Had he returned here or had he gone ahead and climbed over the wall after I’d left? I’m not sure which of the two I preferred. Then I became annoyed with myself. Why should I care if he’s here or not?

I’ve never had any interest in a suitor or given much thought to a future marriage, though it was customary for girls my age to become betrothed.

Father has been very good at allowing me to make my own decisions when it comes to that. And besides, my brothers and my ...