"If that arrogant man complains one more time, I fear I shall strangle him," Abigail Sommers grumbled as she stormed back to the kitchen, the door slamming against her derriere as it closed behind her.

George Crum, head chef, looked up from the order he was preparing. "You'd best not mean Vanderbilt again. I already redid his fried potatoes once." George harrumphed in displeasure. "As if I don't know how to make potatoes after all the years I've worked at Moon's Lake House. Fried potatoes are one of our specialties!"

Abigail slammed the plate on the counter. "Well, the man isn't satisfied. Said they're still too thick and soggy for his liking. Too bad he didn't choose to stay home tonight. Of all nights for Georgiana to get sick and ask me to help. It's much more difficult than I imagined...taking someone's order whilst trying to hide my face so no one recognizes me."

George glared at the plate of barely eaten potatoes as he finished the gourmet touches to his latest creation. "Well, the Commodore has gone one step too far this time."

He smiled at Abigail. "I'm sorry you're receiving complaints. Nothing new around here, though. When our patrons get foxed, they tend to complain. No doubt it's beyond what you thought you'd have to endure, but I'm certain Georgiana appreciates you helping. Not many would work while visiting on holiday."

"Well, I couldn't turn my back on a friend. She is so excited about obtaining a job here, she thinks it's a lark. She posted a long letter to me about it. If she hadn't been eating in the restaurant the day several of the waiters fell ill, she doubts she would have been hired." She chuckled. "But Georgiana's never been shy, so she took advantage of the owner's need and volunteered to help." Few knew it, but with Georgiana's father being sick, the family needed the money. Her friend loved her family too much to ever complain about having to work until they got back on their feet. Her dedication was one of the things Abigail loved about her so much. Abigail had cringed each time she headed out to the main room to take an order. What if someone recognized her from the hotel where they currently stayed? Father and Mother would be scandalized. Had she actually lived in Saratoga instead of just visiting so her father could use the medicinal springs, she never could have agreed to help. But she and Georgiana had become fast friends at finishing school, and she wasn't about to let a friend down when she needed help. Abigail sighed, then continued, "Sitting around the house all day isn't for her. You know Georgiana; she hates needlework. And most other places won't even consider hiring women. When she asked me to assist for one night I couldn't say no."

George arched a brow, reached for an already peeled potato, and started slicing. "And what would your father say if he saw you here? In a tuxedo? With your hair piled up under a top hat? Doubt he'd be pleased, although it is a good way to hide your hair."

Abigail laughed softly. "Oh, mercy! Don't even mention Father finding out! He would be appalled, and I'd get a lecture for a week of Sundays on the proper attributes for a young lady. I truly don't believe his usual opinion on social consciousness would apply to me serving people in public. Although if Mrs. Elizabeth Stanton had her say, women would be treated equally with men regardless of the profession they chose."

George looked appalled. "Miss Abigail, don't let the owner hear you talkin' like that. He and his missus have had many arguments over the issue, and he ain't none too fond of that there Mrs. Stanton. Why, he came in here yelling one day that his wife and some friends had gone off with Miss Elizabeth to one of those Daughters of Temperance meetings."

Abigail harrumphed. "Well, I might not support all of her ideas, but I certainly think some things Mrs. Stanton says have merit."

George looked down at the potatoes in front of him, then glanced back up, a twinkle in his eyes. "I assure you the Commodore won't say these potatoes are too thick this time. I'm going to make them paper thin; thinner than anyone's ever seen them before."