I have been taking longer and longer walks in the woods and have even ventured along one or two smaller paths jutting from the main one William had shown me when I first arrived.

Milly would hardly believe me if I told her what I had been doing. She would also chastise me for my looks! My cheeks are red and my eyes are wild. I feel so invigorated and strong out here. I climb up hills, skip over streams, and balance across logs.

I also have found a beautiful grove just off a little animal path. It’s on a rise overlooking the entire area, including the house. It’s my own little hideaway. It feels more like home than the house does. If I am going to spend the rest of my days here with William I am glad to have a little spot to call my own. It seems a little childish but I want this place to be mine and no one else’s.

The further I go the more beautiful everything becomes. I can no longer see the house but that does not bother me in the slightest. The trail is actually very well defined and fairly easy to traverse.

In the brush a while back I came across a group of cardinals. They scattered the moment I came near but soon returned after I was well past them. I also spotted a small family of deer. Thomas will love to hear about them. They were so graceful and leapt over the tall grass and brush with such effortlessness. For a moment I wished I could have joined them and bounded away to see what was deep inside the forest.

Perhaps another day – for now I must start back. I have been gone long enough.

It’s even lovelier than I had thought. I am down in the woods. The path is still a bit muddy but I couldn’t resist. There is a bright and beautiful blue sky above me with some of the softest clouds I have ever seen. I am sitting on a fallen log overlooking a slight gully. It’s hard to tell through the foliage but I believe there is a small creek at the bottom. I can see the silver glitter of water in the sunlight when the breeze pushes the branches apart. I feel lighter here with the warmth on my face and the fresh air filling my body.

I just realized that I have never had this kind of freedom before. In town it was improper for a young lady to walk the streets unescorted. I have always had someone to hold my hand or walk by my side whenever I went somewhere. But this is entirely different! I am free and it feels extraordinary. There is no one to call my name and no one to answer to. The hem of my dress in muddy and so are the tails on my coat and I don’t care. I am just wonderfully happy.
I think I will walk a little further and see what is down the path.

What a wonderful day. I woke from a heavy sleep to find that the rain had stopped and a warm breeze had taken its place! I believe once the mud dries a bit more I will take a walk. I have not been out of the house for several days and have not had a chance to explore the path through the wooded glen on the other side of the property.

The fresh air will do me good and, though I love Thomas, some time alone will also be refreshing. I believe we both could use a little time to recoup after this storm.

I believe being cooped up inside is beginning to bother me. I was sitting in the nook, the one we have recently cleared, when I thought I saw the figure of a man.

I started up quite suddenly only to hear Thomas shut the front door. When I looked in on him he was shedding his overly large coat and setting one of the pots back in place. It had only been him. But isn’t it funny how pleasant things can be so distorted in the moonlight?

I can't help but think of him.