The Moon by Night by Gilbert Morris, Lynn Morris

Jauncy.”
    They continued down the stairs and finally Sketes answered his question thoughtfully, “I didn’t mean to, at first. You know, be a full-time live-in. I just took a job cooking for them on their honeymoon when they sailed on Mr. Shiloh’s ship to the West Indies. I already had a nice living and a full life, working my way on different ships, cooking.
    â€œBut we went through so much together, and I came to admire and respect both of them so much that when they came back here and set up house, we all of us—Fiona too—just sort of knew that we were part of their lives. It’s not as if we’re their family—that’s always different—but I guess you might say that Dr. Cheney and Mr. Shiloh have made us part of their home. Why, we even have fun and laugh together. Don’t mistake me—they’re not panderers like some people who are uncomfortable with their servants. Neither are they too strict. They’re just good people. Honest, Christian, charitable, good people, Mr. Jauncy, and I decided I’d find no better place in my life.”
    Jauncy swallowed hard and said in a low voice, “That sounds almost impossibly wonderful, Sketes. Do you—do you suppose…” His voice faded away.
    Sketes looked at his face, and for the first time truly saw how young—and frightened—Phinehas Jauncy was. He had told her that he was twenty years old, and Sketes had been shocked. But now he didn’t look so much like a starving, wizened elderly man, since she had been spooning gruel with sherry and beef tea with oatmeal into him every two hours since he’d been carried in and tossed on the parlor floor.
    In a carelessly cheery tone that hit just the right note for a stiff-upper-lipped British gentleman’s gentleman, she said, “I’d bet Mr. Shiloh is glad you showed up just as you did, even on such a difficult night. The house is sadly lacking in servants. They’ve always told us they planned to add a valet, a parlor maid, and a kitchen maid to the staff. Dr. Cheney’s lately been after him to find him a valet, but as I say, they don’t just go out and hire the first person who agrees to the wage, because their servants are always a part of their home. And Dr. Cheney will be glad of you because he’s glad of you. She loves him that much, though it can’t be said that Mr. Shiloh doesn’t practically worship her.” Sketes kept chattering on in this mindless way until she could tell by Jauncy’s face that his high emotional state was receding into calm.
    They finally made it all the way down the stairs into the big kitchen. Sketes insisted that Jauncy sit on one of the high stools at the enormous oak worktable while she prepared them some tea and warmed some blueberry muffins. “Now, take today. Today is my day off, but Mr. Shiloh asked me to stay here this morning and get you settled in, like. Now anyone else who asked something extra like that, would they make it up to you?”
    â€œThey most certainly would not,” Jauncy said vehemently.
    â€œMy Mr. Shiloh and Dr. Cheney, they do,” Sketes declared. “Mr. Shiloh told me as soon as I feel you’re on your feet, like, I can leave; and tomorrow, instead of a half day I can take the whole day. He also asked me to go buy you some things—a couple of ready-made shirts, some small clothes, and a pair of socks,” she said matter-of-factly as she prepared a tray with butter, jam, sugar, honey, and two large mugs for their tea. “And he gave me some extra spending money for myself—he knows I do love to walk up and down the Ladies’ Mile, and now I might have enough to buy the new hat, with cherries, that I’ve had my eye on for forever now.”
    â€œI’m sure it would be stunning on you, Sketes. Cherries would suit your complexion admirably,” Jauncy said automatically. “But are you saying that Mr.