heard above the wind. Her escort had now dropped his hand from her arm and, freed of her hand bag, she thrust both hands in her pockets and stepped forward readily at his side. Above the wind she could hear the steady beat of the waves as they broke over the shingle; that and the ring of their own footsteps on the hard stone were the only sounds in the covering darkness. Neither of them spoke; even had Jill felt inclined she was too busy battling with the elements and trying to match her steps to her companion ’ s long strides, to make further efforts.
Jill felt the wind was like wine. Like wine it seemed to have gone to her head; she was aware of a feeling of happi ness akin to exultation as she bent her body to its force, feeling it whip round her, almost lifting her from her feet. Her thoughts were in turmoil and held a quality o f unreality even as the encompassing night and the silent man at her side. He was surely as enigmatic as the dark vaulted heavens and the spangle of stars. Harriet had tried to give her some more intimate picture of this man, yet she didn ’ t feel she knew him better; perhaps loneliness and the determined struggle to success had given him that shell of hardness ... surely it could be no more than a veneer since although she had suffered his scathing remarks and that satirical smile, she had also glimpsed the kindliness which he seemed almost at pains to conceal. Suddenly it easy to understand Harriet ’ s words; she usually was right, her judgment sound and clear-headed, a woman who could pierce his armour would probably find all her heart could desire.
As they rounded the jetty the high wall broke the force or the wind. The sudden lull was strange after their recent buffeting, and even the sea, a few feet below them, beat almost gently against the rocky boulders. Throwing back her head, Jill took a deep breath. She could taste the salt on her lips and her body glowed with the recent exercise.
“ That was lovely—how sheltered it is here. ” She walked to the edge and peered over the foam-flecked rocks.
“ The wind is from the south; this corner is sheltered. ” He paused, then added, “ The waves are breaking the other side—hear them? ” As he spoke a wave broke high against the wall with thundering impact, sending a fine spray of salt water clear over the jetty. Duncan McRey took Jill ’ s arm and pulled her back. “ Better not stand there, you ’ ll get soaked. ” He wiped a green-painted seat with his handkerchief. “ Like to sit for a moment before starting back? ” Jill sank gratefully down on to the hard seat; she felt reluctant as yet to turn homeward. It was strange to hear the crashing waves at her back and yet to remain scarcely touched by the wind. The spray, rising high above the wall, did not reach them, and the wind had become no more than a hissing whisper.
“It’s good here. I often come in the evenings. ”
Jill turned to her companion with surprise. “ Do you? I’ve scarcely explored at all except for one tramp over the cliffs. ” Jill gave a short laugh. “ This is such an ugly place. Maybe it ’ s better to walk at night, one can ’ t see it. ”
“ The sea front should only be walked after dark “ He smiled. “ During the day it ’ s easier to go further afield, the Downs beyond Stene are beautiful. There are dozens of wonderful tramps towards the North, too. You must try them. ”
Jill remained silent, unwilling to express the thoughts his words had provoked. Had he forgotten that he had himself expressed the opinion that her stay at Sunsand would prove brief and, since then, nothing had happened to suggest that he had revised his opinion. On the contrary, he had shown quite cl early that as a Sister she fell far short of his standards.
“ You are very silent. Are you wondering whether you ’ ll be here long enough to take advantage of my suggestions? ” The fact that her companion had so readily guessed her train of thought filled