ye lean on yer husband when ye need tae.”

“David’s been good about that. Letting me lean on him.”

“Aye, I can see that. The way he looks at ye—” Moyra shook her head. “Euan told me about how ye met. About the auction. Said it was the most impulsive thing David had ever done.”

“It was impulsive for both of us. Agreeing to marry a stranger just to escape my father.”

“But it worked out.”

“It did.” Elinor looked down at Isla, now contentedly nursing. “Better than I could have imagined.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, watching the celebration continue around them. Then Moyra spoke again.

“Ye’ve changed him, ye ken. David. He’s softer now. More open. Before ye came, he was all duty and responsibility. Now he remembers how tae live.”

“I think we changed each other. He taught me I could be strong. That I didn’t have to accept being controlled or diminished. That I could choose my own path.”

“And now ye’re raisin’ a daughter who’ll never doubt her own strength.” Moyra smiled. “That’s a powerful legacy.”

After Isla finished nursing and had been burped and settled, Elinor returned to the celebration. David immediately appeared at her side, his hand finding the small of her back.

“Is she alright?”

“She’s fine. Just needed to eat and have some quiet.” Elinor leaned into him.

The celebration wound down as the sun began to set. Guests started departing, the Covenant brothers promising to return soon, their wives offering advice and support to Elinor.

Finally, it was just the three of them in their chambers—David, Elinor, and Isla, who was mercifully asleep in her cradle.

Elinor collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion finally catching up with her. “That was more tiring than I expected.”

“Aye. But good, though.” David sat beside her, pulling her into his arms. “Everyone seemed tae enjoy themselves.”

“They did. And Isla was perfect.” Elinor nestled against his chest. “We have a beautiful daughter, David.”

“That we dae.” His arms tightened around her. “And a beautiful life. And a beautiful future ahead of us.”

The End.

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