Chapter Thirteen - James
I’d not meant to walk in on them. Working, I was ready for a break and simply followed the smell of coffee.
But as I enter the kitchen, it’s plain that Michael is cornering Charlotte…
Again…
“Ah, my apologies. Didn’t mean to interrupt…”
… then I realise I shouldn’t even have spoken…
Charlotte breaks into a laugh. “You’re not interrupting. I was telling Michael to get out of his wet clothes.”
The Hmmph escapes me unbidden. “A likely story.” But I’m laughing inside as I follow the drips on the floor. “Michael, whatever your plans were, get a dry robe on. Charlotte, if that pot of coffee is fresh, you can serve it all round.”
“Of course, Master. Sit by the fire. I’ll pour you some.”
By the time Michael returns, now in a robe, hair roughly towelled dry, I’m st
