When Ian finally ended the kiss they where both out of breath. And because he did not want to stand up at that moment for fear that he would frighten her he told her. “Put your head on my shoulder, and just let me hold you in my arms baby”. She looked at him in shock at first realizing that he had used an endearment of affection. But she never said any thing she just held him too. They stayed like that for a while before Ian finally said it was time to go back to the camp before someone came looking for them. Of course Elizabeth agreed. And he helped her to stand up. When he stood up next to her he took her hand and they walked together back to camp.

The next day they arrived at McBane’s castle. Elizabeth should see it on top of a large hill. It seemed extremely large to her. But she could not tell if it was a beautiful place from where she was. She was very nervous about meeting the Laird, and was not sure what he would say or what she would say to him. But she new that Ian would stay right by her side if she needed him too. The closer she got the more she leaned into him while they rode together on his horse. After awhile he leaned forward and told her that everything would be alright and not to worry about it. “I will always be here for you Elizabeth. And I will not allow anything to happen to you, no matter what”.

“Ian, what is the Laird like?”

“He is a lot like me Elizabeth, except he is older. You will like him. He will do everything he can to help you. You know Elizabeth you never did tell me how it was that you know him”?

Elizabeth turned enough in the saddle to look up at Ian. “I don’t know him Ian, but I think my mother did. She gave me this ring to give to him. I guess it will explain who I am. I had asked my mother, but she would not explain. She just told me to give him the ring”.

“Well, I guess we will find out soon enough”.

They rode on in silence. The closer they got to the castle people began to come out of their cottages and began waving and greeting the men. But when they noticed the English women they grew quiet.