In 1910, the United Kingdom is in turmoil. King Edward dies after only nine years on the throne. The social class system that upheld British society for centuries is being chipped away by social, political, and economic unrest across the Empire. Amidst this backdrop, Reverend Leander Norris is accused of sodomy. After discovering his own self-worth and the meaning of unconditional love, Leander finds the courage to stand up for what he believes is right and pleads "not guilty" to the charges.<br><br>Throughout the trial, Leander's past is revealed, including the temptations that bring the accusations against him. By the end of the trial, Leander is once again reunited with a romantic interest from the past. But it may be too late to rekindle any love that remains, given the circumstances of the era and Leander's likely sentence.<br><br>Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Leander convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural?

Disappear with Me

Leander jerked his head away from Raphael’s grasp and when he did, Raphael saw the scars in his scalp.


“What have they done?” Raphael asked. He reached to touch the scars, but Leander moved out of his reach.


“The new warden put me in the common cell, and I was assaulted.”


“Have you been…sexually assaulted?”


The answer seemed to echo in the silence between the two. After a moment, Raphael asked, “So tell me about him.”


Leander relayed the stories of the many times he and Basil stole away from the world to meet: the swimming pond, the pubs across town, his own study.


“So that was a typical afternoon for you two?” Raphael asked.


“Yes, we’d go somewhere, spend time together—”


“Which always included sex,” Raphael assumed.


Leander blushed when he finished his sentence.


Raphael shrugged. “I’ve been in the same situation, with both men and women.” His tone was nonchalant. “Was he good to Peter?”


Chapter 78