Chapter 21James looked tired and drawn when he clattered across the bridge and dismounted in the farmyard. I stepped forward and gave him an American handshake, resisting the urge to pull him into an embrace. He frowned and gave me a questioning look.
“Come inside where I can greet you properly.” I stepped onto the porch and moved aside as a good servant should do, allowing the master to enter first.
James paused on the doorstep to glance at the outhouse. “The barn looks good. Simmons told me about it.”
I said nothing as I followed him inside to watch him strip away his woolen uniform. When he started to don more comfortable cotton clothing, I reminded him he’d just have to remove it again.
James laughed and threw aside the trousers he’d been holding. “My God, I’ve missed you.” He move
