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.

Do think that Ian should have told Aila about the letters earlier or you've enjoyed the tension? *

• I loved the tension! It was a bad thing to do, but I get why he was afraid to tell her. It'd be unrealistic to do it earlier.
• I got annoyed that he kept the secret for so long, while knowing she was feeling guilty because of Murdoch.
• I can't really decide. It annoyed me a bit, yet I understood Ian's reasons and I felt his fear.

Having more than six-seven characters is.... *

• Refreshing! It always feels so realistic to have the MCs surrounded by other secondary characters that often are a breath of fresh air in the story!
• Confusing! When I have to remember more than four-five names and personalities I get lost in the story.

Is there something else you'd like to share? *

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

Submit

Two weeks later

“Announcing my brother and his wife, Ian and Aila Chattan.” Laird Chattan raised his tankard at the front of the great hall. “Please, join me in toasting them. May ye two be as happy as ye both look now.”

“Here, here!” Raucous cheers went up around the busy feasting room as many raised their cups.

Ian lifted the tankard of mead to his lips and finished the remaining contents, his gaze fixed on his new wife beside him. The ceremony had been simple, though many had wanted to attend the wedding of the laird’s brother. What mattered most to Ian was that his friends and family had come, and, of course, that Aila had eagerly spoken her vows.

She looked stunning sitting beside him, dressed in a beautiful dark green gown that hugged her waist before flowing freely to the ground. A strip of clan plaid adorned her hip, matching the one on his shoulder, secured by the clan badge.

“Ye are beautiful,” he whispered in her ear as the celebrations resumed now that his brother’s toast was finished.

The center of the great hall cleared, and many took to the open space. The pipers struck up a lively tune, and the dancing commenced. Others focused more on indulging in food and drink.

“Ye are kind tae me,” Aila whispered, leaning into him as their hands found each other beneath the table. The touch warmed Ian to his core as she guided their clasped hands to rest on his thigh. No matter how many times they had made love in the past week, he always wanted her again.

“Ye have tae eat, Callie,” Fiadh suddenly called from the other end of the table.

“I dinnae want tae eat.” Callie looked distinctly pale as she rubbed her stomach.

“Aye, ye must.” Fiadh put a heavy trencher down in front of her full of smoked fish. Callie raised her hand and covered her face. Avery at once took the trencher away.

“What’s going on?” Ian called to them, curious.

“Our sister is refusing tae eat,” Fiadh said firmly.

“And now my older sister is back in my life, she is seeking tae tell me what tae do. I cannae eat.” Callie shook her head.

“Love, ye will just have tae tell them.” Avery waved a hand at her.

“Nae today. It’s Aila’s wedding day,” Callie hissed at him, clearly urging him to be quiet.

“Do ye want tae tell them?” he asked as he ate some of the smoked fish. “Or would ye like yer sister tae force ye intae eating this?”

She looked sick again and shook her head.

“Come on, tell us,” Aila said eagerly. “Something must be afoot.”

“I am nae in the mood for eating because I am a little nauseous. That is all.”

“Ah, aye, that is so easy tae brush off,” Ian said in jest. “And what is the cause of the nausea?”

He looked at Avery, noting the smile on his face.

Something more is afoot here.

Callie sighed loudly and nodded, clearly deciding it was time to reveal all.

“I’m with child,” she confessed.

“That’s wonderful!” Fiadh and Aila were on their feet so fast that Ian was left staring at the empty chair beside him.

“I lost my wife rather quickly, did I nae?” he remarked.

“I’ll be back soon.” Aila waved a hand at him in dismissal and ran around the table, then launched herself at her sister, as did Fiadh. Poor Callie started complaining she was being squished in the chair, though no one seemed to mind. Even Avery chuckled as he sat beside her, enjoying the fish himself.

“Well done, ye,” a voice caught Ian’s attention.

He turned to see Eloise standing on his other side. She’d moved from her chair beside her own sister, Scarlett, and come to see him, laying a hand on his shoulder.

“For what?”

“What do ye think?” She laughed and nodded at Aila. “I had a feeling when ye told me of what had passed in those letters that ye felt more than just a curiosity for her.”

“Ye did nae. I did nae even ken. How could ye ken?”

“A woman’s intuition, I suppose,” she replied, tapping her nose.

“Intuition, eh?” Someone else joined them. Another voice joined them. Murdoch approached and stood behind Ian.

Ian couldn’t help but notice Eloise’s smile falter. She glared at Murdoch with intensity.

“What of a man’s intuition? Is that nae good for anything?” Murdoch seemed to take pleasure in trying to provoke Eloise. He leaned on the back of Ian’s chair, waiting for her response. Eloise, in her usual demure manner, averted her gaze from him.

“Cannae ye two call a truce for today of all days?” Ian interjected with a laugh. Over the past few days, he had witnessed how much they managed to get on each other’s nerves. Murdoch was cold, ruthless, and often downright rude and vulgar, something Eloise clearly despised. Her nature, on the other hand, was kind and welcoming. It meant that she couldn’t see what Ian saw in his friend.

He is a good man.

In contrast, Murdoch appeared frustrated that Eloise remained demure and modest, doing her best to resist rising to his taunts while keeping her distance.

“We have,” Eloise said simply.

“Nae enough, clearly.” Ian nodded between the two of them.

“Well, shall I be the bigger man between the two of us?” Murdoch cleared his throat and stood straighter, adjusting his suit.

“Ye are the man,” Eloise reminded him rather tartly.

“Well, well, ye noticed. I thought ye just saw me as a beast.”

“I did nae say the two were mutually exclusive.”

Ian chuckled into his tankard of mead, trying hard not to choke on the mixture.

“Here, allow me tae further our truce.” He offered his hand to Eloise.

“What’s that?”

“A hand. I am offering tae dance with ye, Eloise.”

“Oh, I…” She trailed off and looked at the dancers. It was a lively volta, with the ladies being thrown into the air by the men.

“I am nae so foul that ye cannae trust me tae catch ye. Come on.” He took her hand when she didn’t object further and led her away. Eloise cast a pleading look back at Ian, but he simply shrugged, uncertain of what he was expected to do.

For all of Murdoch’s brash ways, he would never drop Eloise in a dance.

Maybe the dance will do them both some good.

The chair beside Ian was occupied once again, and he looked at his wife, grasping her hand when he found her there and kissing the back of it. She smiled and leaned toward him, lowering her voice.

“Ye will nae believe what Callie just told me,” Aila was breathless.

“What is it?” he asked with sudden concern when he saw her eyes were glistening with tears.

“It is such a wonderful thing, I can barely contain it,” Aila murmured. “Callie and Avery have decided that if they have a girl, they shall name the child after me.”

“Truly?” He saw just how much it meant to her. She blinked madly, stopping tears before they could fall.

“They are in earnest.” She breathed slowly. “They have said it is their gratitude for when I saved them last year.”

“Well, ye did.” Ian remembered the story of how Avery and Callie had been locked in an outbuilding outside of the brothel as it was burning down. But Aila, courageous and swift, defied her father’s wishes, risking her own safety to rescue them. Without her bravery, they might have been lost forever in the engulfing flames.

“May the girl be blessed with the same happiness as ye are now,” Ian mused, his voice tinged with gratitude and fondness.

Aila’s eyes sparkled with joy as she leaned closer to him, the euphoria of the day radiating from her. “I pray for it,” she responded, her words filled with happiness. “I cannae bear the thought of this day coming tae an end.”

A mischievous glimmer danced in Ian’s eyes as he playfully waggled his eyebrows, teasing her with his thoughts. “What about the night? I have a few tricks up my sleeve that would bring an even wider smile tae yer face.”

Aila’s cheeks flushed, and a playful smile curved her lips. “Well, perhaps I will nae be so sad when the feasting concludes then.”

Ian’s determination flickered in his eyes as he took her hand, his desire to revel in every moment of celebration evident. “Ye will nae be sad at all. Come, my love, let us dance and celebrate with all our might.” He guided Aila to her feet, leading her gracefully around the feasting table. As they passed Noah and Scarlett, wrapped in their own world of whispered words and blushing affection, Ian couldn’t help but feel a swell of happiness for his loved ones finding their own bliss.

Amidst the swirling dance floor, Ian’s gaze fell upon Eloise, appearing somewhat adrift amidst the lively revelry. But in a surprising turn of events, Murdoch emerged, effortlessly sweeping Eloise into his arms and twirling her with unexpected grace. Murdoch, a burly figure to most, concealed a hidden talent in the art of dance, unknown to many.

With effortless finesse, Ian twirled Aila across the floor, their bodies moving as one, guided by the rhythm of their hearts. The dance left them breathless, their chests rising and falling with exhilaration as they leaned toward each other.

Aila’s voice carried a hint of mischief as she confessed, her eyes flickering with desire. “Perhaps I’ll be ready for the night sooner than I thought,” she whispered, her gaze tracing Ian’s form.

Ian’s desire matched hers, a hunger that resonated deep within him. “Then let us seize the moment and embrace the night together,” he responded, his voice laced with passion and devotion.

And so, hand in hand, Ian and Aila left the festivities behind, ready to immerse themselves in a night filled with love, intimacy, and the promises of a future entwined.

The End.

If you want to know what lies ahead in our story, you may want to get the sequel…

Eloise MacTavish, entangled in her father’s debts, seizes a risky opportunity to erase his financial burdens. All she has to do is pose as a fake fiancée to a man who has lost his previous wife-to-be to an accident and wants to avoid another wedding. Unbeknownst to her, her betrothed turns out to be no other than Murdoch Gordon—her nemesis, her forbidden temptation… and her brother’s closest friend. As their feigned affection deepens into genuine emotions, a chilling truth emerges: Murdoch’s late wife’s demise was deliberate. With danger lurking and history threatening to repeat itself, Eloise navigates secrecy, tangled emotions, and a looming peril from having her brother reveal her schemes…

In Bed with a Highland Brute