Lechance

After an exchange of letters, it was arranged that Santiago would call on Michael on Monday afternoon. He showed up promptly with chaperon in attendance, sent word up with one of the servants and waited for the other man to join them in the parlor.

This time it was Mr. Jenkins who was accompanying Obediah to the Beloveds' hotel. The missus was tending the Black Sheep and had practically pushed them out the door. Obediah had brought his guitar and, after he'd sent word that he'd arrived, leaned against a wall and checked its tuning. Mr. Jenkins was relagated to holding the case.

When James appeared, Obediah played a complicated riff that matched the timing of his steps.

After lunch on Sunday, Paul checked his appearance, put on his coat and hat, folded gloves into his pocket, and pried Harry away from his wife to act as chaperon again. He had decidedly mixed feelings about making a courting call upon Mr. Belgrave when his mind ran so upon James, but he'd intended to make an appointment to meet the apothecary anyhow, and therefore he had agreed with Mr. Belgrave that they would meet for an afternoon walk to the beach.

At three o' clock precisely (now having a better idea of how long it took to reach the Beloveds' hotel), he arrived in the lobby, sent his card up to Mr. Belgrave, and waited, wondering if he might catch a glimpse of James there, wondering if he truly wanted to when he was there to pay a courting call upon another man.