He was glad to be back in the room with the officer and talk to him. It took his mind of things. Even if John seemed a little braggish, listing his accomplishments. He watched as the young man took off his jacket without any trace of embarrassment.

Wait, he wasn't coming on to him, was he?

The rain. It was on account of the rain. And the reason the young man seemed eager to impress was probably on account of Pippa.

Right?

He probably needed to lie down.

"No," he remembered to answer. "I've not been stabbed. I may need bandages for the ribs, but I'll get them." He wasn't letting anyone near the medical cabinet. Less so a soldier. He wasn't exactly new on the block. (Just a hypocrite.)

"And the cooking range is unlit, I'm afraid. You'd make too much noise." He grabbed his clothes and gave the young man a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry. I promise I'm usually a better host. Are you cold? I should have grabbed you some dry clothes as well. Do you need some? Or would you like some brandy?"