Chapter 38
1905, Southampton
Leander finished the morning service and was in the study getting a head start on the next week’s sermon. Peter was with the Davenports again, and he was supposed to have Sunday dinner with the Shockings, but they hadn’t been at service that morning.
There was a knock on the back door, and at first, Leander barely heard it from the office. As he approached the kitchen, the knocking grew louder and more insistent. Through the window, he saw Mr. Shocking.
He opened the door. “Ah, Mr. Shocking, I wondered what the outcome of our plans might be today.”
“I apologize, Reverend,” Shocking said. He didn’t look himself, but then again, Shocking never looked like he was comfortable, except the times he and Leander were left alone. “Mrs. Shocking has come down ill th
