Celeste Barclay

When the perfect lady-in-waiting isn't so perfect...Arabella Johnstone has been held to an impossible standard her entire life. While her beauty surpasses any of the other ladies-in-waiting at King Robert the Bruce's royal court, the pressure to always appear perfect is growing to be too much for Lady Arabella. Scrutinized for any flaw in appearance or behavior, Arabella struggles with the unattainable expectations placed upon her by her family and those at court. When she can no longer withstand strain, she turns to a reckless, self-destructive habit to cope. Can Lady Arabella accept help when it comes from a man she longs for but can't accept?When your sisters' friend is all you want...Lachlan Sutherland has admired Lady Arabella Johnstone for years, but she is his sisters' friend. Every visit to Stirling Castle is sweet agony for Lachlan when he spends time with Arabella. Charmed by her saucy sense of humor, her kindhearted devotion to his sister Maude, and her mentoring of his sister Blair, Lachlan finds himself drawn to the engaging and intelligent young woman. But when he discovers Arabella's secret, he's certain he can no longer ignore his love for the beauty. Can Lachlan prove to Arabella in time that he loves her for more than her pretty face?Lachlan and Arabella have denied their intensifying attraction for one another, both cautious of ruining Arabella's friendships with Lachlan's sisters. As their forbidden love grows with time, neither can imagine their life without the other, but Arabella's father has set in motion plans that will keep them apart. With her life spiraling out of her control, Arabella finds solace in whisky. Lachlan is determined to prove to Arabella that her beauty is far from skin deep. Can these star-crossed lovers fight for a future together? Or will others' expectations become an insurmountable barrier?

Can a lady-in-waiting resist the pressure to marry a stranger? Cairstine Grant has spent two years carefully cultivating a reputation at court that is sure to drive away any potential suitor. Traumatized from an attack as a young woman, Cairstine is bound and determined never to marry and never to be subjected to a man's control. She'd rather become a nun than a wife. But one obstacle stands in her way: her younger sister can't marry the man she loves until Cairstine marries first. When Cairstine's father refuses to consider her choice to become a nun, can Cairstine convince an unsuspecting friend to pose as her betrothed? Can she overcome the scars from her past and form a genuine partnership with a man she was never supposed to fall in love with?Can a renowned rake reform his ways in time to protect a lady-in-waiting he never thought he would befriend? Eoin Grant watched his twin brother, Ewan, fall in love and marry. A romantic at heart, Eoin hopes one day to marry and find true affection with his wife. But in the meantime, he's happy to live the life of a bachelor. When Cairstine Grant blindsides him with a proposition to pretend to be her betrothed, Eoin realizes a real future with Cairstine might be better than pretend. But one obstacle stands in his way: Cairstine will only agree to a marriage in name only, and Eoin's dreams of having a family one day. When Eoin's feelings develop beyond friendship, can he convince Cairstine to trust him enough to see a future together? Can Eoin help Cairstine overcome her fears and prove that his feelings are pure?Can a relationship based upon a falsehood grow into something real? Stripped of her choices, Cairstine turns to Eoin for help, but she fears making a lasting commitment. Eoin's conscience demands he help Cairstine when she asks for his help, but he's not certain he can live with a lie that might tear apart his heart. When danger and necessity force them to decide, Eoin and Cairstine discover playing pretend isn't just for children.

Allyson Elliot spent her childhood in the shadows of her five older siblings, but after surviving rumors about her parentage, she finds a new, carefree life at the Scottish Highland court. Free of suspicion, Allyson blooms into a vibrant lady-in-waiting, but an unexpected arranged marriage turns her world upside down. Desperate, Allyson becomes a runaway bride as she tries to escape her betrothal.Ewan Gordon may be the heir to his clan's lairdship, but he's enjoying the life of a bachelor with his twin, Eoin. Ewan is attracted to Allyson and even considers stealing a kiss, but when the king orders he marry Allyson, Ewan is forced to reconsider his ideas on marriage and fidelity. As Ewan chases Allyson, he discovers there's more than meets the eye to this naive but courageous young lady.When members of Allyson's family set out to destroy their blossoming relationship, Ewan must fight to keep Allyson from slipping back into the shadows. Jealous sisters, thoughtless brothers, and indifferent parents threaten to steal Allyson's and Ewan's chance for their happily ever after.

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride...For more than a decade, Laurel Ross has been a lady-in-waiting at Robert the Bruce's royal court, a place where money is power. Laurel is the fourth out of five daughters, and the only one unwed. While Laurel isn't exactly a pauper, her father, the Earl of Ross, has already paid four large dowries. Sent to court to find a husband, Laurel's once youthful hope has turned to bitterness as one friend after another marriest. Her viperous tongue has earned her the title of "hellion". Will any man accept a bride who comes with such a small dowry?Every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do...Guilt is slowly eating away at Brodie Campbell. When Brodie's betrothed unexpectedly, Brodie's guilt doesn't come from the woman's untimely death. It comes from the relief he feels that he's no longer bound to her. Brodie isn't interested in a biddable and mild bride. Intrigued by the fiery Laurel Ross, Brodie wonders if this shrew can ever be tamed. Armed with wealth and charm, Brodie welcomes the challenge. Will this spitfire relent long enough to find love with a man who tests her patience?When a wager puts their lives in peril, Brodie and Laurel discover trust is earned, not given.

A lady-in-waiting left behind...Over the past two years, Blair Sutherland has watched her sister and friends marry and leave King Robert the Bruce's royal court. Her parents have promised her a love match, but none of the courtiers who hang on the king's coattails interest her. Just when Blair wonders if she'll ever find the love the other ladies have found, her childhood friend, Hardwin Cameron, arrives at court in need of guidance. With more purpose to her days, Blair's loneliness no longer weighs so heavily upon her. But while Blair offers her assistance, she finds it hard to pay attention when the boy she used to race is now a man who's a constant distraction.A warrior never meant to be laird...Hardwin Cameron was the last person likely to inherit the Cameron lairdship, but he's watched one man after another in his family die until the title is thrust upon him. Amidst his grief, Hardwin struggles with the duties expected of a laird when he was never trained for such responsibilities. Thrust into a role that was never meant to be his, Hardwin is forced to make an appearance before the king. When he arrives, Hardwin can't believe his good fortune when he runs into Blair, a friend among wolves. The girl he used to tease is now a woman, and Hardwin can't deny his attraction as they work side-by-side to prepare him for his new role. A romance blossoms between childhood friends, but it's put to the test when enemies approach the Camerons from every direction. Affected by the deaths of the clan's leaders, neighbors assume the Camerons have weakened. Can Blair and Hardwin protect their new relationship while battling those who would tear them and Clan Cameron apart?

A lady-in-waiting struggling to fit in.... Even after three years at Robert the Bruce's Highland court, Cairren Kennedy still feels like an outsider. Quiet and kindhearted, Cairren has fought to make a place for herself among the queen's ladies-in-waiting when she doesn't look like any of the other young women. A Lowlander with a French mother, her Mediterranean heritage sets her apart both by her features and her customs. When her father hints at an arranged marriage to a Highlander, Cairren fears she'll face more discrimination when she's forced to make her home among strangers. Can Cairren prove that she's more than what people assume? Can she create a new life where she's not welcome?A second son with other plans...Padraig Munro doesn't need or want an arranged marriage because he already has the perfect woman in mind. When King Robert announces Padraig's betrothal to the unsuitable Cairren Kennedy, Padraig refuses to open his heart to a woman who couldn't be less of a Highland lass. Faced with a bride who can't blend in and a family who refuses to accept Cairren, Padraig is caught between his duty to protect his gentle bride and his family's expectations. Can Padraig balance the roll of husband and son when both sides couldn't be further apart? Can Padraig put aside his preconceived notions to make his marriage work?Pushed together by royal decree, Cairren and Padraig take an instant dislike to one another. Angry that he can't marry the woman he's certain he loves, Padraig leaves Cairren to navigate life in the Highlands until his clan's resentment puts her life in danger. Cairren doesn't trust the man she's ordered to share a bed with, but when threats can't be ignored, she must turn to the man she'd pledged her life to. Passion and desire spark between husband and wife, but outside the bedchamber, they can barely stand to look at one another. Can Padraig accept that Cairren isn't to blame for his life's unexpected path, and can Cairren stop seeing Padraig as the enemy before the real enemy destroys their chance to build a life together?

An English knight with a Scottish heart...Dedric Hartley wants to make a new life in Scotland after years of service to King Edward I, but the English king insists on one last mission. When Dedric is sent to spy on his mother's clan, the MacLellan's, the knight is forced to choose between the oath he swore to the man who stole him from his clan and the country that calls him home but where he knows no one.A Scottish lass in love with an English knight...Isabella Dunbar has served Robert the Bruce's court for eight years as a lady-in-waiting and a peace offering from her border laird father to a king he once challenged. When Isabella has two chance meetings with Dedric, they recognize an undeniable attraction that could place them both in danger. Questionable allegiances threaten to drive a wedge between the young couple as their lives take them back to the Scottish-English border and into the heart of a war for Scottish independence.Will either side accept their union, or will a battle between two kings tear them apart?Dedric Hartley and Isabella Dunbar must trust one another enough not only to make their relationship last but to stay alive when two kings try to tear them apart.

A spinster lady in waiting...After four broken betrothals, Elizabeth Fraser believes her father's political ambitions will keep her from ever finding a husband. Content to be considered on the shelf, Elizabeth would rather be left in peace as one of the queen's ladies in waiting than engage in flirtations that lead nowhere. She never expected one chance encounter months ago would alter the future she had accepted. Will Elizabeth give Edward a second chance to prove he wants more than a dalliance?A warrior wanting to return home...Edward Bruce, the adopted younger brother of King Robert the Bruce, is tired of fighting the English in Ireland. Loyal to his brother but homesick, Edward returns to Robert's Scottish court in hopes of settling down once more in the Highlands. Edward recognizes the beguiling Lady Elizabeth from a brief meeting that involved one dance and a rushed conversation on the terrace. He still can't believe the rumor she started to protect her friends. Drawn to her dry wit and independent nature, Edward realizes that his new home will require one particular lady of the keep. Can Edward prove to his Highland lady that his intentions are sincere before time runs out?A hidden threat...When Elizabeth and Edward realize their lives are in danger, they must rely on the Sinclair brothers and their wives to help them investigate who might want them dead. Courtly intrigue follows them as their new love blooms and a home in the Highlands calls to them. If you love romance with intrigue and characters that come to life, then you'll love Celeste Barclay's steamy A Spinster at the Highland Court.

A confirmed bachelor with no intentions of settling down...Tavish Sinclair cannot imagine life with only one woman, not when so many catch his eye. As the third son of Laird Liam Sinclair, he has two older brothers and their children ahead of him for the lairdship. Tavish is stunned when his father informs him the king has arranged his marriage to a woman from the most notorious clan in Scotland, and one he has never met. Drawn as much to her intelligence as her looks, Tavish is unprepared for his spunky bride-to-be when she goes toe to toe and head to head with him at every turn. Can he protect Ceit from herself as much as the dangers that lurk at court?A spirited lady-in-waiting with no plans to change...Ceit Comyn is the niece of one John Comyn and the cousin of the other, making her a member of the most despised clan in the country. Sent to the royal court as a peace offering to mend torched bridges, Ceit is forced in the king's services just as her uncle would control her for the same purposes. She has no interest in marrying a rogue, but when the kind-hearted and honorable warrior champions her, she may discover he's more saint than sinner. Meet the members of Clan Sinclair in this fifth installment of the five book Highland romance series. The Clan Sinclair features Mairghread and her four brothers, Callum, Alexander, Tavish, and Magnus. Each member of the Scottish clan faces challenges as they meet their fated match, but all of the Sinclairs find their HEA. Each novel in the series is a standalone, but they are best read together.

Old enough to love, too young to wed...Sixteen year old Magnus Sinclair did not realize when he stumbled upon thirteen year old Deirdre Fraser he was meeting his soulmate. Three years of meeting at Highland Gatherings and Royal Hunts, along with countless letters, build an unbreakable love between Magnus and Deirdre, and they secretly pledge themselves in a handfast. When Deirdre's parents discover their daughter's actions, she is whisked away to become a lady in waiting to the queen as her parents' status grows within the royal court.A boy grown into a man determined to never surrender his love again...Seven years of separation have not lessened Magnus's love but have made him taste the bitterness of rejection. Sent to court as the Clan Sinclair's representative, the last person Magnus thought to find is Deirdre Fraser, and the last thing he thought to learn is she will soon be betrothed--to a man other than him.A girl grown into a woman willing to disobey to regain her lost love...Deirdre has served the royal court ever since her parents pulled her from Magnus's arms. She has been a dutiful daughter and dutiful companion to the queen, but she never let go of her love for Magnus or her hopes that they would be reunited. Stunned to find Mangus walking past her, Deirdre's heart calls to him despite her parents' political ambitions. Caught between expectations and desire, Magnus and Deirdre must work together to find a way to finally build their life together. Can they prove to everyone that they still belong together, that theirs was not a childhood infatuation but a love for the ages? Or will they have to defy those who attempt to control them, so they may fulfill His Highland Pledge?Meet the members of Clan Sinclair in this fourth installment of the five-book Highland romance series. The Clan Sinclair features Mairghread and her four brothers, Callum, Alexander, Tavish, and Magnus. Each member of the Scottish clan faces challenges as they meet their fated match, but all of the Sinclairs find their HEA. Each novel in the series is a standalone, but they are best read together.