“I am so dense. I’m sorry, Gloriana. Here you’ve been allowing me to stay in the cottage without paying my fair share. You’ve been feeding me and washing my clothes, and I’ve done nothing but bring an occasional treat to the house.” He shook his head and gazed toward the ceiling. “God forgive me.” He refocused on her. “Why didn’t you speak sooner?”

“I . . . well, everything had been all right, but when I ran out of coffee this morning and knew there wasn’t money for more . . . well, I guess I just realized I couldn’t put it off anymore.”

“Gloriana, this is all my fault. I’m so sorry. I’ll pay back rent on the cottage, and let’s discuss this situation of a job. You’ve been nursemaid to my niece for two months. I owe you wages at least for that, not to mention that you’ve acted as a housekeeper and cook for me. I owe you a great deal, and I’m sorry for not having been considerate enough to realize you couldn’t possibly have had the money to pay for all the food you’ve fed me.”

“I don’t expect you to pay me for anything, especially not for caring for Sally. I made her mother a promise. I just need to get a job so I can continue to pay for JT and myself.” Her heart beat a little faster at the compassionate look he was giving her. “I . . . it was my pleasure having you join us for meals. I just can’t make everything work without money.”

“Gloriana, if not you, I would have to pay someone else. Sally has known you from her birth. You are every bit a mother to her, and that comforts me greatly. You have loved her, not just cared for her as a nurse might. I don’t want her to leave your care. I will pay you back wages and rent, but I will also pay you going forward. Don’t consider it pay for caring for Sally—maybe just consider it pay for taking care of me.” He laughed. “As you know, I can be rather a mess.”

He propped the baby in the crook of one arm and reached into his coat. He pulled out a large leather wallet. Gloriana tried not to look surprised as he handed her more than fifty dollars.

“This should cover the last two months. I’ll set up accounts in any stores you ask me to so that you can just go there and shop for what you need. If I might continue to eat my meals with you in the morning and evening, that would greatly bless me.” He smiled.