In 2010, my cousin and I went on a scenic day trip around the West Highlands in Scotland.  One of our tour stops was Loch Katrine in the Trossachs, the setting of  Sir Walter Scott’s narrative poem “The Lady of the Lake.” We spent a lovely hour strolling by the lakeside and taking photos before heading off to Stirling Castle.

The brisk Highland wind swooped across the sparkling surface of Loch Katrine.  Elizabeth Ann brushed her dark hair from her eyes and settled her heather-colored wool cape more snugly around her shoulders as they waited to board the brightly painted tour boat.

“Chilly?” Sebastian asked, pulling her to his side. His thick fisherman’s sweater radiated warmth like it had just come out of the dryer.  Elizabeth Ann glanced up at him and then at the door of the tea room at the foot of the dock, hoping they would end their day with a snack and something hot to drink.

Maude and Duncan stood behind them in line, holding hands.  Maude pointed to a sign in front of the tea room.  “Hey, look.  We can hire bikes.”

“I haven’t ridden a bicycle since boarding school,” Sebastian said, chuckling.

“What do you think, Duncan?  Do you fancy going for a ride?” Maude asked.  “You don’t mind, Elizabeth Ann?”  She looked imploringly at her friend.  “We’ll meet you two back in the tea room, okay?”

“What about the boat tour? Elizabeth Ann asked.

“Right.  What about the boat?” Duncan echoed.

“They can tell us what we missed,” Maude said and tugged on Duncan’s arm.  “I really want to stretch my legs, darling, and get a bit of exercise,” she added, pulling him out of line  and then raising her eyebrows at Sebastian.

Elizabeth Ann watched their friends go and said, “What was that all about?”

Sebastian shrugged, put one hand in his jacket pocket and the other on the small of her back to guide her onto the boat.

Once they were settled on a wide wooden bench on the starboard side of the cruiser, Sebastian said, “The name of this vessel is Lady of the Lake.  Did you know that Sir Walter Scott wrote that poem after he and his family were on holiday right here at Loch Katrine?”

“The Lady of the Lake?” Elizabeth Ann asked absently, focusing on the view of Ben A’an as the boat glided smoothly down the lake.  She raised her camera and snapped a picture of the rugged stone peak.

“It’s one of his most romantic poems,” Sebastian explained.  “He was inspired by this gorgeous setting.”  The boat floated past a tiny densely wooded island. “There’s Ellen’s Isle,” he pointed out.  “Named for Scott’s heroine, Ellen Douglas.”

Elizabeth Ann took a quick picture and then rose to her feet.  Sebastian caught her by the hand. “Wait,” he said.

“I just want to get a few more pictures,” Elizabeth Ann said, squeezing his hand.

“The photos can wait,” he said standing beside her.  “Please sit for a moment.”

“But . . .”

“Please?” He met her gaze, an expression in his eyes she had never seen before.

With a bemused smile, she sat and put her camera on the bench beside her.  She widened her eyes as Sebastian fumbled in his jacket pocket and then dropped down on one knee.  Elizabeth Ann pressed trembling fingers against her mouth as he cleared his throat.

“Ellen Douglas and her suitor, Malcolm Graeme, found true love on the shores of this loch.  I can think of nowhere more romantic to ask you this very important question.”  Sebastian held out a small velvet box.  Nestled inside was a glittering princess-cut diamond ring.

“Oh, Sebastian,” Elizabeth Ann whispered.

“Will you be my wife, Elizabeth Ann Martini?”

She nodded silently, tears filling her eyes, and Sebastian slid the ring onto her finger.

“Brilliant!” He leapt up and pulled her into a massive hug.

They shared a kiss and then he began to laugh.  On the shore, two bicyclists waved enthusiastically.  Elizabeth Ann held up her left hand.  “We’re getting married,” she happily called out to Maude and Duncan.

A short time later, the Lady of the Lake returned to the pier.  Elizabeth Ann and Sebastian were the first to disembark.  Hand-in-hand, they hurried toward the tea room to bask in the congratulations from their friends and the restoring warmth of a good cup of tea.