John considers Lorna’s story, feeling bad for Alan, but also recognizing that as she is kin to a lord, he can have no future with her as a modest yeoman. He regrets not telling her of his love, though he does not expect her to return it, and he is filled with jealousy at the thought of a fancy lord winning her heart. Worst of all, to appease her in her distress, he promised not to return for a month unless she signaled that she needed him by covering the white stone at the entrance of her part of the valley. He regrets this promise intensely.

Marwood de Whichehalse drives through their land and stops, ostensibly for a drink, but John believes it is to see Annie. He stalls to spend more time with her until they hear a mysterious sound. Annie is frightened, so Marwood puts his arm around her waist to comfort her. John appears and, seeing this, knocks Marwood down and carries his sister inside. For the next few days, Annie seems more frightened than grateful. To John’s surprise, Marwood sends an apologetic letter, despite their differences in social standing.

John considers that Annie may have a budding romance with their cousin,

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