Why would Willoughby be out shooting on Barton manor without Sir John or his permission? Allenham (9) is a mile and a half from the cottage—those are the only lands he ought to be out shooting on. Willoughby said the “very first news I should hear from Mrs. Smith, when I next came into the country, would be that Barton cottage was taken” (14). Mrs. Smith likely heard from general gossip the new tenants was a family of females, a mother and three daughters. What does he want with them? Willoughby’s does not want to spend his time with his aunt or those at the park. His comfort zone is seducing girls without fathers or other apparent male guardian at hand. Willoughby would wander about the cottage to see if they were worth his time or by chance meet with them.

I agree Willoughby wants to avoid Marianne in town but I do not see how that changes the fact he is hiding in shadows and doorways watching her instead of keeping to his own business or coming clean with her to end it. From Ch. 50: “he [Willoughby] always retained that decided regard which interested him in everything that befell her [Marianne]”. It sounds like Willoughby keeps tabs on Marianne for life. If not life how long do you think is meant by it? I guess Marianne and the colonel might go to town some years but I think they both prefer the country. I cannot see Col Brandon abiding Willoughby to be in the same party and I think Willoughby is too cowardly to wish finding himself in the same room as Col Brandon. Anyone who claimed to be their friends would not arrange such a meeting and I can’t see them going to town to party with anyone not their friends. That's my opinion anyway. (:D)