After he washed and dried his face, Mr. Thornber walked to the window and looked out. His room afforded him one of the most pleasant views of the grounds. It was another rather agreeable afternoon. The first signs of spring were visible. He could see the buds on the trees and the emergence of the water in the pond which had been covered in ice not so long ago. Earlier this morning on his ride back here, he’d stopped at the waterfall where he used to while away many happy childhood hours. Presently, the quietness was broken by the twittering of birds. He smiled. He couldn’t wait to go back outside. His eyes swept across the grounds when they were arrested by something.

The smile vanished from his face when he saw the two figures standing beneath the oak tree. He recognized one as belonging to Miss Roth and the other belonging to a gentleman he had never seen before. He leaned out as if to get a closer look which wasn’t possible from that point. Who was this stranger? Jealousy burned in him like a wild fire as he watched them stroll over to the bench and sit down, facing each other. What was he doing here? When did Miss Roth meet him?

Continue reading at Notes to Women