Chapter 18
1892, Southampton
Leander’s new household fell quickly into his own routines. He woke by seven every morning. Mrs. Dawson served breakfast for him and Mr. Strong at eight, luncheon promptly at one, tea at six, and dinner at eight. He started preparing for his meetings or studied in preparation for the week’s sermon every morning by nine and used his afternoons to do his pastoral visits.
One evening during his first week at the parish, he was trying to read some fiction to relax when he heard piano music coming from Mr. Strong’s room. The music got louder as Leander approached. At the door, he smelled the faint smell of soap. Strong sat at a piano in his room, his hair still wet.
He knocked on the door lightly to catch Strong’s attention. Strong turned and smiled when he saw
