Disappear with Me

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

1910, Southampton

Mrs. Davenport returned later in the evening to retrieve the tea tray. She tucked a loose tendril of drab blond hair behind her ear.

“Should we expect you for dinner?” Her forced smile betrayed her nervousness at breaching the subject.

“No, I think I’d rather be alone tonight,” Leander said. He stared into his Bible.

“If I may, sir,” Mrs. Davenport began, “I’m doing my best to keep Peter occupied, but I think your presence at dinner will help him understand everything’s going to be all right.”

He answered softly, “You’re probably right, Regina.” He looked up at her. The strand of hair she had tucked behind her ear had come loose again. “It could be a while before I’ll see him again. If you think it’s best, I’ll be down.”

“Reverend, is everything going to be all right?”

“I hope so.”

“I will have faith, then,” she said before she exited the room.

Later, he joined Peter and Mr. and Mrs. Davenport for dinner. Peter broke the uncomfortable silence that engulfed the parish family.

“Father, why does the bishop say you’re a bad man?” Peter asked.

Leander took a bit of meat and chewed it before answering. “The bishop should watch his words around such young ears.”

“But why would he say such a thing?”

“The bishop says it is wrong for some people to love.”

“But you say we should love each other like Christ loves us. Isn’t that what you’ve told me before?”

“Peter, this is different.”

“How?”

“The answer to your question is very complicated. One day you might understand.”

“When?”

He drew in a deep breath. “When you meet a young woman and you want to be her friend.”

“I don’t ever want to be friends with any girls, Father. Especially if they’re like any of the ones in the day nursery.”

The Davenports strained to stifle their laughter at Peter’s revelation.

“Little girls grow up to be beautiful women,” he answered. “Then you’ll be singing a different tune. Now, after you’re finished with your dinner, I want you to go to your room and read a book or work on your studies.”

“Can I come see you afterward?” Peter asked.

“Not tonight, Peter. I have to prepare for tomorrow.”

“I love you, Father,” he said. After the words came out of Peter’s mouth, his fork fell to his plate. “Is the bishop going to lock me away, too?”

“You have nothing to worry about, my son.”

They ate the rest of their meal in silence.

When Leander reached the refuge of his upstairs study, the faint whisper of the evening choir rehearsal drifted into his room. The chant carried him back into his past once again. Peter’s blue eyes reminded him of Raphael’s, and Leander remembered the day Raphael came to study with Father John.