His shadow was always in her mind. Often, she would hate him, but then, when she felt the desire most to cause him pain, a sense of desperate need to feel his loving touch would torment her. Her body ached to be with him. How she longed to hear him call her name. Just once.

The wind picked up in the valley and the crashing of the waves on the rocks below brought her to her senses. She had been out too long and the day was turning to night. It was lonely where she was, and the thought that she might be watched caused her to search the trees for a figure. None were there, but how easily a tree could pass for a man when the mind played tricks. Still, it was late in the day and poachers would soon be about. It was not safe to come across a man who was stealing rabbits and could be hanged for it.

Jane shuddered with the thought and started to run. The path was a trail worn in the ground and in parts she felt she could slip, but she kept herself upright until she reached a low stone wall that barred her way. The wall was old and in parts broken. She tried to remember where the gap was by which she had come through earlier, but the darkness was beginning to fall fast now.

This stressed her and she felt a sense of worry. Not sure if she should go right or left, she chose the latter. Jane followed the wall for what seemed like hours, although in truth it was only minutes. She did not remember the stones she had to clamber over, nor the shallow ditch she had to take a long stride to cross. She cleared the ditch but did slip on the mud and felt her ankle twist as she fell down. She was angry with herself for staying out so late. It had only meant to be a short walk, but she had remembered the man she loved and how he had left her for another woman….